Our Habitual Brain & Stress Response - Neurofeedback Training Benefits

Can the brain change its bad habits?

Thankfully what I was taught in neuropsychology class in college 25 years ago - that the brain is a fixed system – we now know is wrong.  We were taught that if you lose functioning because of a concussion or stroke you’re not going to get it back.

We have advanced a lot since then and now we all know the brain is plastic (neuroplasticity) but what it needs is to improve its functioning is good information. That's where neurofeedback comes in...

Also Read:

How Does Neurofeedback Work? NeurOptimal® Explained

The Stress Response 3 Zones

Here’s a graph (right image) of the dynamics of the brain and the stress response.

In Zone 1 and Zone 3 the stress response is ruling our decision making.  We have a hard time being present but instead fixate on the past and future.

In Zone 1 we feel: unsafe, have mental ruminations, lack focus when we need it, feel scattered, feel anxious, worried, want to flee social situations, feel overwhelmed and are easy to anger and feel attacked by others.  Disorders of Zone 1: insomnia, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, PTSD, and ADHD.

In Zone 3 we also feel unsafe but are often too numb to realize it.  It's marked by feeling hopeless, powerless and down about life.  We have a hard time connecting with others, want to shut ourselves off, and can socially isolate and sleep too much.  "Why bother?" is a common attitude when we're stuck in Zone 3.  Disorders of Zone 3: Depression, Dysthimia, Disassociation, the depressive response in PTSD.   And addictions can come out of the cycling between Zones 1 and 3.

When our brain is healthy it will stay most of the time in Zone 2.  Life feels workable and relatively safe.  We are able to engage with others, use logic to think things through.  Pause when we need to and engage in activities that keep us healthy.  We sleep better, can laugh at our silly mistakes, and not take the world quiet so seriously.  We can also shift gears and focus when needed, organize our tasks to prevent being overwhelmed.

Habits form and we get stuck.  But the Central Nervous System is not meant to be stuck, it’s a dynamical, non-linear information processing system. The problem is that it’s not registering what the here-and-now needs are.

NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback comes in. It trains the brain to live, as much as possible, in Zone 2. The brain wants information that will allow it to optimize it’s functioning, to get out of the fight/flight, freeze response. Or whatever it’s doing that is not in alignment with here-and-now needs. And when the brain has trained 30 times over a few months it has learned a new process. Depending on stressors will either be able to stay in regulation or will start to wobble.

Unlike protocol-based systems such as EEGer® or BrainPaint® that are using a brain map or normative data to decide how to create that re-regulation of the brain the NeurOptimal® (NO) system is based on how the brain truly functions, which is that give it the information and it will re-regulate itself. We’re measuring the activity of the brain 256 times/ second about it’s electrical behaviour. The parameters of change are set by the emergent brain not by an external trainer (as is with protocol). 

Watch this video on how NeurOptimal® works.

Feeling calmer, greater mental clarity, like the windshield wiper just cleaned off that bug smeared glass, greater sense of workability. Less agonizing thoughts of worry and being fearful, better organizing skills, ability to delay gratification, less impulsive anger, acting out, lighter, more cheerful. 

Also Read:

The Benefits of Neurofeedback Training: Watch Client Success Stories

About NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback: What is NeurOptimal good for?

NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback is a game-changer in how family systems operate

• Communication shifts from reactive/defensive to openness and exchange of information.
• The Central Nervous System (CNS) all come into regulation making it harder for one system to go into dysregulation.

NeurOptimal Neurofeedback helps stabilize mood so that decision-making can be a response rather than a reaction.

• Decisions happen from gathering information, (information not experienced as a threat), planning and delayed gratification,  
• There is a heightened ability to have insight because the CNS isn’t as reactive so therefore can actually see and understand contributing factors.

NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback helps with decreasing substance use for re-regulating the brain.

• It alerts the brain when it is entering a state of heightened arousal or excessive relaxation and assists in restoring balance, preventing patients' minds from craving drugs, food, or alcohol.

NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback helps with school performance.

• For patients who have focus and attention issues, this kind of neurofeedback training helps not just with the craving and triggers, but also with overall executive functioning. Their school performance will improve which helps with self-esteem and resiliency. Learn more on how to enhance school performance naturally.

Watch our free webinar

Moving From Dysregulation to Emotional Self-Regulation (YouTube)

How to Find Neurofeedback Near Me?

Since 2011, we have been offering NeurOptimal™ sessions and rentals to our clients. We invite you to experience a session with us or rent a home system for a month. Our locations include New York City (Union Square), Los Angeles (Pasadena), and Colorado (Denver). As trusted NeurOptimal® sales representatives, we also provide the option to purchase the neurofeedback machine directly through us. Additionally, our team is available to assist professionals in acquiring the necessary equipment. Feel free to use the Chat Widget located in the lower right corner or click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation. Our highly experienced and knowledgeable neurofeedback trainers are committed to helping you discover the most suitable neurofeedback training options for your needs.