With medications, the clinical effect stops once the substance is eliminated from the body causing a return of symptoms. Neurofeedback is an alternative to more traditional methods of treatment.
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback. Biofeedback is a method of gaining information by monitoring body conditions (such as skin temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) to help promote control over normally involuntary bodily processes through conditioning.
Neurofeedback monitors brainwaves, or electrical patterns in the brain. These brain waves can be recorded, measured, and displayed in digital form. Neurofeedback uses the process of recording and measuring brain waves to create a signal called feedback. This feedback helps the brain learn self-regulation.
A brain map, or quantitative EEG (QEEG), helps identify specific regions of the brain that are not working properly.
The QEEG can be used as an assessment tool to identify specific areas of dysfunction or dysregulation. In addition to this visual mapping of the brain, a thorough evaluation of the person’s past experiences, thoughts, feelings and behaviors can help plan what areas of the brain to train.
Infraslow fluctuation (ISF) neurofeedback training is a type of neurofeedback that focuses on observing the lowest frequencies in the brain.
The earliest research on these ultra-slow waves suggests ISF works by regulating autonomic nervous system function, the flight, fight or freeze response.
More importantly, ISF regulates the activation of brain areas linked in chronic autonomic stress by helping the brain communicate between the autonomic and emotional networks.
This in turn helps separate regions responsible for emotion from the autonomic distress signal.
Simply put, ISF training impacts the brains flexibility to move from fight, flight or freeze to rest and repair.
ISF coordinates processes in the brain with processes in the body. The heart, the blood, the digestive system, and the Autonomic Nervous System are all coordinated at these very slow frequencies.
This synchronizing effect works to produce a brain and body that has the flexibility to respond appropriately to the environment.
The goal of ISF training is to reach a condition of homeostasis in mind and body that simultaneously promotes a calm and alert state.
This more flexible state helps to treat a variety of mental health illnesses and bothersome conditions.
Moreover, ISF training allows an individual to sleep better, attend more fully, feel more in charge of his or her emotional life, and changes a host of troublesome behaviors.
What are Infra Slow Fluctuations?
Imagine if you will that ISF frequencies are like waves in the ocean. Let’s continue that metaphor and imagine that faster frequencies in the brain are the surfers on those slow waves.
In ISF training we shape Infraslow waves to rise and fall in symmetry allowing the surfers to catch the waves, ride the crest, and gently be deposited on the beach.
With ISF training we optimize the wave sets so there are smooth transitions between each wave allowing the surfers to ride that wave easily and consistently without being thrown off the board or crashing into each other.
This translates in the real world of brain function to the smooth activation and deactivation of behavioral networks.
In plain English, when young Johnny is presented with new material in geometry he focuses on the lesson and not the distracting noise out the window.
At work, Sue is able to remain relaxed and centered rather than anxious in the face of stress producing moments.