As a result of COVID-19, the world is a different place. Many people are out of work or furloughed. Many medications are in short supply. As a result, anxiety related issues are very much on the rise. With people sheltering in place and wondering if they’ll have jobs to come back to, many are suffering in the form of stress and stress related disorders. We call this “generalized anxiety”.

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, and a major public health problem in the world. According to large population-based surveys, up to 33.7% of the population are affected by an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. Substantial under-recognition and undertreatment of these disorders have been demonstrated.

One study estimated the annual cost of anxiety disorders in the United States to be approximately $42.3 billion in the 1990s, a majority of which was due to non-psychiatric medical treatment costs. This estimate focused on short-term effects and did not include the effect of outcomes such as the increased risk of other disorders.

In the 1950’s psychiatry started turning to sedatives in the form of benzodiazepines. These are still the most popular form of treatment today, even though the body becomes tolerant quickly to them and thus creates the need for higher dosages.

For anxiety patients, learning how to self- modulate chronic stress without the aid of drugs can provide a solid path to freedom from anxiety, and from the side effects and tolerance that develop with medication. This can include alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, acupuncture and neurofeedback.

Why neurofeedback is so effective
With neurofeedback, the brain learns to moderate it’s stress response and to create a healthy pattern in it’s place. The process is painless and easy. Small sensors are placed on the scalp and the brainwaves are then measured and displayed on a monitor. A person learns to control these brainwaves to achieve a desired state. Often times the brain waves are rewarded with different forms of feedback including movies, video games or even the individual’s favorite music.

Long term studies with neurofeedback have shown continuous positive success stories, with results often being permanent for a period of more than 10 years. This is primarily because anxiety is a brain problem, and neurofeedback targets the brain specifically, normalizing brainwaves so that the brain can function more optimally. For those looking for help during this critical time, neurofeedback could be the best option available for improving stress related conditions and overall mental health.

The phrase “Peak Performance” is a popular buzzword now. In today’s hyper-competitive world, we seek out every advantage we can get. This can include modifying our food intake, supplements and using apps to help us get that little extra edge. However, many people are overlooking the most important factor in enhancing performance: your brain.

When professional golfers want an extra edge, they use advanced computer technology that monitors their swing speed, posture, height and many other factors. As a result, clubs can be custom fitted to each player to maximize their efficiency. Customized computer training allows them to operate at their best.

So it should not surprise you to know that there is a technology available today that can help your brain achieve optimal performance in much the same way. It’s called neurofeedback, and it is available for everyone. By optimizing brainwaves, it can help optimize physical and mental performance.

The first step is to fill out a few online surveys through our system. The process takes about 20 minutes. The next step is to get a QEEG brain map to assess the areas of your brain that need tuning. The brain map will generate a report showing the areas of the brain that need help and a list of protocols to address these using neurofeedback. The last step is neurofeedback sessions, which help fine tune brainwaves while you watch a movie or listen to music. The process is safe, non-invasive and enjoyable. And the benefits are increased performance and focus. For those who wish to improve or optimize there potential, neurofeedback is one of the most accurate and effective tolls available today.

According to Web MD there are 150 different types of headaches. But migraines fall into a special category: They are often triggered directly from the brain, resulting from inflammation in the cerebral blood vessels. So it would make sense that a permanent solution would-need to target the brain directly. That is why researchers have been looking into brain-based therapies.

Migraines are the most debilitating form of common headache that people seek medical attention for, and it currently affects some 29 million Americans. They can last from a few hours to up to several days and also tend to be recurring over time. Sensitivity to light and nausea are common accompanying symptoms. In addition to illness, stress and diet, other possible triggers include pollution, noise, lighting, and weather changes. 90% of migraine headaches run in families, so there is often a genetic factor at work as well.

Medication is the most common treatment option for migraines, but they can also be very ineffective. That is why may people are turning to brain-based therapies like neurofeedback.

Neurofeedback can be very effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of migraines. Even better, it comes without the common side effects of migraine medication.

In a clinical study on migraines and neurofeedback, 37 migraine patients received neurofeedback sessions over a period of weeks. 70% of them experienced at least a 50% reduction in the frequency of their headaches, with permanent results still present 6 months after treatment.

In another migraine neurofeedback study, the majority of subjects experienced complete cessation of their migraines, and many others (39%) experienced a reduction in migraine frequency of greater than 50%. But here’s another benefit: Those who have neurofeedback treatment for migraines can also experience a reduction in other non-related symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and focus issues. That’s because neurofeedback does not target specific conditions. It changes timing and activation patterns in the brain, allowing the patient’s brain to function more optimally. Now that is a therapy worth looking into!

When it comes to reducing or eliminating symptoms associated with attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD), there are many different approaches. A recent university study sought to determine which was better, a physiological approach (medications) or a neurological one (neurofeedback). Both have their benefits, but which one does more to alleviate symptoms: Let’s find out.

A 2018 study by Erasmus University’s department of psychology in the Netherlands conducted 8 randomized trials to see if there was a significant difference between both methods. Medications alone were determined to offer short term relief of symptoms, but also noted that prolonged use of them tended to diminish their effectiveness.

Next they tested neurofeedback. While the test did not definitively support neurofeedback as a standalone treatment, it did determine that those who had neurofeedback training were able to reduce their medication doses and maintain that reduction at a 6 month follow up. The review determined that neurofeedback works effectively as an adjunct therapy for children suffering from ADHD.

“The present role of NF in treating children diagnosed with ADHD should be considered as complementary in a multimodal treatment approach, individualized to the needs of the child, and may be considered a viable alternative to stimulants for a specific group of patients. ”
-Bashar Razoki, Erasmus University, Rotterdam

This study also concluded that patients with a poor response to medication or side effects due to medication may benefit from NF treatment.

If you live in the Tampa Area, we offer neurofeedback training for help with ADHD and learning disabilities.

In today’s electronic, caffeine-driven society, it’s not too surprising that a large number of Americans are having trouble sleeping. In addition to an over-consumption of caffeine and sugar, we are exposed to a constant bombardment of radiation (cell phones), electromagnetic frequencies (wifi networks) and declining air quality. This can also have a big impact on our stress levels.

Sleep disorders have reached epidemic status: Recent studies on the prevalence of insomnia show us that almost 1/3 of the US population suffers from some form of sleep disturbance. So what can be done?

There are many things that can help, including better diet and exercise. In addition, meditation, yoga and other calming methods can contribute to relief for insomnia and sleep disorders. And supplements can also be very helpful.

For those in the Tampa are looking for more permanent relief, neurofeedback is a great tool to help change pattern in the brain that cause sleep issues. Even at-home brain trainers can do a great job of calming the brain.

Sleep is a brain regulated function, and neurofeedback trains specific parts of the brain to work at an optimum frequency, in this case those associated with sleep regulation. It makes sense that neurofeedback would be a valuable therapy in the treatment of sleep disorders. Like the engine in your car, the brain needs a tune-up at times, to counteract the degenerative effects of wear and tear.

There are numerous studies on the benefits of neurofeedback for sleep disorders and insomnia. Here is a link to one of them: (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19826944).

This is good news for today’s always-on-the-move generation that spends too much time “plugged in” or over-caffeinated. Neurofeedback has shown promise in being able to help regulate the areas of the brain that cause sleep disorders.