Sleep is one of the most critical functions that your body and mind performs. It allows you to regenerate, recuperate and refresh all the important parts of your body. Without proper sleep, it’s like operating your body at a reduced power and efficiency. Would you drive a car that only went half as fast?

When a condition occurs regularly and in a set pattern, it usually signals a chronic condition that goes much deeper…and a lack of sleep may just be a by-product of that core problem. Here are 4 main causes of insomnia and sleep disorders:

REACTIVE – A response to stressful or traumatic events
HABITUAL – Poor evening habits or lifestyle choices
METABOLIC – Internal body changes or diet choices
NEUROLOGICAL – Brain imbalances and irregular brainwaves

Reactive and habitual are often temporary or can be fixed on your own. However, Metabolic and neurological issues are a chronic issue, which means you need professional support to help them improve.

If your live near Tampa and your sleep problems are not improving, it may be time for professional help. A non-invasive qEEG brain map can precisely identify if it’s a chronic issue and what areas of the brain are impacted. These can be performed safely in our office for very little cost.

Neurofeedback is one option that has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate the triggers of insomnia. This computer based technology has decades of research and case studies to support it. The process is safe, non-invasive and drug free. Best of all, results can often be permanent, meaning you can get back to the restful sleep that your body needs to operate at its best.

To learn more about neurofeedback, click the home page or call us at the number below.

Children with Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder will often have deficits in executive function, which is the ability to think and plan ahead, to organize, control impulses and complete tasks. As a result they will not only have trouble understanding how to do what you are asking them, but will also have trouble trying to understand why they need to do it. This can lead to problems, especially when out in public spaces.

As kids age their executive skills will improve and they will be able to react to things normally. But until then, the parent must take care to provide extra guidance and help them understand what is being asked of them. Establishing better patterns at home can help when they are out in public spaces.

For those who live near Fort Wayne, the symptoms of ADHD can be frustrating, especially when things escalate in a public area. A parent will often feel like they can’t take appropriate action or diffuse the situation they way they can at home. Just remember that a child with ADHD who is ignoring, annoying, or embarrassing you is not always acting willfully. Their brains are not processing what you are saying fully, or they just don’t know how to answer. As a result they will retreat into to a comfortable or familiar pattern. That may include running, yelling or whatever actions bring them comfort. It’s important to establish calming patterns at home that they can use when out in public spaces. This can include reading a favorite book or playing quietly with a toy that is only available when outside the house. In cases like this, have that toy ready to give to them when behavior escalates in public. You can also use video games or tablets, as long as they are in moderation and the video being watched is not too hyper. This can overstimulate the brain and actually make things worse.

For example, Choose a low stimulation game like Minecraft over a hyper-stimulated show like Sponge Bob.  It can take years for kids to develop the proper executive function that allows then to interact and process things normally.

For those seeking a permanent solution that can change executive function in months instead of years, we suggest you look into neurofeedback, neurofeedback has been clinically proven to improve or eliminate the symptoms of ADD and ADHD. The process is safe, non-invasive and has been around for over 50 years. Call us or read through our website to learn more.

New research reveals that an innovative light and sound stimulation therapy can clear toxic plaque buildup in the brain and reduce some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and impaired cognitive functioning.

The hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain include the formation of beta-amyloid plaques and the amalgamation of tau, a toxic protein that disrupts the correct functioning of neural networks. Recent research has suggested that people with this form of cognitive impairment also experience brain wave disruptions.

Neurons (brain cells) produce electrical oscillations of various frequencies, which are called “brain waves.” Research has shown that in Alzheimer’s disease, individuals experience a disruption in the activity pattern of gamma waves, the brain waves with the highest frequency.

In recent years, a team of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge has been uncovering evidence that certain types of light stimulation can reestablish the equilibrium of gamma waves and reduce the accumulation of beta-amyloid in mouse models of Alzheimer’s.

Now, the same team, working under the guidance of MIT Prof. Li-Huei Tsai, has found that a combination of light and sound therapy can have a significant effect in improving cognitive functioning in these mouse models.

Encouraged by these findings, which appear in the journal Cell, the researchers are now organizing a clinical trial to test the effects of this novel therapy in humans with this neurodegenerative condition.

Neurofeedback, as well as the Focus home brain trainers, offer this combination of light and sound therapy. Both are non-invasive, require no drugs, safe and have scientific research papers showing long term permanent results are possible.

You can read the full research article here: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324749

This article was Written by Maria Cohut, Ph.D. on March 19, 2019 – Fact checked by Isabel Godfrey cognitive function

Feeling Depressed? Neurofeedback May Help

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anyone experiencing some of the following symptoms consistently for at least two weeks may be suffering from depression:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
• Irritability
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Moving or talking more slowly
• Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight changes
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

Traditionally, depression has been treated with therapy and medication. Therapy, while helpful, is not always effective and can last years. Medications may provide immediate relief, but do help cure the problem and can have undesirable side effects. More and more people are turning to alternative solutions like neurofeedback which can offer permanent results without the side effects or long term care.

How Does Neurofeedback treat Depression?

Neurofeedback specifically targets the specific areas of the brain that trigger depression. Addressing the root cause of the problem. Over multiple sessions, neurofeedback will non-invasively modify brain patterns that are affiliated with depression. We can track progress using qEEG brain scans to accurately monitor progress. Neurofeedback works through a process called neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

In one case study, patients who were diagnosed with depression completed 27 sessions of neurofeedback. After completing neurofeedback, those originally diagnosed as having depression showed a more normalized qEEG brain map after multiple sessions and did not display the markers for depression. And they maintained their normal scores after a 5 year follow up.

According to this study, neurofeedback patients were better able to control and regulate their emotions, and the authors of the study also found that the specific depression protocol they used may also help facilitate left frontal lobe function. These changes were also maintained over time. There are hundred more studies on neurofeedback and depression with positive results available at www.nimh.nih.gov.

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.