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Building Neuronal Connections With Neurofeedback

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Have you ever seen a science fiction movie where an actor wears a thin skull-cap with wires extending from it and connecting to a recording machine?

From the moment you're born, your brain is making neural connections based on your experiences. Here's how to build neuronal connections throughout life. | KalenaSpire

That machine, called an electroencephalogram or EEG, records brain waves in response to different types of physical, mental, or emotional stimuli. It’s not just science fiction! It’s neurofeedback, a scientifically supported modality that can help improve or change behavior, including learning and memory.

 

HOW TO BUILD NEW NEURONAL CONNECTIONS

From the moment you’re born and throughout life, your brain is making neural connections based on your experiences. Everything you do, see, sense – performing a task, responding emotionally, learning a skill, or making observations – creates a neural pattern. The more you practice something, the stronger that neural pattern becomes. The less you use a certain neural pattern, the weaker it becomes (and eventually you “forget” how to do something!).

Neurofeedback uses video, music, games, and/or specific tasks (like writing your name) to help train the brain to form new neural connections. A specially trained clinician monitors the EEG to assess how a person is responding. Once a pattern is established, regular neurofeedback sessions help reinforce the pattern. Over time, this results in new learning that can endure for years or a lifetime.

 

WHY BUILD NEW NEURONAL CONNECTIONS?

There’s good evidence that neurofeedback can help prevent cognitive decline in the normal aging process. Healthy older adults have shown improvements in working memory after a short, intensive series of neurofeedback sessions.

New research is looking at whether or not neurofeedback improves symptoms associated with dementia disorders. In fact, a study with older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, neurofeedback brought about improvement in recall of information and recognition.

 

LEARN MORE

In many states, health agencies regulate the practice of neurofeedback practitioners who treat medical conditions. If you’re interested in learning more about neurofeedback, ask your physician for resources or check for a practitioner listed with your state association of neurofeedback practitioners.

 

Have you tried neurofeedback to build new neuronal connections? Share in the comments below!

 

Resources
  • Hosseini, S.M., Pritchard-Berman, M. et al., “Task-based neurofeedback training: A novel approach toward training executive functions.” Neuroimage. (2016 Jul) 1:134, 153-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.03.035. Accessed 9 Nov 2016: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27015711
  • Luimes, R.E., et al., “The effectiveness of neurofeedback on cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: Preliminary results.” Neurophysiol Clin. (2016 Jun) 46(3):179-87. doi: 10.1016/j.neucli.2016.05.069. Accessed 9 Nov 2016: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27374996/?i=10&from=neurofeedback%20and%20cognitive%20function
  • Yucha, C. & Gilbert, C., “Evidenced-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback.” Monograph for the Association of Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback: An International Society for mind-body research, health care, and education. (2004) Accessed 9 Nov 2016: https://www.aapb.org/files/public/Yucha-Gilbert_EvidenceBased2004.pdf *2016 textbook edition available: http://www.resourcenter.net/Scripts/4Disapi9.dll/store/evidence-based-practice-in-biofeedback-and-neurofeedback/23296/
  • Albert, A. O., Andrasik, F., Moore, J. L., & Dunn, B. R. “Theta/beta training for attention, concentration and memory improvement in the geriatric population.” Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback, (1998) 23(2), 109. Annotated Bibliography via: http://www.sebernfisher.com/select-abstracts-neurofeedback-and-peak-performance/
  • Reis, Joana et al. “An Alpha and Theta Intensive and Short Neurofeedback Protocol for Healthy Aging Working-Memory Training.” Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 8 (2016): 157. PMC. Web: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4936375/
  • *Additional Working Memory Research Articles: https://www.wellnessip.com/research/working_memory.html
  • Angelakis, E., Stathopoulou, S., Frymiare, et al,. “EEG neurofeedback: A brief overview and an example of peak alpha frequency training for cognitive enhancement in the elderly.” Clinical Neuropsych. (2007) 21(1), 110-129. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17366280
  • Budzynski, T., Budzynski, H. K., &l Tang, H-Y. “Brain brightening: restoring the aging mind.” Chapter in J. R. Evans (Ed.), Handbook of Neurofeedback. (2007) Binghampton, NY: Haworth Medical Press, 231–265. http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&uid=2007-13399-010
  • TheWashingtonPost.com. “Therapists are using neurofeedback to treat ADHD, PTSD and other conditions” (post by Karidis, A., January 19, 2015). Accessed 9 Nov 2016: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/therapists-are-using-neurofeedback-to-treat-adhd-ptsd-and-other-conditions/2015/01/16/b38e6cee-5ec3-11e4-91f7-5d89b5e8c251_story.html
  • International Society for Neurofeedback and Research. http://www.isnr.org
  • PsychCentral.com “Neurofeedback Training for your Brain” (post by Groyhol, J.). Accessed 9 Nov 2016: http://psychcentral.com/lib/neurofeedback-training-for-your-brain/
  • Information about Biofeedback Practitioners: Association of Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback http://www.aapb.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3281
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Alexandria Z., M.S.

Christine is my wellness goddess. Her amazing support, extraordinary expertise, and undeniable compassion invited me to a world of freedom from digestive discomfort that I didn’t know was possible. The whirlwind of bloating, constipation, brain fog, and digestive upheaval was consuming my life. Exhaustion and frustration were becoming my very existence. And then I met my health goddess! Christine’s astute listening and meticulously tailored guidance, transformed my thinking and whirlwind of digestive discomfort. She helped me achieve a state of equilibrium. The balance I now experience is the center of my wellness existence—the core of my life with digestive happiness.

 

Christine instilled in me the power to embrace the grace and strength of my very own body! She has taught me to internalize the boundless evidence of my body’s functionality to heal digestively. While working with Christine, my exhaustion, pain, and bloating were overshadowed with energy, digestive comfort, glowing skin, and knowledge. Her coaching raised my awareness of food sensitivities, and promoted better food choices, which led to better sleep, a stronger link to overall wellness, clarity in my thinking, and ultimately, more joy in my life.  Christine’s remarkable spirit of wellness will forever echo in my digestive wellness journey. I bestow upon Christine the well-deserved exceptional title, “my wellness goddess.”
KalenaSpire
2015-07-27T17:47:59-04:00
Christine is my wellness goddess. Her amazing support, extraordinary expertise, and undeniable compassion invited me to a world of freedom from digestive discomfort that I didn’t know was possible. The whirlwind of bloating, constipation, brain fog, and digestive upheaval was consuming my life. Exhaustion and frustration were becoming my very existence. And then I met my health goddess! Christine’s astute listening and meticulously tailored guidance, transformed my thinking and whirlwind of digestive discomfort. She helped me achieve a state of equilibrium. The balance I now experience is the center of my wellness existence—the core of my life with digestive happiness.   Christine instilled in me the power to embrace the grace and strength of my very own body! She has taught me to internalize the boundless evidence of my body’s functionality to heal digestively. While working with Christine, my exhaustion, pain, and bloating were overshadowed with energy, digestive comfort, glowing skin, and knowledge. Her coaching raised my awareness of food sensitivities, and promoted better food choices, which led to better sleep, a stronger link to overall wellness, clarity in my thinking, and ultimately, more joy in my life.  Christine’s remarkable spirit of wellness will forever echo in my digestive wellness journey. I bestow upon Christine the well-deserved exceptional title, “my wellness goddess.”
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