Contents:

TAG Sync and Neurofeedback

TAG Sync stands for theta-alpha-gamma synchrony . Theta, alpha & gamma are, respectively, low, medium and high

frequency brain waves. TAG Sync is a phenomenon seen in the brain waves (EEG) during learning, insight, problem

solving, & the near death experience. As such it may not be seen often in the resting EEG recording. It was predicted

and later observed in 2010 by this website’s author, Douglas Dailey.

My model also predicted that the brain could better learn to self-regulate its

own awake state by using technology to monitor and feedback its own

moment-by-moment synchronization (cross-frequency coupling) of its theta,

alpha, gamma and other brain waves.

This led to a neurofeedback methodology which I call TAG Sync and a

special application called the “ General Adaptation Protocol - (GAP) ”. It

involves training synchronous (coupled) activity across 2 or more frequency

bands, using a special on-screen display called the cross-frequency

coupling envelopes instrument.

In the GAP ( General Adaptation Protocol ) TAG cross-frequency coupling is trained primarily between the major

anterior and posterior midline network hubs located at the electrode sites Fz and Pz. These represent parts of the so-

called Default Mode Network “DMN” and Salience Network . This is followed by training the right and/or left Fronto-

Parietal task Networks “FPN” using electrode sites F3 and P3 on the left as well as F4 and P4 on the right (see

illustration). I call these 6 sites the “ DMN/FPN Kernal ”. The TAG Sync GAP sites correspond to elements of the so-

called “ rich club ” of the connectome.

In 2010 I developed my first TAG Sync software for the Nexus family of amplifiers. It was clear from the beginning that

with careful adjustment of theta and alpha reward frequencies large network avalanches (phase resets) could be

promoted and they would be followed by increased synchronous movement (cross-frequency coupling) observed in

the special envelopes instrument. This was often accompanied by experiences of insight, tranquility and/or persistent

non-symbolic experience. I shared this model and methodology with several clinicians starting in 2010. As a result you

will find TAG Sync cross-frequency coupling descriptions and case histories in the new Routledge textbook on

When we learn more about “How Nature Works” [ 2 ] and “Design in Nature” [ 3 ] and the role of “Sync” [ 4 ] we see that

one of the best ways to observe and regulate our own adaptability may be to train the original theta, alpha gamma

cross-frequency coupling predicted in 2010 to harness complexity through synchrony . Recently a cross-frequency

coupling envelopes instrument, similar to my 2010 design, was shown to measure mobilization of human intelligence

under task [ 5 ].

The purpose of the icons below is to provide images to remind me of important concepts plus real world examples.