The Benefits of Neurofeedback: What Is It Used For and Who Could Benefit?

Neurofeedback has developed over the last 30 years, and a great deal of research has tested the usefulness of neurofeedback for a variety of conditions.

It’s been shown to be effective in treating a number of conditions commonly seen in clinical settings, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, sleep disorders, addiction, and learning and developmental disorders, among many others.

Years ago, I was officially diagnosed with generalized anxiety, ADHD and PTSD. But today, all of my symptoms are gone and I no longer would be diagnosed with those disorders today. Ask any of my close friends and family members, and they will explain how I struggled for many years. Neurofeedback has given me my life back.

Considering the research, this makes perfect sense:

ADHD: Studies have shown improvements in impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity, which can lead to much more successful learning and school performance. In several controlled studies, increases of 10 points in IQ score were found for a representative group of ADHD children (9, 10, 11, 12).

Anxiety: Individuals are more able to control/regulate their emotions and can see a reduction in the frequency and severity of panic attacks (6, 7, 8).

PTSD: Individuals notice a decrease in their anxiety symptoms and an improvement in their sense of relaxation and relationships. An exciting and recent study also shows that neurofeedback results in changes in the brains of PTSD patients that correlates with their increased sense of calmness (1, 2).

Yet no doctor told me about neurofeedback. I suffered for years before I discovered it myself and sought out a practitioner.

But why does controlling or changing brainwaves have such a powerful effect?

The conditions that respond best to neurofeedback seem to be related to the brain being “stuck” in certain brainwave patterns. It helps the brain learn to make normal transitions between brainwave states, rather than being habitually stuck in one state most of the time.

Gradually, the brain learns to regulate itself, just like it learns anything else. And like with other learning, the brain tends to retain the new skill.

When first learning how to ride a bike, for instance, we had to think about each part of the process. Eventually, however, these movements became automatic because our brain had learned them. Over time and with consistent training, your brain will learn how to achieve desired brain waves, and this new skill will transfer into your daily life.

Using substances or behaviours to manage our demons is only a temporary fix.

Neurofeedback provides a natural and permanent solution.

The brain holds onto the gains it has made after a sufficient number of sessions, and sustains them long-term.

Dr. Lubar, a pioneer in the field of neurofeedback, has reported clients enjoying the benefits of brain training 20 years after they completed a full course of treatment (13).

And unlike meds, there are no side effects, no weight gain, sleeplessness, or diminished sex drive.

I know it sounds too good to be true.

Not surprisingly, neurofeedback is controversial. Some are threatened by it. Some believe it to be completely unfounded and impossible to prove. But those who have tried it know something is happening that isn't explained by placebo effect or wishful thinking.

Like many alternative treatments that work, many physicians will be skeptical of this approach because they haven’t heard of it or they are unfamiliar with the evidence-based studies supporting it.

But on top of the studies I’ve linked to above, an extensive list of published studies on neurofeedback can be found at isnr.org, and an evaluation of its effectiveness for different disorders at aapb.org.

Regardless of the research, the pharmaceutical industry and mainstream medicine will likely never support it. Pills are much more scalable and easier to spread among the masses.

But this doesn’t mean you can’t take control of your own life and mental health and find a BCIA Board Certified Practitioner in your area. Don’t let any doctor tell you that you’ll need to be on medication for the rest of your life.

I’m living proof that it’s not true.

The brain is a lot more adaptable or “plastic” than originally believed, meaning that our brains can form new connections and we can dramatically enhance our potential and performance.