Introduction: What is Neurofeedback?

In recent years, there has been growing interest in ways to improve brain health without relying solely on medication. One such approach is Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback. At its core, neurofeedback is about giving the brain a mirror — showing it its own activity in real-time — and then guiding it to function in healthier, more balanced ways.

Think of it like this: when you look in a mirror, you can adjust how you stand, smile, or dress. Similarly, when the brain sees feedback about its own rhythms, it can learn to adjust, self-correct, and gradually build new patterns. Over time, this training can lead to improvements in focus, mood, sleep, and overall mental well-being.

Why Brainwaves Matter

Our brains communicate through electrical rhythms known as brainwaves. These brainwaves are measured in different frequencies, each linked with certain mental states:

• Delta (0.5–4 Hz): Deep sleep, body restoration.

• Theta (4–8 Hz): Drowsiness, daydreaming, and creativity.

• Alpha (8–12 Hz): Relaxed alertness, calm but awake.

• Beta (12–30 Hz): Focused thinking, problem-solving.

• Gamma (>30 Hz): Learning, memory, and integration.

When these brainwaves are balanced, we feel calm, focused, and emotionally steady. But when they are out of sync — such as excessive theta in ADHD or high beta in anxiety — difficulties arise.

Neurofeedback aims to gently bring these patterns back into balance.

A Natural, Non-Invasive Method

Unlike medications, neurofeedback doesn’t introduce anything from outside. Instead, it teaches the brain to retrain itself through feedback. For example:

• A child with ADHD may play a computer game where their brainwaves control the movement of a spaceship. When they maintain focus-related brainwave patterns, the spaceship flies smoothly.

• An anxious adult might listen to soothing music that plays only when their brain enters a relaxed alpha state.

Over repeated sessions, the brain learns — much like how muscles learn during physiotherapy. This process is known as neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to reorganize and build new pathways.

Conditions Where Neurofeedback Helps

Research and clinical experience show promising benefits in:

• ADHD – Improving focus, reducing impulsivity.

• Anxiety & PTSD – Lowering hyperarousal and worry.

• Depression – Balancing frontal activity linked with mood.

• Epilepsy – Reducing seizure frequency (in some resistant cases).

• Sleep Disorders – Training the brain for deeper, better-quality sleep.

• Substance Use Disorders – Helping regulate cravings and impulse control.

• Peak Performance – Used by athletes, musicians, and executives to sharpen focus and resilience.

Looking Ahead

Neurofeedback is still evolving, and while not a replacement for other treatments, it offers an empowering, side-effect-free option that complements therapy and medication. For many patients, it represents a shift from “just managing symptoms” to actively training the brain for better health.

This is just the beginning of our series on neurofeedback. In the next article, we’ll explore how neurofeedback actually works — from the electrodes on your scalp to the feedback on the screen.

✨ Written by Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MD (AIIMS, New Delhi), DNB, MBA (BITS Pilani) – Consultant Psychiatrist, Chennai. Dedicated to advancing neuropsychiatric care through innovative methods like Neurofeedback, rTMS, and Cognitive Training.

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