The Brain Room
Today, let’s talk about the brain technology we utilize at our center for issues such as ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, memory issues, and traumatic brain injuries, just to name a few of the many brain-related conditions that can be treated.
This technology is called Brain Mapping and Neurofeedback, or “brain training.”
Let’s start with the initial visit. That’s when you come in and you are able to ask a lot of questions, see how the equipment works, and see how we get the brain to change!
The next step is to do a brain map. We start with an EEG, or “electroencephalogram,” which we then run through a computer and transform into what is known as a quantitative EEG. This shows us different color ratios that allow us to see which parts of the brain are working too hard and which parts are not working hard enough.
We then develop a protocol based on your brain map. The training we utilize is called neurofreedback, where we attach wires to your head and the information coming from your brain is shown on the screen in real-time.
One of our brain training protocols occurs while you are watching a movie. Once the protocol is set up, we are essentially asking the brain to do something very specific in a specific way in a specific location. When the brain starts to lose focus and doesn’t stay on task, the picture begins to fade out. When the brain is doing what we asked, in this case stay on task and focus on the movie, the picture stays on the computer screen bright and strong.
Doing this exercise and exercises like it over and over each session is what we call operant conditioning. This causes new brain cells to form in the brain and new neuropathways to develop. These new pathways are fresher and stronger than the old ones, which they eventually replace over time.
Years ago, the medical field thought that once your brain reached full size, it could not be changed. However, we have since learned that the brain has the ability to change even well into the old age!
Using neurofeedback systems, we can see what’s working well and what’s not working so well, and adjust the protocols accordingly. We can train very specific areas of the brain, or we can train it more holistically. What’s amazing is that we can see the changes in the brain happening on-screen in real time! This allows us to see how it functions under a variety of conditions, which lets us train the brain more thoroughly for long-lasting results.
We live in a time in history that provides us the possibility of making changes to the brain we once thought were impossible.
If you want to learn more on how we can help you or a loved one in need, call (619) 287-4005 to schedule a free consultation with one of our functional medicine specialists. We will answer any questions you have, to see if and how we can help you with your health condition.