Neurofeedback side effects: is neurofeedback safe?
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Neurofeedback training is an innovative technology that can help families ease symptoms associated with both neurological and psychological issues as well as chronic pain conditions and even performance enhancement! But it can be difficult to determine whether neurofeedback is right for you and your family without getting lost in misinformation and confusing "techno-speak."
At Ohana Neurofeedback, we're passionate about helping you find answers and improve the lives of your whole family. A lot of our clients come to us asking whether neurofeedback is safe and what kinds of side effects are possible. Since many of our clients are trusting us not only with their own health, but with that of their children as well, we take safety very seriously.
In this article we'll share a little about how neurofeedback works and how, when the right tools are used properly, it can be one of the least invasive and side-effect-free ways to improve your mental and neurological health.
What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback: a technology that uses sensors to monitor automatic body functions and to help users learn to better control those automatic functions. Specifically, neurofeedback machines analyze the electrical activity in your brain, then help you control that activity so you can "hack" the way your brain deals with stressful or painful situations.
This can be especially helpful when treating symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more.
What is neurofeedback therapy used for?
Neurofeedback training is used to help ease symptoms of many disorders and mental health challenges, including:
Improving mental performance
Anxiety & depressive disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
PANS and PANDAS
Traumatic brain injury
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Behavioral and anger issues
Chronic pain conditions
Insomnia and restless legs syndrome
Current studies have also shown that neurofeedback can reduce symptoms of epilepsy and migraine, although both critics and proponents of neurofeedback technology say larger peer-reviewed studies are necessary.
Suggested read: Learn more about the different types of neurofeedback applications in our recent blog article.
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Neurofeedback side effects
How neurofeedback works
In order to understand what side effects are possible with neurofeedback, we have to understand how the technology works. In some instances, neurofeedback can be much more reliant on a patient’s energy and focus in order to achieve results.
Throughout the day, our brains will automatically emit different types of brain waves depending on what we're doing and how we feel. Generally speaking, when we're relaxed and calm, our brains emit what are called "alpha waves"; when we're focused or excited, they emit "beta waves" instead.
There are many different types of brain waves associated with many different types of activities or feelings. But when our brains are emitting the wrong type of brain wave for the current environment (emitting energizing beta waves when we're trying to be calm, for example), this can lead to symptoms that can change the way we go through life. They can make us anxious when we want to feel calm, make us depressed when we want to feel energized, and other "unhealthy" brain patterns.
Unfortunately, most of us do not have the ability to consciously control the types of electrical impulses our brains are emitting at any given time. That's where brain training and neurofeedback come in.
Neurofeedback machines use sensors on your head and/or ears to measure your brain activity and allow you to visually map your brainwaves in real time. That way, you can learn to gain more control over the types of electrical impulses your brain emits.
The more you practice, the easier it becomes to control your brainwaves and switch to healthier patterns of processing stressful situations.
Is neurofeedback safe?
What makes neurofeedback technology unique is that it can generate results without the invasive techniques of drug therapy. Rather than changing your brain's chemistry, you are learning to better control your brain with your brain. This makes it a particularly helpful tool for patients who have adverse reactions or severe symptoms associated with drug therapy.
Suggested read: Learn more about exactly what to expect during a neurofeedback session in our recent blog article.
While neurofeedback is generally recognized as a safe method of relieving mental health, neurological, and chronic pain symptoms, there are reports of occasional side effects. The types of side effects and their severity will vary depending on the type of neurofeedback training being utilized and the experience of the practitioner administering the session.
Linear neurofeedback
Linear neurofeedback is the most common type of neurofeedback training. It involves a practitioner administering an initial QEEG assessment (essentially mapping your normal brain wave patterns to get a baseline understanding of your brain's electrical activity), then making a diagnosis and facilitating neurofeedback sessions to correct any unhealthy patterns. In these sessions, the patient will use neurofeedback technology to attempt to force the brain into emitting "healthier" types of brain waves, depending on the diagnosis and instructions of the practitioner.
While the majority of patients refer to this experience as comfortable (although sometimes tiring), there are rare cases of reported side effects due to pre-existing conditions, the environment in which the training takes place, or improper administration on the part of the practitioner.
Side effects can include:
Anxiety or depression
Brain fog
Cognitive impairment
Chattering teeth
Fatigue and low energy
Depersonalization
Dizziness
Headaches or head pressure
Internal vibrations
Muscle tension
Social anxiety
Vocal changes
Worsening of symptoms
Often these side effects are temporary and result not because of a problem with the technology itself, but because of a problem with the diagnosis or the way that neurofeedback tools are used to influence brain behavior. For example, an inexperienced practitioner may make the mistake of prescribing beta wave therapy to a client who may already be sensitive to these brain waves, which can increase feelings of anxiety or panic.
This is why, when working with linear neurofeedback technology, it is always recommended to work with an experienced practitioner who will take any pre-existing neurological conditions or sensitivities into account and who can monitor your session to make sure you are not experiencing any adverse reactions.
Dynamical neurofeedback
Because linear neurofeedback technology aims to directly control the behavior of your brain, these side effects can occasionally occur when used improperly. However, a new type of neurofeedback technology, dynamical neurofeedback, instead aims to eliminate these side effects by allowing the subconscious mind to take control of the adjustment process.
Thus, instead of relying on the external influence of a practitioner in order to make adjustments, as is the case with linear neurofeedback, dynamical neurofeedback systems simply alert the brain when it is switching into an "unhealthy" brain wave pattern. From there, your brain will decide on its own whether to self-correct or not. Essentially, this system simply allows your brain to more easily notice what electrical signals it is emitting rather than directly trying to manipulate those electrical signals.
This much more gentle and self-guided process means that patients can safely use dynamical neurofeedback systems without the need for a practitioner or diagnosis.
NeurOptimal Dynamical Neurofeedback
Dynamical Neurofeedback is a technology developed by NeurOptimal Neurofeedback as a way to allow patients to experience the benefits of neurofeedback training in their own homes, without the need for a practitioner or complicated tech setups.
How does NeurOptimal work?
On the surface, NeurOptimal's Dynamical Neurofeedback system can look very similar to a traditional linear feedback session. The patient sits or reclines while wearing sensors attached to their head and/or ears. An iPad-like screen then displays their brain's electrical activity while they listen to music, read, or perform other tasks.
The difference is in the level of activity and direction required in order to complete the session.
In a linear neurofeedback session, it is the patient's responsibility to try and consciously control their brain's electrical patterns. This is done with the direction of a practitioner, who will modify the neurofeedback machine's settings and attempt to guide the patient as they influence their brain waves.
With Dynamical Neurofeedback, however, there is no need for a practitioner, and the patient simply lets their brain make its own self-corrections if it deems them necessary. Over time, through consistent training, your brain will learn to self-regulate and adjust to more "healthy" patterns.
NeurOptimal describes this process as holding a "mirror" up to your brain to allow it to better see itself and where it might improve. According to their website, they have recorded over three million hours of safe usage among NeurOptimal patients.
NeurOptimal reviews
While more peer reviewed academic studies are necessary in developing the full picture of how neurofeedback and NeurOptimal specifically can help families, there are numerous online reviews sharing how neurofeedback has helped others relieve their symptoms and improve their lives:
Finding the right solution
While not all neurofeedback modalities and experiences are the same, there are many ways that you can incorporate this tool in a way that works for your needs. Speaking with a reputable and experienced practitioner can help address any concerns you have about the potential side effects of neurofeedback training.
Contact us today and let's talk about whether neurofeedback is right for you and your family.
