Neurofeedback is a therapy that is being increasingly used as a natural alternative to conventional treatments for many conditions and disorders related to brain function and/or stress, such as migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, attention deficit disorder, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and many others.

If you have been considering neurofeedback therapy, you most likely have many questions. The ones below are some of the most common, and may help you in your decision.

How many sessions will I need?

For many of the issues that someone may present with, there are often an average number of treatments required, based on case studies and research results.
An example of an average number of sessions would be 40 for ADD, while other issues may be resolved in only 20, and still others may take 60 or more. For you, or a loved one, it may end up being more, or you may achieve the results you are looking for with fewer sessions than the average patient requires.

What are the sessions like?

With most neurofeedback sessions, leads (thin wires sometimes called electrodes) are lightly pressed to the scalp by using a small amount of a conducting gel. These leads are allowing the electricity from your brain to travel to a computer that will quickly process this information, and translate it into what you will see on the screen in front of you.

Where are the sessions conducted?

Because of the compact size of the equipment used for neurofeedback, the sessions can be conducted just about anywhere you could put a computer and a couple of chairs. The most likely location will be in an office setting, much like you would expect if you were going to see a therapist, counselor or other healthcare provider.

Are there any side effects?

It is extremely rare for someone to experience side effects, and fortunately, any that might be experienced are short term, and usually disappear within 48 hours. The most common side effects are described as being "wired, tired, or irritated." During the session, your brain is working, putting out effort as it begins to self-regulate. You may feel like taking a nap, or you may feel like going for a walk. However, most people do not experience anything that could be classified as a "side effect."

Should I do neurofeedback sessions if I'm pregnant?

There are few contraindications to using neurofeedback. Currently, there is no known reason to not engage in neurofeedback if you are pregnant. Please consult your physician before beginning to make sure you have all the bases covered.

Do I have to stop taking my medication while doing the neurofeedback treatment?

You should never stop taking your medication unless you have consulted with your physician. In most cases, taking medication while being treated with neurofeedback will not prevent a successful treatment.

How old do children have to be before they can receive neurofeedback treatment?

While there is no hard and fast rule or minimum age, children as young as five have benefited from neurofeedback. While treating children younger than five is not common, neither is it unfeasible.

How long do the results last?

The results tend to be long term, possibly even permanent for some people. After 40 sessions for ADHD, for example, the results will usually last far into the future, proving to be very resistant to fading.

How often do I need to have a neurofeedback session?

Sessions may be as few as one per week, and as often as five times a week. On average, most clinicians will suggest two to three sessions per week.

Are other forms of treatment ever used in conjunction with neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback may at times be used as a standalone treatment. However, some conditions benefit from incorporating neurofeedback with other methods of treatment such as cognitive therapy, hypnosis, or EMDR, for example.

Does something have to be "wrong" with me to be able to benefit from neurofeedback?

Not at all. There are times when someone may tear out perfectly good carpet form their home, simply because they want to install an even better grade or style of carpet. In this same way, many already high performing and functioning people, choose to use neurofeedback to fine-tune their brain, allowing it to function in an even more refined and polished manner.

Do I need to do anything special to prepare for my neurofeedback session?

Not really. Some things that may help, however, include:

- Show up well rested.
-Have your scalp relatively clean so a good connection can be made with the leads.

-Have something to eat (preferably high in protein) an hour or so before your session.

-Be willing to relax during the session without "trying" to make things happen. Trying implies effort, and this will interfere with the process.

Why haven't I heard more about neurofeedback from my doctor or other healthcare providers?

First, realize there is no conspiracy. There are simply the "self-interest" and "awareness" factors at work. Let us look at the self-interest factor first. If you earn a living mowing lawns, for example, you probably won't go out of your way to tell people about a new invention that can be poured on their lawn, putting the grass in a sort of permanent, lush green hibernation, allowing them to never have to mow again. This wouldn't make you a "bad" person; you are not required to put yourself out of business.

Then, we have the awareness (or lack thereof) factor. Most healthcare providers are very busy. It can be challenging just to stay current with all of the changes in their field that deal with what they already know and work with. It's quite possible that your current health care providers simply are not all that familiar with how quickly neurofeedback has evolved, and of the mounting research that continues to suggest that it should be considered for many different problems.

My neighbor say's that neurofeedback is nothing more than the placebo effect. Is that true?

Your neighbor means well. The voice they are speaking with is one of fear and misunderstanding. First, it's highly unlikely that they know much about neurofeedback, the principles involved, and the research available that clearly demonstrates its effectiveness.

Next, "the placebo effect", which is a term commonly tossed about by people from virtually all levels of education and profession, is largely misunderstood. Animals do not respond to a placebo; keep in mind, neurofeedback originated with the results that were achieved with cats.

A very revealing question, when asked with the appropriate attitude, is to simply respond to your neighbor's claims with "Interesting, how do you know this?" When this question is asked, both you and your neighbor will rapidly discover that they really didn't gather any quality information regarding their position; they were simply telling you their opinion, about what they thought the truth was concerning neurofeedback.

Remember, they most likely mean well, but people often initially resist the things they don't understand.

What is the future of neurofeedback?

The most recent research on neurofeedback is very exciting and compelling, making it very hard for even the most skeptical and resistant people to ignore. As the awareness of neurofeedback continues to grow, it will become increasingly mainstream, and be used by more and more health care providers, until one day, it is as common as aspirin.