Getting Your Brain in Shape: The Power of Neurofeedback (Whole Brain Training)
We all know how frustrating it is when your brain just will not do what you want it to. You are trying to be calm and rested, but your thoughts keep racing. Or you want to be alert and focused during the day, yet your mind keeps hitting the snooze button. That gap between what you need your brain to do and what it is actually doing can affect everything. The good news is your brain can be trained to work differently and better. That is what neurofeedback, also called brain training, is all about. It is not just a workout for your brain. It is like getting your mind into its best shape yet.
So, what is it?
Neurofeedback, or brain training, is a way to help your brain learn to operate in a smoother, more efficient rhythm. It does not use sweat, medication, or invasive techniques. Instead, it relies on real-time feedback that helps your brain adjust and strengthen itself naturally.
In our practice, we use a whole brain training approach. That means we are not just targeting one area or one symptom. We are working with the brain as an integrated system. Some forms of neurofeedback focus on limited regions or specific issues, which can still offer benefits, but whole brain training looks at the bigger picture. It supports balance, coordination, and flexibility across your brain’s networks, which can lead to broader and longer-lasting improvements.
How does it work?
Three steps.
Read: Gentle sensors are placed on your scalp to measure your brain’s activity, the natural patterns of electrical signals often called brainwaves. These patterns can reflect what your brain is doing in the moment, whether that is deep rest, steady concentration, or a high-alert fight-or-flight mode.
Feedback: As you watch a movie, listen to audio, or play a game, the system gives you instant feedback. When your brain shifts toward the desired state, whether that is calmer, more focused, or more alert, you are rewarded. The movie might get brighter, the audio clearer, or the game respond more smoothly.
Learn: Your brain responds to that reward by repeating the pattern. Over time, those healthier and more efficient patterns can become the new default.
It is almost funny. You are sitting there relaxed, and meanwhile your brain is learning new habits that make life a little easier. And no joke, you really do not have to do anything. As a bonus, you might look a little bit like an astronaut while you are wearing the whole brain training cap. But trust me, nobody is taking your picture. Wink, wink.
Who is it for?
Because neurofeedback is tailored to each person, it can be used to support a variety of challenges. Many people have sought it out for:
• Quieting anxiety and racing thoughts
• Improving sleep quality
• Reducing the intensity or frequency of chronic migraines
• Supporting focus and mood in ADHD for children and adults
• Easing the mental strain from post-concussion symptoms
• Enhancing mental sharpness for peak performance in work or sports
These are just some of the more common examples we see. In many cases, neurofeedback becomes a key piece of a broader plan for better brain health. There are many other situations where brain training may be worth exploring, even if it is not listed here.
What is the process?
In our practice, we start with a brain map, a detailed look at your brainwave activity. Then you train 2 to 3 times a week, with progress reviews every 15 to 20 sessions. A typical training plan is often between 20 and 40 sessions, though it varies depending on the individual. And just like anything that truly sticks, it has to be consistent so your brain learns the new normal. The goal is lasting change, and many people find improvements in focus, mood, and sleep continue well beyond the end of training.
A note about safety
One of the most important things to know about neurofeedback is that it is safe and non-invasive. It is not “doing something to” your brain. Instead, it is a way for your brain to receive feedback and then make its own adjustments, naturally and at its own pace. Because the process is gentle, results build over time. That is why consistency and multiple sessions are essential. We are not forcing changes or creating stress for your brain. We are guiding it toward better patterns that it learns to hold on its own.
One important note
Yes, there are some excellent systems to train at home (which we also use) but whole brain training is not something you can simply download as an app and try at home. Safe, effective neurofeedback requires medical-grade equipment and a trained professional to interpret your brain map and guide the process. It is not a gadget. It is a partnership.
Bottom line
We put so much effort into caring for our bodies, lifting weights, counting steps, eating better. But the brain is the control center for everything. Training it may be one of the most valuable and overlooked things we can do. And when you start to feel calmer, clearer, and more like yourself again, that is when you realize it was worth every step of the journey. As always, if you would like to learn more about neurofeedback or explore whether whole brain training could be right for you, we would be happy to talk. Reach out to us at Berry Wellness Group today and let us start the conversation.