The nctNeurofeedback Clinic - Blog

Hemoencephalography (HEG) is a form of neurofeedback that measures changes in blood flow and oxygenation within the prefrontal cortex — the region directly behind the forehead that supports attention, planning, decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Unlike EEG neurofeedback, which records the brain's electrical activity, HEG measures the brain's vascular and metabolic response. When a region of the cortex is engaged in a cognitive task, neuronal activity

Anxiety is a condition of nervous system regulation. While short-term anxiety can be helpful in alerting the body to potential threat, ongoing anxiety occurs when the brain remains in a heightened stress-response state long after the threat has passed. Over time, this can affect emotional stability, attention, sleep, physical health, and the ability to cope with everyday demands. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions and can present in many form

Responsivity to Training: A Statistical Overview Neurofeedback training is a form of biofeedback produced on the basis of real time data from brain activity administered using electroencephalography (EEG). It gives both visual and auditory feedback depending on each protocol which is determined on the performance of the client. The aim of neurofeedback training is to induce ability of the brain to regulate itself leading to a balanced state of functioning. The protocols set f

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a disorder characterised by a pattern of disruptive and angry moods, especially towards authority figures, and difficulty managing these explosive moods (Hamilton & Armando, 2008; Mars et al., 2025). This behaviour will usually appear in childhood, around the preschool years, and if not addressed, can become a stable issue throughout the rest of their education and into their adulthood (Hamilton & Armando, 2008). Additionally, there are

The treatment landscape for neurological and psychological conditions has evolved significantly in recent decades. While medication-based interventions have long dominated clinical practice, neurofeedback has emerged as a compelling, non-invasive alternative that aims to train the brain to regulate its activity. This article examines the comparative effectiveness of these approaches, with particular focus on their immediate outcomes and long-term sustainability. Recent clinic

Dyslexia is a learning disability with difficulty in recognition/reading and language processing abilities, often observed with symptoms occurring from childhood, which furthers persist in life. Children with dyslexia have learning difficulties in their academics with cognitive and behavioural challenges. It is often associated with disability in readings, but the neural attributes of differential brain activities can be observed before the individual acquires the skill. Lear

By Goretti Hurtado Barbeito Understanding Neurofeedback: A Tool for Enhancing Brain Function in Children Neurofeedback (NF) is a form of biofeedback that trains individuals to regulate their brain functions by monitoring brain waves and delivering feedback signals, typically in audio or video formats. When the brain exhibits desirable activity, positive feedback is given, while undesirable brain activity results in negative feedback (Marzbani et al., 2016). NF has gained trac

Neurofeedback: Unlocking New Pathways to PTSD management By Goretti Hurtado Barbeito Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental health condition that arises after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Characterised by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, emotional numbness, hyperarousal, and avoidance, PTSD can profoundly disrupt daily life, relationships, and overall well-being (Bremner, 2006). Traditional treatments for PTSD, such as cognit

Traditional treatment options in drug-resistant epilepsy cases may include surgery or neurostimulation devices. However, a promising non-invasive approach is emerging: neurofeedback training Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterised by recurrent seizures. These can be a one-time event, or happen repeatedly without a trigger. While the cause of epilepsy, as well as the localisation of the seizures (Figure 1), may be undetermined, it is linked to abnormal brain

For centuries, there has been a spotlight on breath, this interest has been encapsulated in the language of many cultures. For example, the English word spirit comes from Latin’s Spiritus which means ‘a breath’. The Hebrew and Greek translations of spirit also derive their origin from the word breath. Whereas Chi is used in China as the word for ‘the air we breathe’, but also means universal and cosmic energy of life (Ki in Japan plays a similar role). This interest in the

Training your Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is one main Biofeedback Method to increase and better performance in many different levels. HRV can be measured using various methods and is used as a tool to monitor and improve physiological and psychological health. HRV as a Pathway to Enhanced Well-being and Performance When it comes to well-being and performance optimisation, HRV occupies a central role as a dynamic indicator of our body’s equilibrium. This phenomenon unveils an

Biofeedback training for HRV is an intriguing approach to enhancing self-awareness and control over physiological processes, particularly HRV. This technique empowers individuals to actively influence their autonomic nervous system, promoting better well-being and potentially improving performance. A recent meta-analysis of 24 studies revealed that HRV biofeedback reduced self-reported stress and anxiety with a large effect size (Goessl et al., 2017). Training to enhance Hear

Part 2: Stimulants, cannabis and Opioids Stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine) Stimulant drugs are known to induce heightened feelings of well-being, euphoria and increased arousal by accelerating the central nervous system (CNS). They increase heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure while also enhancing energy levels, focus, attention, alertness and wakefulness. Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine (MA) directly or indirectly affect the reward system in th

Part 1: Psychedelics and dissociative drugs Psychedelics (LSD, Psilocybin, Ayahuasca) Psychedelic drugs have profound effects on human perception, cognition and emotions, which induce an altered state of consciousness (Studerus et al., 2010). These effects are mainly mediated by the drug’s ability to bind to serotonin receptors in the brain, modulating the activity of key circuits involved in perception and cognition (Halberstadt, 2015). One of the key mechanisms underlying t

The brain and neurotransmitters The brain is composed of billions of cells called neurons, which are organised into circuits and networks that work together to coordinate and perform specific functions. Each neuron acts as a switch, regulating the flow of information in the brain. To communicate, neurons release neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) which are passed from neuron to neuron among different parts of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. These n

Targeting Anxiety Symptoms Recreational drugs can cause short and long-term anxiety symptoms, such as restlessness, fear, sleep disruption, and difficulty focusing. Physical symptoms like increased heart rate, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure and excessive sweating are also common. Stimulant drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine can exacerbate anxiety symptoms by speeding up heart rate and contributing to paranoia, which can worsen anxiety symptoms. Even after dis

By Anna Jusek Neurofeedback training (NFT) has been popular in the sports arena with an array of athlete’s using it during or at the pinnacle of their career: • Andrea Dovizioso: World champion 2004 • Olivier Jean: Gold medal Olympics 2010 • Manuel Osborne – Paradis: 11 world cup podiums • Lucas Di Grassi – Formula E world champion • Ferrari driver academy • Chris Kaman – NBA player • Tobias Harris – Basketball player NBA • Italian football team before their 2006 world cup w

Pregnancy can be an emotionally challenging time for many expecting mothers as they become more susceptible to stressors (e.g., pregnancy-specific stress such as foetal health and birth outcomes. As well as issues concerning finance, relationships and discrimination.) due to the biological, psychological and social changes that occur during pregnancy [1,2,13]. Anxiety and depression are a particular concern as various research demonstrates that ~ 1 in 5 pregnant women will ha

By Anna Jusek Following general screening of Neurofeedback training for ASD, here you will find further scientific screening addressing the brain patterns that have been shown by research to improve symptoms in ASD following Neurofeedback training. Due to the complexity of ASD, e.g., the vast array of brain regions and mechanisms associated with the pathology, several neurofeedback (NFT) protocols are investigated. Connectivity The number of global brain abnormalities prompts

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a long-term condition characterised by widespread chronic pain associated with fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairments, memory problems, anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life. Due to the lack of effective treatments for fibromyalgia, scientists looked at Neurofeedback (NF) as a possible intervention for FMS Effective treatments for fibromyalgia are lacking. Pharmacological agents such as analgesics and antidepressants (SSRIs)

The connection between attention functions and memory performance Attention is a central component of cognitive ability. The ability to focus attention, encode and maintain information are among the brain’s most important cognitive functions. Since Working Memory and attention share common neural mechanisms (e.g., Gazzaley and Nobre, 2012), enhancement of attention improves encoding, maintenance and retrieval of items held in WM for online usage (Karbach and Verhaeghen, 2014)

The ability to focus attention, encode and maintain information are among the brain’s most important cognitive functions. Attention is a central component of cognitive ability. Measurements of neural activity have become strong predictors of cognitive impairments in persons afflicted with various kinds of cognitive deficits. Lapses in attention can impair memory and behavioural performance. Complaints about declined attention and memory are common in healthy and cognitively i

Neurofeedback protocols train users to self-regulate specific neural activity through real-time feedback, rooted in operant conditioning where desired brain states are rewarded. These closed-loop systems comprise three core components: a neuroimaging modality like EEG, fMRI, MEG, or fNIRS; signal processing for artifact removal and feature extraction; and multimodal feedback (auditory, visual, vibrotactile) to guide learning. EEG/MEG excel in high temporal resolution for rapi

The trick to getting our brains to act in desirable ways is to leverage the behaviour-changing power of operant conditioning. During an operant conditioning procedure, an individual modifies its behaviour based on learned consequences. And, as it turns out, we can use operant conditioning to teach ourselves to promote healthier brain functioning. In neurofeedback training, this is accomplished by pairing information about one’s brain activity with desirable or undesirable out