Neurofeedback Therapy
Written by: THE BALANCE
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Boss, MD
Last updated: January 19, 2026
Fact checked
Quick Summary
  • The human brain has an extraordinary ability to adapt, reorganize, and create new neural connections in response to experiences, emotions, and behaviors.
  • This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to "retrain" itself, much like building muscle through repeated exercise.
  • When brainwave activity becomes dysregulated, it can lead to mental health challenges such as anxiety, impulsivity, or depression.

The human brain has an extraordinary ability to adapt, reorganize, and create new neural connections in response to experiences, emotions, and behaviors. This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to “retrain” itself, much like building muscle through repeated exercise.

When brainwave activity becomes dysregulated, it can lead to mental health challenges such as anxiety, impulsivity, or depression. A brain that is overactive when it should be calm—or underactive when it should be alert—creates harmful patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior.

Neurofeedback therapy harnesses the brain’s natural plasticity by using EEG-based feedback to teach the brain how to regulate itself. It is a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free technique that helps patients identify unhealthy brainwave patterns and replace them with healthier, more balanced activity.

Research shows that Neurofeedback may help with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, migraines, insomnia, and chronic pain. By training the brain to achieve healthier rhythms, patients can experience long-term improvements in focus, emotional balance, and overall cognitive function.

Key Takeaways

  • Neurofeedback therapy is also known as EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy.
  • It uses real-time brainwave monitoring to train the brain toward healthier patterns.
  • The therapy is safe, non-invasive, and drug-free, relying on reward-based feedback.
  • Studies show benefits for ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, migraines, and chronic pain.
  • Most patients undergo 30–40 sessions over several weeks for best results.
  • Side effects are generally mild but may include temporary fatigue, headaches, or increased anxiety if not properly guided.

Neurofeedback, also termed as Electroencephalography (EEG) Biofeedback and occasionally referred to as Neurotherapy, utilizes neuroplasticity in a reward-based, drug-free training system that conditions the brain to identify and rectify adverse brainwave patterns or substitute them with a balanced and beneficial pattern of brain activity. It is a specialized field within biofeedback therapy that offers to train and manage electrochemical processes of the brain. An electroencephalograph (EEG) can record the electrical activity emitted by the brain (EEG).

It is possible for scientists to detect specific brain wave patterns by analyzing EEG test results. When we are awake, our brains produce different wave frequencies, including alpha (a medium wave), beta (a fast wave), and theta (a slow wave). When a person is comfortable and not thinking or interacting with their environment, alpha waves are detectable in their brain. When someone is interacting with their environment, concentrating, engaged in analytical reasoning, or solving problems, beta waves are present in their brain. It is common to witness theta waves when people are sleepy, daydreaming, or just drifting off to sleep, but they can also appear when people are restless or agitated.

TMS Therapy and Benefits

Deep sleep produces a fourth type of brain wave, the delta wave. Various medical and neurological disorders are associated with abnormal patterns of cortical neuronal activity. Neurofeedback therapy uses a baseline EEG, and occasionally a quantitative multi-site EEG to identify abnormal patterns. People suffering from mental illnesses can learn to train their brains through Neurofeedback, which helps them regain more control in achieving an optimal function of the brain.

An EEG measures brain activity by tracking electrical patterns on the scalp surface using electrodes and sensors placed on the surface of the scalp. These readings reflect the person’s cerebral activity, which is represented by brain waves. A patient’s brain wave activity is monitored and relayed to them via auditory and/or visual cues during treatment. Using these signals, a patient can learn to distinguish between desired and undesirable brainwave production, and eventually promote the production of desired brainwaves while reducing the unwanted brainwaves that cause harmful emotions. A balanced waveform that represents healthy biochemical homeostasis of the brain is indicated by a positive response such as a pleasant tone on the Neurofeedback devices.

While everyone’s pattern of brain wave activity is unique, certain “signatures” of brain wave frequencies are linked to particular symptoms and/or brain dysfunction. For instance, those who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show higher ratios of slower EEG activity relative to rapid beta activity (delta, theta, or even alpha). People with ADHD may benefit from training that focuses on raising the speed of fast-wave activity (beta) while decreasing the amplitude of slower wave activity. A standard Neurofeedback therapy session can last between 30 to 60 minutes, usually twice a week or even three times a week depending on the practitioner’s treatment protocols and the health status of the patient. An average of 40 sessions over a span of 20 weeks is required for most people to get the best results.

The Neurofeedback technique may differ from one facility to another as per the clinical setting. For instance, some clinics only have a computer monitor, two ear sensors, two brainwave sensors, and a ground to work with. There are other facilities that use a specific cap that is stocked with a total of 19 sensors and enables the practitioner to influence many brain areas at once. Furthermore, some facilities use video games while having one’s brain activity recorded.

Alternatively, some clinics may use brain training devices that don’t require the patient to do anything other than sitting back and watch the monitor. Although Neurofeedback sessions differ, there are some elements that remain constant throughout, as there is no utility of electric shocks, no equipment penetrates the body, and the entire treatment is completely painless.

With consistent studies being underway to find out the definitive effectiveness of Neurofeedback, some of the medical conditions for which people currently tend to seek Neurofeedback therapy include:

  1. ADHD
  2. Anxiety
  3. Depression
  4. Migraines
  5. Insomnia
  6. Addiction
  7. Anger control
  8. Low energy
  9. Epilepsy
  10. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  11. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

So far, Neurofeedback therapy has shown to be successful in small groups, despite the fact that it is still under investigation as a treatment for a wide range of illnesses. In addition to the number of sessions, the severity of the mental disorder, and the general health condition of the patient, the efficacy will also be determined by the technique of Neurofeedback therapy. A study conducted on 20 elderly people found that Neurofeedback therapy effectively increased brain activity. Before and after eight half-hour sessions of gamma or beta Neurofeedback therapy, participants underwent memory and IQ tests.

There was an increase in the patients’ brain activity after each therapy, indicating that the aging brain may be more capable than previously imagined. Despite this, they found no differences in cognitive performance. In children with ADHD, it has been demonstrated to have a positive effect. Researchers found that following a summer of rigorous Neurofeedback treatment, parents and children had significantly different experiences. In various illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ADHD, alcoholism, epilepsy, stroke, autism, fibromyalgia, and depression, this therapeutic method has been utilized successfully since the 1960s.

It has been shown to reduce anxiety in phobia and neuropsychiatric populations. Females with spider phobia participated in a randomized controlled study (RCT) that used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Neurofeedback effectively reduced their self-reported anxiety levels. In another study, self-reported anxiety in PTSD patients was significantly reduced after a high-frequency beta Neurofeedback intervention. According to the study’s findings, alpha EEG biofeedback reduced the scores of individuals with a wide range of anxiety disorders in a quasi-randomized trial.

The majority of people who use Neurofeedback say it has little or no effect on their health. In fact, many people describe their sessions as ‘enjoyable’ because they feel calm and relaxed during the period of therapy. In addition, many people report feeling energized afterward. There are a few possible causes of adverse effects that need to be taken into account. Individual variance, specific brain wave retraining (eliciting or dampening certain brain waves ), training of a specific brain region, professional expertise, and the presence of preexisting neurological diseases are some of the significant considerations. Practitioners who are not licenced or competent put the public and the credibility of their profession in jeopardy.

Due to individual differences, some persons may experience adverse effects that are obvious. One person may report more severe side effects from the same training than another, even if their Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) is essentially comparable. One explanation for adverse reactions is a placebo effect, although they can also be caused by a variety of neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and hereditary factors. To get the most out of Neurofeedback sessions, working with a trained expert who has a proven track record of success is important. Prior to any training, a practitioner should use a QEEG to identify irregularities rather than “guessing” what’s wrong. Using the results of the QEEG scan, a Neurofeedback specialist is able to determine which parts of the brain need to be worked on.

It is a common practice to either increase (up train) or decreases (down train) in particular areas during the course of a training session. Certain parts of the brain are intrinsically riskier to work with than others, and tinkering with them can have many undesirable consequences. Furthermore, it is possible that certain brain wave frequencies have more severe adverse effects than others. Raising the beta and/or gamma wave frequencies may encounter unpleasant side effects due to an increase in arousal. Up-training mid to high beta waves, for example, may cause brief panic, frenzied thoughts, and/or worry.

How does EMDR Therapy work?

Slower wave frequencies like alpha and theta can lead to less energy, tiredness, and a lack of concentration if they’re increased. People with neurological disorders may be more susceptible to side effects from Neurofeedback. People with epilepsy are more likely to have seizures because of aberrant surges in electrical activity. In order to safeguard the public from those who utilize Neurofeedback to treat psychiatric, medical, and neurological illnesses for which they are not qualified or licenced, it is critical that professional groups and organizations highlight standards of practice.

While Neurofeedback is widely accepted as a safe treatment for manipulating the brain’s inherent neuroplasticity, some people do experience adverse effects of varying severity. Most reported side effects are not life-threatening and will go away on their own in time. There will be a definite increase in the risk of having negative effects by engaging in Neurofeedback therapy on your own or working with an unqualified practitioner without getting a prior QEEG examination. Some of the potential side effects are listed here.

1. Anxiety: Some patients have reported transient anxiety pre and post-procedure. This can be due to the placebo effect due to the discomforting feels of having electrodes hooked on to their heads. This might give the perception that their brain could be damaged in some way from these electrodes. Circumstantial anxiety caused by the clinical setup for Neurofeedback therapy must be taken into account. Adverse reactions and inadequate training have the potential to worsen anxiety. Following Neurofeedback sessions, a minority of patients were found to have a progressive increase in anxiety.

2. Brain Fog: While Neurofeedback can be an excellent technique for decreasing the frequency and the intensity of brain fogs and sharpening focus, not everyone responds well to it. After training, some people find that they have trouble concentrating. It’s possible that an increase in brain fog is only a temporary reaction that goes away with ongoing training.

3. Cognitive impairment: Neurofeedback can be used by those who want to improve their cognitive ability. The concerning aspect of Neurofeedback therapy is that if you train with the improper frequencies in the wrong areas of the brain, it could lead to cognitive impairment. As a result of the therapy, the thinking process may become more sluggish, and cognitive performance may suffer.

4. Depression: Depression is prevalent in those who have an intentional or unintentional down training of slower brain waves, while anxiety is more common in people who have an up-training of rapid brain waves. In most patients, depressive symptoms are transient.

5. Teeth Chattering: Chattering teeth is a rare adverse effect. Chattering may not happen during sessions, however, it is possible that it will occur after a session has ended. Teeth chattering has been compared by many who have experienced it as the feeling of shivering.

6. Headache: There is compelling evidence that headaches occur as a placebo effect due to procedural anxiety and not as a result of brainwave changes. However, training faster waves (at higher frequencies) can aggravate headaches. Migraines can be triggered if a medical professional misdirects brain waves in the wrong way, and/or targets the wrong areas.

Muscle tension, social anxiety, trembling, low energy, internal vibrations, and worsening of symptoms are some of the relatively minor side effects that should be considered in the risk-benefit analysis of Neurofeedback therapy.

FAQs

What is the success rate of Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback for some diseases has a success rate of 75-80%, according to doctors and published scientific research. Numerous scientific studies have reported positive results of Neurofeedback therapy. The efficacy of this treatment modality is limited, however, by the relatively high non-responder rates. As a result, determining whether or not a particular participant will reap the benefits of the training will require a personalized clinical assessment.

Furthermore, future research should put a heavy emphasis on tailoring Neurofeedback protocols for specific pathophysiological backgrounds. Having stated that, certain medical conditions have a quicker response time than others. Anxiety, migraines, and insomnia tend to go away rapidly and completely. In most cases, it’s possible to reduce or even stop some long-term medications for these illnesses. Even problems like OCD or seizures, which are notoriously difficult to treat, can improve as a result of a combination treatment with Neurofeedback and medications. In order to precisely state efficacy rates for Neurofeedback, further study is required.
How long does it take for Neurofeedback to work?
Most people find the Neurofeedback procedure as a calming experience and some even report instant relief and improvements after the therapy session. The response may vary. In 3-4 weeks or 6-8 sessions, the majority of patients begin to feel the benefits of Neurofeedback. For quicker and more evident results, when beginning Neurofeedback training, it is best to schedule two or three sessions each week, at the very least.

More than one session can be done in a day, and sessions can be held over the course of two or three days. The rate of learning can be slowed down as it begins to consolidate. If two or three sessions per week are not feasible, Neurofeedback will still be beneficial, although it may take longer until long-term results are achieved.

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