No, neurofeedback does not hurt. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive method. Electrode sensors and paste are placed on your head to measure brain wave activity. That activity is fed back to you via an auditory and/or visual feedback which can be as a simple as a tone, or a dolphin swimming in the ocean, or even your favorite TV show can be used. This feedback tells you when the brain is showing the favorable activity. There is no use of shocks or other invasive electrical pulses.

The brain is an amazingly adaptable and flexible organ, and is capable of lifelong learning (this is often referred to as brain ‘plasticity’). Just as your brain learns to control motor function when you learn to ride a bicycle, the brain can also learn to better direct its own functioning, if it is given feedback about its progress that allows it to adjust over time.

When a mature brain is functioning well, and the person is attentive, the EEG shows a particular pattern. When the EEG deviates significantly from the norm, there may be an adverse impact on cognitive, emotional, and physical function. Neurofeedback training challenges the person and the brain to attain and maintain the alert, “high-performance” state. It gives the brain feedback about its progress and, like riding a bicycle, once it has learned to maintain a healthy state, it does not easily forget.

In contrast to conventional medicine, neurofeedback can re-train your brain and improve your life for the long-term. After your brain has changed to serve you better, it is more efficient, even after training has ended. Some clients however, come back later in their life to either check their brain’s current state or to further optimize their brain function, particularly if they have experienced any impactful events on their health and wellbeing.

When you measure and display brain activity on a screen, the energy fluctuations that occur when the brain is processing information look likes waves going up and down. This is why brain activity is also called “brain waves”. These brain waves can be big or small (shorter or taller in height) and reoccur at varying speeds (frequency). 

The brain is a complex organ. You could compare it with planet Earth and all the smaller and bigger cities in which information is exchanged and processed. However, sometimes the information exchange (energy flow) is not optimal – like when an ice storm slows down everything in a city. Similarly, your brainwaves can be suboptimal for your needs. As we measure them using what is called electroencephalography (EEG), we can – using the latest cutting-edge technology and software – determine where and how the brain waves deviate from a smooth and efficient way of working. This deviation affects information flow throughout your brain, ultimately impacting how you feel, think, perceive, and how you react to your environment.

When you undergo neurotherapy, it is a bit like participating in psychotherapy, life coaching, or a meditation retreat. The process increases your awareness of how you perceive and respond to situations in your life. For example, a friend of mine got betrayed by her ex-husband. Now with her new husband she is very sensitive and even watches out whether he may or may not look at another woman. And if he does she is already convinced about his intention of betraying her. This may sound absurd, but we are often not aware of how much we are actually “over”-reacting to situations all the time. Why? Because our brain protects and warns us after we have been harmed. It learned its lessons and tells us right away “be aware, this is harmful”. Unfortunately, it sometimes overdoes protecting us and can actually destroy our follow up relationship. This is very sad and can make us feel trapped, trapped in our brain wave patterns. This is exactly the point where neurofeedback guided by an experienced practitioner can help to break through, let go to live a freer, healthier and happier life.

Martin Wuttke has many clients from all over the United States and Europe who request personal training with him because of his unique, targeted approach to neurofeedback training. His method produces rapid, lasting change in the individuals’ EEG (brainwave pattern) in a relatively short period of time. His most sought-after treatment is the two-week intensive program. Sessions are often twice a day, Monday through Friday. Applications for intensives must be made well in advance.

Neurofeedback is a science-based, non-invasive technique. The process is simple: in the first session personal needs are discussed and primary goals for the neurotherapy are clarified. The brain activity is measured via a 19 channel EEG system via a cap worn on your head, then the activity is analyzed and explained by our experts. Your current brain activity and functionality is discussed in relation to any symptoms or behavioral and psychological issues you may be experiencing, and your personalized neurofeedback training program is created based on our conclusions. 

Email or call us to schedule the initial evaluation.

212 Cottage Grove Avenue, Suite A, 93101 Santa Barbara, CA 

When symptoms are relieved, personal goals are reached, and we see the results holding, we start to spread the time out between sessions. Our research has shown with follow-up testing that after a full course of sessions, the brain continues to improve in function during those intervals.

The starting effect of the treatment is apparent when the symptoms start to occur less frequently, are less severe, or are experienced for a shorter duration.

You or your doctor may want to know more about neurofeedback, in which case recently published research articles may be the best place to find information. Also, please visit our literature page.