Frequently Asked Questions
What issues can NeurOptimal® help me with?
It is important to note that NeurOptimal® does not “treat” any conditions. NeurOptimal® training helps the brain function more efficiently so it can better handle the symptoms related to a variety of conditions.
The variety of issues and conditions we all suffer from are usually signs the brain is not functioning at its best. At the core of all of the conditions that neurofeedback can address is a dysregulated brain. Whether it be depression, insomnia, ADHD, Autism, or stress, in some way, our brain is not functioning optimally. So…no matter what you are dealing with, by training the brain to become better regulated and function more efficiently, NeurOptimal® is able to improve symptoms that are at their core, as a result of dysregulated brain.
“Many NeurOptimal® users report life changing results. Elite athletes have used NeurOptimal®, reporting improvement in their physical performance and mental stamina. Sufferers of sleeplessness report improved sleep. Veterans use it stating it helps relieve the extreme challenges they face returning home from a war zone. Mentally clouded individuals, due to injury or life circumstances, tell us how after using NeurOptimal® they’ve rediscovered clarity to an extent they and their loved ones once believed unattainable. Brain training with NeurOptimal® has helped improve the lives of children suffering from communication and social challenges, and general difficulties focusing in school. And many challenges stemming from stress commonly fall away when the brain is trained for optimal function.”
NeurOptimal website – neuroptimal.com
How is NeurOptimal® different from other systems?
There are a few key factors that distinguish NeurOptimal® from other neurofeedback systems:
- NeurOptimal®is effective because it is designed to work best with your individual brain. It does not target specific areas or push the does not attempt to “fix” predetermined conditions or pin down specific problems. This was a limitation in many earlier neurofeedback systems. Often, resolving one problem in one area could cause problems elsewhere. The heart of the NeurOptimal®system- Dynamical Neurofeedback- is a proprietary technology based in neuroscience and specifically designed with the naturally non-linear function of the human brain in mind. NeurOptimal® is built to harness the incredibly dynamic nature of your brain in a way other systems simply cannot match. As a result, this neurofeedback system can be used effectively to address a wide array of complaints without specifically “targeting” them from the outset of the training.
- NeurOptimal®neurofeedback is an extremely safe and non-invasive system. Research shows your own brain “knows best” and therefore given the right information, the brain can naturally reorganize and normalize without being pushed in any one direction, thereby avoiding issues by focusing on one area of the brain.
- NeurOptimal®is simple and effortless. It requires no interaction on the user’s part. Some linear brain training systems require the user to “interact” by playing games or solving puzzles during sessions. During a NeurOptimal® training session, you can simply relax and enjoy!
What does NeurOptimal® cost?
The fee for neurofeedback training is as follows:
- Individual session – $70 (plus HST)
- Series of 10 sessions- $65 per session ($650 plus HST)
- Series of 20 sessions – $60 per session ($1200 plus HST)
A NeurOptimal® brain training sessions take approximately 50 minutes and I suggest training at least once or twice a week with the optimal number of sessions being 15-20 however, you decide the number of sessions.
How many sessions will I need?
This is a very individualized question because everyone’s central nervous system is different. As a result, it is difficult to predict the exact number of sessions you will need because it depends partly upon your desired results and partly upon your presenting concerns and how your brain receives and processes the feedback. Just as in how long it takes to learn to read, it is a process and everyone learns differently. But because we have over three million hours of experience with NeurOptimal® I can provide a few guidelines.
You will know pretty early on when it is helping you. You may feel more relaxed, calmer, happier and more rested. And we have progress tracking tools to help you document your training. If you are training to feel better quickly, you might determine that you have made enough gains after 10-12 sessions. On the other hand, if you are looking for noticeable, consistent and long-lasting changes, 20-30 sessions might be a better target to shoot for. Accordingly, I recommend a minimum of 15-20 sessions to start.
Some individuals will reach their goal in 15-20 sessions, whereas others may need more before they reach their desired results. Much like going to the gym improves your physical fitness, strength and flexibility, the more sessions you do, the more the positive changes will stay with you resulting in more strength and flexibility for you brain!
The good thing is, you can stop your sessions at any time. You can return for booster sessions – a ‘’tune-up’ but you will not lose what you have gained. No session is ever wasted. Once you learn how to read, you can’t unlearn it. That being said, your central nervous system (CNS) and brain can get knocked off by the challenges of daily living. The great thing about brain training is it remembers and a previously trained brain responds quickly to tune-ups, returning your brain to optimal functioning.
But in the end, it is always up to you, because it is YOUR brain that is doing the training and it knows what it needs.
Do the effects of neurofeedback last?
Once you know, you can’t “not know”. You may get rusty but that can be resolved with a few “booster” sessions but unlike medications, this does not require a life-long commitment in order to experience a reduction in symptoms. When you address the main system – the central nervous system – that is responsible for all the activity across the whole body, you are making fundamental changes – long-term positive effects.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change throughout life. Because of this, NeurOptimal® is able to help the brain learn how to function with increased efficiency, flexibility and resiliency. You will experience lasting improvements in both your personal and professional lives.
Your brain is also a living tissue and can get “knocked off” by life stressors, environmental pollutants or chemical imbalances. When this happens, you can get back on track with a session or two.
How long does each session last?
Neurofeedback sessions run for 33 minutes, but I recommend you allow 45-60 minutes for pre- and post- setup. Aside from the initial session which is 60 minutes, each follow-up neurofeedback session looks like this:
- 5 minutes to hook you up
- 33 minutes for a session
- 5 minutes to unhook you
Is it safe? Are there side effects?
NeurOptimal® neurofeedback is a 100% safe, non-invasive and drug-free technology that provides information only to your brain. NeurOptimal® does not push the brain in one direction, allowing the brain to use its own inherent ability to self-correct when giving the right information. The brain knows best!
Who can benefit?
Everyone can benefit from NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback. While most people have normal brains, they still have brain imbalances or chronic emotions that affect their day to day life. Many people would like to be free of the symptoms that may be holding them back from enjoying life, attaining peak performance or recovering from an injury. NeurOptimal® can help the brain recognize the symptoms and train it to reorganize and normalize, removing the obstacles that stand in way of attaining their goals.
Please view our NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback research link to get an idea of the various conditions to which it may benefit.
Get In Touch
If you are new to neurofeedback, you probably have questions. As a NeurOptimal® user and trainer, I will be happy to share my personal and professional experience with you.