Hemoencephalography (HEG)

HEG neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that directily trains the brain itself. HEG feeds back changes in the brain's energy consumption (which is related to blood flow). Broadly, the training aims to boost activity and thereby improve mental and emotional functioning. It's like a fitness work-out for the brain.

Most commonly we train the area of the brain behind the forehead. This region, known as the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), is your brain's "executive control centre". The thermal images shown (courtesy of Dr Jeff Carmen) were taken before and after a single HEG training session. Brighter colours are hotter - you can see the heating resulting from the brain's increase in activity.

Optimising PFC activity can help you to:

• focus effectively and maintain concentration
• gain control over emotions and impulses
• maintain a sense of purpose and self-possession
• flexibly respond to the demands of the situation

Because it is a learning procedure, HEG neurofeedback is non-invasinve and safe. By stimulating the brain's natural capacity to grow and learn, it produces lasting benefits.

Applications of HEG

Hemoencephalography neurofeedback is relevant to most of the disorders listed in the What Does It Help? page. In particular HEG has shown success in working with depression, attention issues including ADD and ADHD, and migraine TO_DO. Brain scanning studies reveal that activation in the Prefrontal Cortex (executive control) is non-optimal in the brains of depression and ADD sufferers.

To find out how HEG neurofeedback could help you, call for your free initial consultation.

HEG Links

An article on Hemoencephalography (HEG).

Biofeedback Institute of Los Angeles - home of Hemoencephalography (HEG) - a teaching and clinical facility founded by Dr Hershel Toomim, who first investigated intentional control of brain blood flow with biofeedback in 1994.