Are There Any Neurofeedback Therapy Side Effects?

Neurofeedback is becoming more common in addiction treatment. It’s an outgrowth of biofeedback research and treatment. Yet, many people don’t know how this particular treatment works. They also wonder, are there any neurofeedback therapy side effects? Fortunately, Sante Center for Healing is familiar with and experienced in this form of mental health treatment and addiction recovery. We can guide individuals through how neurofeedback therapy operates and help them find the right treatment to meet their unique needs.

How Neurofeedback Works

This treatment focuses on brainwave activity. It’s non-invasive, which means there is no surgery. When you sit down for a session, the clinician explains the process to you. Next, she attaches sensors to your head that connect to a computer that measures your brainwave activity.

You might begin interacting with the program via a video game or similar input. A neurofeedback therapy program looks at waves that the various areas of the brain generate. Similarly, it allows for the creation of a brain map. Doing so lets the clinician show you how your brain waves in specific regions compare to others.

How the Therapy Helps You Heal

Neurofeedback is a suitable modality for people who struggle with addiction as well as trauma. Because addiction’s a brain disease, it makes sense that working with brainwave patterns can lead to healing. For example, training your brain to boost specific wave activities could prevent relapse and cravings. Besides that, the treatment helps individuals who underwent traumatic experiences and need PTSD treatment.

Adding Neurofeedback to Other Treatments

This intervention isn’t enough to help you overcome psychological addiction. There are additional treatments that need to work together. Examples include:

Medical detoxification to help you withdraw safely and painlessly from drugs or alcohol
Dual diagnosis therapy for program participants with underlying depression or anxiety
Trauma treatment that benefits individuals whose past experiences influence drug cravings
Polyaddiction therapy, which helps you overcome multiple chemical dependencies
Family therapy is a way to reconnect with loved ones, rebuild trust, and receive support

Against this backdrop, neurofeedback lets you and the therapist focus on the brain areas that need healing. With an eye on relapse prevention, you work on recovering and reaching lifelong sobriety. Many program participants decide to continue neurofeedback treatments after they graduate from the program. Doing so, along with support group attendance, is an excellent idea.

Neurofeedback Therapy Side Effects

As a non-invasive where nothing enters your body, whether needles or medications, side effects are minimal. However, individuals may experience dizziness from interacting with the video game or other input options like dry or reddened eyes.

Besides that, you might encounter reactions to the treatment as you continue the sessions. Depending on which brainwaves you focus on during treatment, you may have emotions that go along with them. There’s also a chance of encountering neurofeedback therapy side effects if you have epilepsy. Discuss any health concerns or neurological conditions with the therapist before beginning.

Discover How Sante Center for Healing Can Help

You now know about neurofeedback therapy’s side effects as well as the advantages of the treatment. Isn’t it time to learn more? Most importantly, how can this therapeutic intervention help you quit using? At Sante Center for Healing, we offer a wide range of therapies to help individuals identify, address, and overcome their mental health issues and substance use disorders. Some of the therapies we offer include: