by Ginger Marin

Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) or “Brain Mapping” is an FDA approved, evidence-based diagnostic tool that measures the speed and processing of brain function. It is a powerful tool for identifying significant excess and/or deficiencies (abnormalities) in an individual’s brain electrical patterns that can be associated with disorders such as learning and memory problems, attention-hyperactivity disorders, anxiety and depression. Put simply, the brain map objectively and scientifically evaluates a person’s brainwave function.

Aging & Brain Health

Research shows that at around the age of 40, the brain naturally begins to slow. Brain wave activity can decrease, which can affect focus, memory and energy. There is greater susceptibility to stress related problems, which can result in depression, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, weakened immune systems, decreased sexual vitality, insomnia and other sleep related disorders.

It’s estimated that you have about one hundred billion neurons in your brain. It has been speculated that you lose about one thousand neurons each day after you reach the age of 40. Research indicates that stimulating the brain regularly can offset this loss. That’s why it’s suggested that you do word puzzles and other types of brain games to keep yourself fit.

When you look at the brain and how it works and then at the body and how it works, you can see how the two work in tandem: healthy body equals healthy brain and vice versa.

Brain mapping utilizes an objective measurement and assessment procedure which pinpoints where the slower brain wave activity is located and why certain issues may be occurring. Based on the results of your assessments through this FDA approved procedure, an individualized program for reclaiming and regaining your full potential at any age can be developed through neurodevelopment training.

Stuck Brain vs A Normal Functioning Brain

Symptoms such as attention and focus problems, learning and memory difficulties, and mood disorders (anxiety and depression) often occur when our brain’s processing ability is dysfunctional or damaged. We often find that its ability to function efficiently is inadequate to do the required or desired job.

Based upon the brain’s natural ability to adapt, a damaged brain will attempt to survive by releasing neuro-inhibitors to protect its limited resources. In doing so it locks itself into a particular electro-chemical pattern in order to not make matters worse. When this happens, we find ourselves losing attentional flexibility which reduces our ability to adapt to varying circumstances.

Our personality generally becomes rigid as well as feelings of there being no solutions to our problems. This is often the root of an overwhelming sense of helplessness, hopelessness and tends to drives us to mood extremes, such as depression, anger and even uncontrollable rage.

Brain Mapping Procedure

The procedure may take about approximately two hours. It generally consists of placing a snug cap on the head which contains small electrodes to measure the electrical patterns coming from the brain. It is completely non-invasive. There is no pain or discomfort associated with the procedure. After your brain is mapped and assessments made as to what may be causing dysfunction, a neuro-feedback training program is established.

Neurofeedback Training

Neurofeedback training is brainwave biofeedback. During typical training, a couple of electrodes are placed on the scalp and one or two are usually put on the ear lobe. Then, high-tech electronic equipment provides you with real-time, instantaneous audio and visual feedback about your brainwave activity. The electrodes measure the electrical patterns coming from the brain. No electrical current is put into your brain. Your brainwave patterns are simply relayed to the computer and recorded.

Ordinarily, we cannot influence our brainwave patterns because we lack awareness of them. However, when you can see your brainwaves on a computer screen a few thousandths of a second after they occur, it gives you the ability to influence and change them. We are literally reconditioning and retraining the brain.

A New You

Think how wonderful it would be to retrain your brain to function at its optimum whether it be to perform better at sports, in school, in business, in the arts or just in everyday life. With brain mapping and neurodevelopment, you can now achieve a better you!