CAN I DO NEUROFEEDBACK AT HOME?
Today, we’re fortunate enough to benefit from a wide range of technologies that can help us optimize our health. From Dexa scans for body composition to Lumen’s breath analyzer for instant knowledge of if we’re metabolizing carbohydrates or fats, we have plenty of ways to keep track of our physical health.
For our brain and mental health, we have neurofeedback.
What Is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is the process of turning brain waves into measurable data we can use to optimize our mental health and brain training activities, and the term is commonly used to describe the devices we can use to access the data from neurofeedback.
Your brain transmits its processes through tiny electrical currents. By measuring these, you can use electroencephalography (EEG) to provide a graphic image of your brainwaves in real-time.
Why Do Neurofeedback?
Seeing your brain activity data allows you to understand how your brain works under different stressors. Whether you’re looking to optimize your ability to work under pressure, have focused learning time, or get a handle on your anxiety, neurofeedback will give you more power to control these states and manage your symptoms.
Can I Do Neurofeedback at Home?
Yes, you can. Technology has come a long way and at-home devices for monitoring your health are readily available, even for monitoring and training your brain. A device like the one we use for our Myndlift program, the Muse headset, is simple to operate and just needs an app to connect with your phone, tablet, or laptop.
While it is possible to do neurofeedback without any one-on-one guidance, you’ll have better results when you have a little training and are monitored by a neurofeedback specialist. It’s a little like learning a musical instrument. Going it alone works, but can prove a long, uneven road. Having a teacher makes the trip faster and much smoother and will help you better interpret your data.
That’s what Myndlift provides – a consultation with a clinical neurofeedback professional and constant monitoring of your progress when you run Myndlift sessions at home.
How Do I Do Neurofeedback at Home?
You need a neurofeedback device such as our Muse Myndlift device to gather the data for you. Make sure the device you choose has an EEG headband or similar to monitor your brain activity – without this, it’s not a true neurofeedback device and it’s not going to give you the data you need.
Most neurofeedback devices come with an app you can use on your phone to manage your data, and Muse is no different. With Muse, you can play games on your phone using your brainwaves as the controller. That makes it a great choice not just for adults, but kids too.
As we touched on above, you’ll get the best benefits from using your Muse with the guidance of an expert, so make sure you schedule a Myndlift session with us when doing neurofeedback at home.
Is There Anything I Should Think About Before Doing Neurofeedback at Home?
Neurofeedback works best when used in conjunction with other biofeedback data, particularly that of your heart. Like the brain, your heart reacts to your feelings. We all know that the heart beats faster when you are excited or under pressure – that is just the beginning. It also telegraphs when you are under stress.
Your should ideally be monitoring your heart and mind, especially if your goal is to better manage stress and your mental health, rather than optimization for brain training.
Our HeartMath system, especially when used in conjunction with Myndlift, provides just that. Using a sophisticated sensor paired with an app allows you to monitor your heart rate and the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) which is a guide to your emotional state.
Put Them Together
Though neurofeedback at home devices like Myndlift and HeartMath are important tools in helping us maintain good mental health, together they form an unstoppable team that can lead you away from mood swings and depression and lead you to a better, more contented self.
To find out more about Myndlift and the Muse device click here, and to learn more about HeartMath, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neurofeedback at Home
Can I do neurofeedback at home?
Home neurofeedback devices do exist, but they are fundamentally different from professional clinical neurofeedback in terms of sophistication, accuracy, and effectiveness. Consumer-grade devices typically use one or two sensors and offer very basic feedback, which is adequate for general relaxation training but lacks the precision needed to address specific neurological conditions. Professional neurofeedback at a clinic like Los Angeles Neurofeedback Center uses advanced equipment with multiple sensor placements, guided by qEEG brain mapping that identifies your unique brain patterns. The difference is comparable to using a fitness app on your phone versus working with a skilled physical therapist who has examined your specific condition.
Are home neurofeedback devices safe?
Most consumer neurofeedback devices are generally safe because they operate at very low power levels and only read brain activity rather than sending significant signals to the brain. However, the risk with home devices is not typically physical harm but rather ineffective or misdirected training. Without proper assessment and professional guidance, you might train the wrong brainwave patterns, which could potentially worsen symptoms rather than improve them. A trained practitioner uses qEEG brain mapping to determine exactly which frequencies and brain regions need attention, ensuring that the training is both safe and targeted to produce the desired results.
How does professional neurofeedback differ from home devices?
The differences are substantial and begin before any training even starts. Professional neurofeedback begins with a comprehensive qEEG brain map that reveals the specific patterns driving your symptoms. This map guides a customized treatment protocol that targets precise brain regions and frequencies. Clinical-grade equipment reads brain activity with much higher resolution and accuracy than consumer devices. Additionally, CLARITY Direct Neurofeedback, the approach used at Los Angeles Neurofeedback Center, delivers a tiny corrective signal to the brain that consumer devices simply cannot replicate. Perhaps most importantly, a trained practitioner monitors your progress and adjusts the protocol as your brain changes, something no home device can do.
Is it worth investing in a home neurofeedback device?
Home devices can serve as a useful supplement to professional treatment, but they should not be considered a replacement. Some patients at Los Angeles Neurofeedback Center use home devices for maintenance between clinical sessions, which can help reinforce the changes achieved during professional treatment. If you are considering purchasing a home device, it is worth having a conversation with a neurofeedback practitioner first to determine whether your goals are realistic for what a consumer device can deliver. For general stress reduction and relaxation, a home device may be sufficient. For addressing specific conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, or trauma, professional treatment with proper brain mapping and clinical-grade equipment will produce significantly better results.
How much does professional neurofeedback cost compared to home devices?
Professional neurofeedback sessions typically range from one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars per session, with a full course of treatment involving twenty to forty sessions. Consumer home devices range from a few hundred dollars for basic models to several thousand for more advanced systems. While the upfront cost of a home device may appear more economical, the comparison is misleading because the two deliver very different levels of care. Professional neurofeedback includes expert assessment, personalized treatment planning, clinical-grade equipment, and ongoing monitoring, none of which a home device provides. Many patients find that the investment in professional treatment produces results that a home device simply cannot match.
Can I start with professional neurofeedback and transition to home use?
This is actually one of the most effective approaches for long-term brain health. Starting with a full course of professional neurofeedback at a clinic like Los Angeles Neurofeedback Center establishes the foundational brain changes through precise, clinically guided training. Once the brain has been properly trained and the desired patterns are well established, periodic home sessions can help maintain those gains over time. Your practitioner can recommend specific home devices and protocols that align with the training you received in the clinic, ensuring that your home practice reinforces rather than contradicts the professional work.
See how our Myndlift program lets you continue neurofeedback training from the comfort of home.
