neurofeedback brain training can help you
neurofeedback brain training can help you
Find Mental Health Relief Without Medication
Discover the transformative power of neurofeedback at Grey Matters. Our expert team specializes in personalized neurofeedback therapy to address issues like anxiety, ADHD, and post-concussion syndrome. Improve your mental health with our state-of-the-art brain training techniques. Visit Grey Matters for effective and innovative neurofeedback services today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Mental Health Conditions
We’ve gathered a list of commonly asked questions about Mental Health Conditions, for your convenience. If you don’t see the information you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Simply click on the question that interests you to navigate directly to the relevant section.
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Apraxia / Dyspraxia
- Autism
- Brain Fog
- Brain Injury
- Chemical Imbalance
- Concussion
- Depression
- Gut Health
- Learning Disabilities
- Neurofeedback
- OCD, PANS, PANDAS
- Peak Performance
- PTSD & Trauma
- Sleep Disorders
- Stroke
ADHD often shows up as difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, trouble completing tasks, disorganization, and feeling overwhelmed. Children and adults with ADHD experience emotional ups and downs, impulsivity, and difficulty managing time.
ADHD doesn’t suddenly appear in adulthood, but it is often recognized later in life. Many adults weren’t diagnosed as children, so symptoms become more noticeable as responsibilities increase.
Adult ADHD is linked to differences in how the brain regulates attention, impulse control, and motivation. Research shows that neurotransmitters like dopamine play a key role, along with brain network activity involved in focus and emotional regulation.
No. ADHD is not about willpower or laziness. It’s a neurological condition that affects how the brain manages focus, motivation, and regulation. Many adults with ADHD are trying very hard—but their brain is working differently.
Diagnosis typically involves a clinical evaluation, including symptom history and behavioral patterns. At Grey Matters, a qEEG Brain Map can provide additional insight into how the brain is functioning and help guide personalized support.
Yes, at Grey Matters, a Brain Map is the first step. It helps identify how your brain is functioning so your neurofeedback training can be personalized. Starting without this step can lead to a more generalized approach that may not address your specific needs.
Your first appointment typically includes a Brain Map, where your brain activity is recorded using non-invasive sensors. Afterward, your results are reviewed, and a personalized training plan is created before beginning neurofeedback sessions.
Yes, brain mapping is completely safe and non-invasive. The sensors only read your brain’s activity—they don’t send anything into your brain. Most people find the process comfortable and easy.
Neurofeedback is a passive experience. You may watch a screen or listen to sounds while your brain receives feedback. There’s no pain or effort required, and many people find sessions relaxing.
The number of sessions varies depending on your goals and your brain’s patterns. Some people notice early improvements, while others experience more gradual changes over time. Consistency and a personalized plan are key.
Neurofeedback is commonly used to support focus, emotional regulation, stress, and sleep. A Brain Map helps determine whether this approach is a good fit for your specific concerns.
Preparation is minimal. You may be asked to avoid caffeine or certain medications beforehand, depending on your provider’s guidance. Otherwise, you can come as you are.
After your Brain Map, your results are reviewed with you in clear, simple terms. Based on those findings, a personalized neurofeedback training plan is created to support your goals.
The gut-brain connection is the ongoing communication between your gut and your brain through the nervous system, immune system, and chemical signaling in the body. When the gut is out of balance, it can affect mood, focus, sleep, stress tolerance, and mental clarity. For some people, gut health is an important part of the bigger picture.
They can. Gut inflammation, microbial imbalance, poor digestion, and other gut-related issues may play a role in symptoms like anxiety, low mood, fatigue, and brain fog. It is not always the whole story, but it can be a meaningful piece.
The GI-MAP is an at-home stool test that looks at key markers related to gut health, including bacteria, certain pathogens, digestion, inflammation, and immune activity. It helps us better understand what may be going on in the digestive system and guide more personalized next steps.
The GI-MAP stool test measures markers related to gut bacteria, digestive function, inflammation, immune activity, and certain unwanted organisms. It gives us a broader picture of what may be affecting gut health and, in some cases, mental health symptoms too.
Common clues include bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, food sensitivities, skin issues, fatigue, brain fog, sleep trouble, or a history of antibiotic use. If you feel like you have addressed the brain but still are not getting the progress you hoped for, gut health may be worth exploring.
The GI-MAP test is completed at home. The kit is sent to your home with instructions, collection materials, and return packaging. You collect your sample at home and mail it back to the lab.
The GI-MAP is included in our Comprehensive Brain + Gut Assessment for $997. If you have already completed a brain map and want to add gut testing, reach out to us for current standalone pricing.
We review your results with you and build a plan based on your findings. That may include nutrition changes, supplements, lifestyle support, and, when appropriate, pairing gut work with neurofeedback.
You can start with general gut support, but testing gives us much better direction. Some people do well with probiotics, while others need a more targeted plan based on what is actually happening in the gut.
That depends on the person. Some clients notice improvements in digestion, energy, or mental clarity within a few weeks, while others need a few months of consistent support before they notice more significant changes.
No. We can order the test for you and guide you through the results. We still encourage you to keep your primary healthcare provider informed, especially if you are making supplement or dietary changes.
No. Food sensitivity testing looks at how your immune system may be reacting to certain foods. The GI-MAP looks more broadly at what is happening in the gut itself, including microbes, inflammation, digestion, and immune markers.
For many children and adults, neurofeedback for ADHD can be a helpful option. While no treatment works for everyone, many families and adults report improvements in focus, emotional regulation, follow-through, and mental overwhelm.
Yes. Neurofeedback can be helpful for both adults and children with ADHD. The goal is to support healthier brain patterns related to focus, attention, and emotional regulation. Adults often come in feeling mentally scattered or overwhelmed, while parents are usually looking for support with school, behavior, and daily functioning.
Medication and neurofeedback work differently. Medication helps manage symptoms while it is active in the body. Neurofeedback is designed to help the brain practice healthier patterns over time. Some people choose one approach, and others use both.
Many children and adults do well with about 20 to 40 sessions, depending on their needs and how they respond. Some families also choose occasional booster sessions later on.
Yes. Many families do both. We do not adjust medication, but neurofeedback can be done alongside medication and other supports.
Usually, yes. The training is passive. Your child sits comfortably, watches a movie, or listens to music while the brain receives feedback. It does not feel like schoolwork or therapy.
It can help support the brain functions that learning depends on, such as focus, attention, regulation, frustration tolerance, and follow-through. While it does not teach academic content, many parents notice that homework becomes easier and school feels less overwhelming.
There is encouraging research and a great deal of clinical experience behind neurofeedback for ADHD. Like many treatment options, results can vary from person to person, but it continues to be explored and used as a supportive option for children and adults with ADHD.
Most clients say it feels easy and relaxing. You sit in a comfortable chair, sensors are placed on the scalp, and you watch or listen to something enjoyable while the brain does the work.
Some clients notice small shifts within the first 10 sessions, such as better sleep, calmer reactions, or slightly better focus. More meaningful changes often build over time with consistency.
Many clients feel that the improvements hold well after training, especially when the full course is completed. Some come back for occasional tune-ups during stressful seasons or life transitions.
Grey Matters Brain Training Studio is located in Carmel, Indiana and serves children, teens, and adults throughout the Indianapolis area, including Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, Zionsville, and surrounding communities.
Yes. A meaningful and growing body of research supports neurofeedback as a very effective approach for mitigating the symptoms of anxiety. Neurofeedback works by training the brain’s electrical patterns away from the hyperarousal states that drive anxiety At Grey Matters, every program begins with a personalized QEEG brain map to identify those patterns before training begins.
Neurofeedback works by giving the brain real-time feedback on its own activity. Over time, this helps encourage healthier patterns related to calm, regulation, sleep, and stress tolerance.
Yes. EEG neurofeedback is non-invasive and drug-free. Sensors placed on the scalp only read the brain’s electrical activity — no electrical signal is delivered to the brain at any point. It is well-tolerated by both adults and children. Some people notice mild fatigue after early sessions as the nervous system adjusts, which typically resolves quickly. Grey Matters conducts a thorough brain map and intake assessment before training begins to ensure the approach is appropriate and precisely matched to each individual’s brain profile.
It may help reduce the nervous system dysregulation that contributes to panic attacks. Many clients report feeling less reactive and better able to recover when anxiety starts to rise.
Yes. Many clients continue medication while doing neurofeedback. Any medication changes should always be handled by your prescribing provider.
It can be helpful across many forms of anxiety because the goal is to support healthier brain regulation. Your training plan is based on your symptoms and brain patterns, not just the label.
Most clients begin noticing meaningful shifts — a quieter baseline, reduced reactivity, more ease in situations that usually trigger anxiety — within the first several weeks of training. A 2025 clinical trial found significant anxiety reductions over a 15-session protocol spanning five weeks, with gains continuing after training ended. A complete program at Grey Matters is personalized based on brain map results and typically spans a few months.
Most sessions feel calm and easy. You sit comfortably, watch or listen to something relaxing, and let the brain do the work.
Many clients feel their improvements hold well after training, especially when they complete a full course. Some choose occasional booster sessions during especially stressful seasons.
Both involve difficulty with motor planning. Apraxia is typically used for more significant difficulty, while dyspraxia is often used more broadly for coordination and planning challenges.
Neurofeedback does not replace speech therapy or occupational therapy. What it may do is help support attention, regulation, and brain communication, which can make other therapies more productive.
We typically begin around age 6, depending on the child’s ability to sit through a session.
It may help support the nervous system and brain regulation that affect focus, frustration tolerance, and readiness for other therapies. It is usually best used alongside speech or occupational therapy, not instead of them.
No. Speech therapy and occupational therapy remain essential. Neurofeedback is best viewed as supportive, not a replacement.
The number varies by child, but many families begin with a series of 20 to 40 sessions depending on the child’s needs and goals.
Families often notice changes first in sleep, focus, emotional regulation, and frustration tolerance. Improvements that support speech or motor work may build more gradually.
Research specific to apraxia is still limited. Most of the support comes from what we know about neurofeedback’s role in attention, regulation, and nervous system function.
Yes, those are often the first areas families notice shifting. When a child feels more regulated and more available for learning, other therapies often go more smoothly.
Grey Matters Brain Training Studio in Carmel, Indiana serves families from Indianapolis and surrounding communities.
Neurofeedback is not meant to change who your child is. What it may help with is regulation — things like sleep, anxiety, sensory overwhelm, emotional outbursts, and focus.
Families most often report improvements in sleep, emotional regulation, attention, anxiety, and sensory tolerance.
Yes. It is non-invasive and medication-free. We work gently and at your child’s pace.
Many children do well because the training is passive and does not feel demanding. We can also adapt session length when needed.
ABA focuses on teaching behaviors and skills. Neurofeedback works on brain and nervous system regulation. Some families use both.
Yes, it may. We look at the whole picture and tailor training to the child’s specific patterns and challenges.
It may. Sleep and sensory regulation are two of the areas families often report improving over time.
The number varies, but many families start with a series of 20 to 40 sessions and adjust based on how the child responds.
Most children simply sit comfortably, watch a movie, or listen to music while the brain receives feedback. Sessions are designed to feel calm and manageable.
Many families feel the gains hold well, especially after a full course of training. Some children benefit from occasional boosters as they grow.
That is one of the main reasons families explore neurofeedback. Many report fewer meltdowns, easier transitions, and better recovery after upset.
Grey Matters Brain Training Studio in Carmel, Indiana serves families from Indianapolis, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, Zionsville, and surrounding areas.
For some people, yes. After a brain injury, the brain may struggle with regulation, processing speed, sleep, mood, or communication between regions. Neurofeedback may help support healthier brain function over time by encouraging more regulated patterns. It is not a replacement for medical care, but it can be a valuable part of recovery for the right person.
For a recent concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, we typically recommend waiting at least a few weeks — the brain needs initial recovery time. For older injuries, there is no ‘too late.’ We have worked with clients whose injuries were 10, 20, even 30 years in the past, and many still experience meaningful improvements.
That can happen. MRI and CT scans look at structure, while qEEG looks at function. Some people continue to struggle even when imaging appears normal.
It may be a helpful option for lingering symptoms after a concussion, especially when issues like headaches, brain fog, sleep disruption, or irritability continue.
There is encouraging research and growing clinical interest in this area, though it is still not considered standard care everywhere. Many people explore it as part of a broader recovery plan.
That depends on the type and timing of the injury. For newer injuries, it is usually best to allow for early recovery first. For older injuries, it is often still worth exploring.
It may. Some clients report improvement in headache frequency or intensity as regulation improves.
Yes, they can. Some people seek neurofeedback months or even years after the original injury when symptoms are still affecting their daily life.
Grey Matters Brain Training Studio in Carmel, Indiana serves clients throughout the Indianapolis area and surrounding communities.
Brain fog is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It can feel like slow thinking, poor concentration, forgetfulness, mental fatigue, or difficulty finding words.
Brain fog can be connected to stress, poor sleep, hormone shifts, long COVID, concussion history, inflammation, gut issues, or other health concerns.
For many people, it can. Neurofeedback may help support clearer thinking, better focus, and improved mental stamina by encouraging more efficient brain patterns.
Some clients notice subtle improvements early on, while others need more time and repetition. It often builds gradually.
It may. Many people explore neurofeedback when long COVID brain fog lingers and continues to affect focus, clarity, and energy.
It may. Hormonal shifts can absolutely affect brain function, and neurofeedback can be one helpful piece of support alongside appropriate medical care.
Sometimes brain fog is tied to stress, poor sleep, or hormones, and sometimes it points to a deeper issue that needs medical evaluation. If symptoms are persistent, worsening, or concerning, it is important to talk with your healthcare provider.
This is a concern we hear often. Brain fog tends to fluctuate, is linked to identifiable stressors, and improves when those stressors resolve. Early dementia tends to be more gradual, progressive, and involves memory loss that the person may not be fully aware of. If you are worried, a cognitive evaluation with your physician is the right first step. Neurofeedback is not a substitute for that evaluation.
Yes — sleep, hydration, exercise, and addressing underlying inflammation make an enormous difference. Neurofeedback works faster and holds better when these foundations are in place. We often coach clients on these basics because the results are bigger when the brain has what it needs.
The phrase ‘chemical imbalance’ has been used loosely for decades. The more accurate modern understanding is that neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine don’t simply run too high or too low — they operate within complex networks, and when those networks fall out of rhythm, symptoms like depression, anxiety, mood swings, and sleep problems show up. Brain activity and brain chemistry are tightly linked. When one changes, the other tends to follow.
Here is something fascinating: because brainwave activity and neurotransmitter function are deeply connected, training the brain’s electrical patterns often influences the chemical environment too. Research has shown measurable changes in neurotransmitter activity after neurofeedback training. Clients commonly report many of the same benefits they would hope to see from medication — better mood, steadier emotions, improved sleep — often without side effects.
No. You can start neurofeedback while on any medication. Over time, as the brain learns to self-regulate, some clients and their prescribing physicians decide together to reduce medication. Others stay on their medication. We never make changes to your prescription — that is a conversation for you and your doctor.
Medications work by chemically altering brain function while you are taking them — stop, and the effect typically stops. Neurofeedback works by helping the brain learn new patterns that stay with it. The trade-off is that medication is faster but temporary, and neurofeedback is slower but often lasting. Neither is universally ‘better’ — they work well alone and often even better together.
Honestly, nobody can tell you with certainty that your symptoms come from a specific neurotransmitter imbalance — the tools to measure that in a living person are limited. What we can do is a qEEG brain map, which shows us how your brain is functioning electrically. Patterns linked to depression, anxiety, focus issues, and sleep problems are often visible on the map, and we train accordingly.
That depends entirely on you, your symptoms, and what you value. Some clients are thrilled to reduce or eliminate medication because of side effects or cost. Others prefer the simplicity of a daily pill. What neurofeedback offers is another option — one that works differently than medication and that, for many people, produces lasting change after a defined number of sessions.
The brain generally holds onto what it has learned, similar to how the benefits of exercise fade if you stop entirely but the body adapts faster when you restart. Many clients enjoy lasting stability. Some come back for occasional tune-ups during life’s harder seasons.
A concussion disrupts the brain’s normal electrical patterns — often leaving too much slow-wave activity in some areas and too much fast-wave activity in others as the brain tries to compensate. This shows up as brain fog, headaches, sleep problems, mood changes, and sensitivity to light and sound. Neurofeedback shows the brain its own dysregulation and rewards healthier patterns, helping it reorganize and return to more efficient functioning.
For most concussions, we recommend waiting at least 2 to 4 weeks after the injury to allow initial natural recovery. If symptoms have been lingering for months or years — what is often called post-concussion syndrome — you can start anytime. There is no expiration date on when neurofeedback can help.
This is one of the most common stories we hear, and yes. MRI and CT scans show the brain’s structure, not its function. Many post-concussion symptoms come from functional disruption that imaging simply does not pick up. A qEEG brain map can reveal exactly what is going on, and neurofeedback addresses it directly.
Often, yes. Headaches are one of the most responsive concussion symptoms to neurofeedback training. A well-known case series showed an athlete’s post-concussion headaches resolved after 22 sessions of qEEG-guided neurofeedback. In our studio, reductions in headache frequency and intensity are one of the earlier changes clients notice.
Most concussion clients do 20 to 40 sessions. A single, recent concussion with mild symptoms is usually on the lower end. Multiple concussions or long-standing post-concussion syndrome tend to need more. We reassess as we go — the brain map is repeated partway through so you can see the actual electrical changes, not just guess.
It is not too late. Repeated concussions do make the brain more vulnerable to the next one, but that same vulnerability also means there is real room for improvement. We work with former athletes, military veterans, and accident survivors whose injuries were many years ago. The brain retains its ability to reorganize throughout life.
There is encouraging research and growing clinical interest in using neurofeedback after concussion, especially when symptoms continue longer than expected. While it is still not considered standard care everywhere, many clinicians and patients have found it helpful as part of a broader recovery plan.
Depressed brains often show a specific pattern called frontal alpha asymmetry — the left side of the brain (associated with positive mood, motivation, and approach behaviors) is underactive relative to the right. Neurofeedback training can help rebalance this pattern, which is linked to improvements in mood, energy, and motivation. It is not about forcing happiness — it is about restoring the brain’s natural capacity to experience it.
They work differently. Antidepressants can produce faster short-term relief but require ongoing use to maintain the effect. Neurofeedback works more gradually but helps the brain learn patterns that tend to hold after training ends. In studies comparing the two, neurofeedback has shown results comparable to medication for some clients, with the added benefit of no side effects and lasting change. Many people do best with both.
Sleep and energy are usually the first things to improve, often within the first 5 to 10 sessions. Mood lift and motivation tend to follow between sessions 15 and 30. Depression can be a slower responder than anxiety, partly because the low-energy state makes it harder to notice small changes. Most clients settle in for a full 30 to 40 session course.
Treatment-resistant depression is actually one of the situations where neurofeedback often has the most to offer. When medication has not helped, or helped only partially, or the side effects are intolerable, the problem is frequently a dysregulated brainwave pattern that medication cannot reach. The brain map tells us what is happening, and we train accordingly.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, your first call should be to a mental health professional or crisis line — 988 in the U.S. — not to us. Once you are connected with appropriate support, neurofeedback can be an excellent complement to the care you are receiving, and we coordinate care with your clinical team. Our role is supportive, not primary.
Research looking at one-to-five-year follow-ups in depression clients has shown that gains from neurofeedback are generally maintained over time. Some clients come back for booster sessions during difficult life seasons. The brain tends to remember what it learned, which is the point of training it in the first place.
Medication, talk therapy, and neurofeedback are complementary approaches. Talk therapy helps you understand and process your experiences. Medication can offer symptom relief, while neurofeedback addresses underlying brain regulation. You may continue to take medication, as these methods work together rather than competing.
Neurofeedback does not teach reading, writing, or math — a qualified educational therapist or tutor does that. What neurofeedback can do is improve the underlying brain regulation that makes learning possible in the first place: attention, working memory, processing speed, and emotional regulation around frustration. When those improve, the skill-building work that is already happening tends to accelerate.
My child struggles in school but does not have an official diagnosis — can neurofeedback still help?
Yes. Many of the kids we see have never had a formal diagnosis but are clearly struggling — slow to start work, easily frustrated, reading below grade level, losing focus quickly. The qEEG brain map often reveals exactly what is going on. We train accordingly, and the academic side usually follows.
Tutoring teaches specific academic content and strategies — the ‘what’ of learning. Neurofeedback trains the brain’s capacity to learn — the ‘how.’ Many of our families continue tutoring or specialized learning programs while doing neurofeedback, and they commonly report their child is absorbing the work faster.
Most children do well with 20 to 40 sessions. We recommend a reassessment brain map partway through so you can see the actual changes and decide together about next steps. We would rather tell you we are done than sell sessions that are no longer needed.
Usually yes — and often teachers notice before parents do. The most common feedback is that the child is more focused, less frustrated, completes work more independently, and participates more in class. Parents often describe homework time as ‘dramatically less painful’ partway through the training.
Processing speed is one of the areas where we frequently see measurable change. The brain maps often show patterns consistent with slow processing — excess slow-wave activity in key regions — and training toward faster, more efficient patterns can translate into real-world speed improvements.
No diagnosis is required. We work from the brain map and from what you and your child tell us about daily life. That said, if you suspect a learning disability, a formal evaluation with a psychologist can be useful for school accommodations and for understanding the full picture.
It may be a helpful support for some people with OCD, especially when the brain is stuck in rigid, repetitive patterns. We do not present it as a stand-alone cure, but it can be a useful part of a broader plan that may also include therapy, medical support, and other interventions.
PANS stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is a subtype of PANS with a specific known trigger: strep infection. Both involve the sudden, dramatic onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in children — severe OCD, tics, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, food restrictions, sleep disturbances, and behavioral regression — triggered by an underlying autoimmune response to infection. PANDAS is specifically strep-triggered; PANS can be triggered by other infections (Lyme, mycoplasma, strep) or sometimes has no identifiable trigger.
The hallmark difference is onset. Typical OCD develops gradually over months or years. PANS/PANDAS arrives like a light switch — one week your child is fine, the next they have intense rituals, refuse to eat, can’t separate from you, or won’t touch doorknobs. The severity is also different: PANS/PANDAS OCD is often dramatically more debilitating. And the triggers matter — PANS/PANDAS symptoms often flare with new infections, which is a pattern typical OCD does not follow. This is why accurate diagnosis matters so much; the underlying autoimmune process requires medical treatment that OCD alone does not.
Both. Neurofeedback does not treat the underlying autoimmune process — that requires a qualified PANS/PANDAS physician, typically using antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, immune-modulating treatments, and sometimes IVIG. What neurofeedback does is support the brain’s ability to self-regulate during and after flares. Families often report shorter flares, less severe symptoms during flares, and faster recovery to baseline after the acute medical treatment has done its work. It is a complement to the medical protocol, not a replacement for it.
We recommend coordinating directly with your PANS/PANDAS physician on timing. Some children do well starting during a flare because the extra regulation support is exactly what they need. Others do better once the acute inflammation is somewhat controlled and they can tolerate sitting through a session. For some families, doing a brain map during a flare and then beginning training as the flare settles is the right sequence. We tailor to your child’s situation and stay in communication with your medical team.
Most OCD clients do 30 to 50 sessions. OCD tends to need more training than anxiety or depression because the brain patterns driving compulsive behavior are deeply grooved — the rituals have literally become brain habits. For PANS/PANDAS specifically, the timing can depend on flare patterns and medical treatment progress. The good news is that once the new brain pattern takes hold, it tends to stay.
No. Neurofeedback is non-invasive and medication-free, so it combines safely with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, steroids, IVIG, rituximab, supplements, dietary protocols, CBT, and exposure and response prevention (ERP). Many families find it pairs especially well with ERP — because when the child’s nervous system is calmer, they are more able to tolerate the challenging work of exposure therapy without being overwhelmed. We coordinate with your full care team and never make changes to medication.
Adults respond just as well, and in some cases more dramatically — because adult OCD has often been unresponsive to medication and talk therapy for years, there’s often significant room for improvement. Some of our most striking OCD outcomes have been with adults who had decades of compulsions, intrusive thoughts, and failed SSRI trials. Training the underlying brain pattern frequently reaches places that medication and exposure work alone could not.
This is, sadly, a common story. Many standard pediatricians are not up to date on PANS/PANDAS research and diagnostic criteria. If you suspect it, seek out a qualified PANS/PANDAS specialist — the PANDAS Physicians Network maintains a directory. We do not diagnose PANS/PANDAS ourselves, and we’re not a replacement for the medical evaluation and treatment your child needs. What we can offer is specialized brain training support that fits alongside the medical protocol and helps address the neuropsychiatric symptoms from a different angle.
The changes usually unfold in a specific order. Sleep tends to improve first, often within 5 to 10 sessions. Emotional regulation follows — less frequent meltdowns, faster recovery when upset, more flexibility. Then the OCD symptoms begin to soften: rituals take less time, intrusive thoughts lose some of their grip, avoidance decreases. Parents often tell us their child ‘has more room to be themselves’ partway through training. We also do a reassessment brain map partway through so you can see the actual electrical changes.
There is some promising research and clinical experience supporting neurofeedback for OCD, but the evidence base is still developing. We try to be very honest about that. For the right client, it may be a helpful tool alongside other forms of care.
Yes. Grey Matters Brain Training Studio in Carmel, IN serves PANS/PANDAS families throughout Indianapolis, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Noblesville, and beyond. We are happy to coordinate directly with your PANS/PANDAS physician, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or any other provider on your child’s care team. Call 317-215-7208 or book a consultation to learn whether your child might be a good fit.
Peak performance training uses the same neurofeedback technology we use for clinical conditions, but aimed at optimizing an already-healthy brain. The goal is sharper focus, faster reaction time, better emotional control under pressure, improved sleep, and the ability to enter a ‘flow state’ on demand. It is used by elite athletes, executives, surgeons, musicians, students preparing for exams, and anyone whose work requires their brain at its best.
Neurofeedback has been used by athletes, executives, students, performers, and other high-functioning individuals who want to improve focus, resilience, and consistency under pressure. The goal is not treatment, but optimization.
Not at all. Peak performance training is about moving from ‘fine’ to ‘excellent’ — or from ‘excellent’ to ‘exceptional.’ We all have untapped capacity. A qEEG brain map often reveals subtle inefficiencies that, once addressed, translate to noticeable gains in focus, decision speed, or recovery from stress.
Peak performance clients often notice changes faster than clinical clients because they do not have strong symptoms masking subtle shifts. Better sleep and improved focus tend to show up in the first 5 to 10 sessions. A full peak performance training series typically runs 20 to 30 sessions.
Flow state has a specific brainwave signature, and yes — that signature is trainable. One of the most common reports from peak performance clients is that they are dropping into flow more easily and staying in it longer during work, sports, or creative practice.
It is in the same category of brain optimization, but the mechanism is very different. Nootropics and supplements work chemically, while you are taking them. Neurofeedback trains the brain itself, and the gains hold after training. Many peak performance clients use both strategically.
Research on neurofeedback for performance enhancement has been particularly strong in sports — studies with golfers, archers, and marksmen have shown measurable improvements in performance after training. Studies on memory, attention, and creativity in healthy adults also show consistent positive effects. It is one of the better-supported areas in the neurofeedback literature.
Trauma leaves the nervous system stuck in survival mode — hypervigilant, easily triggered, unable to feel safe even when safe. Neurofeedback trains the brain to settle into regulated states, which reduces the baseline hyperarousal that drives PTSD symptoms. Because the training happens below the level of conscious retelling, it is especially useful for people who have found talk therapy re-traumatizing or who cannot talk about what happened.
It is different, and often complementary. EMDR and trauma-focused therapies work by reprocessing specific traumatic memories. Neurofeedback works by regulating the nervous system itself. Many trauma clients find that doing neurofeedback makes their trauma therapy more tolerable and more effective, because the body is less activated during the work.
No. This is one of the reasons many trauma survivors choose neurofeedback. You sit comfortably, we place sensors, and you watch a movie. Your brain does the work without you needing to verbally process anything. For clients who want talk therapy, we support that. For clients who cannot or do not want to, neurofeedback still works.
It can be a helpful option for some people with complex trauma, especially when the nervous system has been stuck in patterns of hypervigilance, shutdown, or reactivity for a long time. Many clients appreciate that it works at the level of nervous system regulation and can be used alongside therapy.
PTSD and trauma usually require 30 to 50 sessions, sometimes more for complex trauma. The nervous system needs time and repetition to learn that it is safe to settle. The good news is the changes tend to hold — clients often describe feeling like a different person after a full training series.
Yes. Research, including VA-led studies on veterans, has shown neurofeedback to be a safe and effective option for trauma symptoms. It is especially valuable for people who are medication-sensitive or who cannot do traditional trauma therapy.
This is one of the most common reports we hear. Clients describe hearing a sound or seeing something that used to send them into full panic, and realizing they noticed it and just kept going. The nervous system has been retrained. The trigger is no longer a threat signal.
Yes — sleep is actually one of the first things most clients notice changing, regardless of what they came in for. Insomnia usually involves a brain that cannot downshift out of fast beta-wave activity at night. Neurofeedback trains the brain to produce more slow-wave activity on command, which translates into falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer.
Many clients notice changes within the first 5 to 10 sessions — easier sleep onset, fewer middle-of-the-night wake-ups, deeper rest, waking up actually feeling refreshed. Full benefit typically comes by sessions 20 to 30.
Sleep medications knock you out chemically but do not restore natural sleep architecture — the deep stages the body needs for real recovery. Neurofeedback helps the brain produce natural, restorative sleep on its own. Many clients are able to reduce or eliminate sleep medications after training, in coordination with their physician.
Yes. Middle-of-the-night waking usually reflects a brain that cannot stay in deep sleep stages. Neurofeedback trains more stable sleep patterns, which reduces those wake-ups.
Both often respond well, especially when they are related to trauma or high arousal. Parents of children with night terrors frequently report dramatic reductions after a series of training sessions.
Yes. Sleep apnea is a mechanical airway issue, not a brainwave issue. Keep using your CPAP as prescribed. Neurofeedback can help with the brain-based aspects of sleep that CPAP alone does not address — like lingering insomnia even when apnea is treated.
The brain tends to hold onto the learned pattern. Many clients enjoy years of improved sleep after a single training series. Occasional booster sessions can help during particularly stressful seasons.
Neurofeedback is a recovery support tool, not a standalone stroke intervention. After a stroke, the brain needs to reorganize around damaged tissue — this is neuroplasticity in action. Neurofeedback supports that process by helping the brain identify and train healthier electrical patterns. It works best alongside physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, not as a replacement for them.
We typically wait until the acute medical recovery phase is complete and your neurologist has cleared you for outpatient rehabilitation work. For some clients that is a few months post-stroke; for others it is longer. There is no cutoff on the other end — we have worked with stroke survivors many years out from their event.
The areas we see respond most are cognitive — attention, processing speed, memory, and brain fog. Emotional regulation often shifts too, since post-stroke depression and irritability are common and responsive to training. Physical recovery is not neurofeedback’s primary lane — physical therapy is.
Motor recovery belongs primarily to physical and occupational therapy. What neurofeedback can do is support the broader brain environment in which motor learning happens — better focus, less fatigue, better sleep — which often translates to getting more out of PT and OT. Some specialized neurofeedback protocols do target motor-related brain regions, and this is an emerging area.
Yes, once you are medically stable and cleared for rehabilitation activities. Nothing is going into the brain. We work closely with your medical team and move at the pace your recovery allows.
Stroke recovery training typically requires more sessions than most other applications — often 40 to 60 or more. The brain is reorganizing around actual tissue damage, which takes sustained training. We reassess with a repeat brain map partway through so you can see what is changing.
It may be helpful for some stroke survivors who are dealing with mood changes as part of recovery. Because every stroke is different, we view neurofeedback as a supportive tool within a broader rehabilitation plan, not a replacement for medical or therapeutic care.
Let’s start by clarifying what neurofeedback is NOT. Neurofeedback is NOT electrical stimulation and does not shock the brain. In fact, it’s completely noninvasive and pain-free. Nothing ever goes to or in your brain.
Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that uses the electrical activity of the brain to reinforce optimal brain wave patterns through operant conditioning, thus improving one’s life.
Neurofeedback is a superior solution because it doesn’t just ease the symptoms. It addresses and changes what is causing the symptoms or problems at the source in your brain. Your brain learns how to function differently in a way that relieves problematic symptoms or behaviors.
Neurofeedback training has many scientifically documented benefits both for the brain and body, including stress reduction, improved sleep, better focus and memory, heightened mental clarity, more emotional and behavioral regulation, enhanced cognitive performance, and more. Give it a try today, we bet your brain is capable of the changes you desire!
Yes.
Some clients are able to decrease their medication over time with their prescriber. Grey Matters does not make any medication adjustments.
In a neurofeedback session, qEEG sensors are placed on your scalp, recording your brainwaves and sending the information to a computer in real-time. The computer, through auditory or sound feedback, teaches your brain to perform at optimal levels by a method called operant conditioning, which harnesses your brain’s reward system.
All learning is at a subconscious level. You don’t actually have to “do” anything. With consistent repetition through auditory feedback, the brain learns to self-regulate and makes physiological changes to perform more optimally and will continue to make the adjustments after the initial training. Because it’s a learning process, the results of neurofeedback occur gradually over time.
During a 35 to 45-minute session, you sit comfortably in a chair. You can have a footstool, blanket, and eye mask for relaxation. You are given headphones to listen to the training sounds and can either watch scenic images, read, journal, or kick back and relax. For the younger ones, they can color, draw, read, do homework, or play with Legos.
Consistency is key. The brain requires a minimum of 2 sessions per week to learn and retain new patterns. An average of 35 sessions is needed for the brain to make permanent neuroplastic changes. Remember, your brain is learning, and learning takes time and repetition. If you have multiple diagnoses or are on psychological medications, more sessions may be required for your desired results.
There are no long-term negative effects.
Just like taking your temperature with a thermometer does not deliver anything to your body, a qEEG brain map or a qEEG-guided training session does not deliver anything to your brain – it only reads your brain’s electrical activity. The auditory feedback you hear encourages your brain to “exercise.” So, similar to the variety of feelings after a good workout at the gym, some people experience symptoms such as being more tired or more wired, and few will develop a slight headache after a session. These symptoms go away within hours and are not long-lasting.
Our Brain Coaches are here to assess your training progress, discuss any symptoms you may experience, and provide educated feedback to you during your journey.
Sleep hygiene, a healthy diet, reduced screen time, exercise, and stress management, among many other factors, help you improve not only your brain but also your overall well-being.
Grey Matters Brain Training Studio offers simple training packages. Choose from a set number of sessions or our most popular plan, Grey’s Plan 4-Month Unlimited Membership which costs $5,997. Family packages are also available.
To get started, come on in for a Brain Health Assessment, with a qEEG brain map designed to help you take the first step toward a healthier mind and improved quality of life. With our expert guidance and state-of-the-art neurofeedback technology, you can experience positive changes in your mental well-being.
We do not accept insurance; however, we offer a variety of payment options.
We accept:
- Cash, checks, all major credit cards, and Apple Pay
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and HRA Health Reimbursement
- Financing options are available through First Financial Bank
- Advanced Care Credit
- Vagaro Pay Later
- Monthly Payment Plans
Think about the cost of therapy, medications, dissatisfaction with life, lost work hours, and the hope to feel better. It’s worth it. Come on in, we got you.
We use Brainmaster amplifiers and BrainAvatar software.
Yes. Panic and panic attacks can involve a rapid threat-response cascade where the body reacts intensely before the thinking brain has time to fully interpret what is happening.
Neurofeedback trains the connection — helping the brain learn to de-escalate threat responses more efficiently and return to baseline more quickly. Many clients who experience panic attacks report a reduction in frequency and a less severe, shorter recovery period as training progresses.
Neurofeedback has shown positive results across multiple anxiety presentations, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, health anxiety, panic disorder, and anxiety that co-occurs with PTSD or trauma. It is also commonly used for performance anxiety in athletes, executives, and students. Because training is guided by a personalized brain map, the protocol adjusts to the specific brainwave patterns underlying each individual’s experience — rather than applying a one-size approach to different anxiety types. If your anxiety doesn’t fit neatly into a single category, that’s normal and not a barrier to starting.
Cognitive behavioral approaches work at the level of thought — identifying distorted patterns, building more accurate interpretations, and developing coping skills for anxious moments. They are evidence-based and genuinely effective for many people. Neurofeedback works at the level of the brain’s underlying electrical activity — the nervous system’s baseline arousal level. So, cognitive approaches train how you respond to anxiety; neurofeedback trains the brain to generate less anxiety in the first place. Many people find the two approaches complementary — building coping skills while also addressing the brainwave patterns that make those skills harder to access in activated moments.
Some of the temporary effects people may report after neurofeedback include fatigue, mild headache, dizziness, sleep changes, emotional sensitivity, or feeling a little off after a session. These effects are usually short-lived, but they should always be shared with your provider.
Some people may experience mild headache or fatigue after neurofeedback. This may happen as the brain responds to training, but headache and fatigue can also have other causes, including sleep, hydration, stress, blood sugar, migraines, or medication changes.
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback focused on brain activity. Biofeedback is generally non-invasive, but people can respond differently depending on their health history and the type of training. With neurofeedback, temporary effects may include fatigue, headache, dizziness, sleep changes, or emotional sensitivity.
Neurofeedback is non-invasive and generally well tolerated. Sensors read the brain’s activity; they do not send electricity into the brain. However, anyone with medical concerns, neurological conditions, seizures, significant vertigo, recent concussion, or medication changes should talk with their healthcare provider before beginning.
Do not ignore discomfort. If you feel tired, dizzy, emotional, wired, or off after a session, tell your provider. Sometimes the protocol, session length, or training frequency can be adjusted. For severe or persistent symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
Some people may notice dizziness or vertigo-like feelings, although this is less common. If you experience dizziness, especially if it is intense, persistent, or unusual for you, tell your neurofeedback provider and speak with your healthcare provider.