neurofeedback brain training can help you

Find Chemical Imbalance Relief Without Medication

While some studies have found links between certain chemical imbalances and specific mental health issues, researchers don’t know if the imbalances are causes or symptoms. While it’s true that neurochemicals are a contributing factor in most mental health conditions, it’s much more complicated than adjusting the level of one neurochemical. Although chemical imbalances in the brain do not directly cause mental health disorders, because they do have influence, medications that alter the concentration of neurotransmitters can sometimes provide symptom relief for some people.

As of this writing, current biological testing cannot reliably verify and diagnose a mental health condition by detecting a chemical imbalance. In fact, there are no medical tests to diagnose a chemical imbalance in the brain. Doctors can check the levels of neurochemicals in your blood. However, that’s not an accurate representation of the amount of these chemicals in your brain. Instead, they make subjective diagnoses based on the symptoms combined with findings from a physical exam.

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patient testimonials
My difficult childhood resulted in complex PTSD and multiple personality disorder (MPD/DID). Despite some integration through support from my wife, counselor, and journaling, I struggled with negative thoughts and dread. A brain scan at Grey Matters revealed extensive trauma and challenges, including social cues, impulsiveness, hyperfocus, and mood control. The welcoming staff introduced me to neurofeedback (NFB) to retrain my brain. Committing to three NFB sessions a week for four months, I saw significant improvements in my mood and stress levels. Continuing for another two months brought further positive changes. The sessions were relaxing, and the supportive staff made the experience enjoyable. I highly recommend Grey Matters of Carmel for their wonderful, flexible, and understanding team. The profound changes in my thoughts and feelings made the investment well worth it.
- Larry
Grey Matters may have saved my son’s life! Neurofeedback helped him recover from severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts. He’s doing so much better now, and he credits it all to Grey Matters.
- Jesse M.
Grey Matters is a place everyone needs to go. This type of neurofeedback is proven and will help you reach your best potential. This is great for all ages. So glad I found them.
- Samantha M.
We love Grey Matters!! It has been life-changing for our daughter, who has learning difficulties and anxiety. She has completed 40 treatments and over a year of monthly maintenance.  Her anxiety, sleep, concentration, and confidence have changed so much; it’s like she’s a completely different child!! worth every penny!
- Chris E.

Whether a person feels depressed or happy or sad or angry is the result of the way their brain circuits and neurochemicals interact with and impact each other.

So, depression and other mental health conditions are not simply a chemical imbalance in the brain as much as they are patterns of how the neurochemicals, brainwaves, and circuits in a person’s brain routinely activate to cause depressive symptoms in that person.

woman smiling

Neurofeedback changes brain patterns and teaches a brain to self-regulate, meaning it learns to manage brain patterns and activity, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, to find a healthier state of operation. A regulated brain can effectively stabilize processes and mechanisms to maintain an optimal physiological condition, called homeostasis.¹ The result is a healthier functioning brain that operates in ways that benefit the person both mentally and physically. Neurofeedback training is an “inside out” approach with the changes originating internally as opposed to the “outside in” approach of medication.

No matter what your symptoms are, a calmer you is possible!

Chemical imbalance can manifest in various ways, and symptoms can differ from person to person. Here are common symptoms of chemical imbalance.

  • Changes in Appetite
  • Changes in Sleep Patterns
  • Increased Sensitivity to Pain
  • Self-harm or Reckless Behavior
  • Changes in Weight
  • Withdrawl from Social Activites
  • Memory Problems or Forgetfulness
  • Difficulty Concentrating or Focusing
  • Irritability

  • Excessive Anxiety or Worry

You have questions, we have answers!

We’ve gathered a list of commonly asked questions 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.

Let’s start by clarifying what neurofeedback is NOT. Neurofeedback is NOT electrical stimulation or any kind of shock to 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 do any medication adjustment.

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, by way of 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 have the option of having 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 just 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 change. 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.

Grey Matters will assign you a Success Coach who is here to help you successfully navigate your journey. Together, we assess and work on your sleep hygiene, diet, screen time, exercise, and stress management, among many other factors, to help you improve not only your brain but also your overall well-being.

We also offer a variety of Wellness Testing to enhance your training outcome.

Just like riding a bike, once you learn how to do it, your body doesn’t forget. However, if you haven’t ridden your bike in ten years, you aren’t going to be as comfortable or skilled when you get back on it.

Maintenance recommendations are based on individual assessment and will be discussed towards the end of your initial training. Typically, a 1-2 times a month schedule will be recommended. After all, you wouldn’t hire a personal trainer to get in the best shape of your life and then stop going to the gym altogether, would you? Don’t lose your brain gains by stopping altogether either.

Grey Matters Brain Training Studio offers Unlimited Membership options for brain training and several intake options to fit your needs. Please view our pricing page to learn more and find an option that works for you.

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 arrangement.
  • Financing options are available through First Financial Bank with little to no interest
  • 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, which are FDA-approved.

Sources: 1. Mirifar, A., Keil, A., & Ehrlenspiel, F. (2022). Neurofeedback and neural self-regulation: A new perspective based on allostasis. Reviews in the Neurosciences, 33(6), 607-629. https://doi.org/10.1515/revneuro-2021-0133