Our Neurofeedback Blog & Other Resources

Learning a Functional Brain-Based Approach A recent HealthTech Reporter interview, featuring Mark Smith, highlights not only the effectiveness of neurofeedback, but also the growing demand among practitioners who want to learn and implement this approach in their own work. In our work at ISF Associates, we frame neurofeedback as more than just a tool, it’s […]

 What Is Infraslow Fluctuation (ISF) Neurofeedback? Infraslow Fluctuation (ISF) Neurofeedback represents one of the most advanced and foundational methods in the field of brain training. Unlike traditional neurofeedback, which targets faster frequencies like alpha or beta waves, ISF focuses on the slowest electrical signals in the brain—frequencies measured below 0.1 Hz. These slow rhythms […]

What Is Z-Score Neurofeedback? At its core, Z-Score training uses real-time brainwave data to guide the brain toward healthier, more regulated activity. By comparing a client’s brainwave activity to a normative database, the system identifies how far certain frequencies deviate from what's considered "normal"—this deviation is referred to as a z-score. Much like how averages […]

Introduction Welcome back to our ongoing series on Neurofeedback, where we explore different facets of this intriguing field. Today, we focus on Sensory Motor Rhythm (SMR) training—a method that not only aids in managing neurological conditions but also enhances daily cognitive functions. What is SMR Training? Sensory Motor Rhythm, or SMR, is a brain wave […]

Exploring Neurofeedback and ISF Training Welcome to the first vlog from Mark Smith of Infraslow Associates! In this introductory video, Mark candidly shares his journey into the world of social media and highlights the importance of understanding neurofeedback. Whether you're new to this topic or looking for more clarity, Mark is here to guide you […]

Neurofeedback is an exciting and rapidly growing field, offering practitioners the opportunity to help individuals with various mental health, performance, and wellness issues. As interest in neurofeedback continues to rise, many health professionals and newcomers are considering neurofeedback certification to expand their skills and career options. One of the most common questions for those interested […]

Neurofeedback is an increasingly popular therapeutic modality used to help individuals improve mental and emotional well-being by training the brain to function more efficiently. The process involves using real-time feedback from brainwave data to guide clients toward healthier brainwave patterns, addressing conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, and PTSD.  As neurofeedback grows in popularity, a […]

Technicians are essential professionals within the field of neurofeedback therapy, contributing significantly to the success of treatments.  They are responsible for setting up, monitoring, and maintaining the equipment used in neurofeedback sessions, ensuring that everything runs smoothly for the patient and the clinician.  In this blog, we will explore a neurofeedback technician's key responsibilities and […]

Neurofeedback is an exciting and rapidly growing field that offers a non-invasive way to train the brain and improve mental health and cognitive performance. As demand increases, more professionals are exploring neurofeedback training to expand their skills and better support clients. As interest in this therapeutic modality expands, so does the importance of professional certification. […]

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that uses real-time monitoring of brain activity to help individuals learn how to self-regulate their brain function. As the demand for non-invasive and drug-free treatments grows, so does the interest in becoming a neurofeedback therapist and the need for more professionals in the field.  This guide will walk you […]

By: Olivia Kalinich, LMHC Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It affects millions of people worldwide, disrupting their daily lives and mental well-being. While much is known about PTSD, recent research has delved into the brain's intricate workings to better understand this condition. By […]

By: Olivia Kalinich, LMHC Anecdotally, we have had many clients regulate their menstrual cycles through ISF neurofeedback. We have helped with fertility issues, pre-menstrual depression/anxiety, and other pre-menstrual physiological symptoms like cramps, nausea, and migraines. How is that possible? It sounds a bit hyperbolic doesn’t it? Well actually, the claim is grounded in the behavioral […]

By: Olivia Kalinich, LMHC Emotional well-being plays a crucial role in our overall quality of life, affecting our relationships, productivity, and mental health. One fascinating area of the brain that has been implicated in the literature as being associated with an overall general positive sense of well-being is the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC), a […]

Pain for most is experienced as a unitary sensory phenomenon. But in fact, pain is more complex. It is both an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience related to actual or potential tissue damage. It consists of two components: physical pain (painfulness) and psychological pain (suffering). It is processed in cortex by three distinct but interconnected […]

Have you ever been in chronic pain? What differentiates acute pain from chronic pain? Chronic pain persists after treatment has been provided. The pain can last from weeks to years and may be the cause of serious life consequences, including employment trouble, relationship issues, and mental health problems. The CDC estimates that 20% of American […]

I am a registered psychotherapist and occupational therapist who is board certified in neurofeedback. My clients tend to be military veterans who are highly hypervigilant or utterly burned out from years of hypervigilance. More than a few of my clients have been “sleeping” fully clothed in a recliner chair and waking up several times per […]

A recent study by Bekker et al. (2021) investigated the effect of infraslow neurofeedback therapy on sleep and identified significant positive change in sleep duration, latency, efficiency and overall sleep quality. A poor night’s sleep can wreak significant damage on physical health, mental health, and emotional well-being. Even one night without sleep can result in […]

There are many types of psychotherapy including psychotherapies that help patients change behaviors or thought patterns, psychotherapies that help patients explore the effect of past relationships and experiences on present behaviors, and psychotherapies that are tailored to help solve other problems in specific ways. For example, when using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a common type […]

In conventional neurofeedback we reward the increasing or the inhibiting of a targeted metric or bandwidth. This can be done because of the nature of the signal and equipment we use to measure it. The regular cycling of the sinusoidal signal can be measured by an alternating current amplifier. Tin and gold sensors can hold […]

Researchers have proposed that the ISF is generated from two possible sources: Neuronal activity (electrical or mechanical stimulation, neurotransmitters, neuronal activity). Neuronal activity results in decreased oxygen. This stimulates calcium waves. Spontaneous activity (astrocyte clock gene expression results in calcium waves). The production of calcium waves induces oscillation in a type of glial cell called […]

The distinctive impact of ISF neurofeedback resides in the training of the “ISF band” which is below 1 Hertz. The physiological changes and regulation of the autonomic nervous system that we see in ISF training occur simply because those are the functions that are coordinated by that band. ISF is considered an ‘organizing’ rhythm; promoting […]