Brain mapping is a non-invasive procedure that painlessly and safely measures brain activity. While other tests measure brain structure, brain mapping measures its function. Brain mapping can:

• Identify irregular brain wave patterns and the regions in which they occur
• Point to areas where brain activity may be too high or too low
• Reveal areas of the brain that are not optimally communicating with other regions
• Aid in diagnosing psychiatric and cognitive conditions
• Identify brain injuries
• Indicate your level of stress
• Help predict your response to medication

Most importantly, brain mapping yields critical information needed to design a customized neurofeedback program tailored to an individual’s needs.

Again, the procedure is safe and non-invasive. Brain mapping only records your brain’s signals and does not affect them.

What’s the Difference Between an EEG and a QEEG Test?

What is unique about the qEEG test is that it amplifies the information collected in a standard EEG (Electroencephalogram test). By analyzing EEG information and comparing it to databases of “normal” individuals of the same age and gender, it can indicate areas that are underactive, overactive or normal.

For example, there are identifiable patterns of dysfunction in each of the following brain disorders that can be picked up by brain mapping:

Anyone who is struggling with mental health issues – and that includes addiction – can potentially benefit from brain mapping. It is an invaluable assessment tool.

What Happens After Brain Mapping?

are optimal, you may hear music or have access to a fun game. Likewise, when your brainwaves are not optimal, you will receive “negative” feedback such as the music or the game stopping. This painless training teaches your brain to operate optimally.

RELATED: How do drugs affect the brain? 

Neurofeedback can be a valuable component of your overall addiction treatment plan. It can also be helpful in treating underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as ADHD and PTSD.

Is Neurofeedback Effective?

Neurofeedback is an evidence-based therapy for many brain-based conditions and is utilized by over 7,000 mental health providers in the United States. The International Society for Neurofeedback is a professional association entirely devoted to its practice, and its scientific journal, NeuroRegulation, publishes the latest research in the field. In addition, the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance provides certification for practitioners.

With addiction in particular, there have been numerous research studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of neurofeedback.

An often-cited 1999 study included addicts of various illicit substances who were undergoing addiction treatment. A control group received traditional treatment only, while the experimental group received traditional treatment plus neurofeedback. Researchers found that those who received neurofeedback:¹

• Remained in treatment nearly 40% longer than those who received traditional addiction treatment alone
• Were much more likely to be sober 12 months after treatment (77% of the neurofeedback participants versus 44% of the control group)
• Showed improvement in attention measurements
• Showed “significant” improvement in five of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 clinical scales, including depression, schizophrenia, social introversion, hysteria and hypochondriasis
• Experienced decreased feelings of alienation, defensiveness and depression
• Were found by therapists to be “more cooperative and attentive” as they progressed through treatment

Medication assisted therapy (MAT) in combination with neurofeedback was shown to be more effective than MAT alone in another study of 20 opioid-dependent clients. Those receiving neurofeedback in addiction to MAT:²

• Experienced improved somatic symptoms (physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, weakness, stomach upset, etc.)
• Lessened depression
• Improved overall mental health
• Had greater expectation of a positive outcome for their treatment
• Had a decreased desire to use opioids
• Experienced greater relief from withdrawal cravings

Seeing cues related to drug or alcohol use can trigger a brain reaction that leads to relapse. One study showed a decreased response to alcohol-related cues after neurofeedback³ while another showed lower response to drug-related cues.⁴

This is just a sampling of the many studies on neurofeedback and addiction conducted to date. It is also worthy of note that virtually all neurofeedback studies regarding substance use disorders examine neurofeedback as an additional element addiction treatment, meaning that it is not viewed as a standalone treatment.⁵ Each therapy has its place in a holistic addiction treatment program.

can be effective in treating addiction, which itself is a brain disease. Much like the rewards of illicit substance use trained your brain to seek more of the drug, at any cost, brain training in the form of neurofeedback can reduce cravings, improve your mental health, and most importantly, train you to live (and live well) without drugs or alcohol.

Are you struggling with addiction now? When you need to know where you want to go, but aren’t sure how to get there, a map is a good place to start. Brain mapping shows where you are now – unearthing issues – and points to effective therapies that restore healthy brain function. Along with MAT, counseling, and social support, brain mapping and neurofeedback are valuable tools in achieving sustained recovery.

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Sources

¹ Scott WC, Kaiser D, Othmer S, Sideroff SI. Effects of an EEG biofeedback protocol on a mixed substance abusing population. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2005;31(3):455‐469. doi:10.1081/ada-200056807.
² Dehghani-Arani, F., Rostami, R. & Nadali, H. Neurofeedback Training for Opiate Addiction: Improvement of Mental Health and Craving. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2013;38, 133–141. doi:10.1007/s10484-013-9218-5.
³ Kirsch M, Gruber I, Ruf M, Kiefer F, Kirsch P. Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback can reduce striatal cue-reactivity to alcohol stimuli. Addict Biol. 2016;21(4):982‐992. doi:10.1111/adb.12278.
⁴ Horrell T, El-Baz A, Baruth J, et al. Neurofeedback Effects on Evoked and Induced EEG Gamma Band Reactivity to Drug-related Cues in Cocaine Addiction. J Neurother. 2010;14(3):195‐216. doi:10.1080/10874208.2010.501498.
⁵ Sokhadze TM, Cannon RL, Trudeau DL. EEG biofeedback as a treatment for substance use disorders: review, rating of efficacy, and recommendations for further research. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2008;33(1):1‐28. doi:10.1007/s10484-007-9047-5.