Quote:
I started neurofeedback because of anxiety. After doing some research online it seemed like a treatment option that could provide good long lasting results without having to deal with side effects, which is why I discontinued medication. So I decided to give it a try.
When I had my first appointment the practitioner told me that I had high beta frequencies, explaining my anxiety. So he proceeded by lowering arousal by training at .1 MHz, while using the cygnet playform. After about 3 sessions I started to feel some progress but by the 5th session I began feeling bad side effects similar to the side effects that I was having with medication. The side effects included muscle fatigue, dizzieness, and my head started to feel numb.
When I explained these side effects to my practitioner he said that they were normal side effects that would subside in a few days or so. So we continued with the training. After 2 more sessions the side effects of muscle fatigue, emotional flatness, and head numbness increased. I am a d1 runner and the side effects have effected my running tremendously. My times began to slow down and runs that were once easy became increasingly more difficult.
With great concern about the side effects that I was having I asked my neurofeedback practitioner if he could reverse the treatment. He said he could. In my 8 th session he tried to reverse the treatment, it didn't do much. After exchanging emails my practitioner said that if I stop the treatment the side effects should subside. I stopped for 5 weeks and nothing has changed. My running has gone down the drain due to muscle fatigue and I feel a constant daze from the numbness in my head.
After 5 weeks I went back to the practitioner, as he said he could reverse the side effects. We did 3 sessions and all I felt was an increase dizziness.
Without any resilience of the side effects I consulted another practitioner in my area. I explained my situation and the side effects that I was experiencing. She said I have a very sensitive central nervous system and that the platform she uses called neuroptimal by zengar is more effective and side effect free.
I had a session with her and nothing was accomplished with regards to fixing the side effects. My side effects actually got worse as my feet swelled up that night. Neurofeedback has not only ruined my d1 running career but also my quality of life outside of running . I constantly feel dazed and emotionally flat. I am hoping that over time the side effects will subside and I will be able to run again.
To anyone who is thinking about trying neurofeedback I would not recommend it unless you are willing to take a big risk and live with the possible consequences. To the practitioners I think it is very dangerous to mess with people's brains. Neurofeedback has been the worst decision I have ever made in my life.
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Reposted by Mark in Idaho.
Jpm,
You did not describe whether you did volitional neurofeedback or non-volitional neurotherapy. Volitional means you use your thought to change your brain waveforms. Non-volitional means the computer inputs electromagnetic energy into your brain to try to change the brain waveforms.
Volitional has a very safe history. Non-volitional has a very poor history. You should file a report of an adverse event with the FDA if you are in the US. They need to hear about adverse events of these systems that claim to be FDA exempt.
My best to you.