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At some point, everyone struggles with episodes of Brain Fog. We even have funny names for when this happens. Most often, forgetfulness or trouble accessing information can be brief and fleeting, however, there are times when the “fog doesn’t lift” quickly but instead stays with us for extended periods of time.
When Brain Fog hangs out, we may experience symptoms such as:
– Feeling “spacy” or confused.
– Feeling fatigued.
– Thinking more slowly than usual and needing more time to complete simple tasks.
– Being easily distracted.
– Having trouble organizing thoughts or activities.
– Forgetfulness, such as forgetting daily tasks or losing a train of thought.
– Word-finding difficulties.
When this happens, there is usually one of 2 explanations and they tend to overlap. Interference or Inflammation.
Examples of Interference:
– Hormones – puberty/menopause/pregnancy
– Medication side effects
– Cancer treatments
– Physical changes to the brain – Multiple Sclerosis (MS)/Seizures/Tumors
– Anxie
– Cognitive Decline/Pre-Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
– Mold/chemical exposure/EMF
– Examples of Inflammation:
– Heat or increased body temperature
– Inflammatory foods such as Gluten or Dairy
– Autoimmune Disorders/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
– Traumatic Brain/Head injuries/Concussions
– Viruses such as Covid-19, the Flu or Lyme
– Vaccinations or Antibiotics
– Anesthesia or Surgery
– Illness, Sinus irritation or colds/flu
– Headahces/Migraines
What exactly is Inflammation?
The term for opening of capillaries and increased flow of blood is called vasodilation. Capillaries open and an increase in blood flow occurs in the area. In the case of injury, an area of the body may visibly swell up and we describe the area as “swollen” or “inflamed”. In the case of body temperature; when we are too hot, blood vessels supplying blood to the skin can swell or dilate (vasodilation). This allows additional warm blood to flow near the surface of the skin, where the heat can be lost to the air. After healing or a reduction in body temperature, the capillaries return to normal through a process called vasoconstriction. This process is happening on an almost consistent basis during the summer months when temperatures can reach into the 90’s and 100’s; even in the evenings and early mornings.
If the capillaries do not close or do not close fast enough, we help them along. We apply ice (constricting the capillaries) or take a medication that reduces inflammation (such as ibuprofen) or promotes vasoconstriction (such as caffeine).
What happens to our heads if our body temperature rises and we experience vasodilation but then do not experience vasoconstriction? A headache occurs. This is the result of increased blood flow we can feel through pain receptors covering the brain or scalp.
What if there is increased blood flow in our actual brain? This part of our body does not have pain receptors. Our brain doesn’t technically “feel” pain. The result of increased blood flow in the brain that does not constrict is what we call Brain Inflammation.
What constitutes Interference?
We call it interference when there is a disruption in neuron firing patterns brought on by an external force or malfunction of an internal process. Medications, exposure to environmental factors, hormone shifts and even anxiety or depression, can cause interference in neuron firing patterns contributing to brain fog and may also cause inflammation. Depending on the exposure time and the impact on the firing patterns, interference can be short lived or a chronic problem.
How do I fix brain inflammation or Interference?
Because we cannot see increased blood flow or changes to neuron patterns in the brain without special equipment, it can be difficult to know it is happening. As mentioned earlier, there are not pain receptors in our brain, so we don’t have pain to indicate swelling or inflammation. Typically, we notice symptoms that do not seem to resolve as an indication that there’s a problem that needs to be fixed. There are medications that can provide some relief. However, when we are prescribing medication based solely from symptoms, you can easily end up on the wrong medication track and not receive relief. Anti-inflammatory medication or supplements can, at times, provide relief. As can an adjustment to diet or change in lifestyle. However, we recommend an evaluation and EEG study to confirm the cause of the Brain Fog and then suggest the appropriate treatment options for your situation.
What is an EEG study?
An EEG study or QEEG (Quantitative EEG) is also called a brain map and does just that…it gives us a map of what is going on with the entire brain at one time. We attach electrodes to the whole head, 19 spots, and then record the brain waves with eyes open for 5 minutes and with eyes closed for 10 minutes. This recording is then sent to be read and analyzed. We provide a summary of significant findings and the report shows the result of analyzing the data several different ways. The brain activity is not only compared spot by spot over the entire head, but we can also look at connections, symmetry, how different parts are communicating and all of this data is compared to a database of peers (same sex, handedness and age). It can help us see what areas of the brain indicate increased blood flow, by identifying what areas of the brain are dysregulated. Another study that can be helpful is the SPECT scan.
How can Neurofeedback help?
Once the areas of interference, inflammation or dysregulation are identified, we use Neurofeedback or EEG Biofeedback to balance the neural patterns and reduce excessive slow activity. Teaching the brain to balance these waves will help the brain to slow down increases in blood flow and return the brain to a more regulated and flexible state, thus relieving symptoms.
What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback, has been studied and practiced since the late 60’s. It is exercise for your brain by allowing you to see the frequencies produced by different parts of your brain in real-time and then through visual and auditory feedback, teaches the brain to better regulate itself. Neurofeedback can be used to help detect, stimulate, and/or inhibit activity in the brain safely and without medication. It can help restore a wider “range of motion” in brain states, much like physical therapy does for the body.
While the client sits comfortably watching a movie or pictures appear on the screen (a calm and focused state), the EEG equipment measures the frequency or speed at which electrical activity moves in the areas where electrodes have been placed. This information is sent to the therapist’s computer. The therapist is then able to determine what frequencies are out of balance. For example, when the EEG shows that you are making too many “slow” or “sleepy” waves (delta/theta) or too many “fast” waves (high beta), the therapist adjusts a reward band to encourage more balanced activity. This encouragement or “reward” happens through visual recognition of the changes on the screen and the auditory reinforcement of “beeps”.
We provide the brain with gentle “challenges” and encouragement in a user-friendly, stress-free format so it learns to regulate or shift to healthier states more smoothly on its own at the appropriate time.
How does a “beep” or sound train my brain to work better?
The auditory or sound reward that corresponds to an increase or decrease in desired brainwave activity can affect the brain on a neurological level. Auditory reward stimulates auditory pathways, impacts the vestibular system, and has many connections to the reticular activating system, which modulates wakefulness and attention. These systems operate in our brains without conscious effort. Therefore, neurofeedback teaches your brain through automated learning with little or no behavioral effort. Another way to say this is that neurofeedback involves operant conditioning or learning. This type of learning teaches us through a reinforced reward system. The auditory reward (beep) is delivered on a schedule of reinforcement that promotes optimal learning; not too hard and not too easy. This schedule of reinforcement or reward provides just the right amount of resistance to evoke a positive learning pattern.
Why train your brain?
Mental clarity improves when you operate a calmer, more efficient brain. As you learn to slow down “inner chatter” or activate a “sleepy” brain, you become more effective at responding to stress and adapt more readily to different situations, both psychologically and physically. Brain Fog lifts, parenting becomes less exhausting, appointments are more easily kept, decision-making improves, and mood swings and depression often lift.
Neurofeedback has also been shown to be of remarkable value with school-age children who experience focus and learning problems. Through brain training, children can learn to better concentrate on schoolwork, increase their frustration tolerance level, and are less prone to be overwhelmed with sensory overload while seated in a noisy classroom. With their thoughts more organized, they can focus more clearly on what others say to them and can begin to develop friendships and learn effectively.
What types of conditions does neurofeedback help?
Symptoms of these conditions, among others, can improve through neurofeedback training:
• Anxiety • Sleep disorders • Depression • ADD/ADHD • Sensory processing disorder • Bipolar disorder
• Seizure disorders • Auditory/visual processing
• Chronic pain/Fibromyalgia • Migraines/headaches
• Traumatic brain injuries • Stroke • Cognitive decline
• Peak performance • Oppositional defiant disorder
• Rages/mood swings • Attention/focus/concentration • Reactive attachment disorder • Autism/Asperger’s
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder • Learning disabilities • Memory or concentration issues following illness or vaccinations
How do I get started?
Getting started is easy, just give us a call. The Brain and Wellness Center staff will answer your questions, and help you get scheduled. If you are wondering what services are best for you? We can help determine that at the time of the intake, in a telephone consultation, or you can schedule telephone consultation. Call, email or message us today!
Brain and Wellness Center
7301 W. Palmetto Park Rd., Suite 102A,
Boca Raton, FL 33433. (561) 206-2706,
e-mail us at info@bocabraincenter.com,
text us at (561) 206-2706,
visit our website at www.BocaBrainCenter.com.
