Optimizing the brain to meet its maximum potential

ATTACHING the electrodes

There is such a thing as being “brain-fit.”

People nowadays may be getting more conscious of their physical health, but are often neglecting their mental well-being—which leads to health imbalance. However, there is a technique that will serve as a brain exercise to improve its function and maintain harmony between the mind and the body.

“Everyone is looking for ways to increase both mental and physical performance,” said Denise Celdran, managing director of the Philippine Neurofeedback Center (PNC). “We can do both by optimizing the brain to meet its maximum potential, allowing you to do and be best in the process.”

Neurofeedback, a scientifically proven computer-aided biofeedback technique that would train the brain with mental exercises, initially involves reading of brain waves and analyzing deviation from database of the normal healthy brain patterns.

A DOCTOR explains the results of a test

“It’s like going to the gym. When you exercise, you work out and your physical well-being is better,” Celdran explained. “So if you train your brain, of course, your brain coherence will be better.”

According to him, Neurofeedback is a noninvasive procedure that is why it is safe and has no harmful side effects. Although in preparation for it, a temperature check and brain mapping will be conducted to the patient.

“[Before starting], the patients can talk about the things they want to improve on, issues with their mood, or if they want to improve on their memory, as long as there is a medical background,” said Cheryl Ramirez, PNC neurotherapist.

The mapping will record brain activity, whereas it will take note of which elements are hyperactive, working out of synchrony or out of normal range. Whichever from the areas of auditory and visual processing, language comprehension, memory, performance and emotional stability that are deviated from the normal will be targeted for training.

After the mapping, five sessions of brain balance protocol will be given to the patient. The protocol will restabilize all the brain functions, similar to putting up a reset button and conditioning it for the special training that will be given.

“We have come up with a program that is customized with your needs and there will be several training protocols to address the areas you need to improve on,” Ramirez said. The number of training sessions may also vary on the need of the patient.

“In at least 10 to 20 sessions, changes are already visible in a Neurofeedback patient,” Ramirez said.

Neurofeedback helps treat patients with learning disabilities such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and even those with epilepsy and autism. It can also slow down mental aging for adults and increase a child’s academic performance.

“It’s not a cure-all per se, but we noticed that the patients’ vocabulary enhances and they can even live independently,” Celdran explained.

Mind-fitness program

He also noted that Neurofeedback is a possible mind-fitness program that can be offered to professionals such as athletes, businessmen, musicians and students, for them to be able to achieve their full potential in their chosen careers. Some notable patients are people from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the Italian football team who won the World Cup in 2004.

“Neurofeedback can help athletes achieve optimal performance in various sports,” she said. “Same thing goes with the businessmen who can already focus well especially on decision making.”

It is also beneficial to musicians and performers as it decreases anxiety and improves their focus and memory.

PNC is the first Neurofeedback center in the country and is located at the Medical Plaza Building, Amorsolo corner Dela Rosa streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City. It is in partnership with Dr. Joseph Guan, founder and clinical director of the Brain Enhancement Center in Singapore.