Is MCN Safe?
Yes, IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) is an exceptionally safe and well-established therapeutic approach.
Our MCN system utilizes an FDA-registered EEG amplifier, ensuring the highest level of safety for clients of all ages, including pregnant women and infants. The signals used during MCN sessions are incredibly subtle — roughly 1/300th of the emissions from a standard cell phone and lasting as little as 1/100th of a second. It is reassuring to know that among the over 100,000 individuals who have undergone MCN therapy, there have been no reported adverse effects.
Microcurrent neurofeedback is non-invasive, drug-free, and does not involve any radiation, unlike a CT scan. Its purpose is to help retrain the brain from a state known as “Sympathetic Freeze,” where it is stuck in a faulty pattern. Through multiple sessions, the brain is gently guided back to a normal range of electrical activity.
At Clear Mind Utah, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. We are committed to providing a secure and reliable neurofeedback experience, ensuring your health and comfort throughout your journey with us.
How Effective Is MCN?
Based on our experience, about 85% of our clients notice significant improvements in various areas of their well-being — such as cognitive function, motivation, mood, motor skills, and sleep quality — within the first few MCN sessions. Our goal is to help you reach a state of “lasting stability,” where regular MCN sessions are no longer necessary, and occasional “tune-up” sessions are sufficient to maintain your progress.
How Many Sessions Are Required To Notice Improvement?
Most clients notice short-term positive changes within just one to three sessions. The total number of sessions needed will depend on the severity of the condition. Generally, lasting improvements can be achieved within about 20 sessions. After completing the recommended treatment plan, additional sessions are usually not necessary. However, some individuals may choose to schedule occasional “tune-up” sessions for ongoing maintenance.
How Does MCN Work?
IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) functions through a super-low-power electromagnetic field, measuring just 3 trillionths of a watt. This field carries feedback to the recipient using the same pathways that transmit brainwaves to our EEG amplifier and computer.
Despite the tiny strength of the MCN signal, it is mighty at altering brainwave patterns without requiring any conscious effort from the client. In other words, you don’t have to do any mental work during an MCN session. When the feedback frequency is introduced, it causes noticeable changes in EEG amplitudes, resulting in a shift in brainwave activity. This ultimately empowers the brain and nervous system to better regulate themselves.
MCN provides this feedback directly to the brain, and the client doesn’t even feel it. There’s no need for you to consciously engage with it. It’s important to note that MCN has a significant impact on various parts of the nervous system, helping to achieve a more balanced and optimized state of neurological function.
Do I Have To Stop My Medication To Do MCN?
It’s crucial to emphasize that IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) is not intended to replace or interfere with your current medication regimen. MCN is designed to complement and support your existing treatment plan.
One of the key objectives of MCN therapy is to address the root cause of brain dysregulation, aiming for long-term improvements in brain function. While undergoing MCN sessions, some individuals may experience such significant improvements in their neurological health that their need for medications may decrease over time.
Nonetheless, any adjustments to your medication should always be made in consultation with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider is the best resource to monitor your progress, assess your condition, and determine the appropriate timing and extent of any medication adjustments. Your well-being and health are our utmost priority, and we encourage open communication between you, your healthcare provider, and our MCN therapy team throughout your treatment journey.
What Should I Expect During a Session?
For an optimal experience during your neurofeedback sessions, we advise you to opt for comfortable attire. It’s important to note that your initial session will differ slightly from subsequent sessions, as we will conduct an initial assessment to collect essential information. As such, the first session is expected to extend to approximately one hour. Subsequent sessions, however, will typically last about 30 minutes.
In preparation for your appointment, we request that you refrain from using hair products such as gels or hairsprays on the day of your session. Additionally, to ensure accurate measurements and effective treatment, we recommend avoiding makeup application to the forehead area. These measures help maintain the integrity and precision of our neurofeedback process, facilitating the best possible outcomes for your sessions.
How Long Do Neurofeedback Sessions Take?
Most sessions take about 30 minutes.
How Long Do The Effects Last?
Some clients may begin to notice positive changes as early as their first session. While these initial improvements may be brief, the cumulative effects of IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) suggest that the duration of these benefits often increases with each subsequent session. By the end of a full series of MCN sessions, substantial and lasting improvements are commonly observed.
Although some individuals may benefit from occasional “tune-up” sessions, most experience long-term benefits. This lasting effect is due to the brain’s ability to restore a healthier neurochemical balance, enhance neuroplasticity, and naturally resist returning to a dysfunctional state. It’s important to remember that the number of sessions needed will vary based on individual factors, the specific condition, and its severity.
Can Neurofeedback Cause Negative Effects?
There are no known side effects caused by microcurrent neurofeedback. However, it’s possible for the brain to feel a bit overworked after a session, which may leave you feeling slightly tired — much like how your muscles might feel after a workout with a personal trainer, except in this case, it’s your brain!
On rare occasions, a person may experience what is known as “Over Stim.” This can result from various factors, such as a heightened emotional state due to life’s circumstances that make the brain more sensitive. If this occurs, there is a simple protocol that can be completed in just 15 seconds to reverse the effects, leaving you feeling fine again. While Over Stim is not dangerous, it may cause temporary discomfort.
How Is MCN Different From Traditional Neurofeedback?
Distinguishing between traditional operant conditioning neurofeedback and IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) highlights significant differences in both approach and outcomes.
Conventional neurofeedback involves an interactive process where clients view their brainwave activity on a computer screen and actively work to modify and optimize these patterns by mentally influencing what they see. In this method, no direct signal is sent back to the brain. This process typically requires a substantial commitment, with most clients needing 40 or more sessions, each lasting 45 minutes to an hour.
In contrast, MCN Microcurrent Neurofeedback offers a groundbreaking approach that requires no active participation from the client. During MCN sessions, clients simply sit quietly for a short period while a gentle, microcurrent signal is delivered directly to the brain. Many clients experience noticeable changes either immediately or within the first few sessions, making MCN a faster and more effective option. Typically, lasting improvements can be achieved with a significantly reduced number of sessions, usually between 10 and 20.
The key advantages of MCN Microcurrent Neurofeedback are its rapid results, reduced session requirements, and the simplicity and ease of the treatment process — all of which set it apart from traditional neurofeedback methods.
How Can Neurofeedback Work On So Many Conditions?
Many brain-related issues stem from irregular brainwaves. Microcurrent neurofeedback is effective because it doesn’t directly target specific conditions or symptoms; instead, it focuses on correcting irregular brainwave patterns and adjusting the brain’s timing. This is accomplished over a series of neurofeedback sessions, where the brain is gradually guided out of the faulty patterns in which it is stuck.
Most individuals achieve what we call “Enduring Sustainability” — a state of improved brain health — after about 10 to 20 sessions. At this point, the brain operates within healthier limits, and symptoms often resolve. This leads to better overall brain regulation, positively impacting a wide range of symptoms.
How Long Has MCN Been Around? Is It Experimental?
Practitioners have been using earlier versions of Microcurrent Neurofeedback for over 15 years. It is imperative to emphasize that IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) is firmly established and not an experimental treatment. Similar technologies, based on the same principles as IASIS MCN Microcurrent Neurofeedback, have successfully treated over 100,000 patients.
Why Don't You Do A Brain Map?
The older method of neurofeedback, known as “Operant Conditioning,” involved creating a brain map. This method required a brain map to develop specific protocols for “training” the brain to produce the desired patterns.
However, the more advanced method we now use, Microcurrent Neurofeedback, works by gently “untraining” the brain from the faulty patterns where it is stuck, allowing the rest of the brain to naturally follow suit. Because of this innovative approach, a brain map is no longer necessary!
Could You Explain More About Brainwaves?
Sure, here is a detailed explanation of the different types of brainwaves: Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta. These brainwaves represent various states of consciousness and levels of brain activity, and they play distinct roles in our cognitive functions, emotions, and overall well-being.
1. Delta Waves (0.5 to 4 Hz)
- Description: Delta waves are the slowest brainwaves, with a frequency range between 0.5 to 4 Hz. They are associated with the deepest stages of sleep, particularly slow-wave sleep (SWS) or deep sleep.
- Function: Delta waves are crucial for restorative sleep. They are linked to the body’s healing and regeneration processes, growth hormone release, and overall physical restoration. Delta activity is also essential for immune system function and memory consolidation.
- When Active: Delta waves are most prominent during deep, dreamless sleep but can also occur during meditation or in states of unconsciousness. High delta wave activity during waking hours may be associated with brain injuries or developmental issues.
2. Theta Waves (4 to 8 Hz)
- Description: Theta waves have a frequency range of 4 to 8 Hz and are slower than alpha waves but faster than delta waves. They are often associated with creativity, intuition, daydreaming, and light sleep.
- Function: Theta waves are involved in deep relaxation, meditation, and access to the subconscious mind. They play a key role in emotional processing and healing, promoting a state where the brain can form new ideas, insights, and connections. Theta waves are also involved in the consolidation of memories and learning.
- When Active: Theta waves are prominent during light sleep (such as the early stages of sleep or REM sleep), deep meditation, or hypnagogic states (the state between wakefulness and sleep). Excessive theta activity while awake may be associated with inattentiveness or certain cognitive disorders.
3. Alpha Waves (8 to 13 Hz)
- Description: Alpha waves have a frequency range of 8 to 13 Hz and represent a state of calm, relaxed, but alert consciousness. They are often considered the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind.
- Function: Alpha waves are associated with relaxation, mental coordination, and mind-body integration. They are linked to states of relaxed alertness, creativity, and stress reduction. Alpha activity is often increased during mindfulness practices, meditation, or when the eyes are closed.
- When Active: Alpha waves are most prominent during quiet, thoughtful activities such as meditation, daydreaming, or creative thinking. They are also present when you are relaxed but awake, particularly with eyes closed. Low levels of alpha waves may be linked to anxiety, stress, or hyperactivity.
4. Beta Waves (13 to 30 Hz)
- Description: Beta waves have a frequency range of 13 to 30 Hz and are considered high-frequency brainwaves. They are associated with active, alert, and focused thinking.
- Function: Beta waves are linked to concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making. They are predominant during states of cognitive engagement, such as speaking, active learning, and socialization. Beta activity helps with logical thinking, analytical problem-solving, and mental activity.
- When Active: Beta waves are most active during conscious, awake states, such as during intense focus, working, or active thinking. Higher levels of beta waves can be associated with stress, anxiety, or restlessness if the brain is overactive.
Conclusion
Together, these brainwaves — Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta — represent different states of brain function and consciousness. The balance and dominance of these waves change throughout the day and depend on the activities we engage in, from deep sleep and relaxation to focused thinking and problem-solving.
All of these brainwaves play a vital role in maintaining your overall health, and specific neurological disorders can often be linked to irregularities in certain brainwave patterns. For instance, after a head injury, the brain might produce excessive frontal theta or delta waves during periods when you should be awake and alert. By gently retraining these abnormal patterns in the affected areas, it is possible to reduce or even eliminate symptoms.
Why Haven't I heard Of Neurofeedback Before?
Neurofeedback has been in use since the 1950s. However, it’s only in the past decade, with advancements in computer technology, that neurofeedback has evolved from a research tool in laboratories to a practical system that can be administered in an office setting.
Microcurrent neurofeedback has taken this progress even further by directly addressing the core issues, effectively “cutting to the chase” in helping the brain unlearn faulty patterns where it may be stuck.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of neurofeedback therapy, we’ve got some excellent resources for you! Below are trusted links to professional organizations and research databases that provide in-depth information on neurofeedback, its effectiveness, and certifications. Whether you’re interested in scientific studies, practitioner standards, or industry developments, these sources will help you explore further.
– International Society for Neurofeedback & Research (ISNR): Offers professional insights and the latest research in the field. Visit ISNR
– PubMed – Neurofeedback Research: Search peer-reviewed studies on neurofeedback’s impact on brain function. Browse PubMed
These resources will help you better understand the science and potential of neurofeedback therapy to enhance mental clarity, emotional balance, and brain health.
