That "Hamster Wheel" Feeling
Ever feel like your brain is running on a hamster wheel? The more you push, the more mentally exhausted, unfocused, and drained you end up. It's not just the endless to-do lists — that constant state of overwhelm can disrupt sleep, drain motivation, and get in the way of feeling like yourself.
Part of what's going on underneath that feeling is your nervous system's balance between "fight or flight" and "rest and digest" — something doctors measure as Heart Rate Variability, or HRV. Clear Mind Neurofeedback is one approach some people explore to support that balance.
What Chronic Stress Does to Your Brain and Body
When your sympathetic nervous system (your "fight or flight" mode) stays switched on — triggered by everything from emails to traffic — it takes a real toll:
- Chaotic brainwaves: constant stress can leave brainwave patterns disorganized, making it harder to focus and stay emotionally steady.
- Low HRV: a key indicator of how well your body shifts between stress and recovery. Low HRV means that shift gets harder.
- Neurotransmitter imbalance: your body may struggle to keep up healthy levels of GABA, serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine — chemicals tied to feeling calm, content, motivated, and comfortable.
When HRV is out of balance, people often notice things like restless sleep, anxiety or irritability, low motivation, and brain fog. Sound familiar? Here's a different angle on addressing it.
How Clear Mind Neurofeedback Fits In
At Clear Mind Utah, we use a specific form of neurofeedback called microcurrent neurofeedback. It uses tiny electrical impulses — gentle enough that you won't feel them — meant to encourage the brain to shift out of stress-driven patterns and toward a steadier baseline.
During a session, sensors on the scalp send very low-level microcurrents to specific brain areas. The idea is to support the brain's own capacity to reorganize and regulate itself, gently, over time — rather than forcing a specific outcome.
Some people report noticing a difference after a handful of sessions; others say it takes longer, or that changes are more gradual and subtle. There's no fixed timeline, and individual experiences vary quite a bit. You can read more real client reviews here.
"I feel like I have tried a million different techniques and nothing was helping with my overthinking, anxiety and depression... I no longer feel so emotionally disregulated, and my body can calm down again... I would 10/10 recommend it." — Carolina Lancaster, Google review
"Before my first session, I struggled with sleep and had very little energy. After just one session, I was able to sleep almost through the night and felt energized throughout the next day." — Hope LaVenture, Google review
"Noticed a difference within the first few sessions! A great boost in general well-being, mental clarity, and a great sense of calm." — Dylan Dixon, Google review
A Quick Look at the Chemicals Involved
Part of why chronic stress affects so many areas of life is that it touches several key brain chemicals at once. Here's a quick rundown of each, and why supporting the nervous system's own balance may factor in.
GABA — the brain's calming chemical
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is one of the brain's natural calming chemicals — it helps quiet down overstimulation. When GABA runs low, people often notice more anxiety, irritability, or trouble winding down at night. Supporting the brain's own regulation, as Clear Mind Neurofeedback aims to do, may help create the conditions for healthier GABA activity over time — though this varies by person.
Serotonin — mood and sleep regulation
Serotonin plays a role in mood, sleep, and appetite regulation. When it's out of balance, people sometimes notice low mood, sleep trouble, or a harder time enjoying things they normally would. Supporting the brain's overall regulation may help create better conditions for healthy serotonin activity, alongside whatever else is part of someone's care.
Endorphins — the body's natural response to stress and discomfort
Endorphins play a role in how the body responds to pain, stress, and effort — the same chemicals behind a "runner's high." When your system is depleted from chronic stress, people sometimes notice more sensitivity to discomfort or a harder time shaking off minor stressors.
Dopamine — motivation and focus
Dopamine is tied to motivation, focus, and the brain's reward system. Low dopamine has been associated with low motivation, trouble focusing, and low mood in general. Supporting the nervous system's overall regulation may factor into healthier dopamine activity for some people, alongside other lifestyle and care factors.
Why HRV and Neurotransmitter Balance Work Together
HRV and neurotransmitter balance aren't separate issues — they're connected. When your nervous system can shift more easily between "fight or flight" and "rest and digest," and your brain has what it needs to regulate GABA, serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine, the whole system tends to work better together. That's the broader idea behind supporting the nervous system as a whole, rather than targeting one symptom at a time.
If you want to dig deeper, we have related articles on HRV and athletic performance and stress relief and neurofeedback.
Curious If This Could Help?
If any of this sounds familiar, a free consultation is a low-pressure way to learn more and see if it's a fit for you. Contact us at (385) 304-4434 to schedule yours.
Clear Mind Utah · 21 E. 100 N., Ste. 101, American Fork, Utah · (385) 304-4434
Individual experiences vary. This technique is offered as general self-care information and is not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment. Clear Mind Utah provides microcurrent neurofeedback as a wellness and nervous system support service. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure any medical or mental health condition. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact a qualified professional or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
About the Author
Troy Gundersen
Troy is the co-founder and owner of Clear Mind Utah, a family-owned microcurrent neurofeedback center in American Fork, Utah. He and his wife Valerie opened the center after experiencing firsthand how a stuck nervous system can quietly take over, and how much is possible when it finally shifts. Troy works alongside Val and their daughter Sydni to help adults and families across Utah County find their way back to calm. Learn more about the team →
