Alan Bachers, Ph.D.Alan Bachers, Ph.D.

Neurofeedback FoundationNeurofeedback Foundation34 South Main Street34 South Main Street

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022Chagrin Falls, OH 44022440-893-0750440-893-0750

abachers@apk.netabachers@apk.net

NEUROFEEDBACKNEUROFEEDBACK

Brain wave activityBrain wave activity

Controlled by the individualControlled by the individual

To promote Class Four SpaceTo promote Class Four Space

NEUROFEEDBACKNEUROFEEDBACK

A training system in which brain wave A training system in which brain wave activity, obtained by sensors on the scalp, activity, obtained by sensors on the scalp, is presented to an individual as a video is presented to an individual as a video display.display.

When brain activity moves toward patterns When brain activity moves toward patterns of improved self-regulation, the display of improved self-regulation, the display (often a video game) advances, slowing or (often a video game) advances, slowing or stopping as brain activity regresses.stopping as brain activity regresses.

Well described patterns of optimal Well described patterns of optimal brain function are cultivated over brain function are cultivated over sessions, accompanied by automatic sessions, accompanied by automatic diminution or elimination of pathology diminution or elimination of pathology as the brain orchestrates its own as the brain orchestrates its own improvements. improvements.

Results are at least long-lasting, often Results are at least long-lasting, often permanent, and continue to advance permanent, and continue to advance after training.after training.

Pathology or DiseasePathology or Disease

Computationally ReducibleComputationally Reducible abnormal firing abnormal firing patterns of brainwaves diagnose known patterns of brainwaves diagnose known disease states – epilepsy, depression, disease states – epilepsy, depression, ADHD, brain injury, etc.ADHD, brain injury, etc.

““Attractor spaces” of disease originate Attractor spaces” of disease originate through genetics, environmental, or through genetics, environmental, or experiential causes, occupy 16% of our experiential causes, occupy 16% of our Gross Domestic Product, and can be seen Gross Domestic Product, and can be seen as as Class 1,2,3 Class 1,2,3 states. states.

Pathology (cont.)Pathology (cont.)

Class 1,2,3 statesClass 1,2,3 states – – 1. Die out (or host dies);1. Die out (or host dies); 2. Endlessly repeat; 2. Endlessly repeat; 3. Form patterns within patterns.3. Form patterns within patterns.

These “stand still,” can be manipulated, These “stand still,” can be manipulated, numbers for which are standard Old Kind numbers for which are standard Old Kind of Science. of Science.

Some Class 1,2,3 applications Some Class 1,2,3 applications of neurofeedbackof neurofeedback

Alcoholism/addictionAlcoholism/addiction Anxiety/panicAnxiety/panic Attention-deficit Attention-deficit

hyperactivity disorderhyperactivity disorder Attachment disorderAttachment disorder AutismAutism

Brain injuryBrain injury Depression Depression EpilepsyEpilepsy Parkinson’s diseaseParkinson’s disease Post-Traumatic Post-Traumatic

Stress DisorderStress Disorder

While the field struggles to While the field struggles to establish its scientific credibility in establish its scientific credibility in

the disease model, those [Class 1,2 the disease model, those [Class 1,2 3] applications will become trivial as 3] applications will become trivial as far more compelling results emerge far more compelling results emerge

in all areas of maximizing human in all areas of maximizing human capacities.capacities.

Producing Class Four SpaceProducing Class Four Space

Central nervous system (CNS) in a loop Central nervous system (CNS) in a loop with itself in NF training gets to observe with itself in NF training gets to observe the the initial conditioninitial condition of pathologic variation, of pathologic variation, which, if sufficiently large, interrupts which, if sufficiently large, interrupts feedback.feedback.

Shifting attention to restart feedback Shifting attention to restart feedback terminates capture by pathologic attractor, terminates capture by pathologic attractor, creates new iteration, free of that particular creates new iteration, free of that particular attractor.attractor.

Class Four Space (Con’t.)Class Four Space (Con’t.)

Each return to an initial, attractor free state, Each return to an initial, attractor free state, increases the likelihood and ease of repeating increases the likelihood and ease of repeating that fresh start the next time an attractor space that fresh start the next time an attractor space threatens to topple me into my pathologic history threatens to topple me into my pathologic history of class 1,2,3 vortices. of class 1,2,3 vortices.

In each neurofeedback session, hundreds, or In each neurofeedback session, hundreds, or even thousands of these new iterations even thousands of these new iterations eventually make the creation of class four, eventually make the creation of class four, pathologic attractor free space, the default state pathologic attractor free space, the default state of every day life.of every day life.

Class 4 EEG Space, DefinedClass 4 EEG Space, Defined

Maintenance of mean-of-the-median within Maintenance of mean-of-the-median within 16 frequency “spaces” >80% of the time.16 frequency “spaces” >80% of the time.

Continual tightening of criteria at comfort Continual tightening of criteria at comfort level increases flexibility and resilience of level increases flexibility and resilience of CNS, CNS,

Flexibility and resilience of CNS increases, Flexibility and resilience of CNS increases, lessening wobble and capture by Class lessening wobble and capture by Class 1,2,3 pathologic attractor spaces. 1,2,3 pathologic attractor spaces.

““Hey, this is like I’m defragging Hey, this is like I’m defragging my brain.”my brain.”

Client quoteClient quote

Consequences of Cultivating Class Consequences of Cultivating Class Four EEG StateFour EEG State

Pathology drops out;Pathology drops out; Others comment on changes they observe;Others comment on changes they observe; Things that were difficult become easier;Things that were difficult become easier; Interest in what is good for me increases;Interest in what is good for me increases; Interest in what is not good for me wanes;Interest in what is not good for me wanes; Instances of peak performance become more Instances of peak performance become more

common;common; Present and future orientation replaces focus on Present and future orientation replaces focus on

the past.the past.

Profound Consequences of Profound Consequences of Class Four EEG StatesClass Four EEG States

““Recontextification” of past trauma;Recontextification” of past trauma; Transformations in intellectual, emotional, Transformations in intellectual, emotional,

physical, spiritual life;physical, spiritual life; Psychotherapy “through the rear view Psychotherapy “through the rear view

mirror”;mirror”; Major life achievements accomplished;Major life achievements accomplished; Breakthroughs into highest order of Breakthroughs into highest order of

functioning. functioning.

Class Four EEG Space Exhibits Class Four EEG Space Exhibits Computational IrreducibilityComputational Irreducibility

CNS takes off when and where we can’t CNS takes off when and where we can’t look from perspectives of class 1,2,3 tools; look from perspectives of class 1,2,3 tools;

Changes manifest as unintended and Changes manifest as unintended and unexpected far-ranging improvements;unexpected far-ranging improvements;

Return from CFS brings dissolution or Return from CFS brings dissolution or elimination of Class 1,2,3 pathologic elimination of Class 1,2,3 pathologic attractor space;attractor space;

Class Four EEG Space Exhibits Class Four EEG Space Exhibits Computational EquivalenceComputational Equivalence

Across all subjects (Across all subjects (universaluniversal), outcomes ), outcomes remain idiosyncratic, and, beyond Class remain idiosyncratic, and, beyond Class 1,2,3 predictions, 1,2,3 predictions, undecidableundecidable in any in any individual.individual.

The well prepared brainThe well prepared brain

Having had enough preparation such that Having had enough preparation such that peak performances are relatively common;peak performances are relatively common;

Having “had enough” [trauma, abuse, Having “had enough” [trauma, abuse, pain, maltreatment] and ready to change;pain, maltreatment] and ready to change;

Merely curious, willing to explore.Merely curious, willing to explore.

Many people who show up to do Many people who show up to do neurofeedback can expect to neurofeedback can expect to

see about a two standard see about a two standard deviation improvement on just deviation improvement on just

about anything they care to about anything they care to measure.measure.

ResourcesResources

www.wikipedia.orgwww.wikipedia.org Search word: neurofeedbackSearch word: neurofeedback

www.isnr.orgwww.isnr.org International Society of International Society of Neuronal RegulationNeuronal Regulation

www.eegspectrum.comwww.eegspectrum.com www.brianothmerfoundation.orgwww.brianothmerfoundation.org www.zengar.comwww.zengar.com - presenter article - presenter article

Alan Bachers, Ph.D.Alan Bachers, Ph.D.

Neurofeedback FoundationNeurofeedback Foundation

34 South Main Street34 South Main Street

Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022

440-893-0750440-893-0750

abachers@apk.netabachers@apk.net