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Neurofeedback and mental energy
Neurofeedback is an interesting and innovative way to train the brain. It uses real time EEG measurements, and is known to have positive effects on several neurological conditions. But could it be used to fight mental fatigue?
As I think many of you know, my goal with this newsletter is to build a product or service around it.
As part of this research, I discovered neurofeedback training not too long ago.
I was pretty fascinated when I first heard about the concept.
It’s method to train the brain like a muscle. And that’s exactly how I’ve always viewed it - a concept explained by neuroplasticity.
When our knee hurts, it’s natural to go to a physio and get a set of exercises to perform. So why should it be any different with the brain?
Focusing on mental energy, today we’ll explore how neurofeedback training could potentially help treat mental fatigue and enhance mental performance.
Today’s insights is mainly drawn from the scientific article:
“Efficacy of Original Neurofeeback Treatment Method for Brain Fog From COVID-19: A Case Report”
And incorporates insights from:
“Brain-training for physical performance: a study of EEG-neurofeedback and alpha relaxation training in athlete”
Today's newsletter
Takeaways:
🧠 Neurofeedback training shows potential to significantly rewire brain activity
In both studies featured today, neurofeedback training shows evidence of being able to reshape brainwave activity. That is, significantly changing the activity of individual brainwaves.
📈 Neurofeedback training could be a way to improve cognitive performance and sustain mental energy
In today’s secondary study, neurofeedback training was part of an intervention that led to improved mental performance and a greater ability to sustain attention.
🔬 Neurofeedback training could be a method to treat persistent symptoms of mental fatigue
Although it was used to treat brain fog in today’s main study, neurofeedback training was shown to reduce symptoms closely resembling those of mental fatigue.
The study in a nutshell:
Today’s main study is a case rapport concerning brain fog and neurofeedback training.
Brain fog is a cognitive dysfunction affecting memory, focus, and mental clarity. It is a common but poorly understood consequence of COVID.
A 34-year-old woman suffering from post-COVID brain fog went through 15 sessions of neurofeedback training.
The treatment led to noticeable improvements in focus, anxiety, and pain levels, while EEG scans showed changes in brainwave activity.
In the second study featured today, neurofeedback training was combined with a relaxation technique, and improved reaction times and work efficiency in competitive athletes.
This suggests that neurofeedback may be able to help restore cognitive function in a situation closely resembling sustained mental fatigue, and optimize mental stamina in healthy athletes.
I believe there is a big similarity between brain fog and the effects of low mental energy, which is why I find these results very interesting.
It leaves me thinking; could neurofeedback be used as a tool to enhance cognitive endurance and mental energy?
What they did:
In the brain fog case study, the subject had recovered from most physical symptoms, but continued to struggle with brain fog, fatigue, headaches, and sensory disturbances.
Before we go into how the intervention was set up, we first need to understand neurofeedback training.
Neurofeedback training essentially tries to teach the brain to produce desired brainwave patterns automatically.
The idea is to measure an individual's brainwaves while they are engaged in an activity that provides audio or visual feedback.
Then, while measuring EEG in real time, the subject is "rewarded" for generating the desired brainwave patterns—for example an image gets brighter, or the audio becomes clearer.
Over time, the brain learns to automatically produce the intended brainwave activity.
I recommend giving this short video a watch if you want to learn more about neurofeedback.
Neurofeedback Protocol
The patient underwent 15 neurofeedback sessions. Each session lasted about 45 minutes and targeted eight key brain regions in two rounds.
The subject was “rewarded” visually when brainwaves at 4 – 7.5 (theta) and 20-30 Hz (Beta 2) where dampened, while 12 – 15 Hz (SMR) and 13 – 20 (Beta 1) brainwaves were over a certain threshold.
Measurements and Analysis
EEG brainwave activity was recorded before and after the intervention period with eyes closed.
Pain, anxiety and depression was measured using validated questionnaires.
The neurofeedback treatment led to real improvements in the patient’s brain activity, anxiety levels, and pain perception.
Brainwave activity changes (EEG Results)
Alpha waves (8-12 Hz), increased across almost all brain regions.
Beta waves (12-30 Hz), decreased significantly, especially in higher beta frequencies (Beta 3 and Hi Beta).
Theta waves (4-8 Hz), showed an increase early in the treatment.
Pain and psychological improvements
Pain: Scores improved by 100%, indicating complete pain relief.
Anxiety: Anxiety levels dropped by 50-100%, depending on the measure.
Depression: Depression measurements improved by 12-13%.
Symptom progression during the treatment
The patient reported gradual symptom relief over the 15-session protocol:
Early sessions (1-5): Headaches subsided, concentration slightly improved, and fatigue lessened.
Midway (6-10): Smell and taste disorders resolved, but some cognitive symptoms persisted.
Final sessions (11-15): Overall physical condition stabilized, and brain fog symptoms improved significantly.
Quick question: Would you like to be able to do neurofeedback training at home? |
What can we learn from this study?
This study suggests neurofeedback training as a promising intervention to treat brain fog.
This might show that neurofeedback can help restore cognitive function by promoting more balanced brainwave activity.
Brainwaves can be thought of as steps on a staircase. Delta waves (the lowest frequency) are linked to deep sleep, followed by theta waves, which are associated with deep relaxation, meditation, and creativity. Next is alpha, representing a calm yet alert state. Beta waves indicate active thinking and problem-solving but can also be linked to stress. At the highest frequency, gamma waves are involved in cognitive processing and information integration, but they are not necessarily linked to peak performance. |  |
What I find truly fascinating in today’s study is that neurofeedback training was able to reshape brainwave activity - reducing both the lowest (delta) and high (high-beta) frequencies, while increasing mid-range brainwaves (alpha and low-beta), which are linked to relaxed alertness.
This rewiring of the brain is really a form of neuroplasticity, which is a well-know phenomena. Watch Andrew Huberman explain it here.
Interestingly, the other study on athletes found similar results when using neurofeedback:
Neurofeedback increased alpha waves and low-beta waves (the ones closest to alpha).
Higher-frequency beta waves showed a trend towards decrease.
And what’s even more intriguing - in this study, the neurofeedback group also had faster reaction times after the training, AND sustained focus for longer in a test specifically designed to measure cognitive endurance, known as Kraepelin’s Work-Curve Test.
This suggests that neurofeedback might not only help restore mental energy in those experiencing brain fog but could also be used proactively to build cognitive endurance and reduce mental fatigue in general.
To me, this is huge, as this is exactly the kind of tool I’ve been searching for for many years.
That said, it’s important to be cautious when drawing conclusions from a case study with only one subject. Additionally, in the study with the athletes, the participants also did guided relaxation training with light and sound, which was designed to enhance their alpha brainwave activity.
Still, the findings are promising, and I will definitely be looking further into this in the future.
Quick Answers to Your Top of Mind Questions
🙋♀️ How does neurofeedback training rewire brain activity?
Neurofeedback training works by providing real-time feedback on brainwave activity, helping the brain learn to produce more optimal patterns. In the studies featured today, this led to increased alpha waves (linked to calm focus) and reduced high-beta waves (linked to stress and cognitive overload), effectively reshaping brain activity.
🙋♂️ Can neurofeedback training enhance mental performance and focus?
Yes, the secondary study showed that neurofeedback training improved cognitive performance, reaction times, and sustained attention in athletes. This suggests it could be used not only for recovery from cognitive impairment but also to optimize mental stamina in healthy individuals.
Other resources I found this week
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To help you set and reach your 10x goals, our friends at Startup Blitz have created an Action Plan based on Sullivan’s best-selling book.
You can download it from here and start achieving more than you ever thought possible
Let me know how you liked todays newsletter! |
Until next time, Nicolas Lassen |
Disclaimer: The above is mainly based on the article “Efficacy of Original Neurofeedback Treatment Method for Brain Fog From COVID-19: Case Report” by Tatsuya Masuko & Harue Sasai-Masuko and aims to provide key takeaways and a condensed overview of its content. While the essence is drawn from the original article, some parts have been simplified or rephrased to enhance understanding. Please note that we at, OptiMindInsights or any other potential writers or contributors to our summaries, do not accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this summary. The information provided should not be considered a substitute for personal research or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult the original article for detailed insights and references. The summary does not include references, but they can typically be found within the original publication. Always exercise due diligence and consider your unique circumstances before applying any information in your personal or professional life. We refer to the creative commons for reproducibility rights.