HEG: HEMO-Encephalography

The PFC (prefrontal cortex), the brain’s executive center lying behind the forehead, controls attention and blocks distractions. It integrates a constant flow of sensory, emotional and memory material and decides what it means and what to do about it. It screens outgoing physical, verbal and emotional impulses. It regulates mood. It’s a key to working memory. It’s the center for motivation, planning and organizing.

HEG measures changes in levels of metabolic activity in the PFC. As HEG readings rise during a session, the PFC is activating, increasing blood supply and blood oxygen levels.

The busiest neurons in the brain have more of what they need to work (oxygen and glucose). As the distribution system improves, the trainee is better able to control executive functions for longer periods. We know that if you work out and improve aerobic function in your cardiopulmonary system, that doesn’t mean you HAVE to race around all the time. Similarly with HEG training. You improve PFC function for longer periods, but you can still sit quietly and relax when you want. HEG requires no assessment. There is no measuring, cleaning or pasting. Training time is an hour or two a week. It’s fast and easy to learn.

To see our HEG system click here.

EEG: ELECTRO-Encephalography

Like your heart, your brain operates with rhythmic pulses of electricity. Each level of energy has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Slow pulses (Creative/Intuitive)—you are thinking or dreaming inside your head, out of contact with your environment, using images rather than words, and tending to leap to answers rather than going through steps. Being stuck here, you may have attention or learning problems or be depressed.

Fast pulses (Logical/Rational)—processing with words and using steps and sequences, you may be internally or externally focused. Being stuck here, you may be obsessive, compulsive, addictive or anxious.

Middle speeds (Zone states)—these are pure awareness states. They include peak states in sports or performance, the ability to do things in auto-pilot, mental stillness, physical relaxation and presence in the moment. Being stuck here, you may tend to drift through tasks and appear unmotivated. Ideally we want our brains to be able to shift from slow to fast states smoothly and easily and stay in each as long as desired. Most of us develop energy “habits” and get stuck at one particular speed. We live with its strengths and limitations.

EEG measures electrical patterns in the brain and can guide it into more functional patterns. By changing patterns and connectivity, EEG can calm an overly excited brain, activate a lazy one, improve communication within it and release subconscious material. It can train over the entire head and can train multiple locations at the same time.

The brain-trainer System is based on the belief that the most effective EEG training adjusts what the brain is already doing. Training blind, with no information on the brain’s existing state, can have negative effects or waste training sessions. Brain-trainer offers a brain-based assessment tool, the TQ Assessment Trainer’s Q, which can be used to identify patterns in a trainee’s brain that may relate to problems with attention, mood, learning, control, performance, etc. EEG offers the broadest range of training options and sites, but skills must be developed. With the brain-trainer training videos and (ideally) a partner, it takes several hours practice to record and recognize clean EEG. Gathering assessment data and participating in producing the plan requires several more hours practice. Then the training can begin.

To see our EEG package click here.