Our nervous system is constantly at work partly as an interface between our mind and body.  It reacts to our environment, physical activity, and our thoughts.  It causes changes heart rate, blood pressure, blood circulation, contraction level of our muscles, our breathing, and many other things.  When the changes are appropriate and useful for the situation this is a very good thing.  When the changes are due to an overreaction related to stress then it can be harmful.   There are many ways that stress can cause problems with health and I have discussed these in other places.  Here I want to focus on effects on performance.  This type of negative stress reaction can happen with various types of performance including athletes, singers, speakers, students, business people, and actors to name a few.

When a performer becomes anxious the same kinds of changes happen in their brain and the rest of their body that would be helpful to get them out of physical danger in a situation where there is no need for the type of physical reaction the body is prepared for.  That state is usually not what is ideal for a high-quality performance.  Let’s go through a few examples.  A basketball player who has practiced thousands of free throws for years and has an excellent percentage of making them, say 85% is in position to win the game by making only one out of two free throws, misses them both badly, not even hitting the rim or backboard.  Maybe before he went to the line one of the opposing players made an insulting comment (trash talking).  His reaction might be to become angry and think about getting revenge.  His brain and body are now in fight mode which is not ideal for the task at hand.

Another example is when Greg Norman lost the Masters golf tournament after having a comfortable lead.  After making a few mistakes it seems as though he lost focus and never recovered, missing several easy short puts along the way.  This type of performance may have been due to the brain going into more of a fear rather than focus mode. Read more...

Harry L. Campbell

Author of What Stress Can Do, Available on Amazon.com

914-762-4646

See more related blogs:

https://biofeedbackinternational.blogspot.com/2020/02/adding-intelligence-of-heart-in.html

 https://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/american-biotec-ossining-ny/2020/2/Attention-Or-Sleep-Problems-with-Sleep-related-to-ADHD/1809962

https://biofeedbackinternational.tumblr.com/post/190894757071/emwave2-charcoal-gray

Adding The Intelligence of the Heart in Performance Enhancement Training

R. Adam Crane BCIA Senior Fellow, BCIAEEG, NRNP Diplomate

Science of The Heart: The Role of the Heart in Human Performance

Introduction

For centuries the heart has been considered the source of emotion, courage and wisdom. Neurocardiology is the relatively new science of exploring the physiological mechanisms by which the heart communicates with the brain; thereby influencing information processing, perceptions, emotions and health. Neurocardiology asks questions such as: Why do people experience the feeling or sensation of love and other positive emotional states in the area of the heart, and what are the physiological ramifications of these emotions? How do stress and different emotional states affect the autonomic nervous system, the hormonal and immune systems, the heart and brain? Over the years scientists have experimented with different psychological and physiological measures, but consistently heart rate variability, or heart rhythms, stands out as one of the most dynamic and reflective measures of inner emotional states and stress.

It is clear that negative emotions lead to increased disorder in the heart’s rhythms and in the autonomic nervous system, thereby adversely affecting the rest of the body. In contrast, positive emotions create increased harmony and coherence in heart rhythms, and improve balance in the nervous system. The health implications are easy to understand. Disharmony in the nervous system leads to inefficiency and increased stress on the heart and other organs, while harmonious rhythms are more efficient and less stressful to the body’s systems.

More intriguing are the dramatic positive changes that occur when techniques are applied that increase coherence in rhythmic patterns of heart rate variability. These include shifts in perception and the ability to reduce stress, and deal more effectively with difficult situations. Apparently, the heart is acting as though it has a mind of its own, and is profoundly influencing the way we perceive and respond to the world. In essence, the heart is affecting intelligence and awareness.

There is now a scientific basis to explain how and why the heart affects mental clarity, creativity, emotional balance and personal effectiveness. Research indicates that the heart is far more than a simple pump. The heart is, in fact, a highly complex, self-organized information processing center with its own functional “brain” that communicates with and influences the cranial brain via the nervous system, hormonal system and other pathways. These influences profoundly affect brain function and most of the body’s major organs, and ultimately determine the quality of life.

Read more.

Attention Or Sleep, Problems with Sleep related to ADHD

You wouldn’t want to have to make that choice for children.  Many children diagnosed with ADHD are prescribed medications to help with the symptoms.  Some popular medications in use are Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall.  These medications are helping some people.  The drug companies themselves are listing sleep problems as a possible side effect.

According to a November 23, 2015 online article in Pediatrics, research analysis led by Katherine Kidwell of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that children given stimulants tended to have sleep problems more often.  One of the studies compared the sleep of children given methylphenidate (generic Ritalin) with children given a placebo.  The children who took the generic Ritalin slept an average of 20 minutes less per night.  They also found that taking a stimulant medication more often during the day caused a child to take longer to fall asleep at night.

Dr. Trevor Resnick, who is chief of pediatric neurology at Nicklaus Children’s  Hospital in Miami says that it is extremely important  that all children get a good night’s sleep for healthy brain development.  It is his belief that only a small percentage of children will develop problems related to ADHD medications though.

Read More: Biofeedback Training

Read more blog : Biofeedback Resources International

BioGraph Z-Score Neurofeedback is used conjointly with Dr. Robert Thatchers NeuroGuide z-score feedback library, BioGraph can translate EEG connectivity metrics into much more intuitive z-score values. Because z-scores are what brain maps report on, neurofeedback becomes an easy task as the screen shows a moment-to-moment reading on how far a clients performance is from the norms.

Z-Score Neurofeedback

 

 

 

• Z-score outputs include absolute power, relative power, power ratio, amplitude asymmetry, coherence and phase difference. These metrics are available for eight bands including alpha, beta, delta, theta, high beta and beta I, II and III.
• Any time during the training session, the clinician can click Pause and right-click over an instrument to select a different z-score metric or band to train with, on the fly.
• Training screens show dual threshold bar graphs to allow practical range training.
• Numeric displays can be programmed to follow bar graph color change on condition, to emulate NeuroGuide reporting.
• All the feedback power of BioGraph is available to train from norms on-the-fly or use the z-scores for pre- and post-session assessment. Use measurements such as Percent of Time in Condition to report training results.

Read More: Reduce Your Stress

Zscore Add-On $ 895.00 - Buy Now

emWave2 Charcoal Gray

On the go or at your computer, take control of your wellness.

emWave technology is an innovative approach to improving wellness and facilitating personal growth

based on learning to change your heart rhythm pattern to create coherence; a scientifically measurable state characterized by increased order and harmony in our psychological and physiological processes.

emWave technology collects pulse data through a pulse sensor and translates the information from your heart rhythms into graphics on your computer or into easy to follow lights on the portable emWave Personal Stress Reliever. Used just a few minutes a day, this simple-to-use technology helps you transform feelings of anger, anxiety or frustration into more peace, ease and clarity.

As you practice on the go or at your computer you increase your coherence baseline and your ability to take charge of your emotional reactions. Health, communication, relationships and quality of life improve.

emWave2 Features

• Use emWave2 on the go as a portable training device and store your sessions for later review.
• Run a session while at your computer and watch your coherence through real-time charts.
• Store all session information on your computer for future comparison and review.
• Four challenge levels including a challenging Advanced User mode.
• Adjustable brightness of the LED displays and audio feedback.
• Make sessions entertaining with the coherence building tools.

Read More: Biofeedback Training

emWave2 Charcoal Gray $ 199.00 -  Buy Now

emWave2 Silver Blue $ 199.00 -  Buy Now

NEUROFEEDBACK AND STATE REGULATION IN ADHD

NEUROFEEDBACK AND STATE REGULATION IN ADHD: A THERAPY WITHOUT MEDICATION: Werner Van den Bergh, M.D., Translator: Stephanie Clark. The original Dutch manuscript receives an English translation and is updated with recent neurofeedback and ADHD research. Dr. Van den Bergh, a Belgium neuro-psychiatrist and neurologist who is a noted expert in the field of neurofeedback and ADHD and operates a private center dedicated to neurodevelopmental disorders, delivers a powerful overview of the current scientific evidence for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a legitimate and distinct disorder, and brings together seemingly disparate research from diverse medical and psychological disciplines with a strong emphasis on EEG, sleep, and neurofeedback studies.

Dr. Van den Bergh further argues that neurofeedback (also known as “EEG-biofeedback”) should be strongly considered as a front-line treatment of ADHD. In short, this book provides an advanced look at ADHD and its treatment through neurofeedback that is essential reading for psychologists, neurotherapists, psychiatrists, physicians, neurologists, and anyone interested to learn more about this complex disorder and its treatment.”

NEUROFEEDBACK AND STATE REGULATION IN ADHD
$ 59.99

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Read more:- Neurofeedback Training

GETTING RID OF RITALIN

GETTING RID OF RITALIN: How Neurofeedback can successfully Treat Attention Deficit Disorder Without Drugs: Robert W. Hill – Four million children take Ritalin to control their attention deficit disorder (ADD), or hyperactivity. While Ritalin is reducing ADD symptoms in some cases, it is not always effective, often has undesirable side effects and does nothing to treat the underlying cause of ADD. Psychiatrist Eduardo Castro and psychologist Robert Hill say it’s time to replace Ritalin with neurofeedbackan innovative, scientifically proven form of brainwave biofeedback that teaches patients how to control their own brain. The authors have used this modality to successfully treat hundreds of children and adults with ADD and found it effective for 75-80% of clients.

GETTING RID OF RITALIN
$ 19.95

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For More information click here : Biofeedback Training Houston

eVu-TPS Sensor

From Thought Technology – with a compact and light-weight design, the eVu TPS is an elegantly portable sensor that brings biometric measurement out of the clinic and into your client’s smartphone and tablet. Applied to a single finger with a fabric strap, the sensor detects and transmits three highly-researched measurements of psychophysiological health: heart rate variability, skin conductance and surface temperature. Data transmission takes place in real time via Bluetooth to the companion app, providing the user with both an accurate and immediate gauge for stress, focus, relaxation and recovery. Included with the eVu TPS sensor is the carrying case, ensuring the sensor is protected wherever it goes in the user’s pocket, purse or side bag.

eVu-Senz Android App
Breathing to de-stress, calm the body, focus the mind, relax and recover have never before been any clearer than with eVu Senz app. Not only does it guide the user with a breathing pacer, but it also scores the body’s response to the breathing exercise based on the biometric data transmitted from the eVu TPS sensor. Features of the app include:

• Modifiable breath pacer, appropriate to the needs of any user whether they are novices to paced breathing or experts practicing at their resonant frequencies.
• Heart rate variability, skin conductance and temperature metrics expressed as easy-to understand values.
• Three tiers of feedback, including music, graphics and reward points.
• Session durations can be as short at 5 minutes or as long as 60 minutes.
• Point-based training program that automatically tailors success appropriate to the user’s skill level.
• All training data saved, enabling user and clinician review for effectiveness and compliance.
• System’s artifact detection ensures user is informed when movement artifact is present in real time.

The eVu Senz represents the first in a line of upcoming companion apps that promise to revolutionize at-home clinical training with smartphones and tablets.

eVu Senz App is available for download from the Google Play Store. Know more....