In today’s world of digital ping-pong and economic juggling, focus isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a daily survival tool. And yet, for most of us, it’s slipping through our fingers faster than ever.
If you’re feeling scatterbrained, foggy or like your mental browser has 37 tabs open and none are responding, you’re not alone. This is where Brain Harmonics, a neurofeedback therapy practice in Durban, claims to step in with a very modern solution to our very modern problem: brain training.
We caught up with Adri Clayton, who heads up the Durban branch of Brain Harmonics, to unpack what exactly neurofeedback is, how it works, and why so many of us are struggling to function like we used to.
So… what is neurofeedback, and why should we care?
Put simply, neurofeedback is a type of brain training. It uses real-time monitoring of your brainwaves via sensors placed on your scalp – don’t worry it’s totally painless – to give you feedback about your brain’s activity. With this feedback, you can ‘train’ your brain to operate in healthier, more productive patterns. Think of it as a personal trainer for your mind.
Adri explains that during a typical session, you might be doing something as simple as watching a video or playing a game, but with a twist … your brain controls the game. “If your brain produces the ‘right’ type of waves, the game responds positively – the video gets brighter or the music improves. If your brain drifts off into less desirable territory, say, stress-related beta waves, the feedback changes to encourage you to shift your mental state.”
Isn’t it all just a little sci-fi?
“Actually, it’s surprisingly grounded in science. Different brainwaves are linked to different states of mind: alpha waves are your go-to for calm and clarity, while beta waves are your sharp-focus, go-go-go types.” But, Adri is quick to clarify that the brain isn’t either-or.
“Different regions of the brain can exhibit different waves at the same time,” she explains. “It’s totally possible to be calm and focused at once. In fact, that’s often the ideal state, and is what we call flow.”
What happens during an assessment?
During a one-hour session, sensors are placed on different parts of your scalp while you complete simple tasks like reading or doing mental arithmetic. This helps the practitioner understand how your brain behaves at rest and during activity. The results aren’t instant, but within one to two days you’ll receive a full report detailing your brainwave patterns and a proposed treatment plan.
How do you train the brain? Can you really fix anxiety or concentration problems?
According to Adri, yes. But not with a one-size-fits-all solution. “It depends on the client’s goals. For stress and anxiety, we aim to calm the brain down by reducing Beta and excess Theta. For focus issues, like ADHD, we target healthy beta wave patterns.”
Adri uses an example of someone struggling with anxiety to explain further. “Your brain may be producing more Theta than Alpha, which can also be combined with having a very busy brain, keeping you in constant overdrive. Neurofeedback can teach your brain to generate more alpha waves instead – calmer, more centered frequencies -effectively rebalancing your nervous system.”
Continuing, Adri points out that on the flip side, someone with attention issues might not have enough beta wave activity. “By rewarding the brain for producing more of it, neurofeedback can help sharpen focus and improve mental endurance.” Adri emphasises that it’s not just theory, there are results.
“Many clients begin to notice changes within a few sessions. Kids with ADHD start paying attention longer. Stressed-out professionals find themselves reacting more calmly to everyday pressures. And in our post-Covid world, where brain fog is a frequent and frustrating reality, neurofeedback may offer some hope.”
She also says there’s a growing body of research showing promising outcomes for Long Covid patients dealing with cognitive challenges that includes memory issues, focus problems and even emotional regulation. “It’s still early days but we’re seeing positive shifts in real clients.”
Okay, what’s the catch?
Well, it’s not instant and it’s not free. A single assessment will cost you R500 and each treatment is between R500 and R650 per hour. A treatment plan typically includes between one and four hours per session, but the number of sessions depends on the client’s needs. Think of it as a gym membership for your mental clarity.
So, if you’re someone who’s tired of feeling foggy, frazzled, and emotionally fried, this could be a non-invasive, drug-free way to retrain your brain and reclaim your focus.
Bottom line?
“Your brain may be working hard but is it working smart?” asks Adri. “With neurofeedback, you don’t just hope for a better mental state, you train for one.”
And in an age where focus is currency, this sounds like an investment worth making.
Details: Phone 068 939 4779 or e-mail adri@brainharmonics.co.za
