Your Biggest Brain Mapping Questions Answered
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Brain mapping is a necessary step performed prior to neurofeedback therapy at Evolve Brain Training. We use it to assess your brainwave activities and patterns. This allows us to understand how your brain functions, pinpoint the location of problematic brain wave activities and identify the specific issues we must address through brain training.
Brain mapping facilitates precision in brain training therapy, consequently allowing us to address concerns like ADHD, anxiety, lack of focus, and depression without medication.
What is brain mapping and how does it work?
The Society of Brain Mapping and Therapeutics says brain mapping is the study of the anatomy and function of the brain and spinal cord through various techniques, including imaging, neurophysiology and immunohistochemistry. An electroencephalogram (EEG) test is one of the imaging techniques used in mapping the brain.
At Evolve Brain Training, a brain mapping test involves attaching EEG sensors to different parts of your scalp. In the course of the session, your therapist may offer stimulation by telling a story, letting you watch something or instructing you to perform certain actions (e.g., close your eyes, close your hands, etc.). As you listen, watch or do as instructed, the sensors on your scalp relay your brainwave frequencies to a computer that records them.
After the mapping session, the therapist analyzes your brainwave frequencies and compares them against a database of brainwave patterns for people of the same age and gender as you. This helps them identify potential issues like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression.
What is brain mapping used for?
Brain mapping is used to assess brain activity. By mapping your brain, a therapist can look at your brain activity and pinpoint where such activity is predominantly taking place. This helps them identify potential issues and focus brain training where it is most needed.
How much does brain mapping cost?
The cost of brain mapping in Dubai varies depending on where you get it. At Evolve Brain Training, a brain mapping test costs AED 630 AED. We also have packages that come with brain mapping sessions already included. See our complete neurofeedback price list for more information.
Does brain mapping work?
Brain mapping is a brain assessment tool, and it works exactly as intended. Through a brain mapping test, a therapist can get an “image” of the brain, specifically the brain’s brainwave activity, which helps them identify or confirm a specific mental health condition.
What can brain mapping detect?
Brain mapping can help a therapist detect anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, fatigue, and inability to focus or concentrate, among other conditions. It does this by monitoring and listening to the brainwave frequencies present in the brain.
For instance, excessive Beta wave activity in the front part of the brain can indicate anxiety and a tendency to overthink and overanalyze. Meanwhile, Alpha wave hyperactivity in the left front part of the brain can hint at depression or susceptibility to it.
What is brain mapping in therapy?
Brain mapping in therapy refers to monitoring and recording brainwave patterns through the use of an electroencephalogram (EEG). This helps uncover potential mental health issues and is particularly helpful for people who suspect they have a mental health condition but cannot completely articulate their symptoms.
Does brain mapping help with anxiety?
Yes, brain mapping can help with anxiety. By providing detailed information about brainwave frequencies, it can help a therapist diagnose or confirm this condition. For instance, an excess of Beta wave activities on the frontal part of the brain can indicate anxiety.
A controlled study by Ribas et al. (2018) involving 543 male and female patients 16 to 59 years old demonstrates this. The results confirm high levels of Beta and High-Beta waves are associated with anxiety, fear, insecurity, panic, and phobia.
Ultimately, a therapist can use the information yielded by mapping sessions as a basis for targeted anxiety treatment without medication.
What can brain mapping tell you?
Brain mapping can tell you about your brain’s activities and help your therapist identify the mental health condition that can explain your symptoms. It does this by recording the oscillation patterns of your brain cells, i.e., your brainwave frequencies, as they process information.
There are four primary brain waves. Each corresponds to a specific frequency band (measured in Hertz) and brain state.
- Beta (β) waves: 12–35 Hz, typically corresponds to active attention but may also indicate anxiety if present in high levels
- Alpha (α) waves: 8–12 Hz, corresponds to a high degree of relaxation but may also indicate passive attention
- Theta (θ) waves: 4–8 Hz, means deep relaxation but also inward focus
- Delta (δ) waves: 0.5–4 Hz, corresponds to sleep
Who needs brain mapping?
Anyone concerned about their mental health but can’t pinpoint the condition causing their symptoms needs brain mapping. Someone planning to undergo neurofeedback therapy for ADHD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, or peak performance also needs it so the therapist can conduct targeted brain training.
Evolve Brain Training offers brain mapping in Dubai as a standalone service and a critical component of neurofeedback therapy. Learn more about how brain mapping works and how it can help you. Book a free 15-minute consultation today.
Dr. Upasana Gala is the founder and CEO of Evolve Brain Training, a Neurofeedback-centered institute that focuses on using non-invasive brain training techniques to maximize the brain's true potential.
