Scientists Taught People to Change Their Own Brainwaves to Feel Less Pain

[justaprogressive]

In an initial trial, patients who suffer from chronic nerve pain got relief from an interactive game that trained them to alter their own brainwaves. The promising results could lead to a new generation of drug-free treatments, according to the study.

A research team led by psychologists from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia developed PainWaive—a training system that teaches users to regulate abnormal brain activity that underlies nerve pain—as a potential in-home, non-invasive alternative to opioids. The results, published in The Journal of Pain in April, showed that three out of four participants saw significant reductions in pain five weeks after the last treatment.

The PainWaive system consists of an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset that records brain activity paired with an app that instructs patients on how to control their brainwaves through neurofeedback games, according to a UNSW statement. Four participants who suffer from corneal neuropathic pain—a condition that causes painful hypersensitivity of the eyes, face, or head—underwent 20 PainWaive sessions over the course of four weeks.

Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes corneal neuropathic pain, and this condition rarely responds to current treatments, according to the researchers. But they hypothesized that altering brainwaves generally associated with nerve pain could provide relief.

https://gizmodo.com/scientists-taught-people-to-change-their-own-brainwaves-to-feel-less-pain-2000610034

[SheltieLover]

1. Neurotherapy is fabulous!

PS - Like DynaTuning your brain. WOW!

[lark]

2. Have you tried it?

I've always been fascinated with biofeedback and this sounds like an updated version of that. How did it go?

[SheltieLover]

3. Yes.

When psychologist took electrodes off my head, I looked at her & said, "Why the fuck would anyone ever do durgs" i had never felt so fabulous in my life & I was in my 50s at the time!

Her answer, "precisely why pharma discredited it back in the day." Rotten pricks!

Of course, ins won't cover it & 3-4 sessions / wk are necessary consistetly because you are literally building new neural pathways.

Great book: "A Symphony in the Brain," by Jim Robbins.

[lark]

5. Wow, that sounds wonderful!

I'll definitely check out that book, find out more about this. Don't know if I can afford it, but the pain from my scoliosis and bone spurs is considerable. Cymbalta helps some, but not enough at all!

[SheltieLover]

6. Maybe you can find clinical trial & get tx free?

Bcia.org is the licensing body. Perhaps info on trials at their website?

Sorry to hear you are suffering. Healing vibes on tje way to you.

[enough]

4. Curious to hear more about your experience -- what method or approach, etc.

[SheltieLover]

7. I think it was this one. It's been over a decade ago.

https://brainmaster.com/product/qeegpro-surface-zscore-training/?srsltid=AfmBOoovabT_ExuoSIvFwiOQ06D5oQp_jeU51mLYKvbGQdjaEoWdNtKp

Great stuff!

Every time I encounter a techie programmer, I beg them to look into creating a reasonably priced unit for phones. No takers yet. Maybe someday...

Pls see above comment for book & my experience.