Answer
Neurofeedback therapy is a drug-free treatment to promote brain function using EEG (electroencephalography) to monitor brain waves. It is also called electroencephalogram biofeedback. According to proponents, neurofeedback therapy can reduce symptoms of
anxiety, insomnia,
depression, memory issues, and other brain-related complaints. A small number of patients claim the therapy made symptoms worse or created new symptoms. Because the therapy is non-invasive, it is generally considered safe. Neurologists generally agree that it is a low-risk method of treatment—so the worst possible results are typically wasted time and money. As a purely biomechanical process, there is nothing inherently spiritual about neurofeedback therapy.
In a typical neurotherapy session, the patient has electrodes placed on his or her head. The position of the electrodes depends on what type of brain waves are being “trained.” A computer records the patient’s brain in a “rest” state. Then the system reads brain waves while the patient watches a visual monitor, such as a TV screen. When the brain waves are in the desired state, the visual stimulus is positive. When brain waves move out of the ideal range, the visual stimulus reduces or becomes negative. In this way, the patient theoretically learns to balance or self-regulate his or her own brain waves. After multiple sessions, this supposedly results in permanent or semi-permanent improvement of symptoms.
Unlike some alternative therapies, such as
Reiki,
Qigong, or
Splankna, neurofeedback has no spiritual or religious basis. The energies being manipulated are natural electrical impulses from the brain. This makes neurofeedback spiritually neutral. Each person is free to participate or not according to his own Holy Spirit-led conscience (
Romans 14:23). If the participants aren’t doing something immoral, and there are no overtones of mysticism, neurofeedback therapy is neither biblical nor unbiblical. It falls into a “
gray area” (see
Romans 14:5).
Concerns of Christians about neurofeedback therapy usually focus on the best use of time and resources. Critics claim that neurofeedback does nothing, so patients are paying for nothing. Believers should carefully consider all the factors and remember that just because something is moral does not make it wise (
1 Corinthians 10:23). For those who find neurofeedback beneficial, the Bible gives no reason they must stop pursuing such therapy.
