Hemoencephalography Neurofeedback (HEG) is a form of neurofeedback that trains blood flow in the brain. Whereas other form of neurofeedback, such as LENS and ILF, train the brain’s electrical activity, HEG neurofeedback teaches the brain to increase and/or decrease the oxygenation and metabolic activity of the prefrontal cortex. Increased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex is associated with increased activity in that region of the brain, just as decreased blood flow is associated decreased activity. With HEG neurofeedback we can increase and/or decrease activity by teaching the brain to direct its flow of blood to and/or away from the prefrontal cortex.
From an HEG perspective, symptoms are caused by the brain’s inability to efficiently move blood to meet the brain's metabolic needs. By using a headband that contains an infrared sensor on the forehead that measures levels of cerebral blood flow, the client can learn, with the therapist's coaching, to increase and/or decrease activity in their prefrontal cortex using a simple animated game.
After an HEG session, while in deep sleep, the client’s brain works to increase and/or decrease the number of capillaries in the prefrontal cortex which, in turn, causes permanent changes in activity.