Choosing the Right Neurofeedback: Understanding LENS, Infra-Low Frequency, and HEG

Psychologist in Petaluma, California

As a clinical psychologist in Sonoma County, I often meet people who feel overwhelmed by the many different options available. You may have heard terms like LENS, Infra-Low Frequency (ILF), or Hemoencephalography (HEG) tossed around in podcasts or recommended by friends. But how do you know which type might be right for you or your loved one? Let me walk you through the basics of these three powerful approaches — what they are, how they work, and what makes each one unique for concerns like anxiety, depression, insomnia, autism, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and emotional dysregulation.

First, let’s talk about LENS Neurofeedback — short for Low Energy Neurofeedback System. Unlike traditional neurofeedback that requires you to consciously engage with audio or visual cues, LENS works passively. It uses extremely low-power electromagnetic signals to gently nudge the brain’s patterns. The brain picks up this tiny signal, which can help it “reset” maladaptive patterns that may be stuck from stress, trauma, anxiety, or depression, as well as conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or insomnia.

One of the biggest strengths of LENS is that it’s efficient and non-intrusive. Sessions are very short — often just a few seconds to a few minutes of stimulation per site — yet many people notice changes in mood, sleep, or cognitive clarity relatively quickly. LENS can be especially helpful for people who feel too fatigued or dysregulated to sit through traditional neurofeedback sessions that require active focus — making it an excellent option for those struggling with emotional dysregulation, autism spectrum challenges, or severe insomnia.

Next, let’s look at Infra-Low Frequency (ILF) Neurofeedback. ILF is a branch of neurofeedback that works with the brain’s slowest brainwaves, often below 0.1 Hz. This type of training does not aim to train specific frequencies to go up or down; instead, it stabilizes the brain’s core regulatory networks that govern arousal, mood, and self-regulation. This can be particularly powerful for people dealing with developmental trauma, complex PTSD, chronic anxiety, depression, and insomnia, as well as for those who live with chronic health conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic pain.

A major strength of ILF is its calming effect on the nervous system. Clients often describe feeling more grounded and resilient over time. ILF sessions can be customized to each person’s brain by carefully selecting electrode placements and protocols that support deep regulation. Because it targets the brain’s foundational rhythms, the benefits often ripple out into multiple areas of life — improving sleep, lowering anxiety, easing emotional dysregulation, and supporting people who may also be on the autism spectrum.

Now let’s turn to Hemoencephalography (HEG) Neurofeedback, which is quite different from both LENS and ILF. While LENS and ILF use EEG technology to monitor and influence electrical activity, HEG measures and trains blood flow in specific areas of the brain, especially the prefrontal cortex. There are two main types of HEG: near-infrared (nIR HEG) and passive infrared (pIR HEG). Both aim to help the brain increase blood oxygenation and circulation, which is linked to better executive functioning, improved focus, and self-control — key areas for people with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and insomnia.

HEG is particularly useful for clients who struggle with attention issues, migraines, or executive functioning difficulties. By training the brain to boost blood flow to targeted regions, HEG can strengthen focus, planning, and sustained attention. Many clients like HEG because it feels active — they can watch a video or game that gets brighter or more rewarding when their brain achieves the desired blood flow, which reinforces healthy self-regulation and can indirectly ease emotional dysregulation, depression, or anxiety symptoms.

So how do you choose between these approaches? It depends on your goals, your nervous system, and even your personality. Some people benefit most from the gentle, passive reset that LENS provides — especially if they live with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, or complex insomnia. Others need the deep stabilization that ILF offers for mood swings, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation. And for clients who want to strengthen attention and executive function, HEG can be an empowering, skill-building tool, especially for challenges like autism, ADHD, or trouble focusing due to depression or stress.

In my practice here in Sonoma County, I sometimes combine these methods when appropriate. For example, someone recovering from a brain injury might benefit from LENS to disrupt lingering dysfunctional patterns, followed by ILF to restore nervous system regulation and help with chronic pain or insomnia. If they also struggle with focus or executive functioning, we might add HEG to boost frontal blood flow and cognitive endurance.

One thing I always remind my clients is that neurofeedback is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It works best when integrated thoughtfully into a broader treatment plan that can include psychotherapy, mindfulness, healthy sleep routines, lifestyle changes, and when appropriate, medical care. Neurofeedback can open a door — but real transformation comes from walking through it with the right tools, guidance, and support.

If you’ve been struggling with anxiety, depression, insomnia, autism spectrum challenges, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, or emotional dysregulation, know that your brain is not broken — it just needs new information and support to change. Neurofeedback might be exactly what helps you or your loved one finally break free from stuck patterns and find lasting balance.

If you’re ready to learn which neurofeedback approach might help you reclaim your life and well-being, please don’t wait — contact me today. My therapy practice in Petaluma is here to help you discover how powerful your brain’s potential for healing really is. Please Contact Me for more information.