For many people, achieving restful sleep can feel like a constant struggle. Like Lisa, millions of people in the U.S. face challenges with insomnia and other sleep issues, often trying everything from melatonin to meditation to find relief.

While many solutions exist, research suggests that neurofeedback may offer a unique approach. Studies have found it could help improve sleep quality, increase total sleep time, and reduce nighttime awakenings.

"I'd say the biggest impact has definitely been my improvement in sleep. I'm a horrible insomniac, and it has definitely helped with that," explains Lisa. 

But how does neurofeedback work exactly?

How neurofeedback works for sleep problems and insomnia 

Neurofeedback for sleep is a personalized way to train your brain by regulating brain activity, specifically targeting brainwaves like alpha and delta to promote relaxation.

Using EEG sensors, it measures your brainwaves and provides real-time feedback to help you reach a more optimal state.

This feedback can come through visuals (games/videos), sound (music/effects), or haptic cues on your device. For example, imagine playing a video game where your calmness – specifically your brain’s ability to increase alpha waves (linked to relaxed focus) – affects how fast a virtual runner moves. The more relaxed you stay, the more your brain amplifies alpha wave activity, and the faster your virtual character moves.

If you lose your calm and your alpha waves drop, the runner slows down.

This bidirectional approach teaches you to better regulate your brain function, which, for instance, can help with sleep. By enhancing specific brainwave patterns like alpha (associated with relaxation) and reducing excessive beta (linked to anxiety), neurofeedback can improve your ability to fall and stay asleep.

The initial brain scan and first steps of neurofeedback

Before Lisa started training, she completed a 40-minute app-based assessment, which included standardized questionnaires, auto-generated reports, cognitive tests, and EEG tracking. This assessment was also periodically repeated during training to track her progress and ensure optimal results.

Wearing an EEG headband, she trained using the Myndlift app, which is linked to the headset via Bluetooth. Her designated Neuro Coach set the training protocol and monitored progress.

When asked about getting started, Lisa found the process seamless:

“It was great—it was easy to understand, not complicated at all. You didn’t have to be a tech wizard to figure it out, which I appreciated. The initial call I had with a representative from Myndlift was great—he was super helpful, made it very straightforward, and listened to my concerns. I felt really good about it,” Lisa shared.

Getting the most out of neurofeedback sessions

To make meaningful changes in her brain activity, Lisa understood that consistency was key: neurofeedback works best when practiced regularly. In fact, staying consistent gives you a 70% chance of achieving the results you're after.

According to Lisa, fitting sessions into her routine is easy with Myndlift. You can even train your brain while watching your favorite TV show, as your brain activity is being measured and optimized in the background.

"When I'm doing the sessions, I'm streaming a TV series that I'm watching, and I've treated it as part of my self-care routine. I have an infrared sauna and a red light therapy light, and I'll often do this at the same time, so I feel like I'm killing two birds with one stone. It's really challenging for me to carve out time in my day—I'm incredibly busy with work—so being able to do two things simultaneously is great. I really enjoy catching up on my favorite TV show while also doing something healthy for my brain", says Lisa.

Lisa’s message to you 

Just as physical training strengthens your body, neurofeedback helps optimize your mind, starting with better sleep. After all, to perform at your best, you need rest that fuels your brain. 

As Lisa shares, “There’s so much out there that claims to help you manage stress, time, sleep—you name it—but the problem is, a lot of them sort of work, but they don’t really cut the mustard. This is worth it—it does actually work.”

Myndlift provides a personalized expert-guided brain health program that can help you elevate your wellbeing by improving your sleep quality, focus, calm, and self-control over mood. Take this 10-second quiz to check if you’re eligible to kick-start your journey for better brain health.