For centuries, there has been a spotlight on breath, this interest has been encapsulated in the language of many cultures. For example, the English word spirit comes from Latin’s Spiritus which means ‘a breath’. The Hebrew and Greek translations of spirit also derive their origin from the word breath. Whereas Chi is used in China as the word for ‘the air we breathe’, but also means universal and cosmic energy of life (Ki in Japan plays a similar role). This interest in the power of breath sparked an array of recommendations for the best way to control it. Pranayama yoga was the first to develo ..read more

This article was written by our trainer Maria Vittoria Zulli Training your Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is one main Biofeedback Method to increase and better performance in many different levels. HRV can be measured using various methods and is used as a tool to monitor and improve physiological and psychological health. HRV as a Pathway to Enhanced Well-being and Performance When it comes to well-being and performance optimisation, HRV occupies a central role as a dynamic indicator of our body’s equilibrium. This phenomenon unveils an intricate interplay between our physiological responses an ..read more

This article was written by our trainer Maria Vittoria Zulli Biofeedback training for HRV is an intriguing approach to enhancing self-awareness and control over physiological processes, particularly HRV. This technique empowers individuals to actively influence their autonomic nervous system, promoting better well-being and potentially improving performance. A recent meta-analysis of 24 studies revealed that HRV biofeedback reduced self-reported stress and anxiety with a large effect size (Goessl et al., 2017). Increasing HRV for increased brain health and performance A high HRV indicates that ..read more

This article was written by our trainer Maria Vittoria Zulli Part 2: Stimulants, cannabis and Opioids Stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine) Stimulant drugs are known to induce heightened feelings of well-being, euphoria and increased arousal by accelerating the central nervous system (CNS). They increase heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure while also enhancing energy levels, focus, attention, alertness and wakefulness. Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine (MA) directly or indirectly affect the reward system in the brain by disrupting the dopamine neurotransmitter system ..read more

Part 1: Psychedelics and dissociative drugs This article was written by our trainer Maria Vittoria Zulli Psychedelics (LSD, Psilocybin, Ayahuasca) Psychedelic drugs have profound effects on human perception, cognition and emotions, which induce an altered state of consciousness (Studerus et al., 2010). These effects are mainly mediated by the drug’s ability to bind to serotonin receptors in the brain, modulating the activity of key circuits involved in perception and cognition (Halberstadt, 2015). One of the key mechanisms underlying the unique and rapid effects of psychedelics is their abilit ..read more

This article was written by our trainer Maria Vittoria Zulli The brain and neurotransmitters The brain is composed of billions of cells called neurons, which are organised into circuits and networks that work together to coordinate and perform specific functions. Each neuron acts as a switch, regulating the flow of information in the brain. To communicate, neurons release neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) which are passed from neuron to neuron among different parts of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. These neurotransmitters bind to specific receptors on target neuro ..read more

This article was written by our trainer Anna Jusek Neurofeedback training (NFT) has been popular in the sports arena with an array of athlete’s using it during or at the pinnacle of their career: • Andrea Dovizioso: World champion 2004 • Olivier Jean: Gold medal Olympics 2010 • Manuel Osborne – Paradis: 11 world cup podiums • Lucas Di Grassi – Formula E world champion • Ferrari driver academy • Chris Kaman – NBA player • Tobias Harris – Basketball player NBA • Italian football team before their 2006 world cup win • Additional football clubs: Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool • Gabriella Papad ..read more

Pregnancy can be an emotionally challenging time for many expecting mothers as they become more susceptible to stressors (e.g., pregnancy-specific stress such as foetal health and birth outcomes. As well as issues concerning finance, relationships and discrimination.) due to the biological, psychological and social changes that occur during pregnancy [1,2,13]. Anxiety and depression are a particular concern as various research demonstrates that ~ 1 in 5 pregnant women will have an anxiety disorder, 10-14% will meet the criteria for major depression disorder (MDD), whereas 25-50% will exhibit s ..read more

Following general screening of Neurofeedback training for ASD, here you will find further scientific screening addressing the brain patterns that have been shown by research to improve symptoms in ASD following Neurofeedback training. Due to the complexity of ASD, e.g., the vast array of brain regions and mechanisms associated with the pathology, several neurofeedback (NFT) protocols are investigated. Connectivity The number of global brain abnormalities prompts issues in neural connectivity within the form of both hyper and hypoconnectivty. For example, there is short-range overconnectivity ..read more

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a long-term condition characterised by widespread chronic pain associated with fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairments, memory problems, anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life. Due to the lack of effective treatments for fibromyalgia, scientists looked at Neurofeedback (NF) as a possible intervention for FMS Effective treatments for fibromyalgia are lacking. Pharmacological agents such as analgesics and antidepressants (SSRIs) have only moderate efficacy and can cause short and long-term side effects. Other nonpharmacological treatments such as ..read more