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Episode 10: How Neurofeedback Changes the Brain

February 1, 2023
How Neurofeedback Changes the Brain is a powerful look at why stressed, struggling kids can’t learn or behave well until their nervous system is calm. In this episode, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge explains how Regulation First Parenting supports real brain change.
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When your child is melting down, stuck in worry, or bouncing between fight, flight, and freeze, it can feel overwhelming. So many parents think medication is the only path, but this episode explains a safer, science-backed option that supports real, lasting change. Today, Dr. Roseann breaks down how neurofeedback calms the brain, strengthens executive functioning, and helps kids finally learn and behave better.

Why does my child stay stuck in fight, flight, or freeze?

Kids don’t need big trauma to get pushed into a stress-activated state. Everyday pressures like school demands, sibling conflict, or transitions can overload their nervous system. When they’re stuck in this mode, the frontal lobe goes offline, and learning, listening, and behavioral control crumble.What the episode explains:

  • Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, making kids reactive rather than thoughtful.
  • Neurofeedback guides the brain back to a calm state, helping kids access coping skills again.
  • A stressed brain doesn’t choose misbehavior—it’s overwhelmed.

Real-life example: A child may forget their backpack every morning—not because they’re lazy, but because anxiety hijacks attention and memory.

How does neurofeedback shift my child from stressed to calm?

Neurofeedback trains the brain to move out of chronic stress and into a parasympathetic, calm “hot tub state.” Sensors read brainwaves and give gentle feedback that helps the brain learn healthier patterns.Here’s what actually changes:

  • Neurotransmitter activity increases, not just in the area trained but across the brain.
  • Grey matter in the frontal lobe grows, strengthening focus and self-regulation.
  • Kids become less reactive, more attentive, and better able to follow through on tasks.

What happens to learning when my child’s brain is stressed?

No real learning happens when the brain is stuck in survival mode. Stress shuts down executive functioning—the mental skills needed for planning, remembering, organizing, and problem-solving.Key takeaways:

  • Calm brain = learning brain
  • Stressed brain = reactive brain
  • Behavior is communication, especially when executive skills crash.

Kids with ADHD, anxiety, autism, dyslexia, depression, and OCD feel this shutdown more intensely, making school, chores, and friendships much harder.

Can neurofeedback help with everyday behaviors?

Yes—most improvements families see aren’t dramatic moments, but daily life becoming smoother.Neurofeedback helps kids:

  • remember routines
  • get along better with siblings
  • show up to school or activities in a regulated state
  • stay flexible instead of reactive

Parents often share that their home feels calmer and tasks that used to result in tears now happen with ease.If you’re tired of walking on eggshells or feeling like nothing works…Get the FREE Regulation Rescue Kit and finally learn what to say and do in the heat of the moment.Become a Dysregulation Insider VIP at www.drroseann.com/newsletter and take the first step to a calmer home.What Dr. Roseann Says🗣️ “When we calm the brain, we open the door for learning, connection, and better behavior.” — Dr. RoseannNeurofeedback is a gentle, non-medication tool that helps kids learn healthier brain patterns so they can focus, behave, and feel better. When we calm the brain first, learning and emotional regulation naturally improve. It’s gonna be OK, and this episode gives you real hope and real options.

FAQ

What age can a child start neurofeedback?

Most children can begin around age four, as long as they can sit comfortably and follow simple directions.

How long do neurofeedback results last?

The brain often maintains its new patterns for years, especially when paired with healthy routines.

Does neurofeedback help with anxiety?

Yes. By calming overactive brainwaves, kids feel more relaxed and less reactive.

Can neurofeedback improve executive functioning?

Yes. Strengthening the frontal lobe helps with planning, flexibility, attention, and follow-through.

Is neurofeedback safe?

It’s non-invasive, medication-free, and research-backed with decades of clinical use.Next Step: Every child’s journey is different. That’s why cookie-cutter solutions don’t work.Take the free Solution Matcher Quiz and get a customized path to support your child’s emotional and behavioral needs—no guessing, no fluff.Start today at www.drroseann.com/help

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Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge: Revolutionizing Children’s Mental Health

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge’s podcast, It’s Gonna be OK!™: Science-Backed Solutions for Children’s Behavior and Mental Health, is in the top 2% globally. The podcast empowers parents with natural, science-backed solutions to improve children’s self-regulation and calm their brains. Each episode delivers expert advice and practical strategies, making it indispensable for parents of neurodivergent children or those with behavioral or mental health challenges.

Dr. Roseann, founder of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann, LLC, created the Neurotastic™ Brain Formulas and BrainBehaviorReset® method. With her extensive experience, she provides families with hope and effective strategies to manage conditions like ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and PANS/PANDAS.

Forbes has called her “A thought leader in children’s mental health,” highlighting her revolutionary impact on mental health education and treatment. Through her podcast and innovative methods, Dr. Roseann continues to transform how we approach, treat and understand children’s mental health.
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