Does audio-visual entrainment really do anything for ADHD?

They say that the brain of an ADHD patient is like a Ferrari engine with bicycle brakes. And every year, thousands of people seek the right brakes to get along with this disease. Some are successful, and others aren’t. And if you lie in the ‘others’ category, you can switch to audio-visual entrainment therapy.

Audio-visual entrainment utilizes audio and sound waves to produce a meditation-like effect. This mediation-like effect helps correct altered brainwaves and abnormal production of chemicals in your ADHD mind. And unlike the other therapies, it’s safe, cost-effective, and patient-friendly (especially for children).

But does audio-visual entrainment really work for ADHD? Does it really have the power to correct your brainwaves and control your neurotransmitters? And what exactly is it that makes it effective for ADHD? Let’s explore a little deeper into this fascinating therapy and find out.

Let’s see how audio-visual entrainment ADHD sessions are a better addition to improving the disease. 

What is ADHD?

ADHD, or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that mostly begins in childhood and lasts till adulthood. And such patients perform regular activities in persistent or extreme duration like daydreaming, forgetfulness, talking, blunders, lack of attention, unintentional acts, and hyperactivity. ADHA patients are also plagued by long-term mental health problems that can affect various areas of their life.

Is there any ADHD treatment without meds?

Since ADHD is incurable and leaving the patient untreated is dangerous, you must seek treatment options. And medications are the commonest of them all. But on the darker side, these meds have side effects or aren’t suited to everyone and might stop working at some point.

Whereas behavioral therapies, though non-medicated, have a minuscule role in improving ADHD symptoms. Thus we can employ neurofeedback to treat ADHD. According to research, around 30 sessions of neurofeedback are sufficient enough for reducing ADHD symptoms. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive therapy that produces real-time feedback and allows the brain to develop a healthier activity.

What happens in ADHD?

Since we are talking about non-medication therapy for ADHD, it’s crucial to understand which brainwaves cause ADHD. Brainwaves are alternating electrical messages produced by the brain in different frequencies in response to a stimulus.

So, if the intensity of your stimuli is high, the higher will be the frequency of the brainwave and vice versa. And each set of brainwaves in our body is responsible for performing a particular action(s). 

Studies support that ADHD results from high theta (4–8 Hz) and low beta waves (12 to 38 Hz). Theta waves occur during the daydreaming state, as if you are taking a nap and being creative or intuitive. And beta waves are involved in highly conscious and logical activities. And in some cases, ADHD patients have been reported to have high delta waves, which are associated with deep sleep stages. That’s why ADHD is often referred to as a slow-wave disease. 

So, in short, an ADHD patient is stuck in theta’s and delta’s deep, dreamy stage, is unable to focus, and seems lost. And the low beta waves explain why the patient is exposed to low cognitive function.

Another problem in an ADHD brain is the low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is responsible for controlling emotions and movements and producing action in response to a particular reward. At the same time, norepinephrine is responsible for increasing attention, arousal, and alertness. And both neurotransmitters/chemicals are the primary targets for ADHD medications.

Audio-visual entrainment ADHD effects - are they real?

Now we know our primary goal in treating ADHD is to normalize the beta-theta wave ratio and sync them with dopamine/norepinephrine to normal levels via neurofeedback. And Audio-visual entrainment can help to achieve that.

Audio-visual entrainment uses pulsating audio and light waves to correct the altered brainwaves in a person. These pulsating sound waves and flashing lightwaves are sent in corrected frequencies via the headphone and LED glasses that come with the Audio-visual entrainment device. 

You can use the device to control and produce corrected frequencies of the brain waves altered in the patient. Then, when these corrected audio/visual frequencies strike the altered ones in the patient’s brain, they sync and help correct them. 

Many studies have shown how audio-visual entrainment sessions improve ADHD. For instance, a study was conducted on 34 elementary school ADHD students. Those who received the Audio-Visual Entrainment sessions showed better readability scores, were calmer and more focused and reported improvised behavior by parents.

Studies say that increasing beta waves won’t help in improving ADHD as the problem is in sync. The lack of synchronization produces altered theta and beta wave ratio. An audio-visual entrainment device could help with the sync by generating the rightly synced beta-theta wave. However, more studies are needed to prove that.

Another 15-session neurofeedback therapy on ADHD patients showed improved impulsivity and less distractibility. During this study, the patients were given photic/flashlights during the session.

Thirdly, audio-visual entrainment has been seen to enhance dopamine and norepinephrine levels. Thus, you can use an Audio-visual entrainment device by adjusting the light and sound waves using the controls to produce frequencies. 

Once you wear the headphones and LED glasses, you are ready to receive the controlled frequencies. But ask your doctor before performing.

Bottomline

Attention deficit disorder is a typical disease and varies from person to person. But the most common indication of the disease is altered levels of beta-theta/delta brain waves and reduced dopamine/norepinephrine levels. As per studies, both aspects can be corrected or improvised with Audio-visual entrainment. And if more work is done, Audio-visual entrainment sessions can be the perfect ADHD treatment without meds. So, if you or someone near you is suffering from ADHD, try audio-visual entrainment brainwave therapy and see the differences!