NeurOptimal® Brain Training FAQs

Everyone including anyone who feels they are not functioning at their personal best. Anyone under stress or highly affected by acute mental or physical stress, and chronic stress can benefit from more optimal brain functioning. Adults, teenagers, children, seniors, students, amateur & professional athletes, parents, professionals, educators, cancer survivors, Long COVID sufferers, concussed persons, LEOs & First Responders, healthcare workers, caretakers, military personnel, Veterans, neurodivergent brains, and highly sensitive persons (HSPs) can all benefit from NeurOptimal®.

NeurOptimal® communicates directly with your central nervous system, offering it information about the changes in its electrical functioning in real-time while reorienting it to the present moment. Instead of providing specific ‘direction’ to the brain, the world’s only non-linear Dynamical Neurofeedback® utilizes mathematical transformations that serve as a mirror to the brain to offer it unique moment-to-moment feedback about its functioning. NeurOptimal® relies on your brain’s natural learning processes to self-correct toward more efficient & effective operation.

Developed & refined over three decades by Co-Developers Valdeane W. Brown, Ph.D. & Susan Dermit Brown, Ph.D. of Zengar Institute Inc., NeurOptimal® is designed to tap into our brain’s intrinsic ability to self-organize. Many users notice a tangible relaxation response from a single session, particularly experienced users. As the brain re-organizes itself and builds a more flexible & inherently resilient mindset, challenges and concerns seamlessly fall away for most people.

NeurOptimal® is an effortless, informational workout tool for your brain that promotes its peak performance. It’s the world’s only Dynamical Neurofeedback® that enables central nervous system self-regulation. The brain reorganizes and improves its own functioning with the information provided by NeurOptimal®. As the brain begins to function more effectively, a wide range of concerns fall away to various degrees for each user. A more fit, flexible & healthy CNS contributes to our overall mind-body wellness. NO brain training, as part of a healthy lifestyle, reveals your best potential.

Like physical fitness for the body, NeurOptimal® is a process. It’s important to give the training a chance to work! It’s best to be open to at least 10-15 sessions to start noticing your shifts. Most new users notice initial changes within 6 – 10 sessions. Twenty or more sessions promote optimal training outcomes. Since your central nervous system is doing all the work, we cannot predict how many sessions it will take for you to begin recognizing your shifts. Everyone is unique and your training experience will be unique to you.

Training frequency is completely client or user-directed. We recommend you start with one or two studio sessions per week. You can train up to twice daily with a system rental at home. It’s important to find a training pace that feels right to you!

It’s best to commit to an initial training schedule, much like you would for a ‘Couch to 5K’ running program, in order to promote & more easily recognize your brain training results. Training shifts are often subtle & seamless so they may be harder to recognize with infrequent initial sessions and you may become less motivated to train. Most users naturally space-out their sessions as they start feeling better. Occasional Tune-Up sessions and routine Maintenance training help keep your brain functioning at its best.

Many users experience sustained benefits after a series of sessions. If a client takes a break in training, they will simply pick up where they left off when they return. NeurOptimal® is a comprehensive, adaptive brain training method that follows the principles of information processing or learning that enables the self-organizing brain to reorganize its memory & perception processes.

“NeurOptimal® gets you back in touch with accessing internal resources of resilience & flexibility.” – Co-Developer Valdeane W. Brown, Ph.D.

Yes. NeurOptimal® is a learning task. This unique, nonlinear neurofeedback method offers your brain timely, adaptive information about its functioning that allows the brain to re-organize itself toward more efficient & effective operation. This informational workout results in many concerns lessening in duration, intensity and frequency or even completely falling away. Your brain is ever-changing, living tissue, however, and its functioning can be impacted by stress and other factors. It’s beneficial to do occasional Tune-Up sessions in the studio or with a rental system.  Much like a physical fitness routine, yoga practice, massage therapy, or chiropractic adjustments, some users train routinely (bi-weekly or monthly) because it feels particularly supportive to them in maintaining their mental fitness & well-being. Your brain’s fitness & flexibility affect everything.

With NeurOptimal®, we are most concerned about how you feel. We offer progress Tracking Tools to help you summarize and compare how you are feeling before & during the training process. We recommend that you revisit your tracking tools after each series of 10-20 sessions. It’s not uncommon for loved ones to notice your changes before you do!

As the brain reorganizes itself, shifts can be quite subtle and seamless. You may not recognize some shifts right away. It’s fairly easy to recognize what’s not going well for you in life, but it can be much harder to recognize what IS going well.Some users notice their shifts immediately while others may notice shifts weeks or even months into or after training when sudden realizations come to light (i.e. you haven’t had a crying fit in weeks or you didn’t overreact in certain situations like you might have in the past). Once users recognize how supportive brain training can be for their mental fitness & well-being, the tracking tools are no longer necessary.

Yes. NeurOptimal® is completely noninvasive. NeurOptimal® does not induce or force changes to the brain or direct the response of your central nervous system. It is purely a source of information for your brain about the changes in its electrical cortical activity. Given this information, your brain intrinsically course-corrects toward performance efficiency through its natural learning processes. Thousands of users of all ages including pregnant persons, babies, toddlers, teenagers, adults, and seniors around the world have collectively completed millions of training hours since 2000. The FDA has designated NeurOptimal® a low-risk General Wellness Product.

No. Side-effects are attributable to something that has physiologically induced change (i.e. medication, entrainment, or vibration/electrical stimulation). NeurOptimal® Dynamical Neurofeedback® is 100% noninvasive and does not ‘induce’ or force changes to the brain (central nervous system). It is purely a source of information for your brain to consider and respond to, as it sees fit. NeurOptimal® is not protocol-driven and does not attempt to augment or inhibit certain frequencies to try and achieve desired outcomes like traditional neurofeedback methods.

While it may seem like there’s not much happening during a NeurOptimal® session, your brain is actually working quite hard processing information about itself! Some users may experience challenging perceptions when they begin training due to the increased challenge the training represents to the brain (like sore muscles after a body workout.) As your brain begins the optimization process, challenges you’ve experienced in the past *may* intensify for a time as your brain begins responding to the information NeurOptimal® provides. Challenging or undesirable perceptions, if any, generally resolve within a few sessions for most users. Consult the NeurOptimal® New User Resources webpage for a more in-depth explanation.

Your BTL Trainer facilitates your neurotraining & makes training easily accessible to you. The client (user) is in full control of their training routine, not the Trainer. You may share as little or as much personal information with BTL Trainers as you feel comfortable. Sharing is optional but welcomed. If you choose to share your experiences with your Trainer, they will help you identify changes and summarize your Tracking Tools shifts.

BTL is private pay.  NeurOptimal® has been designated a low-risk General Wellness Product by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). It is not considered a medical device or medical treatment. Therefore, we do not accept any forms of health insurance. BTL will provide a detailed receipt for potential Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) expense reimbursement. Employer Wellness Programs may pay for NeurOptimal® sessions.

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What People Are Experiencing

“Neurofeedback has been so helpful in my mental health journey to manage (sic) my anxiety and depression! By staying consistent with my sessions (sic), I’ve seen really positive results with both my anxiety and depression. My intrusive thoughts in particular have gone from constantly popping up in my brain to almost never coming up. I am so grateful for Susan and this brain training (sic).”

Emily, via Google

“I had been struggling with depression & tinnitus for over a year when a friend suggested Brain Training Lounge. It took a few sessions for me to recognize a difference in my emotional state, but now I can honestly say I am feeling more positive and less stressed. I am also pleasantly surprised that my tinnitus is less intense. It was an added bonus. I plan to continue my NeurOptimal® sessions. I suspect that the positive benefits will continue to grow.”

D.K., via Email

“The benefits I realized from NeurOptimal® were truly amazing. After the first session I felt relaxed. After the second my blood pressure (systolic) went down 41 points! Really. I’m sleeping much better and not waking depressed. My stress level is way better. In addition, Susan is a delight to work with. She’s knowledgeable, personable, and professional. I cannot recommend Brain Training Lounge enough. I even rented the system for two weeks!”

Mary H., via Email

“I can highly recommend Brain Training Lounge. I have and will continue to be her client. It has made a huge difference in my focus, productivity and overall wellness and happiness. Additionally, I enjoy my interactions with Susan in her joyful, beautiful environment. I highly recommend you give it a try. It is so worth it.”

Sabina, via Google

“I tried NeurOptimal® for the first time and WOW what a difference. My mind was thinking so clearly after I trained. It took away brain fog I didn’t even know I had!”

King Master, via Google

“Every time I went in for a BTL session, I came out feeling calmer, clearer, and more relaxed. I also loved doing sessions with my middle-school-aged son. He loves how he feels after sessions, too. I need to get back in there soon for some maintenance sessions for both of us.”

Heather, via Google

“BTL has helped me with PTSD and chronic headaches.”

BTL Client, via Email

“I’d been dealing with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) for eight years. I was an athlete my whole life and had lots of different concussions. The last injury knocked me on my butt. After many treatment modalities – doctors, meds – I was just burnt out. So, I found Susan. NeurOptimal® was a way for me to work on my brain, and it didn’t hurt me. I experienced so much relief.”

Amber, via Video

“I seriously benefited from our previous sessions, and I am in therapy now. I am having great results! Thank you so much!”

Homecoming for Veterans Client, via email

“This experience has been life-changing. At first, the results were subtle—just a small shift here and there—but over time, the cumulative effect is undeniable. It feels like my brain is discovering new pathways, opening up entirely different ways of thinking and being. If you’re looking for deep, lasting change, I can’t recommend this place enough.”

Rachael, via Google

“As a veteran that suffers from PTSD, I have been looking for different forms of treatment to help with my anxiety and depression. I have tried everything in my past with little to no success, and I feel completely blessed to have found the Brain Training Lounge. You owe it to yourself to try this.”

Kelly, via Google

“After suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury, we were desperate to help my son in his recovery. I feel with full confidence that NeurOptimal® brain training helped in the healing process for his recovery. It has immensely helped with my PTSD from his accident and my nightmares. I don’t experience as many as I did before giving brain training a go. Highly Recommend!”

Kristi, via Google

“Susan & the Brain Training Lounge have been a lifesaver for my family. My son was struggling in school, and it began to affect his peers due to his emotional outbursts. His primary care physician suggested we try medication for ADHD, but I opted to try NeurOptimal®. Within nine weeks, he had made an almost complete 180! He’s had so many compliments and kudos on his behavior and classwork completion! The end of this school year went very smoothly. His attitude & mood regulation have been so much easier for him and small things aren’t as upsetting as before.”

Natalie, via Google

“Relaxing and healing experience. I sleep great after a session!”

Fran, via Google

“NeurOptimal® has changed my life! I was eighteen months removed from brain surgery and still suffering side effects from it when I was introduced to NeurOptimal® and the Brain Training Lounge. I rented a system. Within days of starting, I felt like myself again and had the most productive week in three years. I have been able to go back to working full time. I cannot recommend this enough!”

Brendon, via Google

“This service has greatly helped my mental health. I used to stress over things long past but very rarely now. My sleep has been better, too. I highly recommend Susan and Brain Training Lounge.”

Christine, via Google

“The Brain Training Lounge has allowed our family to find our wholesome selves again – from our young children to both my husband and I. It has allowed our child to be able to find his words when he’s frustrated and connect with those around him. We find ourselves handling our stress a little easier and moving through it rather than staying in it. It is so wonderful to sit back and relax and let the meditative work be done for you. Susan is amazing, and we are so glad she introduced us to NeurOptimal® brain training!”

Emily, via Google

“I struggle with anxiety. After I train, my anxiety is non-existent, and I feel I can be more myself in the world.”

Jennifer, via Google

“My focus and energy throughout the day has completely changed. I’m working smarter not harder now. My sleep has totally changed. It helps me shut down and let my body repair itself. I can’t say enough good things about NeurOptimal®! Best decision EVER! “

Amity, via Google

“Step-by-step guidance and a generous spirit made the rental experience extra rich & rewarding. “

K.R., via Square Feedback

“I appreciate your orientation in service to community and at reasonable cost. Plus it is a pleasant little getaway to relax and be cared for in your lovely, welcoming space!”

G.K., via Square Feedback

“Susan is a great NeurOptimal® Trainer, and I highly recommend her. She knows her stuff!”

David, via Google

“I am experiencing less brain fog, less stress, less anxiety, and I am sleeping much better. I can control how I react to stressful situations that have happened in my life and not let them control me. Brain training has taught me how to let go of things in my past and move forward without feeling sad or guilty. It is truly amazing!”

Linda, via Google

“I was eighteen months removed from brain surgery and still suffering side effects from it when I was introduced to NeurOptimal®. Within days of starting, I felt like myself again for the first time in three or more years. I had other people notice a difference in me, and I had the most productive week in three years. I cannot recommend this enough! ”

Brendon, via Email

“The Brain Training Lounge piqued my interest after I Googled “neurofeedback training near me” after reading “The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. After my first session, my brain fog lifted. My stress levels were particularly high, yet I handled it much better than I would normally. I was also sleeping better than I ever have. I appreciated how comfortable Susan made me feel and how friendly, caring, and compassionate she’s always been. If you’re thinking about it…stop, just do it! Susan is fantastic & nonlinear neurofeedback training is some really cool sh!t!”

Jessica, via Email

“Susan knows her stuff and focuses on a great experience. Regularly refer my clients to use this as additional support for TBI, ADHD and stress management 🙂 ”

Mary Ellen, via Google

“Brain training helped me remove a mental hurdle I’d been hanging on to for over ten years almost immediately after I started training!”

Amy, via Google

“I love neurofeedback, and Susan is always so accommodating to my schedule. It has made a huge positive impact and has helped tremendously with my concussion symptoms. My memory and cognition had decreased; and after training for one year, I’m back to my old self.”

Belinda, via Google

“Brain training has helped me live a life I didn’t think was possible. My days are no longer ruled by anxiety and overthinking. What a gift to finally be able to “trust my brain” and not have my thoughts escalate to worst case scenarios.”

Joan, via Google

“I’m abundantly thankful for NeurOptimal® and especially for Susan’s work with Veterans. Had Susan not had a Veteran program, I likely wouldn’t have given this life-changing program a chance. I highly recommend NeurOptimal®, Susan, and the Brain Training Lounge in your wellness journey.”

Alexis, via Google

“I can’t recommend Brain Training Lounge enough. It has changed my highly sensitive self. I’m able to be in this world more peacefully.”

Rachel, via Google

“Stress & anxiety have always been a big part of my life. After a few sessions, I started to feel little bits of my stress & anxiety peeling away. After a month, I had much more patience and was able to slow down and problem solve. After a month, I can mitigate stressful situations with a clear head. Susan has been a lifesaver for me. If you or anyone you know feels that stress & anxiety are taking over your life, please give the Brain Training Lounge a try!”

Jess, via Email

“I started brain training after emergency dental surgery. I felt traumatized. I wasn’t sleeping. I felt anxious most of the time and was exhausted. After a few sessions, my sleep became more regular and my anxiety started decreasing. I believe brain training brought me back to my normal, happy self.”

Deb, via Google

“Susan and the amazing Brain Training Lounge are life savers for me.”

Amber, via Facebook

NeurOptimal® Dynamical Neurofeedback® has been designated a low-risk General Wellness Product by the FDA. NeurOptimal® is a training tool and does not diagnose, treat, mitigate, prevent or cure any disease, disorder or abnormal physical state, nor does it restore, modify or correct the body’s structure or functioning. It is intended for general wellness use only.