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May 5, 2013: Question from emails: elsewhere “you said that neurofeedback was ‘EEG conditioning’. How does shaping the EEG lead to mindfulness of our neurophysiological requirements for freedom and effective functioning.” Answer: Neurofeedback not only conditions the EEG but it increases neuroplasticity [1]. Recent studies show that neurofeedback can consolidate default mode network function and accelerate development which has been delayed [2], With such changes come more efficient error correction, improved novelty detection, and a balance between narrative and experiential consciousness. Dr. Daniel Siegel’s definition of mindfulness meditation as awareness of modifications of the mind accompanied by the attitudes of curiosity, openness, acceptance and appreciation could be applied to the process of neurofeedback where one develops such “awareness of modifications of the mind.” By becoming aware of the modifications of the mind one develops “restraint in the modifications of the mind” (Patanjali). Overwhelming childhood trauma promotes sickness behavior with epigenetic disturbance of neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. The result may be millions of adults whose default mode networks  have remained stuck at 7-9 years of age. According to imaging studies, these individuals may remain the remainder of their lives without adult integration of the long-distance networks [3]. Trauma and uncertainty that overwhelm an individual lead to programming of germ line epigenetic factors that passed on for three generations [4].This may be part of the basis for the heritability of attachment disorder. “Get busy living or get busy dying.” - The Shawshank Redemption Widespread epigenetic re-programing away from sickness behavior takes place promptly after entering a “higher” state of consciousness [5, 6], How can neurofeedback affect this process? ... to be continued. [1] Ros T, et al (2013) - Mind over chatter - Plastic up-regulation of the fMRI salience network directly after EEG neurofeedback. Neuroimage. 2013 Jan 15;65:324-35. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23022326 [2] Russell-Chapin L, et al (2013) - The effects of neurofeedback in the default mode network : Pilot study results of medicated children with ADHD. Journal of Neurotherapy, 17:35-42 [3] Daniels JK, et al (2011) - Default mode alterations in posttraumatic stress disorder related to early-life trauma - a developmental perspective. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2011 Jan;36(1):56-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20964955 [4] Bohacek J, et al (2013) - Transgenerational Epigenetic Effects on Brain Functions. Biol Psychiatry. 2013 Feb 15;73(4):313-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23062885 [5] Ravnik-Glavac M, et al (2012) - Genome-wide expression changes in a higher state of consciousness. Conscious Cogn. 2012 Sep;21(3):1322-44. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22742996 [6] Qu S, et al (2013) - Rapid Gene Expression Changes in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes upon Practice of a Comprehensive Yoga Program. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 17;8(4):e61910. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23613970 Recommended Reading: Varela F, et al (2001) - The brainweb - Phase synchronization and large- scale integration. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2001 Apr;2(4):229-39. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1128374  .