Neurofeedback and biofeedback are both powerful tools for improving mental and physical health, but they work in different ways and target different parts of the body’s self-regulation system. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, understanding their differences can help you choose the right approach for your goals, whether that’s reducing stress, improving focus, enhancing emotional balance, or supporting overall wellness.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between neurofeedback, biofeedback, and their respective training processes.

What Is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a mind-body training technique that measures and provides real-time information about your physiological functions. These functions can include:

• Heart rate
• Muscle tension
• Breathing patterns
• Skin temperature
• Sweat gland activity (related to stress levels)

Sensors monitor these systems and display the readings on a screen. With guidance, you learn to adjust your breathing, relax muscles, or regulate your heart rate variability (HRV). Over time, these skills can reduce stress, ease chronic tension, and support better physical health.

Biofeedback is commonly used for:

• Stress management
• Chronic pain
• High muscle tension (such as in TMJ or migraines)
• Hypertension
• Sleep issues
• Performance optimization

The key idea: biofeedback helps you control bodily processes that are normally automatic by increasing your awareness of them.

What Is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a specialized type of biofeedback focused specifically on the brain. Instead of measuring muscles or heart rate, it measures brainwave activity using EEG sensors placed on the scalp. These sensors detect electrical patterns that reflect your mental state (such as focus, relaxation, stress, or emotional regulation).

During a neurofeedback session, you watch or listen to feedback (like a movie or sound) that responds to your brain’s activity in real time. When your brain produces healthier, more regulated patterns, the feedback becomes clearer or more rewarding. When activity becomes dysregulated, the stimulus dims or pauses.

Neurofeedback is typically used for:

• Anxiety and stress
• ADHD and focus difficulties
• Emotional regulation challenges
• Sleep problems
• Trauma and PTSD symptoms
• Cognitive performance and mental clarity

Its goal: to train the brain to operate more efficiently and maintain healthier, more balanced patterns.

The Key Differences Between Neurofeedback and Biofeedback

While both techniques use real-time monitoring and feedback, several differences set them apart:

What They Measure

Biofeedback measures physical responses (heart rate, muscle tension, breathing).

Neurofeedback measures brainwave patterns (alpha, beta, theta, delta, gamma).

What They Influence

Biofeedback helps you gain voluntary control over bodily functions.

Neurofeedback teaches the brain to self-regulate automatically over time.

Primary Goals

Biofeedback improves physical relaxation, reduces stress, manages pain, and supports overall physiological health.

Neurofeedback improves emotional balance, attention, cognitive function, and long-term brain regulation.

How Feedback Is Delivered

Biofeedback often involves breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, or guided stress reduction.

Neurofeedback uses visual or auditory rewards to reinforce healthier brainwave activity.

How to Decide Which Is Right for You

Both methods are helpful, but for different reasons.

Choose biofeedback if you’re looking to:

• Reduce muscle tension or chronic stress symptoms
• Improve HRV or breathing patterns
• Support physical relaxation and pain relief

Choose neurofeedback if you’re seeking to:

• Reduce anxiety or racing thoughts
• Improve focus and mental clarity
• Strengthen emotional regulation
• Support cognitive performance
• Address sleep or mood concerns

A Complementary Approach to Wellness

Many people use both techniques together for a comprehensive mind-body approach. When the body and brain are trained to regulate more effectively, you experience greater calm, resilience, and overall well-being.

Neurofeedback Training at NHA

Here at Neurohealth Associates, we specialize in Neurofeedback training. Neurofeedback may be helpful for training your mind, especially if you are unsure about putting yourself or your child on medication. This easy, noninvasive training can painlessly improve your mental health condition and outlook on life. Schedule a consultation with NeuroHealth Associates today and find out how we can help you.