Neurofeedback & Chill: 7 New Brain Cell Discoveries - What Science is Really Teaching Us
Dr. Andrew Hill's latest livestream tackled recent neuroscience discoveries about brain cells, while demonstrating live SMR neurofeedback training. The session mixed real-time brain training with analysis of emerging research—though some "discoveries" turned out to be old news repackaged with fresh headlines.
The Neurogenesis Reality Check
Hill opened by dismantling an old myth many of us learned in school: that you're born with all the brain cells you'll ever have. This couldn't be more wrong.
The current evidence: Even at 70 years old, your brain produces 600-700 new neurons daily. Neurogenesis continues throughout life, particularly in the hippocampus. This isn't just theoretical—it's measurable, active brain renovation happening right now as you read this.
But neurons aren't the whole story. The brain contains multiple cell types working in concert: astrocytes managing nutrient delivery, microglia handling immune responses, oligodendrocytes wrapping axons in myelin. Recent research is revealing how these supporting cells actively participate in learning, memory, and plasticity.
The "New" Mind-Body Connection Discovery
One research paper Hill discussed claimed to discover a "brand new" brain area controlling the mind-body connection: the precentral gyrus. Hill found this amusing.
Reality check: Neurofeedback practitioners have worked with the precentral gyrus for decades. It's the most posterior part of the frontal lobe, sitting right on the sensorimotor strip. The right side supervises whether your attention is actually engaged where you want it.
This area connects descending pathways through the thalamus into the body, plus ascending pathways into sensory awareness regions. It's the classic mind-body interface—hardly a new discovery. Sometimes "breakthrough" research just rediscovers what clinical practitioners already know.
Live SMR Training Session
Hill demonstrated C4-A2 SMR training while discussing the research. The protocol:
- Inhibit: 4-7 Hz (theta) and 22-34 Hz (high beta)
- Reward: 11.5-14.5 Hz (sensorimotor rhythm)
- Location: Right sensorimotor strip
This setup strengthens calm alertness while reducing both drowsy theta and anxious high beta. The right-sided emphasis targets executive attention and body awareness—exactly the circuits involved in that "newly discovered" mind-body connection.
Technical note: Hill's setup showed typical real-world challenges. Even experienced practitioners deal with impedance issues, 60 Hz electrical noise, and equipment glitches. The cat trying to play with the wires was a bonus complication.
New Cell Types and Their Functions
The livestream touched on several recently identified brain cell populations:
Rosehip neurons in the cortex appear unique to humans and other primates, possibly enabling more complex inhibitory control. Border-associated macrophages patrol the brain's edges, managing immune responses differently than microglia. Chandelier cells provide precise timing control over pyramidal neuron firing.
These discoveries matter because they reveal the brain's computational complexity. Each cell type contributes specific functions to the overall network. Training protocols like SMR work by influencing these cellular networks, not just changing "brainwaves."
The Thalamocortical Connection
Hill emphasized how SMR training strengthens thalamocortical circuits—the loops between thalamus and cortex that generate both SMR rhythms during wake and sleep spindles during sleep. This explains why SMR training often improves both daytime focus and nighttime sleep quality.
The thalamus acts as the brain's relay station and timing coordinator. When thalamocortical loops operate smoothly, you get stable attention and restorative sleep. When they're dysregulated, you see anxiety, insomnia, and attention problems.
Q&A Highlights
Question: Does the location matter more than the frequency?
Hill's response: Both matter, but location is crucial. The same 13-15 Hz frequency means different things in different brain regions. On the sensorimotor strip, it's SMR—regulatory and calming. In frontal areas, it's beta processing—more activating. Context determines function.
Question: How long before seeing changes from SMR training?
Hill's response: Sleep improvements often appear within 2-4 sessions. Attention and emotional regulation typically take 10-20 sessions for noticeable shifts. But individual variation is huge—some people respond faster, others need more sessions.
Key Takeaways
- Neurogenesis is lifelong: Your brain continues making new cells throughout life
- "New" discoveries often aren't: The precentral gyrus mind-body connection has been known for decades
- Cell diversity matters: Recent discoveries of new brain cell types reveal increasing computational complexity
- SMR works through specific circuits: Thalamocortical loops that regulate both attention and sleep
- Location defines function: The same frequency means different things in different brain regions
For a complete deep dive on SMR neurofeedback mechanisms, protocols, and applications, see: SMR Neurofeedback: The Calm-Alert Brainwave That Trains Sleep, Focus, and Self-Control.
The livestream demonstrated something important: real neuroscience progress happens through incremental discoveries about cellular mechanisms, not dramatic "breakthrough" headlines. Understanding these mechanisms helps explain why neurofeedback protocols work and how to optimize them for individual needs.