Neurofeedback Live Session: HEG Blood Flow Training and Multi-Protocol Approaches
Dr. Andrew Hill conducted a live neurofeedback demonstration showing how brain training happens in real time, combining HEG (hemoencephalography) blood flow training with traditional EEG protocols. The session offered viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how different neurofeedback approaches work and answered questions about emotional regulation and protocol selection.
HEG Training: Training Blood Flow, Not Electricity
Hill demonstrated HEG training using infrared sensors that measure heat waves coming off the head. Unlike traditional EEG neurofeedback that trains electrical patterns, HEG trains vascular dynamics—the blood flow changes in your brain.
"You're hearing the rise and fall of that dynamic heat signal," Hill explained as viewers watched his brain's blood flow patterns control audio feedback in real time. The key difference: HEG responds about 2 seconds after you concentrate, matching the BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) response that fMRI scanners detect.
The training was straightforward—concentrate harder, increase blood flow, raise the feedback tone. Happy thoughts didn't work as reliably for Hill: "Concentration works a lot faster. Apparently I need help being happy."
Caution on HEG for Emotions: Hill warned against using HEG as a primary emotional training tool. "It tends to be activating and can drive up overactivation where you're on edge or anxious. While it could improve mood over time, it wouldn't do it per session."
Protocol Selection: Matching Training to Root Cause
Question: What protocols work for emotional access and happiness?
"Depends on why it's blocked," Hill responded, outlining several possibilities:
For Mood Issues:
- Frontal asymmetry training (left vs. right frontal activity) if EEG shows those imbalances
- Stuck alpha protocols if someone has excessive tonic alpha in left frontal regions
- Peak alpha frequency training if the brain's baseline alpha rhythm runs too slow, pinching both mood and processing speed
For Emotional Access Problems:
- Alpha-theta protocols for people who struggle to feel emotions deeply
- Nonlinear consciousness protocols that target flow states rather than specific frequencies
Real-World Protocol Example: Compound Training
Hill shared a same-day client success using stacked protocols:
- Dual frontal training (F7 and F8): Left side rewarded beta/inhibited alpha, right side did the opposite
- Midline down-training (FZ minus PZ): Inhibited excess theta
Result: "He made comments about being ridiculously blissed out afterwards." Hill noted this client was already a dedicated meditator, so results might vary.
Upcoming Resource: Provider Directory
Hill announced an upcoming neurofeedback provider directory aimed at cutting through field misinformation. "I want to aggregate providers and get them easily searchable" without favoring particular vendors or certification bodies.
Key Takeaways
- HEG trains blood flow patterns with a 2-second delay, different from electrical EEG training
- Protocol selection must match root cause - same symptoms can have different underlying mechanisms
- Compound protocols can create synergistic effects when stacked appropriately
- Location matters for frequency interpretation - 13-15 Hz means different things at different brain sites
- Individual factors influence response - meditation experience, baseline patterns, and personal history all affect outcomes
For viewers interested in the technical details of SMR and other core neurofeedback protocols, Hill's comprehensive guides provide the deeper mechanisms behind these training approaches.