Live Q&A: Alpha Wave Training, Asymmetry, and Clinical Applications
Dr. Andrew Hill tackled alpha wave questions during Monday's neurofeedback livestream, demonstrating downtraining protocols while addressing common misconceptions about alpha asymmetry and training resistance. The session offered practical insights into when alpha training works—and when it backfires.
Alpha Asymmetry: Not Always What It Seems
Question: How does alpha asymmetry fit within your overall neurofeedback approach?
Alpha asymmetry shows up in about half the cases where you'd expect it based on symptoms alone. While left frontal alpha excess can indicate depression, it's not reliable enough to train blindly.
The key: both the EEG signature AND the clinical complaint must align. I won't do asymmetry training (down on left, up on right) without seeing a clear QEEG pattern. Alpha asymmetry can also appear with simple fatigue or sleep issues rather than mood disorders.
When I do see genuine mood-related asymmetry, I look for alpha speed slowing as a confirming marker. Both patterns together make a stronger case for asymmetry-based protocols.
Why Alpha Fights Back
Alpha occupies a unique position in the brain's frequency spectrum—it's the "idling rhythm" between slow waves (delta/theta) and fast waves (beta/gamma). This gives it an insistent, self-regulating nature.
The problem with linear alpha training: Push too hard, and alpha rebounds. It wants to maintain its natural idle speed and amplitude. Other frequencies like theta and beta move more predictably when trained, but alpha has built-in resistance.
Solution: Create space around alpha rather than forcing it. Tonight's protocol demonstrates this—I'm doing FZ minus PZ downtraining at 12-20 Hz and 4-7 Hz, leaving a gap where alpha lives and letting it self-organize.
Location Matters: Frontal vs. Posterior Alpha
Question: Is high alpha at FZ resistant to being trained down?
This depends on what type of "high alpha" we're discussing:
- Slow alpha excess (7-10 Hz): Generally shouldn't be trained down at frontal sites
- Fast alpha excess (10-13 Hz): More trainable and often problematic
Fast alpha at frontal locations like FZ often correlates with procrastination patterns and certain anxiety types. I'll include this in broader inhibit bands (10-20 Hz or 12-20 Hz) to capture problematic beta bursts while addressing the fast alpha component.
Key insight: Never train single sites—always use montages. FZ minus PZ works because both anterior and posterior cingulate regions work together. The differential montage creates more targeted effects than single-site approaches.
Practical Protocol Demonstration
The session showcased a two-part protocol:
Part 1: FZ minus PZ downtraining (12-20 Hz inhibit, 4-7 Hz down) Part 2: C4 minus A2 SMR training (transitioning the ear reference to active training)
This combination addresses cingulate hyperactivity while building sensorimotor rhythm—a practical example of creating space for alpha self-regulation while training complementary frequencies.
Clinical Applications
For trauma protocols like Sebern Fisher's work, alpha rebound becomes the therapeutic mechanism rather than a side effect to avoid. But for general alpha training, the resistance factor means you need indirect approaches.
Better strategies:
- Train around alpha frequencies
- Use differential montages
- Focus on clear QEEG patterns rather than symptom assumptions
- Allow alpha to self-organize within the space you create
Key Takeaways
- Alpha asymmetry training requires both EEG evidence AND matching symptoms—don't train based on complaints alone
- Alpha naturally resists direct training—create space around it rather than forcing changes
- Fast alpha at frontal sites (10-13 Hz) is more trainable than slow alpha and often interferes with executive function
- Montage selection matters—differential approaches like FZ minus PZ target networks rather than isolated regions
- Location-specific considerations—posterior sites generate more alpha naturally and show greater training resistance
For readers wanting deeper alpha wave mechanisms and applications, see the comprehensive guide: SMR Neurofeedback: The Calm-Alert Brainwave.
The session reinforced that effective alpha training means understanding when NOT to train it directly—sometimes the most elegant intervention is getting out of alpha's way and letting it do what it does best.