Since I first got into neurotherapy, one of the topics that has fascinated me most is neurofeedback side effects.

On one end of the spectrum, skeptics claim that neurofeedback doesn’t work at all—arguing that the lack of large-scale, placebo-controlled trials means we can’t trust it. Never mind that, like psychedelics, neurofeedback is very difficult to placebo-control, since the feedback is directly tied to your brain wave activity.

On the other end, some say neurofeedback is dangerous and that the industry isn’t being transparent about its risks.

So, which is it? Harmless placebo? A risky, unregulated treatment? Or something else entirely?

The truth is, neurofeedback does have effects. It changes the way your brain functions—sometimes dramatically. And when a tool has the ability to calm anxiety, sharpen focus, or relieve depression, if used incorrectly, it can also create discomfort or even worsen symptoms.

But does that make it dangerous? Or just a technology that requires skill and care to use properly?

Let’s break this down.

First, Let’s Define “Side Effects”

When we talk about side effects, we usually mean unwanted symptoms that occur in addition to a treatment’s intended benefits.

• Medications have side effects because they are chemical interventions—they don’t just target the problem; they affect multiple systems in the body.

• Neurofeedback therapy, on the other hand, is a personalized and targeted intervention that focuses on brain activity. It doesn’t work by chemically altering the brain—it works by training the brain, much like exercise trains the body.

This means that neurofeedback doesn’t really have “side effects” in the traditional sense. It just has effects.

Sometimes those effects are exactly what we want—better focus, improved mood, deeper sleep.
Sometimes they’re uncomfortable—headaches, emotional surfacing, fatigue.
And sometimes, if done incorrectly, they can create real problems—worsened anxiety, irritability, or cognitive fog.

These effects aren’t random. They happen for a reason. And understanding why they happen is key to getting great results.

The Main Reasons People Experience Negative Side Effects from Neurofeedback

After years of research, practice, and participation in neurofeedback forums, I’ve found that most neurofeedback “side effects” fall into four major categories:

1. The Training Wasn’t Personalized (or Was Based on Guesswork)

Not all neurofeedback is the same. Some methods are data-driven, using a QEEG brain map or Mini-Q (a simplified version with fewer electrodes) to analyze brainwave activity and create a personalized training plan.

Others rely purely on clinical observation—meaning the practitioner interviews the client, assesses symptoms, and makes an educated guess about what to train.

Some highly skilled practitioners can do this well. But many can’t.

Personally, while I’ve successfully used clinical observation methods on myself, I don’t often use them with clients—I prefer a data-driven approach. When neurofeedback is done without measurement, it’s easy to reinforce the wrong brainwave patterns, which can make symptoms worse.

Example: Training for Anxiety but Increasing It Instead

If someone struggles with racing thoughts and overactive anxiety, they might assume they need to “calm down” their brain. But which part of the brain?

• If they have too much fast beta activity, calming protocols like increasing alpha waves may help.

• But if they already have too much slow theta, adding more relaxation training could actually make them more foggy and sluggish—potentially worsening depression.

This is why assessment matters.

2. The Practitioner Told the Client to “Push Through” Discomfort

I think of neurofeedback like bodywork—if you were getting a massage and something didn’t feel right, would you want the therapist to tell you to just “push through”?

Of course not. Your body knows when something is wrong. The same applies to brain training.

Some neurofeedback practitioners tell clients to push through discomfort, even if the training makes them feel anxious, tired, or irritable. This is usually a mistake.

Yes, sometimes there’s an adjustment period. In rare cases, things get a little worse before they get better. But in general, you should feel some kind of improvement within a few sessions. If you don’t, the protocol probably needs to be adjusted.

Example: The Nervous System’s “Big Exhale”

I once worked with someone who had been living in a chronic state of stress for years. After a few sessions, they felt exhausted—like they wanted to sleep for days.

That wasn’t a bad sign. Their nervous system had finally stopped running on adrenaline and could actually rest. That’s a good effect.

But if someone starts a neurofeedback session and suddenly feels overwhelmed with anxiety, wired but tired, or cognitively sluggish, that’s usually a sign something needs adjusting in their therapy.

3. Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback: A Phenomenally Powerful Tool—But It Must Be Used Carefully

Infra-low frequency (ILF) neurofeedback has been one of the most powerful tools in my own healing journey. It has the potential to create profound shifts in emotional regulation, trauma processing, and nervous system balance. For many people—including myself—it has been life-changing.

But I’ve also seen ILF show up frequently in discussions about neurofeedback "side effects." That’s not because the modality itself is flawed, but because when it’s mishandled, it can leave clients in a dysregulated state with no clear path forward.

ILF neurofeedback works by identifying a person’s optimal reward frequency—a personalized range where their nervous system is most receptive to change. The challenge is finding that sweet spot.

• If the training frequency is too high or too low, the client may feel over-aroused (anxious, wired, unable to relax) or under-aroused (fatigued, dissociated, cognitively sluggish).

• Some clients report feeling off for days or weeks if they don’t land in the right frequency range.

• I’ve heard from clients who came to me after working with another practitioner who told them to keep training despite discomfort, only for their symptoms to worsen.

I believe this happens because some practitioners fail to course-correct when the training frequency is off, or might not have the opportunity before the client gets frustrated, gives up, and is left in a dysregulated state with no clear path forward.

When used correctly, ILF can be an incredibly powerful, precise, and transformative tool. But it requires careful adjustments and close attention to how the client responds.

4. Some Systems Claim to Be “Side Effect Free” (They’re Not.)

Some neurofeedback systems market themselves as completely safe, one-size-fits-all solutions with no risk of side effects.

That’s simply not true.

One of the first platforms I tried was advertised as a passive, risk-free neurofeedback system.

Yet on my third session, performed on my own, I had a massive emotional abreactive response, where I suddenly surfaced repressed, dissociated memories. While I appreciated it in the long run, in the moment it was uncomfortable, intense, and threw me into a personal crisis.

Neurofeedback isn’t a game. It changes your brain. If a system claims “no side effects,” what they’re really saying is they’re not tracking effects carefully enough. (Or it's not strong enough to have any serious effects, either.)

5. Overtraining: Can You Do Too Much Neurofeedback?

There’s a lot of debate over whether neurofeedback should be spaced out with days between sessions or done intensively.

• Some clients benefit from twice-daily training five days a week. This is often high performers, who are already operating at a high level and are very healthy,

• Others need just a few minutes of training a few times a week. I see this sometimes in clients recovery from head injuries, where we need to go very slow and ramp up.

• Some recover best with high-frequency intensive programs, while others need slow, methodical integration.

If you feel wired, foggy, or off after training, that’s a sign to adjust the frequency or intensity.

6. Will Neurofeedback “Take Away My Creativity”?

Many people with ADHD or creative minds worry that neurofeedback will make them dull, robotic, or overly rigid.

I used to worry about this myself. I thought my scatterbrained, high-energy thinking style was what made me creative. But the reality?

• I struggled with follow-through.

• I couldn’t bring my ideas to life.

After neurofeedback, I didn’t lose my creativity—I gained the ability to switch between focus and creative flow at will.

And that’s the key: neurofeedback isn’t about making you “normal” or turning you into a robot. It’s about giving you control over your own mental states so you can be in the right state at the right time.

Neither I nor any of my mentors have ever seen creativity get worse from neurofeedback. If anything, creativity improves—because the brain becomes more flexible, able to shift gears between hyper-focus and expansive, big-picture thinking.

Final Thoughts: Neurofeedback Is Powerful—Use It Wisely

Neurofeedback is a powerful tool for improving focus, calming anxiety, and optimizing cognitive performance. But like any tool, it must be used correctly.

If you’re considering neurofeedback, here’s my advice:

• Work with a practitioner who takes a data-driven approach and listens to your responses.

• If something feels off, don’t push through—adjustments should be made.

• Don’t believe anyone who says it’s “side-effect free”—if it has the power to improve brain function, it has the power to disrupt it when used incorrectly.

When done right, neurofeedback doesn’t just fix symptoms—it upgrades your brain’s ability to function optimally in real time.

Curious?

Ready to experience the benefits of neurofeedback—without the guesswork? Whether you're looking to enhance focus, regulate emotions, or optimize cognitive performance, the key is a personalized, data-driven approach.

I specialize in custom neurofeedback and neurostimulation programs that ensure safe, effective training tailored to your brain’s unique needs. No one-size-fits-all protocols, no pushing through discomfort—just results.

Let’s talk. Schedule a discovery call today and take the first step toward unlocking your brain’s full potential!