Is Microcurrent Neurofeedback Safe for Kids?
Microcurrent Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, drug-free therapy that uses extremely low-level electrical currents—far weaker than those used in traditional neurostimulation methods—to help the brain self-regulate. Since the therapy is passive and does not require active participation, it is often well-tolerated by children, including those with conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, or learning difficulties.
Many parents seek microcurrent neurofeedback as an alternative or complementary treatment for neurological and behavioral challenges, as it has been reported to improve focus, emotional regulation, sleep, and overall cognitive function. Because the therapy works by encouraging the brain to reset rather than forcing it to change, side effects are typically minimal. Some children may experience temporary fatigue, mild headaches, or increased emotional sensitivity after a session, but these effects usually resolve quickly.
That said, every child is different, and it’s always best to consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. A trained practitioner can assess whether microcurrent neurofeedback is appropriate based on a child’s specific needs and medical history. At Christian Counseling of Tampa, we have trained professionals who can determine if MCN would be a good course of treatment for your child. Call us today to set up an initial assessment.
Why Should Caregivers Consider MCN for Their Children?
Microcurrent Neurofeedback is an effective therapeutic tool to consider when traditional methods of treatment (therapy, medication, support through different behavioral stages) isn’t effective. MCN is a quick, noninvasive therapy that can support children alongside their traditional treatments. MCN has shown efficacy in supporting children with the following conditions:
Anxiety
Depression
Hyperactivity
Autism
Sleep Disturbances
Trauma Related Symptoms (including PTSD)
Behavioral Disorders
Sensory Processing Challenges
MCN is a technology that utilizes low level electrical currents to stimulate and redirect neural pathways. This is an emerging treatment that is shown to help the brain “reboot” itself. MCN is increasingly used to treat mind-related issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD and PTSD and many other disorders. It’s entirely safe, painless, non-invasive, and effective for both adults and children. In a typical MCN session, small electrodes are applied to a patient’s head to reflect brain waves and encourage a ‘re-routing’ of established brain wave patterns. This enables the brain to adjust itself by creating new brain wave patterns. Typical responses within the first few treatments are mental clarity, a sense of calmness, clearer senses, and more restorative sleep. Many caregivers report that their children appear calmer and more regulated after only a handful of sessions.
Some things to consider before trying MCN:
Has your child been evaluated by a professional? It is important to involve your doctors and therapists in these decisions.
Have you already tried other treatments? If you’ve tried traditional therapies and medications and found them to either be ineffective or poorly tolerated, then MCN may be a useful tool to add to the repertoire of treatments to help your child thrive.
Are you looking for a drug free option? Some children don’t tolerate medications well. MCN can be a good alternative to those with medication sensitivities.
Are you looking for something to enhance current treatments? MCN can be a good option to help enhance already effective treatments and boost your child’s ability to process and self-regulate.
What Benefits are Caregivers Reporting After MCN?
The most common benefits parents report after consistent treatments utilizing MCN are a greater sense of calm, improved sleep, improved cognitive functioning, better task completion, faster processing, fewer meltdowns or moods, less anxiety or nervous energy, more sense of emotional balance, less hyperactivity, and increased cooperation.
It is important to note that MCN is not considered a “cure-all”, and studies are still limited, but it is an emerging treatment option with early success and support from caregivers, therapists and practitioners. MCN is not meant to replace traditional treatments for mental or psychological struggles and disorders, but rather it is designed to support these treatments and offer both children, and parents, another way to address mental and emotional struggles.
How Does MCN Work at CCT?
MCN allows for a more passive treatment than traditional neurofeedback. Rather than treating the brain with loops of feedback, MCN uses low level pulses to stimulate sensitive areas of the brain that are dysregulated. Essentially, MCN offers interruptions to unhealthy brain wave patterns, unsticking them from their normal route and behaviors, and strengthening them in ways that help the patient better self-regulate.
The brain wave stimulation offered in MCN treatments is at a much lower level, making this a good treatment option for young or small children, or those who have a harder time sitting still and focusing. Often MCN treatments last anywhere from 15-20 minutes. They are most effective when done 2-3 times per week for several weeks in a row before slowly cutting back to once a week, and then on an as needed basis.
A trained MCN practitioner will help determine what is the best, and most effective, treatment plan for you based on your symptoms and needs. MCN is shown to be an effective non-invasive treatment for those struggling with anxiety, depression, sleep issues, autism, lack of focus, and trauma. One of the primary benefits of microcurrent neurofeedback therapy is its ability to promote neurological balance and optimize brainwave activity. Many individuals experience dysregulated brain activity due to stress, trauma, or neurological conditions, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and even chronic pain. By gently stimulating the brain with microcurrents, this therapy encourages the nervous system to return to a more balanced state, often resulting in improved emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and enhanced cognitive clarity.
Additionally, MCN is recognized for its effectiveness in treating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Individuals who have experienced significant trauma often suffer from hyperactive fight-or-flight responses, leading to heightened anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional dysregulation. Studies suggest that MCN can help reduce these symptoms by promoting neurological calming and allowing the brain to process trauma more effectively. Unlike pharmaceutical interventions, which often come with side effects, this therapy is drug-free, making it an appealing alternative for those seeking healing that is more holistic.
The cumulative benefits of MCN therapy make it a promising approach for individuals seeking alternative treatments for mental health challenges, neurological conditions, and cognitive enhancement. The ability of MCN to promote relaxation, support brain recovery, improve cognitive function, enhance sleep, and reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain highlight its potential as a valuable tool in neurological and mental health treatment. As awareness of this therapy grows, it may become an increasingly mainstream option for those looking to optimize their brain health in a safe, effective, and drug-free manner. While more studies are needed to understand the full potential of MCN therapy, early results by those consistently using this treatment plan are promising and encouraging.
How does MCN promote healthy sleep patterns in children?
An important function in healthy sleep requires brain waves to smoothly transition through different patterns and functions throughout the night. Children who are “stuck” in a state of hyper-arousal often find it hard to relax. It is the feeling of the mind racing and never “turning off”. There are different brain wave patterns that dictate the many ways a body functions. These wave lengths are called alpha, theta, beta, delta, and gamma. Your slower wave patterns are alpha, theta and delta. These control the sense of calm and restfulness needed for healthy rest. Gamma brain waves are your highest wave lengths and are typically associated with cognitive functioning. These are the brain waves that help you think on your feet, so to speak.
Beta brain waves are also faster moving and are the wave lengths typically associated with stress and anxiety. It is here that children with certain neurological impairments, traumatic experiences, or other cognitive challenges often get “stuck”. When the brain waves stay in high beta, a child can be restless, high strung, anxious, and struggle with calming down.
MCN is a tool that more and more caregivers and practitioners are turning to as a support mechanism for children in these high beta patterns. MCN comes in with low-level pulses and disrupts the brain waves, rerouting them in a sense. This allows other brain wave patterns to emerge, like theta and delta wave lengths, which can then allow the child to experience a greater sense of calm and a shift toward restfulness.
In sleep, our bodies naturally transition several times through periods of lighter and deeper sleep. There are periods throughout the night when the brain experiences some wakefulness. In healthy wave patterns, the brain can smoothly transition between wakefulness and sleep seamlessly. But when unhealthy brain wave patterns have become the norm, the body struggles to transition into the periods of deep sleep. It is in deep sleep where the growth occurs, cognitive functioning develops, moods are stabilized, and the body can regenerate and prepare itself for the next day.
MCN is meant to reroute the brain waves and allow that smooth transition from wakefulness to sleep, promoting healthier sleep patterns and giving children the opportunity to develop beyond the place they are currently “stuck”.
In addition, when you reroute those beta wave and disrupt their continual flow, a child will experience less anxiety and emotional distress. This further allows a sense of calm to establish, and when combined with other treatment modalities such as therapies and medication where needed, this can be the combination that allows children better rest and better outcomes in treatment.
MCN is most effective when done on a consistent basis over time. It’s been suggested that MCN helps establish better neuroplasticity in the brain, which allows the brain to adapt and rewire itself. With consistent, repeated sessions, children’s brains may learn to sleep better, and healthy sleep is the cornerstone to healthy behaviors, healthy growth, and adaptability to life.
For caregivers serving children with special needs, MCN can be a non-medication alternative to help with sleep. Often, children with special needs are more sensitive to the side effects of pharmaceuticals. MCN allows for a painless, non-invasive treatment option with few to no side effects, which can be especially beneficial to kids with sensitivities.
Most importantly, MCN disrupts the state of hyper-arousal, which leads to anxiety and the inability to rest. By rerouting these unhealthy brain wave patterns, MCN can promote a more parasympathetic (rest-and-calm) response slowing for deep sleep at night and calmer throughout the day.
It is important to note that MCN is not considered a cure-all, nor is it meant to be a singular treatment. It is most effective in combination with other modalities, all of which will be determined by the child and their needs. These might include consistent bedtime routines, holistic supplements that promote calm and relaxation, counseling, dietary changes to promote a healthy gut, and behavioral strategies. Clinical evidence is still emerging for MCN, but early reports and anecdotal evidence show it to be a healthy and safe option for treatment of children who struggle with rest and sleep. It is shown to be especially effective for children with neurodevelopmental or emotional challenges, particularly those who don’t tolerate pharmaceuticals well.
Discover if Microcurrent Neurofeedback Is Right for Your Child at Christian Counseling of Tampa
While MCN isn’t reported to work for every child, many parents have reported benefits from consistent treatments such as faster time falling asleep, more consistent sleep patterns, longer and deeper sleep, better emotional stability and regulation during the day, and smoother morning routines and nighttime routines. MCN is not a quick fix and, as previously stated, doesn’t work for every child, but with consistency over time, MCN has been shown to offer significant benefits for children with neurodevelopment issues, which often result in sleep interruptions. It has also shown to be beneficial for children suffering from anxiety, ADHD, and trauma related behavior.
At Christian Counseling of Tampa, we recognize that every child is unique and individual. We have trained specialists and counselors on hand to help you determine if MCN is an appropriate treatment option for your child. Call us today for more information.
Read more about Micro Current Neurofeedback in our MCN series:
Micro Current Neurofeedback Therapy in Tampa: Gentle, Noninvasive Cutting-Edge Technology
