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Let's start our discussion by answering the most common questions people want to learn the answer to before trying neurofeedback:

• What’s the difference between EEG and fNIRS? Think of EEG as a way to listen to the brain’s electrical rhythm—it measures brainwave activity. fNIRS, on the other hand, acts more like a spotlight on mental effort—it tracks blood flow and oxygenation in specific brain areas. In simple terms: EEG shows what your brain is doing; fNIRS shows how hard it’s working.

• Does fNIRS neurofeedback actually work? Yes—and it’s backed by growing research. Originally used in labs and hospitals, fNIRS is now being adapted into wearable devices like Mendi. Therefore, it is accessible for everyday users.

• Is this just for people with mental health conditions? Not at all. While neurofeedback has shown strong results in areas like ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD, more and more people are using it for wellness and performance: to stay focused, reduce stress, improve sleep, or boost productivity.

• Do I need professional guidance to start? Most modern devices, like Mendi or home EEG headsets, are built for independent use. They’re intuitive and come with guided apps. That said, if you have a specific mental health condition or want a custom protocol, it's mandatory to work with a specialist.

• Can I really improve my brain through neurofeedback? Yes—neurofeedback is rooted in a learning principle called operant conditioning. Your brain gets real-time feedback and learns to optimize itself thanks to its ability to reorganize and adapt. It won’t happen overnight, but over time, many users report improvements in focus, mood regulation, and mental clarity.

You can check our guide about how neurofeedback works for more details.

Now that we've discussed some basic details, let's see what exactly EEG neurofeedback is. Then, we'll talk about fNIRS neurofeedback and how it compares with EEG technologies.

What Is EEG Neurofeedback?

Thanks to the development of compact, user-friendly devices, individuals can now engage in neurofeedback training outside of traditional clinical settings.

These devices use EEG measurements to record the brain’s electrical signals through sensors placed on the scalp. These signals reflect neural activity, categorized into various frequency bands—gamma, delta, theta, beta, and alpha waves—each linked to different mental and emotional states.

At home, users receive real-time feedback—typically visual and auditory feedback, sometimes even tactile feedback—via apps or built-in screens. This feedback guides the brain through operant conditioning. This process encourages self-regulation, so the brain could reproduce beneficial states and behaviors.

For example, when a user maintains a calm, focused mental state, the neurofeedback system rewards that state with positive feedback. This way (and through multiple training sessions), neurofeedback helps the user reinforce those brain patterns over time. This self-guided training supports goals like improving attention, managing stress, or enhancing emotion regulation.

Many home devices now integrate advanced neurofeedback software that allows users to track their EEG patterns and personalize their wellness journey toward better cognitive performance and emotional well-being. Clinical supervision, on the other hand, can offer advanced insights and is extremely important for managing the primary symptoms of psychological disorders.

Advantages of EEG Neurofeedback Training

• Non-invasive and increasingly accessible. Numerous EEG devices can be used at home, thus expanding neurofeedback access beyond clinical settings.

• Customizable protocols. Quantitative EEG (brain map) and neurofeedback protocols exist to personalize electroencephalographic neurofeedback to address specific needs, from reducing traumatic brain injury and ADHD symptoms, as well as chronic pain management, to enhancing emotion regulation.

• Low light sensitivity. Unlike other neurofeedback systems, EEG devices can be used in rooms with natural light, and the results will still be accurate.

• Excellent temporal resolution. EEG can detect brain activity changes as they happen, almost in real-time (milliseconds).

Limitations of EEG Neurofeedback

It’s important to note the limitations of EEG neurofeedback as well:

• Movement sensitivity. Eye blinks, jaw clenching or slight head movements can distort measurements and generate inaccurate EEG patterns.

• Setup complexity. EEG devices that can be used at home have sensors that need to be placed correctly on the scalp for accurate measurements.

• Low spatial resolution. Because EEG measures electrical activity from the scalp, it’s hard to tell exactly which part of the brain generated the signal. It’s like hearing a noise in a building but not knowing which room it came from.

While EEG provides a valuable view of brain networks in terms of brainwaves, it tells only part of the story. The next layer of insight comes from monitoring how the brain consumes oxygen, a task handled by fNIRS.

What Is fNIRS Neurofeedback?

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging method that measures changes in blood oxygenation in the brain. It works by emitting non-invasive near-infrared light through the scalp and measures the levels of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood. How is this used in neurofeedback, you might be wondering, right?

fNIRS neurofeedback works by assessing how active a brain region is. The more focused you are on solving a task, the higher the levels of oxygenated hemoglobin. Mendi, for example, focuses on measuring oxygenation levels in the prefrontal cortex (the commander-in-chief of your executive function). When they increase, our sensors detect this change and provide you with feedback indicating that you're more focused and relaxed.

fNIRS technology is widely used in basic and clinical neuroscience research settings. It has been used—often combined with EEG or fMRI—to study brain activity for various psychiatric disorders, mental health disorders, sleep disorders, and not only! It has even been used to measure the brain activity of musicians!

Today, however, fNIRS can also be used at home for wellness purposes, such as improving focus and concentration, enhancing sleep quality, reducing stress, and promoting peak performance. Mendi is one of the few consumer-grade devices that incorporate this advanced technology into their design for interactive neurofeedback sessions.

Strengths of fNIRS

• Not sensitive to motion. It tolerates minor physical movement, so users don't have to sit completely still while practicing neurofeedback.

• User-friendly devices. fNIRS systems, especially modern wearable versions, tend to be simpler to use with minimal setup.

• Better spatial resolution than EEG. fNIRS can focus on specific brain regions (like the prefrontal cortex), especially those near the surface.

Challenges of fNIRS

• Light sensitivity. Strong ambient light can affect readings.

• Not easily accessible. There are a few fNIRS consumer-grade neurofeedback devices designed to be used at home for wellness purposes.

• Poorer temporal resolution. fNIRS measures changes in blood oxygenation, which happen more slowly (over seconds).

Mendi’s Approach: Practical fNIRS at Your Fingertips

Mendi is one of the few consumer-grade neurofeedback solutions focused exclusively on fNIRS technology. The Mendi headband tracks oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex and delivers real-time feedback during training sessions via a simple mobile app.

What Sets Mendi Apart

• No wires, no gel. Mendi avoids the complexity of traditional EEG setups, making neurofeedback more approachable.

• Gamified feedback. Users have to play a game during their neurofeedback sessions, which turns brain training into a game-like experience, makes sessions enjoyable and engaging, and helps maintain motivation. The real-time visual feedback helps users stay motivated and engaged in their direct training, leading to more effective outcomes.

• Long-term focus. Rather than targeting rapid brainwave changes, Mendi supports sustainable growth in attention and cognitive stamina.

Why You Should Combine EEG and fNIRS Neurofeedback

If you're already using an EEG device, you're halfway there! But to unlock the full picture of your brain’s performance, pairing it with a device like Mendi—which uses fNIRS neurofeedback, can elevate your mental training in a truly transformative way.

Here’s why: EEG neurofeedback tracks your brain’s electrical activity and shows how your brainwaves change in real-time. It’s fantastic for sharpening focus, easing anxiety, and entering flow states. But it only shows you how your brain is behaving, not how well it’s functioning under pressure.

That’s where fNIRS neurofeedback with Mendi comes in. Mendi measures blood oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex—the part of your brain that handles concentration, decision-making, and emotional control. In short, it helps you understand whether your brain has the resources it needs to stay on task, stay calm, and stay sharp.

Let’s Make This Practical

• Trying to focus through brain fog? EEG might tell you you have too much slow brain wave activity, but Mendi can confirm whether your mental fuel tank is running low.

• Struggling with stress at work? EEG helps calm your nervous system, while Mendi strengthens the very brain region responsible for resilience.

• Training for peak performance—whether you're an athlete, student, or entrepreneur? Combining both gives you a sharper edge and deeper recovery.

And the best part? Mendi is simple, wireless, and game-like. That means you can train your brain anywhere, anytime—whether you’re between meetings or winding down before bed.

Already have an EEG device?

Then Mendi is your perfect complement—adding deeper insight, greater precision, and a more balanced training experience.

Real-World Applications and Research: Where EEG and fNIRS Shine

Both EEG and fNIRS are backed by decades of human neuroscience research and randomized controlled trials. Below, you'll find some of their most common applications both for clinical and wellness goals.

EEG in Practice

• ADHD therapy. EEG neurofeedback has shown promise in managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. A meta-analysis highlighted improvements in attention and reductions in hyperactivity among children undergoing EEG biofeedback. Additionally, combining EEG-NF with medication provided added benefits over medication alone.

• PTSD and anxiety treatment. Neurofeedback has been effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and associated anxiety. A systematic review found that neurofeedback interventions led to significant decreases in PTSD severity and improved brain function.

• Cognitive enhancement. Executives, performers, and athletes use EEG training to enter optimal performance states or improve reaction times.

fNIRS in Practice

• Stroke rehabilitation. fNIRS neurofeedback has been utilized in stroke rehabilitation to monitor and improve motor learning.

• Cognitive enhancement. Studies leveraging fNIRS imaging have shown that participants undergoing neurofeedback treatment experienced improvements in memory, verbal memory, and composite cognitive function compared to the control group.

• Mental workload monitoring and learning enhancement. fNIRS has been effective in assessing mental workload in professions like aviation and surgery. Neurofeedback research utilizing fNIRS-based monitoring in flight simulators showed that neuroadaptive personalized training protocol using non-invasive neuroimaging can enhance the learning process and efficiency.

• Enhancing athletic performance. Neurofeedback training, including fNIRS-based methods, has been applied to improve mental skills in athletes and measure their cognitive processing.

Toward a Holistic Brain Training Approach!

We’re entering an era where individuals can actively shape their brain health—no longer passively waiting for stress to subside or attention to improve! And neurofeedback is at the forefront of this shift, empowering people with real-time insights into their own minds.

• Use EEG to sharpen focus and calm nerves quickly by balancing brain wave activity.

• Use fNIRS to build resilience, mental stamina, and emotional balance.

• Use both to create a balanced, multidimensional mental health routine.

As research continues to evolve and technology becomes more accessible, these tools are poised to play a central role in how we understand and care for our brains!

Ready to start your brain training journey? Get your Mendi now!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between neurofeedback and EEG biofeedback?

Neurofeedback and EEG biofeedback mean the same thing. Neurofeedback is a branch of biofeedback that is usually done through EEG technology, which is why it is often called EEG biofeedback.

What is the downside of neurofeedback training?

The downside of neurofeedback is that it can be quite expensive, even if performed at home. Neurofeedback devices can be costly, depending on what kind of neurofeedback technique they use. Moreover, if the goal is to manage a mental health condition, neurofeedback therapy can cause side effects unless it is fully personalized by an experienced provider.

Can EEG be used for ADHD?

EEG neurofeedback has indeed shown potential for managing ADHD symptoms. It is best done at a clinic under the supervision of a neurofeedback provider who can create a brain map and closely monitor EEG signals emitted by the patient's brain waves.

Can EEG and fNIRS be used together?

Yes, EEG and fNIRS can be used together, offering a comprehensive approach to understanding both surface and deeper brain activities. This combination enhances brain training effectiveness.

What makes Mendi’s approach unique?

Mendi's approach is unique as it specializes solely in fNIRS technology, providing a straightforward and efficient method for developing long-term mental skills without complicated arrangements.