Recently Body Ecology had the opportunity to speak with Dr. David Dubin, a physician specializing in neurofeedback. Dr. Dubin uses a special form of neurofeedback called LENS - Low Energy Neurofeedback System.

LENS is a form of biofeedback that is on the cutting-edge of neurotechnology.  Using a dynamic and multi-tiered computer program that maps the brain, LENS develops a response to the pathological brainwaves found in patients with conditions like autism spectrum disorder, ADD/ADHD, depression, epilepsy, and even chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia.

Using a low electromagnetic field to speak to the brain in its own language, the brain is prompted to respond differently. This slight fluctuation in brainwaves allows the brain an opportunity to “reboot.”

• In less than a second, a small electromagnetic signal is delivered to a specific point on the scalp.
• This electromagnetic frequency interacts with your own brainwaves, or the natural electrical activity that occurs in the brain.
• The effects of LENS therapy are often felt after one session. Sometimes it takes 2–4 sessions to notice a marked response in brainwave patterning. 

When Body Ecology met with Dr. Dubin, we asked, “How is it that LENS can treat such a wide range of disorders?” He explains that he “can treat someone without knowing what the problem is because this isn’t diagnosis-driven.” This is because treatment protocol changes based on the sensitivity and reactivity of the nervous system but not on diagnosis.

Dr. Dubin tells us that while LENS “globally optimizes brain function, it does not treat specific diseases per se.” The various conditions that LENS successfully addresses are all what he calls “frozen dysfunctional patterns.”

“Unlike normal neurofeedback, which trains the brain, LENS dis-entrains the brain. So we are focused on freeing up frozen dysfunctional patterns, as opposed to trying to get the brain to be any particular way.”

Dr. Dubin tells us that the areas that LENS treats are really three basic areas:

1. Emotional: Depression, anxiety, and the many variations of anxiety and depression.
2. Cognitive: Traumatic brain injury, stroke, ADD/ADHA.
3. Energy levels: Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Dr. Dubin explains that, “When you are looking at the neurochemical level, you are looking at the level of the synapse. One neuron communicating with another neuron. What we are doing is looking at the brain from a more macro point of view, the brain as a bioelectric organ where large ensembles of neurons are interacting with other large ensembles of neurons. It is a different vantage point, and they relate.”

Low Energy Neurofeedback System therapy treats three basic areas of the brain: emotional to relieve depression and anxiety, cognitive to treat ADD and traumatic brain injury, and energy levels to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.

“For example, someone will come in with a lot of anxiety. This is 90% effective for anxiety.” Dr. Dubin tells us that he could stimulate “one spot for 1/100 of a second” and lift 20 years of anxiety in extremely sensitive patients.

LENS works with the bigger picture. While it affects the body on a molecular level, the focus is beyond this, and its approach is more whole systems based. Which is why its effects are so global.

“Neurofeedback and LENS are the only treatments for traumatic brain injury that exist at this point. People with traumatic brain injury are noticing changes in 1–3 sessions.”

The current treatment model for many brain-related disorders uses strong pharmaceutical drugs to adjust brain activity. Oftentimes, pharmaceutical medication can have substantial and unwanted side effects.

Additionally, the number of deaths and hospitalizations related to prescription medication has risen drastically over the last decade. Overdose of opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers has more than doubled between 1999 and 2006. (1)

“Whenever there is trauma, whether through stroke or a blunt mechanical trauma, the brain responds in a way that we only partly understand. Once the initial damage control has been done, then all the components that were there to limit the damage become obstacles.”

LENS regulates the aftermath and obstacles that were initially in place to protect the body. Dr. Dubin explains that, “This doesn’t deal with the original trauma; this really works with the results of that trauma and the results of that stroke.”

LENS works with the premise that any system in the body will return to its native, healthy state if given the opportunity. Therefore, it does not target negative neurological patterns.

Once he begins treating these patients with LENS, Dr. Dubin has found that they may actually need to stay off of even natural supplements. He explains that because LENS is so global in its effect, it will adjust the endocrine feedback system involved in adrenal fatigue, even before supplements are given.

• LENS reveals a new and healthier path for the brain.
• The global effect of LENS is able to free up or deconstruct possible neurological barriers.
• Healthy brain patterns have a built-in flexibility and resilience.
• The adjustments in the brain’s bioelectrical field happen only where needed.

While LENS therapy is undoubtedly effective for painful and sometimes debilitating emotional and cognitive conditions, the field is still developing. Dr. Dubin explains, “LENS is still in the process of proving to academia its clinical effectiveness.”

For more information on this amazing new technology, contact Dr. Dubin at daviddubinmd@thedubinclinic.com.