LENS Neurofeedback – Dr. Brigitte Essl MA DC and European MD

Helping Your Brain Find Calm

LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System) is a brain therapy developed by Len Ochs PhD, to work naturally with your brain’s electrical patterns. Think of it as a conversation with your nervous system—using its own language.

Here’s how it helps: When your brain gets stuck in unhelpful patterns (causing anxiety, sleep issues, or difficulty focusing), LENS creates the right conditions for your brain to reset itself. It does this by sending extremely weak signals—so gentle, like whispers—that help your brain recognize where it’s out of balance.

The beauty of LENS is that it doesn’t force change. Instead, it simply provides your brain with the information needed to find its own way back to calm and clarity. These subtle “nudges” guide your nervous system toward healthier patterns, helping you think more clearly, feel more emotionally balanced, and find peace—even in our busy, stressful world.

Many patients describe LENS as the most effortless therapy they’ve ever experienced. You simply relax while your brain does what it naturally knows how to do—heal and rebalance itself.

Understanding the Basics

How LENS Works: Step by Step

Measuring Your Brain’s Activity

We start by placing small, gentle sensors on specific spots on your scalp. These act like tiny microphones that listen to your brain’s electrical “conversation” – the natural electrical signals your brain produces all the time.

Understanding Your Brain’s Patterns

Measuring Your Brain’s Activity
We start by placing small, gentle sensors on specific spots on your scalp. These act like tiny microphones that listen to your brain’s electrical “conversation” – the natural electrical signals your brain produces all the time.
Understanding Your Brain’s Patterns
Our system then identifies which brainwave patterns are strongest for you at that moment – kind of like figuring out which radio station your brain is tuned to.
Creating Gentle Feedback
Next, LENS creates a tiny signal that mirrors what your brain is doing, but with a slight twist. Think of it like seeing yourself in a mirror, but the reflection is just a bit different – enough for your brain to notice.
Sending the Signal Back
This incredibly weak signal (much softer than what your phone gives off) is sent back to your brain through the same sensors. It’s so gentle that most people don’t feel anything at all.
Your Brain Responds Naturally
When your brain detects this “mirror with a twist,” it naturally starts to adjust its patterns. It’s like your brain saying, “Oh, I see what I’m doing, let me make some improvements.” This natural self-correction is what helps you feel better over time.

The Brain Garden Metaphor

Think of your brain as a garden. LENS works like a skilled gardener who makes small, strategic adjustments to encourage balanced growth throughout your neural garden. The gentle electromagnetic signal acts like a specialized gardening tool that:

Prunes overgrown neural pathways that may be causing unwanted symptoms
Encourages growth in underactive areas
Creates space for new, healthier neural connections to form
Helps remove debris (stuck patterns) that may be blocking optimal function

Just as a garden responds naturally to careful tending, your brain responds to these subtle signals by reorganizing itself more efficiently—not because it’s being forced to change, but because the system has created optimal conditions for your brain’s natural healing abilities to activate.

What Can LENS Help With?

Clearer Thinking

Your thoughts become focused and less foggy
You can concentrate better on tasks
It’s easier to remember things
Your mind feels more flexible and adaptable

Feeling Better Emotionally

Less worry and tension
Your mood stays more balanced throughout the day
You can handle your emotions better
Depression symptoms often decrease

Physical Improvements

You may sleep more soundly through the night
Many people experience less pain in their body
Fewer headaches or migraines
Better balance and coordination

Recovery After Injury

Helpful for healing after concussions or head injuries
Supports recovery from various brain-related conditions

Many people notice positive changes within just a few sessions. Some feel better right away, while others need more time. Everyone’s journey is unique, and the number of sessions required depends on your individual progress and circumstances.

What to Expect During Your LENS Session

When you arrive for your LENS appointment, everything is designed to be comfortable and stress-free. Here’s what happens:

You’ll settle into a comfortable chair—just like sitting in your living room. Your practitioner will gently place several small sensors (about the size of a dime) on specific spots on your scalp. These don’t hurt at all—they simply rest on your skin with a bit of conductive gel to help pick up your brain’s natural electrical activity.

The actual treatment is incredibly brief and subtle. At each sensor location, the LENS system delivers its gentle feedback for just a few seconds—you might not even notice it happening. The entire session typically lasts 25-40 minutes, with transmission of signal only a minute or two.

What You’ll Experience:

Most people feel nothing at all from the sensors or feedback signal
You can simply relax, close your eyes if you’d like, or have a quiet conversation
Some notice subtle shifts during the session, like feeling more relaxed or alert
After the session, many experience positive changes such as clearer thinking, better sleep, or a sense of calm
Effects can be immediate for some, while others notice gradual improvements over the next few days

Important to Know:

There’s no concentration required—you don’t have to “do” anything
You remain fully clothed throughout the session
The electromagnetic signal is extremely weak—much less than daily exposure from cell phones
Many describe their sessions as peaceful and relaxing

Your practitioner will guide you through the process and answer any questions you have. The beauty of LENS is its simplicity—your brain does all the work naturally while you simply relax.

Your LENS Journey

The LENS system communicates directly with your nervous system, using the same gentle electrical language your brain already understands. Instead of pushing or forcing your brain to change, LENS simply offers information that helps your brain recognize where it might be stuck or out of balance.

Think of LENS as a helpful guide showing your brain the path back to its natural, calm state. The therapy provides subtle “nudges” that remind your brain how to function at its best.

Throughout the process, your brain remains in control. LENS just creates the perfect conditions for your brain to reorganize itself, leading to clearer thinking, more stable emotions, and an overall sense of wellbeing. The best part? Your brain does all the work—LENS just helps unlock this natural ability.