Welcome back to part 2 of our exclusive interview with John Mekrut, founder of The Balanced Brain, a holistic mental health and wellness program for those looking for sustainable solutions that support positive neurological architecture. Through this series, we’ll explore the intricacies of brain rewiring, a dynamic process he refers to as one of the most important components of optimal cognitive functioning. Join us on this journey with John as he talks about just what it takes to create genuine transformation within your brain pathways.
Circuits Have Habits
This is John’s perspective on how taking a proactive approach toward mental health can be beneficial in the long term and how it could make an impactful difference. He emphasized how rewiring the brain is more beneficial than traditional medication.
“What neurofeedback does so beautifully is to retune our brain’s perceptive capabilities to be more accurate.”
According to him, our bad behaviors, or behaviors that we wish not to do anymore, result from formed circuits. For some reason, we don’t even know why they are there; truthfully, we don’t have to know why. We know what they are. We can observe them.
We will wonder, “Why do I act that way?”
Hebb’s Law says that circuits fire together and wire together. They will only assemble out of need, albeit sometimes the need is a misperception. Your brain may think it needs reactivity to a situation when it truly doesn’t, or maybe it did 20 years ago and didn’t need it anymore. But that’s how the circuits continue to fire because that’s what they’ve become routine for, and then they fall into a rut.
John’s message was clear: Circuit behaviors are habits. And habits are powerful things. They can shape our lives and behavior but aren’t set in stone. It takes time to change them—it won’t happen overnight! But with persistence, we can break down those inefficient circuits that get in the way of living life to its fullest potential.
The Flexibility of the Human Brain
The human brain is special because it can change. If something is not useful, the brain gets rid of it. Every day, the brain tries new things to see if they are useful. If they are not useful, the brain throws them away. This makes humans different from animals with less flexible or sophisticated brains.
John described neurofeedback as having the technology and opportunity to show your brain what it’s doing—what action is happening in real-time. “It’s never happened before. It’s always been this interpretive, what’s going-on-inside-my- head? Conversation. Now I can show my brain: this is what you’re doing.” John said.
We can tell our brains to see more efficient patterns; they will learn to do this over time. Your brain is locked inside your skull, floating in some water in the dark. It doesn’t know anything. It only knows what we give it, and what we give it is important. So we want to tell the truth.
Changing Lives One Brain Circuit at a Time
I asked John if he thought neurofeedback had the potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Could it be an effective tool for those coping with mental health issues? What positive impacts were possible, and how could that change someone’s life trajectory?
His outlook provides a unique insight that invites exploration and discovery.
John says,
“Let’s say you’ve been struggling with anxiety for 15 years. You’re in your early 30s. This has been with you since you can remember. You’ve always felt slightly anxious. It seems to worsen over time, and you must do something about it.
You’ve been to therapists and tried some anti-anxiety medications, which haven’t solved the problem. Yet still, when you don’t take them, you feel bad. You take them and get side effects and all the rest of it.
“The argument that I would make to you is: that anxiety, or any diagnosable mental health challenge that somebody comes to us with, can always be circling back to what are the brain circuit irregularities that are in your brain as opposed to anybody else’s? Where would that behavior manifest, and what kind of behavior does that dysregulation manifest as?”
Interestingly, similar dysregulated patterns can manifest in several different ways. It’s not necessarily a direct line.
Quantitative Electroencephalogram
John explains that they use something called a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG). This tool records brainwaves and compares them to other high-performing people’s brainwaves. They are looking for differences in how well connected different brain parts are and how efficient the activity is across all the different locations in your head that they can measure. They measure 19 different channels, or areas, in your head and compare them to other people’s brains.
Some areas of the brain contribute to feeling anxious. We plan to train those areas to be more efficient and help the brain make the best decision for you. This will help you feel less anxious about what is happening around you.
Your brain will know if the decision you are making is the best possible one. You can be confident in your choice. We teach our brains to behave in patterns that help us feel better when we are depressed, anxious, or have other problems. When our brains don’t feel good, they send us signals that something is wrong.
Ultimately, the brain needs to be more efficient in processing so that various challenges never arise in your consciousness.
Holistic Framework Oriented
At the same time that John was discussing QEG and its potential to affect mental health positively, I couldn’t help but think of a loved one struggling with grief. Traditional methods haven’t been enough for her, yet this person is determined to find an effective solution, as they shared with me recently. So naturally, my curiosity led me to ask John if he has any personal experience or distinctive insights on using neurofeedback techniques like The Balanced Brain System that could inspire others to find relief from their emotional turmoil. His response truly resonated.
“Here at The Balanced Brain, we do far more than just neurofeedback. We’re mindful of and utilize a holistic framework that is functionally medicine-oriented in how we think of things. It’s all root cause focused.”
“Neurofeedback is not a standalone fix-it thing. It’s a useful tool. It’s a very powerful tool, but it needs to be done in concert with many other changes that people need to make in their lives to get the full benefit.”
John used this example.
People come to us for help, and we provide valuable insights into how their brains are functioning. However, our advice won’t be as effective if the environment they’re living in or aspects such as diet and sleep are not addressed. Sometimes, it may even suggest something drastic, like a job change! There must be an overall lifestyle shift so these people can progress because only by taking all elements of life into account will they truly benefit from what we offer here at The Balanced Brain.
“At The Balanced Brain, we promote what we profess and know to be true: You have to address all of the other aspects of your life to have the performance you’re looking for. I think that’s just a basic truth that everyone needs to understand,” John expresses his enthusiasm.
Furthermore, he says, “There is no instant gratification in anything. If you want to feel anxious, take a pill instantly, and you’ll feel instantly less anxious. It won’t solve your anxiety problem, but you will feel less anxious if you stop taking the pill. You’re right back where you started.”
The problem is much more global and involves many more moving parts.
On the other hand, they have clients who take responsibility for themselves. They take control of their health and well-being, which involves more than changing what’s on their plate. They are the ones who understand and reap the benefits for both mind and body performance that require dedication from within themselves.
What’s the success rate of neurofeedback?
It’s a commonly asked question. John’s answer is straightforward: “It’s a hundred percent.”
“You need to define success. I know I can change your brain circuit behavior. How well that impacts how you behave in this world involves all those other implications.”
Neurofeedback can transform behaviors profoundly, and, as John attests, it’s all about how well we effectively utilize the system to best apply these changes to our lives.
John Mekrut’s Thoughts on the Future of Mental Health
“The future of mental health will be a combination of various things.”
John is excited to answer that it will be biology, nutrition, diet, sleep hygiene, and many other things people don’t think of as “mental health.” It will be a rejection of pharmacology.
“There is no answer in pharmacology,” he said. He said that there is a time when someone might need medication. They are in a deep, dark hole and might be suicidal. The solutions are changing your life completely, getting a better brain, and ensuring the system functions smoothly.
Furthermore, he advises that if you are in a bad relationship, it has to end. You cannot stay in a partnership with someone abusive. If you are drinking too much alcohol, you have to stop. You need to give yourself a chance to be healthy. Eating junk food and watching TV will not make you healthy. So do the basics, like eating healthy and exercising.
“I’m not saying that people need to run out, join a gym, and become Mr. Universe. That’s not the point. The point is to have balance in all aspects of our lives. To not expect that there’s an instantaneous answer to things. There isn’t. It’s a matter of changing all the different perspectives on our lives.”
John’s Message to Everyone
“Understanding who we are and how our relationships with each other, society, and the environment affect us is more important now than ever. At this crucial time, we must take a mindful approach to everything that surrounds us, whether personal connections, employment choices, or familial ties. It’s vital that these things be considered if we truly want to reach an optimal state physically and emotionally. Happily, though, I can assist you on your journey towards becoming healthy regarding what lies inside, namely your brain! The rest, however, is up to you.”
Learning about brain rewiring with John Mekrut has been quite an experience. We’ve learned about the malleability of our circuits and the potential for growth by changing them and recalibrating our behavior. We have discussed the advantages of a Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG) in providing a tangible representation of how our brains look and feel and how this can be used to help form a holistic understanding of the human mind. John’s message that no one is broken is an encouraging one for those feeling overwhelmed or believing they don’t fit into societal norms. He wants people to recognize their strengths, become motivated about their future, and improve their overall mental health for the long haul. His enthusiasm for his craft is contagious, and it’s reassuring to know there are people like him who dedicate their lives to helping others.
For anyone considering brain rewiring or looking for support, don’t hesitate to contact John Mekrut directly and schedule a discovery call. He will provide incredible insight into an increased psychological flow, improved decision-making abilities, better stress regulation, and stronger connections with close ones through brain-rewiring technology!
Did you know that the true potential within yourself is still waiting to be discovered?
The Balanced Brain provides innovative strategies and access to experts who can help lead your journey. Get a Free Discovery Call with us, risk-free! We want our clients to gain healing and improved quality of life—and it all starts by getting in touch today.
Plus, unlock exclusive benefits when you Join our Functional Neurofeedback Facebook Community and reap the rewards of connecting with like-minded individuals! Don’t miss out on this essential opportunity for self-growth – let’s find out if we’re a great match together now.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional.
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