Can Brain Training Help Alzheimer’s? What Mike Cohen Reveals About Neurofeedback and Brain Plasticity

Can Brain Training Help Alzheimer’s? What Mike Cohen Reveals About Neurofeedback and Brain Plasticity | #65

Can Brain Training Help Alzheimer’s? What Mike Cohen Reveals About Neurofeedback and Brain Plasticity

By Dr. Josh Helman featuring insights from Michael Cohen

Could the Brain Be Trained to Heal?

In this conversation, Dr. Josh speaks with brain training expert Mike Cohen about neurofeedback, neuroplasticity, brain mapping, and how targeted brain exercises may help support people dealing with memory loss, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, stroke recovery, and Alzheimer’s disease. With more than 30 years of experience, Mike explains why the brain may remain adaptable throughout life and how neurofeedback can support cognitive and emotional function.

“Everybody, if they have the opportunity, should in some way practice training their brain or finding some type of stimulation… that can help your brain improve its timing or activity.”
-Michael Cohen

In this episode:

00:00 Rethinking Alzheimer’s and Brain Training

03:10 Guest Introduction: Mike Cohen & Center for Brain Training

06:40 Origin Story: A Father’s Recovery Through Neurofeedback

12:30 What Is Neurofeedback?

18:40 Neuroplasticity at Any Age

24:20 Who Can Benefit and When to Be Careful

30:10 EEG and QEEG Brain Mapping Explained

37:00 Brain Waves, Timing, and Cognitive Function

42:30 Brain Training for Sleep, Anxiety, and Mood

48:10 Different Brain Training Modalities

55:00 Sessions, Duration, and At-Home Tools

01:00:10 Brain Training for Peak Performance & Athletes

01:06:00 Gut-Brain Connection and Inflammation

01:12:00 Mold, Toxins, and Brain Function Complexity

01:18:00 TMS, ECT, and Other Neuromodulation Tools

READ THE COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE:

How Mike Cohen Discovered Neurofeedback

Mike Cohen’s journey into brain training began through his father’s severe depression.
After medications and electroshock therapy failed, he discovered neurofeedback in the 1990s. His father, who struggled with communication, focus, and daily activities, showed noticeable improvements after sessions.
This experience changed Mike’s career path and led him to dedicate his work to brain training and neurofeedback therapies.

What Is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a brain training method that measures brainwave activity using sensors placed on the scalp. It helps the brain learn healthier electrical patterns through real-time feedback. Over time, this may support:

Memory
Focus
Mood
Sleep
Emotional regulation
Cognitive processing
It can be compared to exercise for the brain, where repeated training helps improve neural function.

Can the Brain Still Change With Age?

Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections—continues throughout life, although it may slow with age.

Examples include stroke patients regaining abilities and cognitive improvements seen in some memory care cases after training.

What Is a QEEG Brain Map?

A QEEG (quantitative electroencephalogram) analyzes brainwave activity and compares it with age-matched healthy norms.It may help identify patterns linked to:

Memory issues
Anxiety
Depression
Sleep problems
Attention difficulties
Emotional regulation challenges

Conditions Brain Training May Support

Neurofeedback and related techniques are explored for supporting conditions such as:

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Anxiety and depression
ADHD
Sleep disorders
Traumatic brain injuries
Stroke recovery
Speech difficulties
Emotional regulation issues

Results vary depending on overall health, inflammation, metabolism, and environmental factors.

Why Sleep Matters for Brain Health

Sleep issues may sometimes reflect brain regulation problems where certain regions remain overactive.Some neurofeedback approaches aim to help the brain stabilize these patterns and improve sleep quality.

The Role of Toxins and Mold Exposure

Environmental toxins, including mold exposure, may negatively affect cognitive function.While brain training may provide temporary improvement, ongoing exposure can limit long-term recovery.

Types of Brain Training Techniques

Brain map-guided neurofeedback
LENS neurofeedback
HEG biofeedback
Infrared neurofeedback
Light-based brain stimulation
Magnetic field therapies
Audio-visual entrainment

Key Takeaways

The brain retains adaptability through neuroplasticity
Neurofeedback helps train brainwave patterns
Brain mapping can highlight functional imbalances
Brain training may support multiple neurological conditions
Lifestyle factors like sleep and nutrition are essential for brain health
Complex conditions require a multi-factor approach

Conclusion:

Brain health is dynamic and continuously evolving.While neurofeedback is not a guaranteed treatment, it may offer supportive benefits for cognitive and emotional well-being.Research in brain training continues to grow, especially in areas related to aging, memory decline, and neurological recovery.

Resources:

Connect with Michael Cohen:

Connect with Dr. Josh Helman, MD:

Disclaimer:

This content is for informational purposes only and is based on a recorded interview. It is not medical advice. Neurofeedback and related approaches are not guaranteed treatments, and results may vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health-related decisions.