Dr Marina vd Ryst

24/11/2025

Research identified a brain circuit shifting behaviour into a repetitive mode. New understanding of how compulsive actions arise in the brain may contribute to insights and efficient treatment into conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and addiction.
Read more here: https://neurosciencenews.com/brain-circuit-compulsion-29967/

21/11/2025

Do your fitness levels improve with gym training of 30 hours, consisting of 2-hour long sessions daily over 10 days? No, of course not – your only win may be an injury. The same holds true for Neurofeedback which is an operant conditioning learning-based training process, requiring repetition, consolidation, stable incremental practice over time - session-by-session shaping of EEG patterns through feedback and reinforcement. It causes functional changes in regulation, shifts in excitation–inhibition balance, and altered patterns of cortical activation - BUT it does not directly construct new anatomical pathways. It cannot be done in 10 days or rushed with longer sessions. Repeated practice assists existing networks to become more efficient and better regulated, resulting in behavioural changes which include improved cognition and emotional self-regulation, assisting with symptoms of a wide variety of mental and cognitive challenges.
Choose Qualified Health Care Practitioners, specialized in neuroanatomy and -physiological brain processes. Look for the BCIA certification mark before entrusting your mental health to others. When in doubt contact Bio-and Neurofeedback Association of South Africa.
https://www.biofeedbacksa.co.za/

19/11/2025

Biology of Burnout: The chronic activation of the body’s stress systems, keep the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) branch activated at the cost of the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branch. It loses its restorative influence which lower heart rate variability, disrupt cortisol rhythms, and impair sleep. This imbalance causes the body to use more energy than it can restore, creating increased allostatic load, or “stress wear-and-tear.” Over time, this can shape patterns of exhaustion, slowed information processing, and reduced motivation and cognitive problems. These biological shifts interact with psychological and environmental demands to sustain the burnout cycle. Techniques to address this imbalance includes HRV training, Neurofeedback and sleep restoration. In our practice step 1 is to restore sleep.

https://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_iliff_one_more_reason_to_get_a_good_night_s_sleep

18/11/2025

Burnout isn’t just “being tired”—it’s a biological stress response that builds over time.
When demands stay high for too long, cortisol remains elevated, disrupting sleep, mood, immunity, and energy regulation.
The brain shifts into survival mode, reducing activity in areas responsible for focus, motivation, and emotional balance.
Over time, these changes drain both the body and mind, making even small tasks feel overwhelming.
Recovering from burnout means restoring balance: rest, nervous-system regulation, supportive habits, and sustainable boundaries.

16/11/2025

15/11/2025

14/11/2025

13/11/2025

"'Just do it’ was never meant to be just a tagline —it is a call to action. A challenge to start, to try, to move forward even when it’s hard. It’s the belief that, together, we can inspire, unite and elevate ourselves beyond what we thought possible,” says Nicole Graham, Chief Marketing Officer NIKE.
For mental health this call to action often comes when motivation feels low. Waiting for the ‘right time’ often means waiting too long. Small steps — reaching out, resting, setting boundaries, showing up for yourself — these are all acts of doing. When you start taking consistent action for your mental well-being, it doesn’t just change your mood; it transforms how you think, relate, and live. Because caring for your mind truly affects every part of your life.

11/11/2025

The whole is truely greater than the sum of its parts: Cognitive Executive training and Neurofeedback - 2 Powerful tools joining forces to align your brain’s patterns, focus, and performance. Feedback guides the mind toward balance and clarity, while cognitive training strengthens the neural connections that support executive thinking and -performance.
The magic happens when everything clicks together - and when those connections come alive, the result is greater than the sum of its parts — a stronger, sharper, and more confident you.

10/11/2025

Is the year-end rush, lack of mental clarity and feeling bogged-down wearing you out? Neurofeedback is one way to restore clarity and get rid of mind fogginess. Combined with Photobiomodulation (near-infrared light from LEDs or low-level laser) to stimulate cells, accelerate healing, reduce pain and inflammation, these methods will restore mental clarity, enhance focus and even improve sleep quality.