Understanding Your QEEG Results¶

Your QEEG Review with Dr. Hill explains your unique brain patterns. This guide helps you understand what the brain map shows and what it means for your training.

🎨 Reading the Brain Map¶

Color-Coded Maps¶

Your QEEG creates color maps for each brainwave frequency:

Colors represent Z-scores (standard deviations from average):

Color	Z-Score	Meaning
Dark Blue	-2 or lower	Significantly below average
Light Blue	-1 to -2	Slightly below average
Green	-1 to +1	Normal range
Yellow/Orange	+1 to +2	Slightly above average
Red	+2 or higher	Significantly above average

Important: Different doesn't mean bad! Many successful people have "abnormal" brain maps.

📊 What is a Z-Score?¶

The Math Made Simple¶

Z-score = How many standard deviations you are from the average person

Example: - Z-score of 0 = Exactly average - Z-score of +2 = Higher than 95% of people - Z-score of -2 = Lower than 95% of people

Your brain is compared to a database of thousands of healthy brains matched for age.

What We Look For¶

Patterns across multiple sites: - Not just one red spot, but patterns - Consistent elevations or reductions - Asymmetries (left vs. right differences) - How sites relate to each other (coherence)

Your brain map is a constellation - we look at the whole picture, not individual spots.

🧬 Endophenotypes & Phenotypes¶

Endophenotypes¶

Stable, trait-level brain patterns that are: - Heritable (genetically influenced) - Stable over time - Associated with behavioral/cognitive traits

Examples: - High frontal alpha (creative, daydreamy) - Frontal theta excess (ADHD-like, distracted) - High beta patterns (anxious, ruminative)

Dr. Hill's 12 Phenotypes¶

From his book Gifted & Tortured

Dr. Hill has identified 12 common neurodivergent brain patterns associated with: - Creativity and intelligence - ADHD and attention patterns - Anxiety and mood patterns - Autism spectrum patterns - Other unique cognitive styles

Your QEEG Review will explain which patterns you have and what they mean for you.

🎯 How We Use Your QEEG¶

Protocol Selection¶

Your brain map guides:

Which sites to train:
High activity areas (may train down)
Low activity areas (may train up)
Asymmetries (balance left/right)
Which frequencies to reward/inhibit:
Based on your specific patterns
Targeted to your goals
Adjusted based on response
Training progression:
Conservative start (build foundation)
Iterate based on effects
Follow-up QEEGs track changes

Personalization¶

Why QEEG-guided training matters:

Same symptom, different brain patterns: - Person A: Anxiety + high beta → train down beta - Person B: Anxiety + low alpha → train up alpha - Both have anxiety, completely different training!

Same protocol, different effects: - Person C: Low SMR, trains C4-A1 SMR → sleeps better - Person D: High SMR, trains C4-A1 SMR → more alert - Same training, different starting points = different outcomes

Your brain is unique. Your training should be too!

🔍 Common Patterns & What They Mean¶

High Frontal Alpha¶

Characteristics: - Elevated alpha at Fz, F3, F4 - Often creative, intuitive - May be distractible or "daydreamy"

Training approach: - May train down frontal alpha - Train up beta for focus - Build regulation at C4

Frontal Theta Excess¶

Characteristics: - Elevated theta at Fz, Fpz, frontal sites - Classic ADHD signature - Spacey, unfocused, distractible

Training approach: - Inhibit theta (4-7 Hz) - Reward SMR/beta - Usually at C3, C4, Cz

High Beta Patterns¶

Characteristics: - Elevated beta (20+ Hz) across multiple sites - Anxious, ruminative, "busy brain" - May have sleep issues

Training approach: - Inhibit high beta (20-32 Hz) - Reward alpha and SMR - Fz-Pz for downshift

Alpha Asymmetry¶

Characteristics: - Different alpha levels left vs. right - Associated with mood and emotional patterns - May indicate depression risk

Training approach: - Balance asymmetry - Train specific hemisphere - Mood-focused protocols

📈 Tracking Progress with Follow-Up QEEGs¶

When to Remap¶

Timing	Purpose
Initial	Baseline before training
Session 15-20	First progress check (~1 month)
Session 30-40	Mid-program assessment (~2 months)
Annual	Long-term maintenance
After long break	Re-baseline before resuming

What Changes Look Like¶

At 20 sessions (typical): - Up to 1 standard deviation change is common - Colors shifting (red → orange → yellow → green) - Patterns normalizing toward database average - Asymmetries reducing

Example: - Start: Fz theta Z-score of +2.5 (red) - After 20 sessions: Fz theta Z-score of +1.2 (yellow/green) - That's significant improvement!

🤔 Common Questions¶

What if my brain map is "very abnormal"?¶

Remember: Different ≠ broken!

Many highly successful people have unusual brain patterns: - Creatives often have high alpha - Entrepreneurs often have frontal patterns - High-performers often show asymmetries

We're optimizing, not fixing. Your brain may just be wired differently - and that can be a strength!

Can I see my brain map again?¶

Yes! It's in your portal (usually in "QEEG Consults" tab).

Or ask your coach - they can share it via Slack or email.

How accurate is QEEG?¶

Very accurate when done correctly.

Peak Brain uses: - Research-grade equipment (CGX, Cognionics) - IQCB (International QEEG Certification Board) standards - Normative databases (thousands of subjects) - Expert analysis by Dr. Hill

Your brain patterns are reliable trait-level characteristics.

Will my brain map change?¶

Yes and no:

Stable (won't change much): - Overall phenotype/pattern - Endophenotypic traits - General architecture

Can change with training: - Specific Z-scores (magnitude of deviation) - Asymmetries - Some frequency band amplitudes - Coherence patterns

Typical change: Movement of 0.5-1.5 standard deviations over 20-40 sessions

What if follow-up QEEG shows no change?¶

Possible reasons: - Too early (need more sessions) - Protocol needs adjustment - Lifestyle factors interfering - Change happening but not yet visible in QEEG

Your subjective experience matters more than QEEG changes!

If you're sleeping better and feeling better, that's success even if QEEG hasn't shifted much yet.

Can I get a copy of my QEEG report?¶

Yes! Ask Dr. Hill or your coach.

Includes: - Brain maps for each frequency band - Z-score tables - Analysis and interpretation - Protocol recommendations

📋 What to Ask During Your QEEG Review¶

Good Questions¶

About your patterns: - "What's my main phenotype?" - "Why do I have [specific pattern]?" - "Is this pattern common?" - "How does this relate to my [symptom/goal]?"

About training: - "Why are we starting with [specific protocol]?" - "What will that protocol do for me?" - "How long until we see changes?" - "When should I remap?"

About results: - "What changes should I look for?" - "How will we know it's working?" - "What if I don't respond to initial protocols?"

Don't hesitate to ask! The QEEG Review is your time to understand your brain.

🎓 Understanding Your Unique Brain¶

Your Brain is Not Average (And That's OK!)¶

If your map shows: - Lots of red/blue (many deviations) - Unusual patterns - Multiple "abnormalities"

This often means: - ✅ You're neurodivergent (creativity, intelligence, unique strengths) - ✅ You process information differently - ✅ You have specific training targets - ❌ NOT that you're broken or damaged

Many Peak Brain clients are gifted, creative, high-achieving people with "abnormal" brain maps!

Goals vs. Normalization¶

We're not trying to make your brain "normal": - Training targets YOUR goals - Optimizes your unique brain - May normalize some patterns, enhance others - Individual variation is valued

Example: - High alpha creative: May keep high alpha, just regulate it better - Not trying to eliminate your creativity!

📊 Typical First QEEG Patterns¶

What Dr. Hill Often Sees¶

Common patterns in new clients: - Frontal theta excess (ADHD-like) - High beta (anxiety, rumination) - Alpha asymmetry (mood) - Low SMR (regulation challenges) - Posterior alpha abnormalities

Your pattern will be unique - this is just what's common.

🔄 The QEEG→Training Cycle¶

How it works:

QEEG shows patterns
Protocols selected based on patterns + goals
You train consistently (20-40 sessions)
You report effects via surveys and check-ins
Protocols adjusted based on response
Follow-up QEEG shows brain changes
Refine training based on new map
Repeat until goals met

QEEG guides the journey, but your experience drives protocol adjustments.

Brain Mapping Overview - What QEEG is
Preparing for Your Brain Map - Before your QEEG
What to Expect - Session walkthrough
Understanding Brainwaves - What frequencies mean
Timeline & Expectations - Progress over time

Your QEEG is a snapshot of your unique brain. Understanding your patterns helps make sense of your symptoms, strengths, and how neurofeedback can help. Trust the data, but also trust your experience - both matter! 📊🧠