003: The Difference Between Brain Performance and Mental Performance

Summary: In this inaugural episode of the Calm Waves podcast, Dallas Cowan dives into the fascinating realm of brain health and performance, sitting down with Dr. Douglas Cowan, a mental health veteran with decades of experience. The father-son duo sheds light on the significance of neurofeedback, highlighting the distinction between brain performance and mental performance, and discusses Dr. Cowan's transformative journey in the field. This engaging conversation also touches upon ADHD awareness and the potential of various neurofeedback technologies. Timestamps and Show Notes: 00:01.766 - Dallas opens the podcast, introducing the show's focus on brain health and performance. 01:03.854 - Dr. Douglas Cowan shares his background: Over 35 years in mental health. Licensed marriage and family therapist with a doctorate in psychology. Experience running a psychiatric hospital. Decades of work in neuro biofeedback and brainwave biofeedback. Past roles in ministry. 02:37.954 - Dallas prompts Dr. Cowan to share how he ventured into brainwave biofeedback. 02:56.586 - Dr. Cowan recounts his initial skepticism towards brainwave biofeedback for ADHD treatment and how a challenge from a concerned mother led him to connect with Siegfried Othmer, a pivotal figure in the field. 06:43.019 - Dr. Cowan explains the advantages of neurofeedback over traditional medications, emphasizing the lasting benefits of training the brain, analogous to weightlifting for muscles. 11:55.41 - Dallas recalls growing up with an awareness of brain training and expresses surprise at the lack of widespread knowledge about neurofeedback's potential. 13:45.046 - Dr. Cowan touches on his extensive experience, having conducted over 30,000 brain improvement sessions throughout his career. 14:00.467 - Dallas outlines upcoming discussion topics: Differentiating brain performance from mental performance. Insights from conversations with various professionals. In honor of ADHD awareness month, they'll delve into strategies for managing ADHD. 15:15.47 - Dallas prompts a deeper exploration into the nuances between brain and mental performance. Note: The podcast continues beyond the provided transcript. Stay tuned for further discussions and insights on brain health and performance!