Frequently Asked Questions

Brainwell Health is for:

• people who want to take control of their own health.
• people who believe that brain health is one of the most important elements of health.
• people who want to be proactive, focusing on preventing diseases, instead of waiting to get sick to treat them.
• people who have concerns about their brain health or want to keep an eye on it for the future.
• people who are in good health but want to optimize their cognitive performance.
• people who want to track changes in their brain health over time.

Brainwell is primarily for people aged 30 to 90.

Tracking brain health over time is important to give yourself a comprehensive picture of how you are doing. We recommend starting at about 30 years old.

But it is never too late to start! Tracking brain health well into old age is particularly important as that is when risks of cognitive decline increase.

Can I start before age 30? Yes, Brainwell can be used by any adult, 18+. However, many scientists agree that the brain is not fully developed until around the age of 25 when the prefrontal cortex – the area responsible for decision making, impulse control, and assessing risk – is fully developed. Some brain processes and connections continue to mature beyond that. We find that Brainwell Health provides the most benefit for people 30+.

Can I start after age 90? Absolutely. We are here to help people keep track of their brain as they age, and to give you the best tools available to keep your brain vital for a long and healthy life.

Brainwell Health scans are currently available in two locations, Los Angeles and Newport Beach, CA.

Los Angeles
11640 San Vicente Blvd #103
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Newport Beach
20331 Irvine Avenue, Suite E6-10
Newport Beach, CA 92660

The first is electroencephalography (EEG). EEG is a non-invasive test that detects electrical activity in your brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) on your scalp. Your brain cells communicate via electrical impulses and are active all the time. All of this brain activity shows up in an EEG recording as brainwaves. By analyzing your brainwaves, we can assess cognitive functioning from multiple different angles.

The second mode of testing is neuropsychological testing. Neuropsychological testing is like playing games that test cognitive and behavioral functions using a set of standardized activities. These tests can look at memory, learning, attention, emotional characteristics, etc. Brainwell uses a set of these tests to help provide a full picture of your brain health.

Your test will last 1 hour so that we can return an accurate and comprehensive view of your brain health.

During the test, you will wear an EEG cap that looks kind of like a swim cap. The cap has electrodes in it that allow us to read all the neurons in your brain firing, your brainwaves.

To ensure a high-quality signal, we apply gel to each sensor on the EEG cap. The gel is saltwater-based, and it resembles styling gel. It may feel a bit goopy in your hair, but it’s effective for optimal signal transmission. You may want to wash it out afterwards..

In addition to the EEG, you will fill out some questionnaires and perform neuropsychological tests that measure things like memory and attention.

In addition to EEG testing, Brainwell includes tests for memory, processing speed, attention, executive function, and emotional wellbeing. We also evaluate risk factors that can harm brain health and recommend personalized strategies for your brain health.

EEG has been used in the medical field for many years and is considered to be a safe procedure. The test causes no sensation or discomfort. The electrodes placed on the wearer are passive and only record brain activity; they do not stimulate the brain, and they present no risk of shock.

Before coming in, don’t spend time doing your hair. The EEG cap and the gel will make you want to wash your hair afterwards. We’ll give you a cool baseball cap before you leave so you can deal with the bad hair day.

Other than that, do whatever you normally do in a day. We want to measure your brain function when you are in your normal state. That means if you usually have 1 cup of coffee in the morning, do the same thing on your scan day. If you usually go to bed at 11pm, do the same thing the night before. Just try to do what you normally do.

If there are any drugs or medications that you take on occasion, try to schedule your appointment such that those don’t interfere. Certainly don’t come in high or drunk. Your test results will be off!

It is crucial never to discontinue any medications without the guidance and approval of your doctor. Only your healthcare professional can advise on the safety of adjusting your medication regimen.

If you are taking medications that might affect your brain’s activity, we recommend discussing the timing of your Brainwell appointment with your healthcare provider. They can provide insights into scheduling that minimizes any potential interference.

We recommend getting scanned at least once/year. Many people who are actively changing and monitoring their health like to get scanned every six months.

Not currently. Stay tuned for updates on any future at-home offerings as we strive to bring Brainwell Health to more communities and as many individuals as possible.

We recognize the significance of having a support system, and we welcome you to bring someone with you to your appointment if needed.

For the optimal testing environment, we recommend that your companion stays in the waiting room during your test session. This allows you to focus on the assessment without distractions. Should you have any specific concerns or requests regarding this matter, feel free to reach out to our team. We are here to make your experience as comfortable and supportive as possible.

No, you do not need a prescription or referral. One of the key points of Brainwell Health is that we are providing access to sophisticated testing outside of the system that often prevents people from getting access. The goal here is to democratize the most advanced brain function testing and avoid the bureaucracy.

Plan to be there for 1 hour. That is the amount of time needed to deliver a comprehensive result.

Most of our customers are able to find availability for their first scan within two weeks to a month of joining. You will be able to select a time slot during the sign up process.

Right now it takes about one week from the time you are tested to the time your results are ready.

The results tell you how your brain is doing across neural functioning from EEG and across numerous domains of cognition, like memory, attention, processing speed, executive function, and emotional wellbeing. The results also pinpoint areas and strategies that can help you improve.

As a wellness product, we will not diagnose you. The technology behind Brainwell was created to evaluate various diseases and conditions, but at this time Brainwell is for monitoring health signals, not diagnosing diseases.

We take your privacy very seriously. Brainwell Health will not disclose your name, contact information, or any other personally-identifying information to any third-party advertisers.

Yes, you can. And many people find it helpful to be surrounded by a support team of friends and family. Your information is yours and you can share it as you wish.

Cancel anytime. Please email us at support@brainwellhealth.com and we’ll take care of it right away. We don’t offer refunds for prior payments, but you can cancel anytime.

Just email us at support@brainwellhealth.com or give us a call at (202) 410-8003. We look forward to hearing from you.

The hardware and the software used to acquire the EEG data are both FDA 510(k) cleared. The Brainwell Health report informs our Members about their brain health, risk factors, and strategies to reduce brain health risk factors and does not offer medical advice, a diagnosis, medical treatment, or any form of medical opinion.

No, we do not take insurance. Part of the goal here is to avoid the bureaucracy of the traditional routes in healthcare, which include restricting access to tests like this to only people who are already diagnosed with certain conditions. We want to catch problems before they start.