Lets Explore Tics and Brain Regulation
We watched I Swear recently, a documentary following John Davidson, a young man from Scotland living with Tourette’s, and it is one of those films that stays with you long after it ends.
Not because it is dramatic or exaggerated, but because it is honest.
What it shows, so clearly, is that Tourette’s is not just about the tics. It is about everything that surrounds them. The misunderstanding, the pressure to suppress, the way people respond when they do not fully understand what is happening, and the emotional weight that comes with navigating all of that day to day.
There is a moment when you realise that what you are watching is not just a condition being portrayed, but a person trying to exist in a world that often misinterprets what they are experiencing.
And that is where this film becomes so important.
Because despite how much awareness has grown, Tourette’s is still largely viewed through a behavioural lens.
But what I Swear highlights, without needing to say it directly, is that this is not the full picture.
Tics and Brain Regulation: Looking Beneath the Surface
When we begin to understand tics and brain regulation together, the picture becomes much clearer.
Tics are not random, and they are not simply habits.
They are closely tied to instability within the brain, particularly in how it regulates arousal, inhibition, and motor control. Many individuals describe a build-up or internal pressure that is only relieved once the tic happens, which reflects a deeper regulatory process rather than a conscious choice.
This is where the conversation around tics and brain regulation becomes essential.
Because once we understand that the brain is struggling to regulate itself, the focus shifts away from behaviour and towards function.
Why Tics and Brain Regulation Are Closely Linked
In Tourette’s and tic disorders, there are consistent patterns that help explain the relationship between tics and brain regulation.
The first is dysregulation, where instability in arousal reduces the brain’s ability to inhibit movement, meaning tics are more likely to come through.
The second is instability in neuronal excitability, where the threshold for movement is lowered. This helps explain why tics can fluctuate, intensify, and change over time.
Understanding this connection between tics and brain regulation allows families and clinicians to make sense of something that can otherwise feel unpredictable and confusing.
It also removes the idea that this is something that can simply be controlled or suppressed.
Supporting Tics Through Brain Regulation
If tics are a reflection of instability within the brain, then the way we approach support needs to reflect that.
This is where neurofeedback becomes highly relevant.
Rather than focusing on managing the symptom alone, neurofeedback works by supporting brain regulation itself. By improving stability within the brain’s networks, we begin to see changes not only in tic severity, but in wider areas such as anxiety, focus, and compulsive behaviours.
In her recent video, Kasia explores this in depth, focusing on Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback and its role in supporting tics and brain regulation, grounded in both clinical outcomes and published research.
In a case series of 100 clients, meaningful improvements were observed following approximately 30 to 40 sessions.
This reinforces a key principle.
When brain regulation improves, the impact is rarely isolated to one symptom.
A Shift in How We Understand Tics and Brain Regulation
What I Swear does so well is bring us back to the human side of this experience.
It reminds us that behind every tic is a person navigating something that is often misunderstood, and that the impact extends far beyond what is visible.
When we begin to understand tics and brain regulation together, we move away from blame and towards understanding.
We stop asking how to stop the tic.
And we start asking what the brain needs.
At Encephalon, this is where our work begins.
Because when we take the time to understand the brain properly, we open the door to support that is not only more effective, but also more compassionate.
Watch More on Tics and Brain Regulation
If this is something that resonates with you, we would really encourage you to watch Kasia’s full video, where she explains tics and brain regulation in more depth and brings the science behind it to life in a clear and grounded way.
Watch the full video here
If you would like to explore whether neurofeedback could support you or your child, you can book a complimentary consultation with us, or simply get in touch.
Because this is not something anyone should have to navigate without the right understanding.
