Mindmachine

As Mindmachine audiovisual stimulation devices are referred to, are to take with the help of pulsed light and sound at the user's influence on the EEG waves and so that certain states of consciousness to achieve. Typically, a Mind Machine from a headset and a pair of special glasses that light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is occupied as a light source.

The glasses produced a stroboskopähnlichen effect within an adjustable range from 1 to about 30 Hz, while at the same tones through the headphones with a matching frequency or frequency mixture are made ( if necessary as a pulsed tone). Download this ( binaural ) sound in cooperation with the lighting effects stimulate the stimulus processing of the user in the given frequency range and to take on this way to the mental state of the user influence. This stimulation are due to a so-called frequency - following response depending on the setting accordingly increased brain activity of deep delta waves (1-4 Hz), theta waves over (5-8 Hz) and alpha waves (8-12 Hz) to fast beta waves ( > 12 Hz ) are generated.

History

The precursor of a mind machine has been invented already in the 1940s by William Grey Walter as an electronic device that emits certain frequency ranges than acoustic or visual signals. Since about the 1980s are Mind Machines with appropriate specialist distribution company who specializes in sales of equipment for the purpose of mental training and a customer base from the esoteric area at a price of 100, - available EUR - up to about 500. Studios, who offered the use of mind machines (and only comparable to so-called Sun Studios) had, however, has not found sufficient supply so that appropriate discount disappeared from the market. Relaxation rooms with Mind Machines can be found as an additional offer, however sporadically in leisure facilities in the spa area (sauna establishments, leisure pools, gyms and hotels).

Function

The classic mind machines are devices with opto - acoustic stimulation manner. However, there are also devices with other operating modes that will have an influence on the state of consciousness ( see chapter: ' See also ').

Frequency selection

The frequency content of the Mind Machines covers the range of human brain wave frequencies. The reported frequency is adjustable and during a session of usually 20 to 40 minutes duration by a predetermined program also variable and is to accept the so-called frequency-following - response effect on the frequency distribution of EEG waves and thus influence a desired mood or a state of consciousness, create or promote.

The signal output is done via headphones and / or specially prepared glasses and acts in this manner by sensory impression on the user. The opto - acoustic devices with glasses working with LEDs in a variety of colors, usually red, which can be controlled separately for each eye. By stocked with LEDs glasses a flickering light is thrown on the (mostly closed ) eye. In sync with the light is played through headphones a pulse frequency ( physico burst signal ) acoustically. About the headphones (if binaural ) are recorded sounds that can per ear have different frequencies, amplitude modulated or pulsed. To create a Thetafrequenz example, vary the tones from the right and left ears at 5-8 Hz which a beat signal is modulated in accordance with frequency arises. When amplitude modulated or pulsed tones of the volume at the corresponding frequency (1-30 Hz) is modulated. In addition to music or spoken text can be imported.

A relaxation program starts it is usually in the low beta range ( about 14 Hz), the frequency then decreases gradually to the desired frequency, stays there for a while at the end of the session again to reach a frequency that is a conscious state ( 12-21 Hz) corresponds ( except for example: sleep support or - introduction ).

The frequency of the pulses corresponds to one of the four neurologically relevant frequency ranges, and causes the brain due to the resonance principle ( also frequency-following principle) to adapt to this frequency as EEG measurements have shown. These four areas are identified (up to 0.5 Hz 4 Hz) beta (30 Hz to about 13 Hz), alpha (12 Hz to 8 Hz), theta (7 Hz to 5 Hz) and delta area. For example, some studies even soothing alone in the alpha range neurotransmitters ( endorphins ) are distributed, for example, people with elevated stress advent missing.

Embodiments

There are computerized, programmable versions in which the software is housed on a personal computer for execution, and the devices in which all the hardware and software that is provided in a portable, battery-powered device. In particular, in computer-based programs, individual sessions in the course and frequency selection and compilation can program almost any. All mindmachines also have predefined programs.

Application

Mind Machines are used to support learning, to relax, replenish, and trance production.

For applications in the Super Learning the Alpha waves are mainly used. As background music mixing slow music pieces, such as Largo phrases from classical pieces to the learning texts to be added.

In addition, it is very easy to achieve trance states with the help of Mind Machines. They move in the theta to delta area. The Delta region corresponds to a deep state of meditation, while strong regeneration activities are recorded in Thetabereich. At the same time Thetabereich for the transfer of information from the hippocampus provides in long-term memory.

In the transition from alpha waves to theta waves, so-called imaginary journeys can induce.

Apply this device as a sleep aid for sleep replacement, to increase concentration, to reduce muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure as well as the auto-suggestion and hypnosis help. Also known applications in addiction treatment.

All of these conditions can also be achieved without the use of mind machines, it requires only then often years of practice.

Disadvantages and risks

Disadvantages

The application or the design of new Mind Machine programs are given in user circles mostly based on traditional " recipes " and control the action takes place almost entirely subjectively by collecting the mood changes and subjective perceptions. A quantitative survey, as by accompanying QEEG studies remain limited to exceptional cases (see also: # Clinical Studies ). Nevertheless, the incoming effects are considered to be reproducible and clearly perceptible - but not specifically quantified in a subjective survey and can also be observed from person to person in different, individual expression.

Hazards

Mind Machines must not be used in people with a tendency to epilepsy, as they can trigger appropriate seizures. Unpleasant are also sudden frequency transitions or disorders that can cause temporary disorientation and uncontrolled movements.

Clinical trials

• A double-blind study entitled " The effect of repetitive audio- visual stimulation on skeletal motor and vasomotor activity" was performed by Dr. Norman Thomas at the University of Alberta. Two groups with so-called hypnosis - resistant subjects were tested, one was optical- acoustic stimulation at 10 Hz and the other group was asked to imagine a calming image and "normal" to relax. We measured EEG, muscle tension and finger temperature. The result pointed out that the control group without biostimulation felt relaxed, the data did not support this, however, and muscle tension had become larger. The users of the Mind Machine had a significant measurable relaxation effect, which continued through the session also. Thomas therefore concluded that " auto- suggestive relaxation is less effective than produced audio- visually. It seems that the audio-visual stimulation is a simple hypnotic method in otherwise resistant subjects. "

• The anesthesiologist Dr. Robert Cosgrove from Stanford University, School of Medicine, in 1988 to research into the subject through optical- acoustic stimulation. Add a resume, he writes that this method " ... in most people causes a very strong relaxation. Efficacy was so clear that we are considering use of the seditativen properties of such devices in patients before and after surgery. Furthermore, we investigate their usefulness in combating chronic stress "In addition, Cosgrove sees great potential stimulation machines in vigorously encouraging optimal cerebral performance ". The long-term effect of regular use of these devices for the preservation and improvement of brain power, and in relation to the possible slowing of the wear of the brain as it is traditionally associated with aging seems to us to be extremely exciting. "

• Dr. Bruce Harrah - Conforth from Indiana University examined in a study also the effect of optical- acoustic mind machine. In EEG, the stimulation of the brain was clearly demonstrated. This phenomenon, called Harrah Conforth - Brain Entrainment, was in the control group, the " pink noise " was exposed, not detected. He comes to the conclusion that " Brain Entrainment [ ... ] extremely effective in inducing changes in consciousness and almost foolproof. " Is.

Criticism

In the heyday of the Mind Machine Technology in the early 1990s was dominated by relevant media opinion strongly aligned with popular literature, about the book " Mega Brain " by Michael Hutchison. In the course of this media processing, which was possibly also driven partly by marketing motives, considerable hopes on possible effects of Mind Machines were awakened that were not in line with reality. These are, above all, a general desire ideas about intelligence increase, age delay, life extension, cancer prevention and psychological wellness. The limited commercial success of Mind Machines thus appears as obvious consequence of those exaggerated promises.

Thus, although at least audiovisual Mind Machines showed significant and reproducible neurophysiological effects, such as a strong tendency to sleep or trance states of the subjects under stimulation in Thetabereich, must not be disregarded that the frequency of oscillation, the brain, only one of many variables that determine its function. Therefore, it may be doubted by law, whether it can succeed with the help of the oscillation frequency alone to carry the brain in a more desirable functional area, which all conceivable life is appropriate. Exactly this hypothesis has been and is but just motivated by the marketing institutions Mind Machine Manufacturer.

Mind Machines appear in its present form, apart from its contraindication for epilepsy to be a relatively harmless field of neurophysiological experiments on himself. On the part of consumers seems to only adjust a certain tolerance to the sedative effects over the longer-term use. Concepts for Mind Machines, which affect the brain to multi-dimensional way, stand in spite of such approaches, for example in the form of elektroenzephalometrischen biofeedback ( neurofeedback ) is still outstanding.