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Amind machine (akabrain machine orlight and sound machine) uses pulsing rhythmicsound, flashinglight, or a combination of these. Mind machines caninduce deep states of relaxation[1] or concentration.[2]
The process applied by some of these machines is said to inducebrainwave synchronisation or entrainment.[3]
The influence of rhythmic sounds and drums to enter altered states of consciousness is used in different indigenous tribes (seeShamanic music), as well as optical stimulation produced by the flickering light of camp fires or pressing lightly on the eyeballs.[4] This "stroboscopic photo-stimulation produces 'photic driving', the alpha type of brain electrical activity associated with an altered state in which people are susceptible to suggestion". ([4] p. 12).
The first scientific observations were made byWilliam Charles Wells in the 1790s who described different effects of binocular vision. His results were later transferred to be applied inbinaural beats.[5] Visual experiments with flickering lights were conducted in the 1940s byWilliam Grey Walter who used stroboscopic light flashes to measure their effects on brain activity, assessed withEEG. He reported effect not just on visual areas but on the whole cortex.[6]
The development of alpha EEG feedback (seeneurofeedback) is an important starting point for biofeedback and its explicit use for entering altered states of consciousness.[7] Enterprises started to produce different types of mind machines and some scientists followed the line of research to explore if and how these devices elicit effects on brain processes.[8]
In the late 1980s and early 1990s Farley initiated an investigation concerning medical claims made by some manufacturers and sellers.[9] The FDA concluded that Light and Sound Machines were not medical devices and did not warrant regulation. Sellers and manufacturers were given guidelines for how they could advertise these devices, and were required to include a disclaimer and cautionary document with each machine.[citation needed]Nowadays, mind machines are rediscovered by some teenage cultures as so called “digital drugs”, a legal way to enter altered states of consciousness.[10]
Mind machines include flashing light devices, which are similar to theBrion Gysindreamachine in that both produce a flickering visual field. Unlike flashing light devices, the dreamachine can be used by several people at once, but has few, if any, technical features.
Mind machines typically consist of a control unit, a pair of headphones and/or strobe light goggles. The unit controls the sessions and drives the LEDs in the goggles. Professionally, they are usually referred to as Auditory Visual Stimulation Devices (AVS devices).[11] Some mind machines available today can even connect to the Internet to download additional session material.
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Mind machine devices are legally available throughout the United States from many sources.[10]
With some exceptions,[12] these devices commonly do not haveFDA approval for medical applications in the US. They have been found by a U.S. district court to be Class III medical devices, and consequentially require FDA pre-market approval for all medical uses. One company makingmedical claims for a possibly unsafe device has been shut down and seen their devices destroyed.[9]
binaural-beat associated HRV significantly predicted subsequent reported relaxation. Findings suggest that listening to binaural beats may exert an acute influence on both LF and HF components of HRV and may increase subjective feelings of relaxation.
While the size of the congruency effect (indicating the failure to suppress task-irrelevant information) was unaffected by the binaural beats, the global-precedence effect (reflecting attentional focusing) was considerably smaller after gamma-frequency binaural beats than after the control condition. Our findings suggest that high-frequency binaural beats bias the individual attentional processing style towards a reduced spotlight of attention.
{{cite book}}:|work= ignored (help)The devices were various models of a product called the InnerQuest Brain Wave Synchronizer – headgear (an audio cassette and eyeglasses) that emitted sounds and flashing lights. Sold without prescription and promoted to relieve conditions such as stress, ...
