I am a former teaching fellow in Physiology and I also have additional graduate education in both biochemistry and psychology. Some of my studies included neurobiology and I have a lot of meditation experience. As part of my work, I teach meditation workshops and also use biofeedback personally and for education purposes. While I know the basics of neurofeedback, it is not a specialty area. So, using this product was a brand new experience for me. This is not biofeedback as such, but it could be coupled with biofeedback for various purposes.What this equipment does in generate patterns of light that are synchronized with sound. There are also various CDs available that couple the Proteus unit to music. I tried the system in both ways, but got the most out of coupling it with music.
The glasses provided with the Proteues are meant to be used while your eyes are closed. They generate very bright light that shines through your eyelids. In EEG work, a light strobe is used in a similar fashion to induce seizures in susceptible people or for other types of study.
The theoretical concept behind this type of technology is that one can induce certain brain states characterized by different amplitudes of specific types of brain waves i.e. alpha, beta, theta and delta. Different patterns of brain waves result in different mind states. The product literature also talks about the concept of entrainment where your brain waves synchronize to the light and sound while your brain hemispheres are synchronized or balanced.
While I can't speak to the validity of the theory, testing, etc., I could talk about my experience. In short, it was awesome and it certainly seemed to have the ability to induce different states of consciousness including relaxation and euphoria. Because I do biofeedback work, I was curious to couple it with heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse data. In my case, I seemed to reach higher levels of brain/heart coherence. This correlates with being in a relaxed, open and healthy state. That's all you really need to know if the technical language is unfamiliar.
As an aesthetic experience, using this unit was simply AWESOME! When I bought it, my expectations weren't that high. However, all of my expectations were exceeded. Because you are wearing glasses that generate the light, it completely fills your visual field. The effect is indescribable. Also, the pulsations of light induce states that are unusual and very pleasant. I found the experience fascinating and I can certainly see how this could be useful for meditation, relaxation and perhaps even pain management. I was having back pain the day I used it and I definitely had less pain afterwards. My feeling of well-being also remained after my session was over.
I am a bit surprised that this device is marketed to the general public because there is the possibility that it could induce seizures in some people. The literature and the product description provide warnings that people prone to seizures and on psychotropic medications should NOT use it without consulting with their physicians.
I'm guessing that the type of people who are looking at this product are probably interested in meditation, self development and our expansion of consciousness. If this is true, you may be interested in Integral Life Practice Starter Kit. You can read my review about the details, but it provides a structure for engaging yourself in a variety of practices physical, emotional, mental and spiritual all at the same time to bring about transformation. Ken Wilber is a very reputable author and this kit is well thought out.
There are many books on biofeedback and neurobiofeedback as well. For the layperson, it is difficult to know what to choose. If you are serious about this type of technology, however, I would recommend Awakening the Mind PA: A Guide to Harnessing the Power of Your Brainwaves and The High-Performance Mind. These two books are very accessible and will give you the background you need to understand the theory behind this equipment. If you are a professional or have a strong science background, you may augment these with Getting Started with Neurofeedback.
I am a big believer in all kinds of biofeedback and have gotten good results using both Freeze-Framer ® v2.0 Interactive Learning System with Patented Heart Rhythm Monitor and Healing Rhythms from the Wild Divine Project (Biofeedback Software and Hardware for PC and Mac). The first program is a very rugged heart rate variability biofeedback tool for home use and the second combines Galvanic Skin Response with Heart Rate Variability. I reviewed both of these products as well, but in short the former is a deeper dive on one area and the second is more fun to use with game-like simulations and a very good tutorial.
In summary, I like this product a lot and it is much more interesting than the description would lead one to believe. If you are getting it, I would also purchase some of the CDs that work in tandem with it. For you technical people out there, there is a way to interface this equipment with biofeedback equipment from the same company and also with your computer for customized programs, editing, etc. If I knew I was going to like this so much, I would have definitely ordered the more high-end unit. However, this is a great product at a low price point. I recommend it highly to anyone with the medical caveats I mentioned above and that are also listed in the product description.
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I recently upgraded my light and sound machine from Sirius (an older model from the same manufacturer) to Proteus. I like this one much better.It sounds superb (it has binaural beats). The lights are better (it supports red and green lights (for energizing and relaxing, respectively) most machines on the market are mono-color.
If you choose the proper program the sounds and lights will take you to an altered state of consciousness (through training and persistence).
I also use it to energize right after waking up to make me very sleepy before going to bed.
Some of the features I was telling: you can connect a CES device to it, so you will get electrical mini-pulses sent to your brain to enhance effect. I have a stereo OASIS CES unit.
Moreover, if you get a Thoughtstream unit from the same vendor that is a biofeedback device you could have programs (i.e. light and sound) adjusting dynamically depending on how you relax. BTW, you could connect both the CES and the biofeedback units at the same time (I haven't done that yet, but I have the hardware).
In addition, you can update the firmware (the biofeedback feature was added after the unit was released to sale) and upload your own sessions (there is a software). I'm thinking to create my own session for breathing exercises which go deeper as the user relaxes (getting input from the biofeedback device).
It has a disadvantage compared to the Sirius I had there is a buzzing background noise, and I learned it's from the LED display. However, the display could be turned off during a session and the sounds goes away. You don't care about the display anyway you have your eyes closed and have glasses over them.
Like its predecessor, it supports Audiostrobe encoded CDs, which is a techniques which allows a sound track to control the pulsing of the lights in the machine.
So, in short, packed with features, but among the mid-range (even a little low) price among light and sound machines.
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Before purchasing your product, I would shop around on Amazon for the best possible price. There seems to be multiple listings for this product and some of them are more expense then others. Of course, the reputation of the company should also be considered and if you are purchasing any of these units, I would most certainly add one or more of the following CDs which add sound to the experience and increase the value of the product to the user immeasurably Mind Modulations AudioStrobe Collection Volume 1, Mind Modulations AudioStrobe Collection Volume 2 or even better Mind Modulations Deluxe AudioStrobe Collection.I am a former teaching fellow in Physiology and I also have additional graduate education in both biochemistry and psychology. Some of my studies included neurobiology and I have a lot of meditation experience. As part of my work, I teach meditation workshops and also use biofeedback personally and for education purposes. While I know the basics of neurofeedback, it is not a specialty area. So, using this product was a brand new experience for me. This is not biofeedback as such, but it could be coupled with biofeedback for various purposes.
What this equipment does in generate patterns of light that are synchronized with sound. There are also various CDs available that couple the Proteus unit to music. I tried the system in both ways, but got the most out of coupling it with music.
The glasses provided with the Proteues are meant to be used while your eyes are closed. They generate very bright light that shines through your eyelids. In EEG work, a light strobe is used in a similar fashion to induce seizures in susceptible people or for other types of study.
The theoretical concept behind this type of technology is that one can induce certain brain states characterized by different amplitudes of specific types of brain waves i.e. alpha, beta, theta and delta. Different patterns of brain waves result in different mind states. The product literature also talks about the concept of entrainment where your brain waves synchronize to the light and sound while your brain hemispheres are synchronized or balanced.
While I can't speak to the validity of the theory, testing, etc., I could talk about my experience. In short, it was awesome and it certainly seemed to have the ability to induce different states of consciousness including relaxation and euphoria. Because I do biofeedback work, I was curious to couple it with heart rate variability (HRV) and pulse data. In my case, I seemed to reach higher levels of brain/heart coherence. This correlates with being in a relaxed, open and healthy state. That's all you really need to know if the technical language is unfamiliar.
As an aesthetic experience, using this unit was simply AWESOME! When I bought it, my expectations weren't that high. However, all of my expectations were exceeded. Because you are wearing glasses that generate the light, it completely fills your visual field. The effect is indescribable. Also, the pulsations of light induce states that are unusual and very pleasant. I found the experience fascinating and I can certainly see how this could be useful for meditation, relaxation and perhaps even pain management. I was having back pain the day I used it and I definitely had less pain afterwards. My feeling of well-being also remained after my session was over.
I am a bit surprised that this device is marketed to the general public because there is the possibility that it could induce seizures in some people. The literature and the product description provide warnings that people prone to seizures and on psychotropic medications should NOT use it without consulting with their physicians.
I'm guessing that the type of people who are looking at this product are probably interested in meditation, self development and our expansion of consciousness. If this is true, you may be interested in Integral Life Practice Starter Kit. You can read my review about the details, but it provides a structure for engaging yourself in a variety of practices physical, emotional, mental and spiritual all at the same time to bring about transformation. Ken Wilber is a very reputable author and this kit is well thought out.
There are many books on biofeedback and neurobiofeedback as well. For the layperson, it is difficult to know what to choose. If you are serious about this type of technology, however, I would recommend Awakening the Mind PA: A Guide to Harnessing the Power of Your Brainwaves and The High-Performance Mind. These two books are very accessible and will give you the background you need to understand the theory behind this equipment. If you are a professional or have a strong science background, you may augment these with Getting Started with Neurofeedback.
I am a big believer in all kinds of biofeedback and have gotten good results using both Freeze-Framer ® v2.0 Interactive Learning System with Patented Heart Rhythm Monitor and Healing Rhythms from the Wild Divine Project (Biofeedback Software and Hardware for PC and Mac). The first program is a very rugged heart rate variability biofeedback tool for home use and the second combines Galvanic Skin Response with Heart Rate Variability. I reviewed both of these products as well, but in short the former is a deeper dive on one area and the second is more fun to use with game-like simulations and a very good tutorial.
In summary, I like this product a lot and it is much more interesting than the description would lead one to believe. If you are getting it, I would also purchase some of the CDs that work in tandem with it. For you technical people out there, there is a way to interface this equipment with biofeedback equipment from the same company and also with your computer for customized programs, editing, etc. If I knew I was going to like this so much, I would have definitely ordered the more high-end unit. However, this is a great product at a low price point. I recommend it highly to anyone with the medical caveats I mentioned above and that are also listed in the product description.
If you want to get one CD to try this unit with sound, I have found Tibetan Highlands AudioStrobe CD for Light and Sound Mind Machines to be my favorite.
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I have anxiety issues related to PTSD and this unit was a suggestion to me by my psychiatrist to use in conjunction with neurofeed back sessions that I receive in his office. The unit seems to enhance and prolong the effects of the neurofeedback. Initially, I had a difficult time sitting still so I decided to purchase the Tibetan Highlands CD ( audio encoded CD to use in conjunction with the light strobe) and what a difference. I use this the unit every day for about 23 minutes and have never felt so peaceful. My sleep has improved as well as my daily anxiety. I don't understand the technical aspects of the "mind modulator" but it works. The light action is a bit intrusive when you first start but I adjusted within a few days and now welcomed the effect. Once my anxiety started to subside and I was able to relax -I found the visual light patterns to be fascinating. It would be useful for anyone trying to manage stress or enhance meditation techniques.
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