Also known as a brain machine or a light and sound therapy machine, mind machines consist of a small MP3 player, headphones and LED transmitting goggles known as Ganzframes. They are used to change the cognitive state of an individual through light and sound emission. 

A state of mind

We don’t often think about this in our day to day, but our brain is constantly emitting brain waves resulting from our outer world experience. These brain waves change our mental state. You may be familiar with the terms Gamma, Alpha, Beta, Theta and Delta brain waves, each emitting a different frequency. Gamma being the highest frequency, Alpha, the frequency at which most people spend their waking consciousness at, or Delta, the slowest frequency and that which is where deep dreamless sleep happens. Outer experiences such as studying, watching tv, meditating, or sleeping all change your brainwave activity. 

The science behind Mind Machines

Mind machines as we know them have been around since the 1980s, but the positive effects of using binaural beats have been recorded by physicians since the early 1800s. A binaural beat is two different toned sine waves presented to the listener in stereo headphones, the left playing one tone and the right another. This confuses the brain into creating a ghost frequency, which is the result of the brain trying to hear both sine waves at the same tone. This, when listened to anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour, changes our brain waves and therefore changes our state of mind. You can go from anxious to relaxed in as little as 10 minutes of listening to binaural beats. 

The use of stroboscopic light flashes was first researched in the 1940s with the help of the Electroencephalography method, an EEG, which measures brainwave activity. Neurophysiologist William Grey Walter noticed effects on the whole cortex while experimenting with visual flickering lights. Light stimulation therapy has highly successful results in amplifying concentration, relaxation and memory, while reducing stress, anxiety, pain and fatigue. 

Who uses Mind Machines?

Mind machines as a whole or in part, are being used by medical practitioners all over the world. They gain particular interest as a non-invasive alternate form of treatment for people who have not responded to traditional western medicine. Nowadays, at home mind machines are readily available to the general public and are mainly used to alter states for relaxation, sleep management or focus time. 

The Benefits of using a Mind Machine

Mind machines have similar mental and physical benefits to those of meditation which include the below. 

• Reduction in stress and anxiety
• Reduction in levels of depression
• Improved memory Recall
• Balanced emotional state
• Higher concentration and focus 
• Higher levels of energy 
• Reduction in stress related illnesses such as insomnia, IBS, high blood pressure etc. 
• Boost in immune system
• Reduction in chronic pain

Things to be aware of

Currently, mind machines are considered safe for at home use. You should not use Ganzframes or be near stroboscopic light if you have epilepsy or are sensitive to flashing lights. You should also be mindful of the volume level when listening to the audio tracks so as to not cause damage to your hearing. 

Combining hypnosis and mind machines

When paired, the results of hypnotherapy or hypnosis can be greatly increased. This is especially true for emotionally suggestible people who can benefit more quickly from a state change induced by the mind machine. As mind machines and hypnosis have many of the same benefits on the mind and body, pairing them together only compounds the benefits to the user. 

Useful bits of information

In the US, mind machines are not currently approved by the FDA as they are not considered medical devices. 

There is ongoing research that mind machines may help with reducing symptoms of Alzeihmers and other neuro degenerative disorders. 

You know your health best. Do your own research and always ask the advice of your general practitioner when introducing a new method of healing.