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Brain Training and Mind Development |
How Mind Machines work.
The Science of Dream Devices
Mind machines are clever devices which work on a simple premise.
Mind machines stimulate your brain using 'beat frequencies'. These are the harmonic frquencies you get when you have two slightly different tones (or musical notes or flickering lights) played simultaneously.
You experience both frequencies plus feel a thirdharmonic 'beat frequency' which is tuned to the difference between the frequencies but is so low in pitch you cannot actually hear it. Think of this as a hidden melody in a tune.
This hidden melody can be tuned to match the frequencies that occur in our brain when we are in specific states of consciousness. For instance, when in a medatative slumber our brainwaves show a preponderance of alpha waves at about 10 Hz. If the beat frequency is tuned to this 10Hz cycle, we begin to feel more relaxed. Listen to the sound for any length of time and we begin to drop into the medatitive slumber ourselves.
Sounds dangerous! Well it isn't. You cannot be forced to sleep by a beat frequency (and don't think the CIA didn't experiment with that idea in the 1960's - because they did. Look up information about MK ULTRA); in fact you cannot be forced to do anything by these sounds or light effects, but if you WANT to reach states of relaxation you never knew existed, then the use of a beat frequency will usually get you safely there a lot quicker than by meditation alone.
This is basically how "mind machines" work. They come with different preset frequencies, often chained together as programs to work through. They can be used by people seeking to de-stress, to control emotions, or simply to explore the inner workings of their minds. The frequency stimulus of some programs produce truly astondingly beautiful auditory and visual halucinations that, being reflections of your own mind can prove emotionally intense in a way never before experienced.
Here are two available machines which have a proven track record.
MindSpa Personal Development System MDS-12
We
found that the MindSpa Personal Development System starts working pretty
much instantly. This Light and Sound Machine aims to effectively help adults
and children sharpen and improve mental performance through the use of both
auditory and visual stimulation. Basically, this machine gets you into a
deeply relaxed state where you will find self hypnosis and lucid dreaming
come easily.
Using precise frequencies of broad spectrum flickering white or blue light together with rhythms of pulsating sound, a wonderful combination of Light and Sound gently envelopes you in a cocoon of stimulus, providing calm, relaxation and rejuvenation. There are twelve different programs that range in length from 10 to 40 minutes. Using this tool you find yourself able to reach states of relaxation and enhanced conciousness without effort.
The publishers say:
- For Self-Improvement, Performance, Learning, Relaxation and Rejuvenation
- Can effectively help adults and children sharpen and improve mental performance
- Removes all outside distraction gently bathing you in a pleasant world of light and sound
- Microprocessor-based control unit with twelve proprietary sessions
- Non-invasive use of dual auditory and visual stimulation.
We say:
- Good frequency range
- Well presented
- Nice range of programs
- Excellent support materials
- Comfortable to wear.
InnerPulse Mind Machine with Premium TruWhite Glasses
The
InnerPulse Light and Sound Machine has a slightly wider scope, with 64 different
programs available. This device also includes Breath Meditation Sessions
which is a great innovation, Programs can last up to one whole hour, which
gives users the opportunity to reach really deep levels of meditation while
remaining alert, calm, and in full control. If you want to explore your
own mind and access the creative potential within you, then this light and
sound machine is worth very serious consideration.
The Publishers say:
You will remain alert, calm, and in full control. Light and sound machines are powerful tools for activating the mind, achieving deep levels of concentration and relaxation, sparking creativity and preparing for stressful events like public speaking, examinations and long trips.
We Say:
- Excellent support materials
- Very high quality manufacturing standard
- the 4th program produced amazing visuals!
- More expensive than the Mindspa, but probably worth the extra money.
Other names for Mind Machines
These and similar devices are also known as MindExplorers, AudioStrobes, mind-machines, psychowalkman, brain modulators, audio visual stimulation (AVS) machines, light and sound devices, relaxation glasses and altered state devices.
The future of mind machines
Now that video glasses are coming onto the consumer electronics market, the addition of a simple feedback device plus some simple software is all that is needed for anyone to experience mind machine based relaxation and self hypnosis. Expect this to be commonplace within just a year or two. How popular it will prove is not predictable, but we know that the cost will be very low.
Mattel have a prototype device called mindflex which comprises a EEG neurofeedback system and a small game involving moving a ball around a floating abstacle course through mind power alone. If this ever gets released, brain training will enter a whole new dimension.