Archive for December, 2011

David Paradise Light Sound Machines

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Mind Alive, Inc., makes the David Paradise L/S machines, some of which also include cranio-electro stimulation as an option. CES may magnify the results of the light/sound entrainment patterns. The website provides links to data regarding the use of these devices for enhancing performance, and improvement of various symptoms. http://www.mindalive.com/index.htm The device itself is small, and has multiple built in programs which can either slow the brain waves for relaxation or aiding in meditation, or can speed the brainwaves to improve alertness. The electrical supply can either be set to recharge the unit for periodic battery use, or to be simply plugged in long term. The numerical pad on the control panel has keys which double for functions, although later models appear to have a different control interface. In addition to the built in functions, control of each aspect of the light goggles and sound can be manually controlled. The device ships with Tru-Vu goggles which provide an even illumination with separate activation of left and right visual fields to increase the entrainment. I particularly like the sound input mode of this device which allows a CD player or iPod to provide music which is then integrated into the light/sound program. I have found this particular device to be well made, durable, and reliable.

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Presentation and Thoughts 2

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

If you have an interest in following the ideas in the Presentation and Thoughts entry from November, 2011, please follow at www.consciousnessblog.net

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Light and Sound Machines

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

On of the rather powerful technologies that I have found for entraining particular brainwave states is the light-sound machine. These use not only the binaural sound beats in stereo headphone, but also flashing goggles that stimulate the visual fields. Due to the flashing lights it is important that individuals with seizures should probably not use these devices, or if they do, they must choose the color of the light goggles carefully: refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Please discuss the use with this technology with your own neurologist if you fit in this category. These devices range from the quite simple to the technologically sophisticated. Some, such as the newer David Paradise units also include cranial electro stimulation if preferred. Some of both the Sonic Pro and the David devices allow for audio input from your favorite music to be included in the sound portion of the experience. The newest versions of the devices actually allow the sounds from music to alter the light frequency for stunning visual effects.

These devices have multiple built in programs for specific brainwave pattern entrainment, and allow for the download of additional programs from the manufacturer. Some even have a computer interface program that allows for you, the user, to create your own programs. Note: for those of us Apple users, none of the companies have direct Mac compatible software or even downloads, although some of them allow Windows emulation software to allow for this function.

The research sited from the David Paradise site indicates that much like other binaural technologies, although the device helps you reach a particular brain state, it doesn’t mean that you are forever dependent on the device to reach the state in the future. The ability to reach the state reliably apparently allows more rapid access to the state during meditation without the device at later dates.

A somewhat dated book, by Michael Hutchinson, which reviews the technology in some depth is MegaBrain. This is well worth a read, as there is no single source that gives background material in more detail.

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