When using a DAVID, several things happen that can benefit your mental and physical health:
EEG activity is altered: As the AVE frequency changes, so does the frequency in your brain. For example, the Feeling Better sessions are desigend to help stabilize brainwaves by suppressing left frontal alpha waves while boosting right frontal alpha to normal levels.
Dissociation occurs: AVE can draw you into the present moment and help you let go of thoughts related to daily stressors and worries. This mental "chatter" is replaced by a sense of disconnection from thoughts and body awareness, similar to what's experienced during deep meditation. Dissociation can begin within four to eight minutes of properly applied AVE.
Limbic system is stabilized: Using a DAVID can calm your body, regulate breathing, warm your hands, and relax your muscles.
Neurotransmitters are produced: People with depressed mood often have low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. AVE can boost brain levels of these neurotransmitters, improving overall well-being.
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is increased: CBF is associated with many mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, attentional problems, behavior disorders, and impaired cognitive function. CBF usually decreases as we age, and this can lead to a decline cognitive function. People experiencing depressed mood often have lower levels of CBF in the left frontal and prefrontal lobes. Using a DAVID can help increase CBF and potentially alleviate symptoms associated with mental health disorders.
Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) is a therapeutic technique that uses synchronized audio and visual stimuli to influence brainwave patterns and promote relaxation, focus, or other desired mental states. Our AVE devices use "glasses" with flashing lights and headphones with pulsing sounds to stimulate specific frequencies (1 to 25 Hz) in the brain, promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, improving mood, and enhancing mental performance.
The number of sessions you can use with the DAVID device in a day depends on your specific goals and desired outcomes. Generally, people use the device daily or every other day, but it is possible to use it more frequently if desired. For example, some individuals use an SMR session in the morning (to help with focus and alertness) and a calming Schumann session in the afternoon or evening. The device can also be used before bedtime or in the middle of the night , if you've woken up and are finding it difficult to go back to sleep. Ultimately, the frequency and timing of sessions should be tailored to meet your individual needs and preferences.
The length of time it takes to notice any changes while using AVE varies based on several factors, such as the frequency of use and the specific purpose of the AVE. Results may vary among individuals using AVE for different purposes. While some people may notice changes after a single use, although most people notice a difference after a while longer longer. Typically, individuals who use AVE at least five times per week may notice significant results within two to four weeks.
Brain waves are electrical charges produced by the brain that create rhythmic patterns known as brain wave patterns. These patterns can be observed and measured through and Electroencephalograph (EEG). EEG machines record the synchronous firing of large groups of neurons (they don't measure individual cell activity). Brain waves are categorized into four main types: beta, alpha, theta, and delta. Each type is associated with different states of mind.
Beta Waves
Beta waves are a type of brain wave that are characterized by quick, low amplitude waves with frequencies of 14 to 40 times per second (Hz). These waves are most commonly observed when an individual is in an awake and alert state of consciousness, such as when they are engaged in focused mental activity or conversation.
Beta waves are often associated with tasks that require concentration and cognitive effort, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and information processing. They can also be produced when an individual is under stress or experiencing anxiety.
In addition to their role in cognition and attention, beta waves have also been linked to the motor cortex of the brain, which controls voluntary movement. Studies have shown that beta waves increase in amplitude just before and during movement, suggesting that they may play a role in coordinating motor activity.
Overall, beta waves are an important aspect of brain function that contribute to our ability to focus, process information, and carry out complex tasks.
Alpha Waves
Alpha waves are a type of brain wave that oscillate between 8 and 13 Hz. They are most commonly observed during periods of sensorial rest, such as when the eyes are closed, during intellectual or deep relaxation, and during meditation or a state of quietness in the mind. Achieving and maintaining alpha waves is often a desired outcome of meditation practices, although it may take years of practice to produce consistently strong alpha waves.
The effects of alpha brain wave rhythms can be significant, including feelings of peacefulness, warmth in the hands and feet, a sense of overall well-being, improved sleep quality, enhanced academic performance, increased productivity in the workplace, reduced anxiety, and improved immune system functioning.
Interestingly, many creative geniuses, such as Albert Einstein, were thought to be in a semi-permanent alpha state. Despite their brilliance, these individuals often struggled in traditional academic settings, with poor grades and a reputation for being slow learners. It is possible that their minds were too busy creating and exploring to focus on the more boring learning and memorization required in traditional educational environments.
Alpha waves play an important role in our mental and physical well-being, and achieving and maintaining them through practices like meditation can have profound benefits for our overall health and productivity.
Alpha/Theta Border
The Alpha/Theta border refers to a specific frequency range between 7 to 8 Hz, where brainwave activity shifts from predominantly alpha waves to a greater prevalence of theta waves. This transition marks a crucial stage in consciousness, where individuals may experience exceptional insights and transformative personal experiences.
Some common methods for accessing this state include Schumann Resonance and State Five Meditation, which involve techniques for inducing deep relaxation and mental clarity. Through these practices, individuals may find that anger, resentment, or troubling memories from childhood dissolve more easily, enabling greater emotional healing and personal growth.
By exploring the Alpha/Theta border and the transformative potential of this state, individuals may unlock new levels of self-awareness and personal insight. With continued practice and exploration, this can lead to profound changes in how one perceives and interacts with the world, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Theta Waves
Theta waves are a type of brain wave that typically range from 4 to 8 Hz. This frequency range is often referred to as the dream or "twilight" state, as it is commonly associated with hypnagogic states, REM sleep, and dreaming.
One of the unique characteristics of the theta brain wave state is its ability to enhance memory development, particularly long-term memory. Additionally, this state can increase access to unconscious material, allowing for a greater ability to engage in reveries, free association, and sudden insights. It is also believed to stimulate creative ideas and facilitate problem solving.
Despite its potential benefits, the theta state has long been a mysterious and elusive state of mind for researchers. One of the challenges in studying this state is that subjects often have difficulty maintaining it for any significant period of time without falling asleep, which generates large amounts of theta waves.
However, with advances in technology and new techniques for inducing and monitoring the theta state, researchers have begun to gain a better understanding of its potential benefits for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. As such, the theta brain wave state remains an intriguing area of study for those interested in exploring the mysteries of the human mind.
Delta Waves
Delta waves are a type of brain wave that are typically observed when an individual is in a deep sleep state. As we fall asleep, the dominant brain wave naturally transitions to delta, which has the slowest frequency of all brain waves, spanning from 1 to 4 Hz.
While it was previously thought that the delta state was associated with complete unconsciousness, there is growing evidence to suggest that individuals may maintain a slightly conscious state while in delta. This has led to further research into the potential benefits of delta waves for cognitive function and overall wellbeing.
It is important to note that all brain wave states serve important mental functions, and maintaining a healthy balance of brain wave activity is key to optimal functioning. Research has shown that the natural, healthy alpha rhythm is very close to 10 Hz, and that the return to a peaceful, mind/body state has become increasingly difficult in today's fast-paced lifestyle.
This difficulty in achieving a state of relaxation and balance can contribute to various physical and mental disorders, including closed-head injury, fibromyalgia, and cognitive impairments. Excess levels of slow brain waves, such as slow alpha, alpha/theta border, and theta, may indicate such disorders.
As such, it is crucial for individuals to relearn or retrain their brains to achieve higher levels of alpha and maintain a healthy balance of brain wave activity for optimal physical and mental health.
When starting your session, it's important to select the appropriate intensity setting for your eyesets. You want to adjust the brightness to a level that feels comfortable to you. Choosing a higher intensity (i.e. brighter) setting can result in more vibrant colors and sharper patterns. However, it's essential to avoid overstimulation. If you are prone to headaches or if it is a child who is using the device, it is best to keep the intensity level lower. Ultimately, a comfortable experience will lead to better results.
If you're wondering when to use beta sessions, they can be highly beneficial for boosting cognitive functioning and improving focus. Beta frequency stimulation is a neuro-stimulant and can serve as a great substitute for coffee in the morning. If you struggle with anxiety, especially in new situations, using beta sessions during your initial DAVID sessions can be helpful. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can also benefit from beta sessions as they have a calming effect. Additionally, beta sessions are often used to treat slow-brain disorders where continuous alpha or theta activity is higher than normal. They have also been found to be useful in treating non-specific, inward anxiety.
If you're looking to achieve a state of deep relaxation or engage in
meditation, using alpha sessions may be beneficial. Alpha sessions can
be especially helpful if you experience outward anxiety or high arousal
(resulting in difficulty sitting still) or if you suffer from
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For optimal results, it's
recommended that you begin with shorter alpha sessions, lasting between
15 to 30 minutes, and refrain from consuming caffeine four hours prior
to the session. Over time, you can gradually increase the duration of
your alpha sessions.
Theta sessions are best used after a few weeks of consistent use of alpha sessions, once you've established a regular meditation and deep relaxation routine. Theta sessions are particularly useful for cultivating new emotional responses to various situations and for promoting and enhancing creativity.
Delta sessions differ from other sessions in that their intended outcome is sleep. Delta sessions aid in silencing the "mental chatter" that may arise after a busy day and are particularly helpful for individuals experiencing pain. Those who frequently feel mentally fog can benefit from using delta sessions before bedtime and beta sessions during the day. To experience a more restorative sleep, simply run a delta session before retiring for the night. The session will automatically come to an end, and most users will subconsciously remove their eye mask and headphones during the night.
Regarding dual frequency sessions, SMR/Beta sessions are commonly employed in neurofeedback and they help in learning by enhancing left brain function, improving attention, and reducing hyperactivity and distractibility in the right brain.
The Alpha/Theta mix sessions are conducive to achieving a state of deep, rejuvenating relaxation and can also be effective in facilitating the recall of memories.
Lastly, the Delta/Theta session is best suited for achieving a state of deep relaxation.
When information is presented to an individual while in a theta brain wave state, learning can potentially be accelerated. However, it's important for the user to remain awake during the session to achieve this state. If successful, the individual will enter a brain wave pattern known as Passive-Awareness, which typically lasts for a few hours following the session. During this time, the person will feel relaxed and passive yet remain alert, making it an opportune time to focus on studying or reading.
Visualization and imagery have been utilized for centuries to improve one's quality of life. The senses of sight, smell, taste, sound, and touch are all integral components of imagery. The clearer and more vividly one is able to imagine these senses, the greater the likelihood of achieving the desired results.
Visualization is a potent tool for replacing undesired behaviors or responses such as anxiety, fear, anger, or addictive behaviors. The following steps may be employed to visualize a new response:
While the DAVID device can help facilitate vivid imagery, it's crucial to maintain conscious control over the visualization process. You may find it difficult to maintin this control, particularly if the lights in the eyeset are too bright, or the headphones produce tones that are too loud; if that's the case, the entrainment becomes too strong, and that tends to suppress beta activity. This beta activity is crucial in order to keep control of the guided imagery. You may need to select a setting with a lower intensity or decrease the volume of the tones, so that you can maintain the ideal mix of enhanced imagery and conscious control of your visualisation.
We always recommend to avoid consuming caffeine while using the DAVID device, as caffeine can induce a "fight or flight" response, exhausts the body, leads to insomnia, and increases reactivity and distress. Additionally, refraining from alcohol and mind altering drugs is advisable when using the DAVID. If you are taking any prescribed medication, it is recommended to consult with your doctor before adjusting any dosages.
The choice to keep your eyes open or closed during a DAVID session is a personal preference, as both options are posible. However, many people find that closing their eyes helps them to feel more relaxed and rested during the session. If you are using the DAVID for visualisation or learning purposes, it is recommended to stay awake so that you can consciously choose your imagery. On the other hand, if you are using the DAVID for general relaxation, many people find it enjoyable to fall asleep during the session. Ultimately, the choice is yours based on your desired outcome.
If you want to stay conscious during sessions that use alpha (8 to 13 Hz) and/or theta (5 to 7 Hz) frequencies, there are a few techniques you can try. One option is to combine your session with a CD or MP3 of relaxing music. Another method is to hold your hand up while lying down and allowing your elbow to rest on the bed. As you begin to fall asleep, your forearm will fall, which can serve as a signal to keep you aware. Additionally, having something in the room that generates occasional sounds may help you stay in the awareness zone.
To enhance your DAVID sessions, you can use any CDs or podcasts that
promote relaxation, self-improvement, or creativity. You can also play
music of your choice, although we would recommend using quiet, slow
music for relaxation sessions. There's a helpful video available that explains how to sync your music with the DAVID session.
Binaural beats are produced by playing two distinct tones with varying pitches separately into each ear through headphones. If you want to learn more about binaural beats, you can check out Dave Siever's article.
Dissociation refers to the separation of feelings, memories, thoughts,
and physical sensations from conscious awareness. This can happen during
activities such as meditation, exercise, reading, driving on a
motorway, watching a film, or attending a sporting event.
Entrainment is the process by which one rhythmic system influences another rhythmic system, causing them to synchronize and align their rhythms. This can happen with many different types of systems, including biological rhythms in humans and animals, mechanical systems like pendulums, and even social rhythms like the clapping and cheering at a concert. The result is that the two systems become coordinated and their rhythms become more similar.
During entrainment with a DAVID device, the brain synchronizes to and resonates with the rhythmic lights and sounds that it produces.
Heart rate variability (HRV) is the variation in time between each heartbeat. This is an indicator of the adaptability of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and its ability to respond to changes in the environment. HRV is influenced by several factors including physical activity, stress, and sleep quality. A higher HRV indicates a greater flexibility of the ANS, and a lower HRV indicates reduced flexibility and a potential risk for certain health conditions.
HRV is commonly used in clinical and research settings to monitor the impact of stress on the body and to assess the effectiveness of treatments for various conditions such as anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease. It can be measured using electrocardiogram (ECG) equipment or other non-invasive methods and analysed using various mathematical algorithms. By measuring HRV, individuals can gain insight into their overall health and make lifestyle changes to improve their ANS function and reduce their risk of developing certain health conditions.
Schumann resonance is a natural electromagnetic resonance that occurs between the surface of the Earth and the ionosphere, about 50 km above. It is caused by lightning strikes around the world, which create electromagnetic waves that bounce back and forth between the Earth and the ionosphere, forming a resonant cavity. The fundamental frequency of this cavity is around 7.83 Hz, and it can have harmonics up to several tens of Hz. Scientists have calculated that the speed of light through free air or vacuum is approximately 186,273 miles (299,775,730 meters) per second. Based on this calculation, they have measured an electromagnetic radiation that circulates around the Earth's circumference of 23,789 miles (38,285,533 meters) at a rate of 7.83 revolutions per second.
The Schumann resonance has been found to have an influence on biological systems and has been suggested to have a role in human health and well-being. Some studies have linked changes in the Schumann resonance with changes in human brain activity. Apparently, some people who practise paranormal activities, produce brain wave patterns in the frequencyof the Schumann Resonance.
Sensory Motor Rhythm (SMR) is a brainwave pattern that emerges in the sensory motor cortex. Its frequency falls within the range of 12 to 15 Hz. Although SMR specifically refers to this frequency range in the sensory motor strip, some practitioners use the term more broadly to describe the same frequency range in any part of the brain.
Soft OffTM refers to a gradual reduction in the intensity of the lights and volume of the tones used in an eyeset session. This approach offers a gentle way to end a session. When the light and sound stimulation end abruptly, it can lead to mild nausea and dizziness, which is commonly referred to as somatic shock.
This was discovered by Adrian & Matthews in 1934.
Audio-visual entrainment (AVE) was first used clinically in 1958 with the invention of the Brain Wave Synchronizer by Sidney Schneider. The device was primarily used for hypnotic induction and to help reduce pain for patients during dental procedures and surgery.
Later, in 1973, Dr. Gerald Oster published an article in the Scientific American journal titled "Auditory Beats in the Brain", which introduced the concept of binaural beats and their potential benefits for inducing states of relaxation and focus. Following this, AVE technology started to gain popularity and was used in various clinical settings such as psychology, psychiatry, and neurology for the treatment of conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
The DAVID has a variety of applications. It is particularly effective in treating Attention Deficit Disorder. Audio-visual entrainment (AVE) has also been successful in alleviating symptoms of anxiety, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and trauma. The DAVID has been found to be beneficial in addressing low brainwave disorders such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS). Additionally, the device is useful in promoting sleep onset and enhancing the quality of sleep. Older people have also reported improved cognition and balance when using the DAVID.
Adverse effects associated with audio-visual entrainment (AVE) are rare when using properly designed equipment. However, misuse of the equipment can potentially increase anxiety or cause a feeling of being "fuzzy-headed." Any negative side effects resulting from occasional improper use are usually temporary and resolve within a day. It is crucial to use the correct AVE session with a properly designed device to minimise the risk of adverse effects.
Yes, the DAVID can help reduce jaw tension and Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) pain. Many people with myofascial, shoulder, and TMJ pain experience relief within 10 minutes into a session.
Yes, the DAVID can affect cerebral blood flow. PET and fMRI scans have shown that many types of brain dysfunction involve reduced cerebral blood flow and metabolism in different areas of the brain. Studies by Fox and Raichle have demonstrated that photic stimulation, such as that used in AVE, can increase cerebral blood flow by up to 28%.
Yes, the DAVID can help a tense person to relax. Research indicates that audio-visual entrainment (AVE) in the alpha brainwave range, which typically ranges from 7 to 10 Hz, can induce significant relaxation within six minutes.
AVE can be similar to meditation, depending on the type of session used. Research has shown that AVE can produce similar brainwave patterns as Zen meditators who have many years of experience, usually within 10 minutes of use.
Yes, the DAVID system can improve mood in multiple ways. Firstly, studies have shown that 30 minutes of white light AVE can increase serotonin levels by 23% and norepinephrine levels by 18%, as demonstrated by Paul Sheely's research. Additionally, depression is associated with an alpha asymmetry between the left and right frontal regions of the brain, with more alpha on the left side. This causes the "happy" left side to be less active, leaving the anxious and depressed right side in control. Alpha/beta sessions offered by DAVID can help normalize brain function and reduce this asymmetry, resulting in mood improvement. These sessions can also typically reduce anxiety.
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