Editing Mind machine

{{Short description|Meditation device}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Undue weight|date=May 2023}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=May 2023}}
{{Fringe theories|date=May 2023}}
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[[File:Mind machine.jpg|thumb|320px|A light and sound machine with headphones and strobe light goggles]]
A '''mind machine''' (aka ''brain machine'' or ''light and sound machine'') uses pulsing rhythmic [[sound]], flashing [[light]], or a combination of these. Mind machines can [[Induced activity|induce deep states of relaxation]]<ref name=binaural_relaxation>{{ cite journal |last1 = McConnell |first1 = Patrick A |last2 = Froeliger |first2 = Brett |last3 = Garland |first3 = Eric L |last4 = Ives |first4 = Jeffrey C |last5 = Sforzo |first5 = Gary A |year = 2014 |title = Auditory driving of the autonomic nervous system: Listening to theta-frequency binaural beats post-exercise increases parasympathetic activation and sympathetic withdrawal. |journal = Frontiers in Psychology |quote = binaural-beat associated HRV significantly predicted subsequent reported relaxation. Findings suggest that listening to binaural beats may exert an acute influence on both LF and HF components of HRV and may increase subjective feelings of relaxation. |doi = 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01248|pmid = 25452734 |pages = 1248 |volume = 5 |pmc=4231835|doi-access = free }}</ref>  or concentration.<ref name=binaural_attention>{{ cite journal |last1 = Colzato |first1 = Lorenza S |last2 = Barone |first2 = Hayley |last3 = Sellaro |first3 = Roberta |last4 = Hommel |first4 = Bernhard |year = 2015 |title = More attentional focusing through binaural beats: evidence from the global-local task. |journal = Psychological Research |quote = While the size of the congruency effect (indicating the failure to suppress task-irrelevant information) was unaffected by the binaural beats, the global-precedence effect (reflecting attentional focusing) was considerably smaller after gamma-frequency binaural beats than after the control condition. Our findings suggest that high-frequency binaural beats bias the individual attentional processing style towards a reduced spotlight of attention. |pmid = 26612201 |pmc = 5233742 |volume = November 26 |issue = 1 |pages = 271–277 |doi=10.1007/s00426-015-0727-0}}</ref>

The process applied by some of these machines is said to induce [[brainwave entrainment|brainwave synchronisation]] or entrainment.<ref name=Wackermann>{{cite journal
 |url        = http://www.efectoganzfeld.com/uploads/5/3/0/3/5303662/ganzfeld.pdf
 |title      = Ganzfeld-induced hallucinatory experience, its phenomenology and cerebral electrophysiology
 |year       = 2008
 |journal    = Cortex
 |volume = 44
 |issue = 10
 |pages = 1364–1378
 |pmid = 18621366
 |doi = 10.1016/j.cortex.2007.05.003
 |s2cid = 18683890
 |last1 = Wackermann
 |first1 = J.
 |last2 = Putz
 |first2 = P.
 |last3 = Allefeld
 |first3 = C.
 }}</ref>

==History==
The influence of rhythmic sounds and drums to enter altered states of consciousness is used in different indigenous tribes (see [[Shamanic music]]), as well as optical stimulation produced by the flickering light of camp fires or pressing lightly on the eyeballs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Thomason|first=Timothy|date=2010-01-01|title=The Role of Altered States of Consciousness in Native American Healing|url=http://works.bepress.com/timothy_thomason/10/|journal=Journal of Rural Community Psychology|volume=E13|issue=1}}</ref> This "stroboscopic photo-stimulation produces 'photic driving', the alpha type of brain electrical activity associated with an altered state in which people are susceptible to suggestion". (<ref name=":1" /> p.&nbsp;12).

The first scientific observations were made by [[William Charles Wells]] in the 1790s who described different effects of binocular vision. His results were later transferred to be applied in [[binaural beats]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Destined for Distinguished Oblivion: The Scientific Vision of William Charles Wells (1757-1817)|last=Wade|first=N. J.|publisher=Kluwer-Plenum|year=2003|location=New York}}</ref>  Visual experiments with flickering lights were conducted in the 1940s by [[William Grey Walter]] who used stroboscopic light flashes to measure their effects on brain activity, assessed with [[EEG]]. He reported effect not just on visual areas but on the whole cortex.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The living brain|last=Walter|first=W. G|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|year=1963}}</ref>

The development of alpha EEG feedback (see [[neurofeedback]]) is an important starting point for biofeedback and its explicit use for entering altered states of consciousness.<ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Lynch, J. |author2=Paskewitz, D. |author3=Orne, M. |date=1974|title=Some Factors in the Feedback Control of Human Alpha Rhythm|journal=Psychosomatic Medicine|volume=36|issue=5|pages=399–410 |doi=10.1097/00006842-197409000-00003|pmid=4415822|s2cid=30103590 }}</ref> Enterprises started to produce different types of mind machines and some scientists followed the line of research to explore if and how these devices elicit effects on brain processes.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Audio-Visual Entrainment: History, Physiology, and Clinical Studies|last=Siever|first=D.|work=Handbook of Neurofeedback: Dynamics and Clinical Applications|publisher=James R. Evans|year=2007|location=The Haworth Medical Press, Binghamton, NY}}</ref>

In the late 1980s and early 1990s Farley initiated an investigation concerning medical claims made by some manufacturers and sellers.<ref name="medical_claims" /> The FDA concluded that Light and Sound Machines were not medical devices and did not warrant regulation. Sellers and manufacturers were given guidelines for how they could advertise these devices, and were required to include a disclaimer and cautionary document with each machine.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}
Nowadays, mind machines are rediscovered by some teenage cultures  as so called “digital drugs”, a legal way to enter altered states of consciousness.<ref name=Idosing>{{Cite news |first1 = Ryan |last1 = Syngel  |title = Report: Teens Using Digital Drugs to Get High |date = November 3, 2014 |language = en |newspaper = Wired |url = https://www.wired.com/2010/07/digital-drugs/ |access-date = July 14, 2010}}</ref>

== Application ==
Mind machines include flashing light devices, which are similar to the [[Brion Gysin]] [[dreamachine]] in that both produce a flickering visual field. Unlike flashing light devices, the dreamachine can be used by several people at once, but has few, if any, technical features.

=== Technical setting ===
[[File:Dreammachine.jpg|right|thumb|200px |A Brion Gysin [[dreamachine]]]]
Mind machines typically consist of a control unit, a pair of headphones and/or strobe light goggles. The unit controls the sessions and drives the LEDs in the goggles. Professionally, they are usually referred to as Auditory Visual Stimulation Devices (AVS devices).<ref name="Olmstead 2005">{{Cite journal |first=Ruth |last=Olmstead|date=2005-09-06|title=Use of Auditory and Visual Stimulation to Improve Cognitive Abilities in Learning-Disabled Children|journal=Journal of Neurotherapy|volume=9|issue=2|pages=49–61|doi=10.1300/J184v09n02_04|issn=1087-4208|doi-access=free}}</ref> Some mind machines available today can even connect to the Internet to download additional session material.

===Regulation===
{{Globalize|section|US|date=October 2020}}
Mind machine devices are legally available throughout the United States from many sources.<ref name="Idosing" />

With some exceptions,<ref name=TENS_approval>{{cite web |url = https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm388765.htm |title=FDA allows marketing of first medical device to prevent migraine headaches |website = [[Food and Drug Administration]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314213907/https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm388765.htm |archive-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> these devices commonly do not have [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] approval for medical applications in the US. They have been found by a U.S. district court to be Class III medical devices, and consequentially require FDA pre-market approval for all medical uses. One company making [[radionics|medical claims]] for a possibly unsafe device has been shut down and seen their devices destroyed.<ref name=medical_claims>{{ cite journal |last1 = Farley Dixie|year = 1994 |title = Unapproved 'Brain Wave' Devices Condemned after Seizure Reports |journal = FDA Consumer |quote = The devices were various models of a product called the InnerQuest Brain Wave Synchronizer – headgear (an audio cassette and eyeglasses) that emitted sounds and flashing lights. Sold without prescription and promoted to relieve conditions such as stress, ... |volume = March }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Electroencephalography]]
* [[Event-related potential]]
* [[Evoked potential]]
* [[Hemi-Sync]]
* [[Human enhancement]]

==References==
{{Reflist|32em}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mind Machine}}
[[Category:Meditation]]
[[Category:Self]]
[[Category:Devices to alter consciousness]]