Light and Sound gizmos

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Permalink Reply by Randall Browning on August 24, 2008 at 6:52pm

Hi Melissa,
I see that you wrote this in January and ....wow! Not one response!!!!!!!!
Light and sound machines....AVS or AVE is a fantastic tool. Almost like computers.....a solution looking for a problem. Some of the machines are toys, so it is a good idea to know who wrote the programs and how they work.I highly recommend the DAVID PAL or any Mind Alive product. Dave Siever writes the programs and they have protocols for different things. ( I have no financial interest in the company by the way, just success with thir products). So, your questions,
1. Light and sound works on the principle of brain wave entrainment. The brain tends to mimic the stimulation it is experiencing. Think of it as riding on a train, hearing the vibration of the tracks, which sets up a low frequency. People usually nod off to sleep........So, when using a low frequency of let's say, 4 to 6 hz, the stumulation will induce a deep state of hypnosis. Therefore, your recorded CD will fall on suggestible ears.......some people even think they are sleeping, but the brain usually entrains to the stimulous and doesn't fall into the delta range.
2. I think I answered it already....
3. The down side is that they increase CBF (cerebreal blood flow) and are contraindicated for anyone with seizure disorders. Also, it is a machine, so it is possible to feel a bit of a disconnect with your client if not used properly. On the upside, you can get anyones brain to entrain, even ADD or ADHD people and it has a bit of a wow factor.
4. I use them all the time, not exclusively, but it is a great tool in the tool box. There is a great study on dissociation and the use of Light and Sound. I can send it if you would like.
5. Protocols. Depression, usually you would see in an EEG sluggish left prefrontal brain waves. Stimulating the right eye at 18hz and the left at 10hz could balance out the assymetry.....you just have to have them do it a bunch!!!
ADD, you would see a lot of high beta activity in the prefrontal cortex as well as a lot of theta at the same time.....stimulate at about 10 hz and you can level those wave out..........bring down the beta and bring up the theta.
Also, it is good for pain, anxiety, etc.....I will be more than happy to go on and on if you are interested...........sorry we didn't have the pleasure of discussing this in Florida! Randy

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on February 23, 2010 at 12:15pm

I was considering posting a very similar query, but I did a search first and found this thread.

So, any of the new folks who didn't reply last time have any insights on this? Surely someone actually uses these machines, or the businesses that make them would go under, right?

In answer to Melissa's question, I've experimented just a little bit, and so far I've found that the L/S machine doesn't seem to help any with my pre-recorded sessions, but it does seem to help a lot with freeform self-hypnosis. I can easily get myself in trance, but my mind often wanders away from the task. The L/S machine seems to help me stay focussed while still trancing. (The only other thing I've found that works that way is a shaman's drum.)

So, what are hypnotists out there using L/S machines for?

Thanks,

James

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Permalink Reply by Jackie Spencer on February 23, 2010 at 8:25pm

I don't know these other machines, but I did try a MindSpa program which has light-up glasses and headphones playing a music track under NLP techniques. The audio was very good and I can see how it would be very effective, but the glasses gave me a violent headache for several hours. I couldn't wear then through the entire recorded session.

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Permalink Reply by James Malone on February 23, 2010 at 8:45pm

This is an interesting thread. One one hand I can see where if a client's level of expectation is raised by high-tech gadgetry this may be the way to go, however Jackie's experience where she suffered a violent headache afterward would give me pause that these devices are not benign for all individuals and might raise the specter of a liability issue. Jim

Jackie Spencer said:

I don't know these other machines, but I did try a MindSpa program which has light-up glasses and headphones playing a music track under NLP techniques. The audio was very good and I can see how it would be very effective, but the glasses gave me a violent headache for several hours. I couldn't wear then through the entire recorded session.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Dennehy (Paul Dee) on February 24, 2010 at 2:12pm

Hi Melisa,
Back in th day when 'Lght and sound equipment' was emerging in the therapy clinic a colleague at the time recommended head phones and microphnoe sets to help connect better with the client on a more focused level. I bought the equipmnet and noticed no great improvement other that it was easier for me to hear what some queter clients were saying when they spoke. One day the equipment malfuncioned and I was fretful. I had become so reliant on it that I began to doubt my ability to function without it. The session went fine without the equipment and I binned the system. I fully embrace technology but in the clinic there is litttle to beat just two peole in a room, communicating. I haven't given up on technology and am currently explring the 'Virtual' room. Best wishes.
Hope that helps.
Regards,

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Melissa J. Roth on March 10, 2010 at 7:12pm

I know it's been a long time coming but I've been busy with the HypnoSummit and Life. Sorry. When L/S machines first came out I tried one at the MindSpa in Atlanta. Not only did it give me a violent headache but I got really freightened. I got so scared I couldn't finish the program and threw the glasses and earphones off. It took me a long time to calm down from that one. The technician said the frequency was set too high. I didn't retry them for years. I bought a gizmo a couple of years ago intending to record my own sessions on it and use it for students who wanted study skill sessions but couldn't afford my fees. I've never gotten around to doing that but still think it is a good idea. It doesn't require me to be present--only the secretary to hook them up, put in the right session and collect the fee. Mostly I'm interested for self use. I find it increasingly difficult to do self hypnosis lately---too many distractions, etc. I wondered what other people did with them?

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Permalink Reply by Katherine Zimmerman on March 11, 2010 at 10:30am

I'm using the NeuroAdvantage L/S machine. I have used it consistently for over 2 years with great results. I no longer feel intimidated driving on the freeway, I sleep like a rock most nights (after a lifetime of being a light sleeper) my mind is clear -- more like it was 20 years ago and when I'm stuck with something negative I use the "let it go" program and audio coaching and in 35 minutes I HAVE let it go. It's been amazing.

After a few months of personal use I started adding it to my sessions. My clients are making changes more quickly and enjoying deeper levels of trance. They love it!

Melissa J. Roth said:

I know it's been a long time coming but I've been busy with the HypnoSummit and Life. Sorry. When L/S machines first came out I tried one at the MindSpa in Atlanta. Not only did it give me a violent headache but I got really freightened. I got so scared I couldn't finish the program and threw the glasses and earphones off. It took me a long time to calm down from that one. The technician said the frequency was set too high. I didn't retry them for years. I bought a gizmo a couple of years ago intending to record my own sessions on it and use it for students who wanted study skill sessions but couldn't afford my fees. I've never gotten around to doing that but still think it is a good idea. It doesn't require me to be present--only the secretary to hook them up, put in the right session and collect the fee. Mostly I'm interested for self use. I find it increasingly difficult to do self hypnosis lately---too many distractions, etc. I wondered what other people did with them?

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Atkinson on March 11, 2010 at 2:41pm

I have investigated several as the use of brainwave technology with hypnosis is of huge interest to me. I have found the NeuroAdvantage to be one of my favorites mainly because of its portability. Most of the machines I investigated needed to be used in conjunction with a computer. The NeuroAdvantage is the size of your hand and can operate on a 9 volt battery. It comes with headphones and the eye piece. You can plug a CD player into it and use the CD's available with the program; or you can put the discs onto an MP3 (which is what I did) and plug them directly into the unit. It can be used virtually anywhere. The research behind the design of the unit was conducted by several psychotherapists who are very into hypnosis and hypnotherapy. If you are interested in this unit, contact Dr. Dennis Marikis and just let him know I referred you. The web link is below.

http://www.neuro-advantage.com/

My second choice is the MindWorkstation by Enterprise Company. The drawback is that this unit has to be used on a computer; however the advantage is it has the capability of allowing you to make your own brainwave enhanced CD's and/or incorporate brainwave technology into your pre-recorded CD's.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Moore on March 11, 2010 at 2:52pm

I'm still a big fan of Dr. Rayma Ditson-Sommers ChiQ. They look like sun glasses and you where them anywhere and everywhere. Several athletes that I work with where them while performing their sport. I also liked her old SportsLink and still use it.

Roger

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Permalink Reply by Janet Munson on October 21, 2010 at 3:27pm

I used a L/S machine that someone was trying to sell through MLM about six months ago. I don't recall the name of it, unfortunately. It had various prerecorded scripts and honestly, I didn't care for the some of the voices that were used. Additionally, I didn't feel like I was as deep as I could go on my own and it left me feeling very agitated. It does sound like there are major differences in them and that there is some benefit to using them.

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Permalink Reply by teri on October 22, 2010 at 6:56am

Hi Melissa
( n all brainwave techies ! )
The first one I used had a fantastic anti stress program that used soft chime rather than beats, ( they tend to give me a headache very quickly). The red amber light glasses caused a kaleidoscope of soft multi colored lights, holding ones interest /attention and I could feel the flow of soothing endorphin like changes throughout my whole body. It was a real life saver as I had the enormous stress of landlords building work surrounding me 7 days a week for over a year. Sadly it's power pack was faulty and the lesser machine I exchanged it for had no chimes .
So now if I use it it is , it's lights only, in combination with centerpoint holosynch, rain background sound,
( Bill Harris) which is meant to be the equivalent of twice as much in sleep time. This I find holds true and as I am coping with CFS exacerbated by insomnia is crucial to attaining even getting out of bed. I have not found an equivalent for this factor though pleasant mood alterers with subliminals are helpful.
This is also one of my main areas of experience and ('hypno') interest; in developing my own scripts for use with. So I am also researching which equipment to use. I've seen one where the lights surround eye holes so you can use the study/creativity programs with eyes open .
I definitely think the lights enhance the brainwave entrainment/ depth of relaxation. My intuition/spiritual gifts do seem to have improved in general over the years of their use, even though it's often an alpha doze rather than a meditation. Thank you for bringing the subject up, I hope there is something of help in my reply.
warm regards Teri

(I would love to hear of others experiences /choices of equipment that do not have anothers voice built in and are preferably programable ).

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