Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Dec 2015

Stimulation Technologies: "New" Trends in "Old" Techniques

CET
Page Range: 180 – 192
DOI: 10.5298/1081-5937-43.04.11
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Optimal functioning of the brain and mind is essential for good mental health and well-being. Unfortunately, disruptions in specific brain region function may arise for a variety of reasons, which include adverse genetic predispositions, poor nutrition, illness and cerebral accidents, developmental hormonal shifts, and negative life events resulting in overload and stress reactions. Fortunately, there are low-cost, easy-to-use, and effective electronic brain-stimulating technologies available today. These stimulation technologies include audiovisual entrainment (AVE) devices (e.g., light and sound machines), as well as electrostimulation technologies such as cranio-electro stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation. The instruments are all designed to aid individuals with modulating their own cortical arousal levels, whether to regain lost functionality or to enhance outcomes such as improved social interactions, athletic performance, mathematical problem-solving, or creating new art and music. This article reviews a range of current techniques used for stimulating and modulating brain regions for positive gain.

Keywords: audio-visual entrainment (AVE); cranio-electro stimulation (CES); transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); peak performance; stress reduction
Copyright: © Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback
<bold>Figure 1.</bold>
Figure 1.

Photic stimulation induction of hypnotic trance (Kroger & Schneider, 1959).

<bold>Figure 2.</bold>
Figure 2.

Forearm EMG levels during AVE (Hawes, 2000).

<bold>Figure 3.</bold>
Figure 3.

Peripheral temperature levels during AVE (Hawes, 2000).

<bold>Figure 4.</bold>
Figure 4.

CBF at various photic entrainment repetition rates (P. Fox & Raichle, 1985).

<bold>Figure 5.</bold>
Figure 5.

Neurotransmitter levels following AVE (Shealy et al., 1989).

<bold>Figure 6.</bold>
Figure 6.

Brain map in 1-Hz bins, during 8 Hz AVE (Sterman-Kaiser Imaging Labs–eyes closed).

<bold>Figure 7.</bold>
Figure 7.

EEG showing photic entrainment (Kinney et al., 1973).

<bold>Figure 8.</bold>
Figure 8.

Peak electric field distribution with CES from 3 to 100 Hz (Datta et al., 2013).

<bold>Figure 9.</bold>
Figure 9.

Neurotransmitter pathways originating from the brain stem (Silverthorn, 2003).

<bold>Figure 10.</bold>
Figure 10.

Blood serum versus CSF measures of neurotransmitters following CES (Shealy et al., 1988). B.Endor = beta-endorphin; C.Ester = cholinesterase.

<bold>Figure 11.</bold>
Figure 11.

Medication treatments versus CES for treating depression (Gilula & Kirsch, 2005).

<bold>Figure 12.</bold>
Figure 12.

Improving attention and the “Mendonca method” for reducing pain (Mendonca et al., 2011).

<bold>Figure 13.</bold>
Figure 13.

Treating depression, addictions, and cravings while improving planning ability.

<bold>Figure 14.</bold>
Figure 14.

Improving insightfulness by improving global perception (Chi & Snider, 2011).

<bold>Figure 15.</bold>
Figure 15.

Treating Wernicke's aphasia following stroke (Monti et al., 2013).

Dave Siever

Contributor Notes

Correspondence: Dave Siever, CET, Mind Alive, Inc., 6716 - 75 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6E 6T9, email: avedave@mindalive.com.
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