How many of us, students, experienced problems with falling asleep, keeping concentration, trying to be focused? What about ADHD or inability to meditate because our “eternal sunshine of the spotless mind” can’t keep on without thinking every 15 minutes what do we have to buy at the grocery store or why does your back hurt so much or… etc. Probably, at least one of these problems was faced by 90% of us , if not 100%.
Now let me introduce the Muse – the most widely used consumer neurotechnology in the market today.
Muse is a brain fitness tool that measures brain signals much like a heart rate monitor senses your heartbeat. Muse’s 7 sensors, 2 on the forehead, 2 behind the ears plus 3 reference sensors, detect and measure the activity of your brain. This technology does not use electrical stimulation – it’s a passive tool that gives you accurate, real time feedback on what’s happening in your brain.
Signal processing and machine learning techniques are applied to the brain signal components to control the experience, as well as dry sensor technology, buetooth, digital signal processing make it easy to access and use brainwave data.
When your mind is calm and settled, you hear peaceful weather. Once your brain starts thinking about things unconsciously, you’ll start to recognize that the ocean wave sounds start crashing louder and the wind sounds start picking up.
Basically it’s electroencephalography (EEG) system in your pocket.
Neurofeedback began gaining popularity years ago in clinical contexts, as research showed (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/therapists-are-using-neurofeedback-to-treat-adhd-ptsd-and-other-conditions/2015/01/16/b38e6cee-5ec3-11e4-91f7-5d89b5e8c251_story.html) it had the potential to help people struggling with conditions like ADHD and PTSD.
In conclusion, I believe that technologies+neuroscience/mental health field is the most promising combination which will thrive and prosper in future, because health (both: physical and mental) is always one of the most vital topics ever and technologies allow us to improve and upgrade understanding of how human’s brain and body work, as well as to help us to cope with diseases.
sources: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/22727109/enlightenment-technology-neurofeedback-brain-stimulation-psychedelics