A new neurotechnology that balances brain frequencies by sound can potentially help with blood pressure and migraine symptons, according to two small studies presented at the American Heart Association’s Council on Hypertension 2016 Scientific Sessions.
The neurotechnology, called HIRREM® (High-resolution, relational, resonance based, electroencephalic mirroring), uses sensors placed on the scalp to measure brain activity and detect right brain/left brain imbalances.
“Most people have relatively balanced electrical activity between the right side and left sides of the brain,” says study author Hossam A. Shaltout, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Hypertension and Vascular Research Center at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “Imbalance, with one side dominant, or more active, may reflect autonomic dysregulation associated with the effects of chronic stress, which is thought to play a role in high blood pressure, migraines, insomnia, depression, hot flashes and more.”
HIRREM® monitors brain activity and translates dominant brain frequencies into computer-generated audio tones that are reflected back simultaneously with ear buds.
“Gradually, and on its own, with no conscious, cognitive activity required, the electrical pattern tends to shift towards improved balance and reduced hyperarousal,” Shaltout said.
After exposure to just a few sessions using HIRREM®, patients experienced numerous benefits, including a reduction in systolic blood pressure, improved insomnia severity and improved anxiety symptoms.
“If these findings are confirmed in larger controlled studies, HIRREM may prove to be a valuable new approach for brain-based health care,” Shaltout said, but more research is needed to verify these preliminary findings.
The above post is reprinted from material provided by the American Heart Association.