Do you find yourself tossing and turning in bed after a long day? A startup named Elemind is addressing this common issue with an innovative approach. They have developed an electroencephalogram (EEG) headband that emits acoustic stimulation aligned with brainwaves, aiming to help users fall asleep faster.
In a recent study involving adults with sleep onset insomnia, participants experienced a reduction in sleep onset time by 10 to 15 minutes after just 30 minutes of stimulation. This summer, Elemind began a pilot program, shipping their product to a select group of early users. The company, founded by MIT Professor Ed Boyden and a team of researchers, plans to gather user feedback before launching more widely.
Elemind’s device offers a nonchemical alternative to sleep medications, which often come with side effects and risks of addiction. CEO Meredith Perry emphasizes the device’s potential benefits for various users, from new mothers avoiding sleep drugs to travelers combating jet lag.
Wang, one of the founders, has a background in artificial intelligence and extensive research experience at MIT. Along with Grossman, he began exploring techniques for modulating brain activity in 2014. Their work led to the development of phase-locked stimulation, which adjusts auditory, visual, or physical stimuli in real time to align with brain activity.
Previously, phase-locked stimulation was used in clinical settings to manage conditions like seizures. However, the team decided to focus on sleep as a less regulated area to prove their concept. They created a system that delivers auditory pulses to promote or suppress alpha oscillations, often heightened in insomnia.
The headband measures brainwaves via EEG and uses proprietary algorithms to generate audio through bone conduction. When the device detects sleep, the audio gradually decreases. Wang describes this sound as a “brain jammer,” helping users who tend to overthink before bed by quieting their minds.
Elemind is also collaborating with eight universities to explore the device’s effectiveness for various applications, including tremor management and memory enhancement. Initial findings from McGill University indicate that using Elemind’s stimulation during sleep can boost motor function and improve memory task performance in healthy adults.
While the primary focus remains on improving sleep, Elemind has ambitious plans for future developments. Perry envisions a future where users can access different brain states like downloading apps, expanding the device’s applications beyond sleep to various cognitive enhancements.
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