The sensors use near infrared spectroscopy (nIRs) to measure blood perfusion and oxygenation in the pre-frontal cortex. The games give feedback on the brain’s ability to increase or decrease perfusion.

One of the main objectives of HEG training is to promote angiogenesis (expansion of the blood vessel network) in the prefrontal cortex. This can be achieved by promoting an increase in blood perfusion, which creates a demand for the body to adapt to accommodate this greater flow.

Another feature of State Changer (supported by years of observations with our customer base) is that we not only train the brain to increase perfusion, but also to decrease it. This type of training is especially important to help the brain reach a relaxed state and slow down the flow of thoughts.

Best results for increasing blood flow (closed focus) have been shown training every 3-4 days — 2-3 times per week. Leaving a few days between training allows the brain to rest and adapt to changes. This is based on research training in closed focus only. State Changer allows both increase and decrease training – open and closed focus – in a single session. Daily training both directions is fine, but we do not have data to show it gives faster results.

This can vary from one brain to another. However, with HEG training, it is quite common to find rapid changes after a few weeks of training. In general, around 10 sessions are usually enough for noticeable changes to begin to emerge.

Open focus is awareness of everything, paying attention to nothing.

Closed focus is concentration on a single item. The rest of the world is background.

The cover piece on State Changer is TPE, not latex. It is a material widely used in medical equipment as being hypo-allergenic.

Specific frequencies of red and infrared light alternate being pulsed into the brain many times per second. The red frequency is absorbed by blood on the surface of the brain which is NOT oxygenated. The more oxygenated (red) blood reflects more of the red light. Like bouncing a pool shot off a cushion at a certain angle results in a carom at the equal angle, a sensor on the headset receives the reflected red light. The frequency of infrared light is reflected at a constant rate, regardless of the O2 levels in the blood. It serves as a constant. So the ratio of red to infrared light reaching the sensor about 3cm from the LEDs that produce the light is a valid measure of oxygenated blood on the surface of the cortex. If the ratio is rising, the brain is receiving more O2 and glucose to metabolize; if the ratio is decreasing, the oxygenated blood levels are decreasing.

When you practice with feedback the body changes its distribution system for blood in the trained area. Obviously training in a small area on the left, center or right area of the PFC doesn’t only increase delivery to that small point; the whole area is affected. Since there is literally a physiological change that takes place, it becomes lasting–especially if, in your daily life, you continue to take advantage of an increased ability to perform closed or open focus.

No, just one at a time.

Both. The Attention Index (AI) is based on the red/infrared ratio. We have feedback for both.

No. Currently only one site will be trained at a time. After finishing one site, the next site will be trained according to the settings you selected before beginning. Some games train up, some down, and some both.

It is important to understand that there is no specific “norm”.  After eating or in relation to sleep  patterns or physical exercise all affect the level of blood and O2, so State Changer measures from whatever is the baseline when training starts and compares changes against that. State Changer will provide readings of whatever values of the ratio of red/infrared light in whatever you are measuring.

More on the system: The State Changer’s LED’s pulse intermittent flashes of a specific frequency of red and another of infrared light which pass through the skin, the skull and the meninges to reach the surface of the cortex of the Prefrontal executive center.  The more oxygenated blood found on the surface of the cortex (which is only about 1/4 inch thick), the more red light reflects back.  A receptor in the headband at a specific distance from the LED receives and measures the light from several cm deep.  Meanwhile the infrared light’s reflection is not affected by the blood O2 levels.

The software measures the ratio of red to infrared light.  Obviously, the higher the ratio (more red vs infrared) the higher the level of blood O2 and the greater the potential metabolic response the brain can produce–increasing the frequency at which the prefrontal neurons can pulse and the greater their ability to perform their executive control functions.  The lower the ratio, the less activated are the prefrontal neurons.  As with aerobic exercise elsewhere in the body,  So ingle-pointed focus increases blood flow and open focus decreases it.

State Changer scoring is based on changes in the red/infrared ratio and the slope of the trend line.  The measurement is extremely difficult because the level of blood and oxygenation are also rhythmically affected by the heart beat.  More blood goes into the brain when the heard is pumping and then it is reduced between beats.  She State Changer is required to identify the very small changes in the ratio separated from the large oscillations based on heart-beat artifact.

If the games appear to be inactive, confirm you have an internet connection. A software update will begin in the background. The next time you open the program, the games should be available. If this does not resolve your issue, please contact our support team to investigate.

Yes. Download the app for Windows to install on your Windows machine; download the app for Mac to install on your Mac Machine. Contact support if you want to test the Mac installer and help us get it out to users.

Yes, the software stores the data locally so you can track your individual progress.

No. Sometime during this year we plan to release a unit that is able to operate directly with portable devices and will have graphically simpler games designed for smartphone or tablet screens.

There will probably be more games in the future.

Shipments to the US will be shipped via USPS. International deliveries will be shipped via DHL by default. If you want a lower price and are willing to accept the speed and guarantee of delivery you may select USPS at checkout.

5.91″ x 9.85″ x 1.68″