An affiliate, Adrienne Nicoll, from Holistic Brain Neurotherapy, Vancouver, Washington was interviewed on the radio show “Beyond 50″. They have put together a nice YouTube video of her interview.
Holistic Brain Neurotherapy: Retrain Your Brain
Beyond 50 Radio - is a weekly and educational talk show for Baby Boomers based out of Portland, Oregon and hosted by Daniel Davis. www.Beyond50Radio.com
Brain & Behavioral Institute of South Florida was on the ABC Chanel 10 news in Miami. Click the image below to watch the segment.
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
Infocus – Vol. 17. No. 1 March 2009
– by Vijendra K. Singh, Ph.D., Director Research, Brain State Technologies, Scottsdale, AZ
More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from autoimmune diseases due to an abnormal immune reaction called autoimmunity. Autoimmunity is a major cause of many chronic diseases. This number, however does not include several brain diseases and mental illnesses for which brain autoimmunity has been experimentally demonstrated. For example a huge population with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Tourette’s syndrome (TS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been found to have autoimmunity to brain. This patient population is never included in epidemiological studies of the autoimmune diseases.
If you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system goes haywire and begins to attack healthy cells, tissues, and organs. However, this must happen in a highly select way. Thus, In the case of NeuroAutoImmunity (NAI), the immune system will elicit autoimmune response towards the brain or nerve tissue. To that end, the term “NeuroAutoImmunity” (NAI) has recently been used to refer to this autoimmune response that is directed against the brain or ever tissue. Our immune system and nervous system are connected with each other via the so-called neuro-immune circuitry; and when this circuitry is disrupted, the most common problem manifested is autoimmunity to brain. Then, people commonly show a wide spectrum of neurological and psychiatric health problems. Read the rest of this entry »
An article appearing in vol. 3 issue 2. of the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience
By Vijendra Singh and Lee Gerdes
Depression or major depressive disorder (MDD) is a very serious medical illness affecting an estimated 25 million Americans and millions more worldwide. It significantly changes an individual’s ability to function on a daily basis. Symptoms include persistently sad or irritable mood, pronounced changes in sleep, appetite, and energy, difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering, physical slowing or agitation, lack of interest in, or pleasure from, activities that were once enjoyed, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and emptiness, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide and persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain. The cause of depression is not very well understood, but the disorder has a neurobiological basis (Mayberg, 2007). We hypothesized that depressed individuals have an imbalance in the brain (Gerdes, 2008) and conducted a pilot study of brain training using brain state conditioning (BSC). We found that depressive tendencies can be suppressed by BSC. Read the rest of this entry »
By Vijendra K. SINGH, Lee GERDES
To View PDF of Document (including Tables) Click Here.
Abstract
Brain State Conditioning™ (BSC) is an innovative technology that optimizes brainwaves in real-time to achieve balance and harmony of the human brain. Since the brain function is imbalanced in individuals with psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases, we explored the possibility of using this technology to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. We conducted a pilot study of 8 adult subjects who had symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety problems. The severity of symptoms was evaluated by Objective survey and Beck’s inventory for depression and anxiety. After the initial assessment of brain maps, individuals were administered with highly personalized training sessions, for example 4-5 sessions over 4-5 days. After the administration of BSC, we found a consistent decline in Beck’s inventory scores, which implied alleviation of depressive and anxiety tendencies. All subjects in the study responded to BSC technology and showed noticeable improvement in the quality of their lives. Thus we suggest that BSC is a viable approach to brainwave optimization to help people overcome health problems due to PTSD and depression. Read the rest of this entry »
On Friday night Wynonna Judd was on Larry King Live and mentioned her work with Brain State. Some of our affiliates are already reporting an increase in phone calls and scheduled appointments:
An excerpt (transcript) of the interview is below:
KING: You mentioned — you look up Wynonna Judd in the dictionary, the definition is great. And that song is from her new album “Sing, Chapter One.” You’re appearing with your mom, as you mentioned, at the museum, 50,000 people tomorrow night. You’ve had an up and down relationship. How are things with you and our dear friend, Naomi, doing now?
JUDD: We had a meeting two days ago. And I sat there and went through my list and she went through hers. And we get along better now than ever. Sorry, tabloids.
We are doing so well. We are what recovering families look like. We are in a state — in a process, if you will, of learning how to communicate. We were so famous for so long together. We didn’t really know how to do real life off stage. And so we’ve had to learn how to just show up at dinner, not talk politics or, you know, what do we make after taxes, or what tour are you on, what book did you write? Hey Ashley, what movie are you making?
We talk about real stuff. So we’re learning to do family just like everybody else. A little too late sometimes, but at least we’re doing it. And my mom is more mellow than ever. I’m definitely more balanced. I’ve been doing a thing called brain state, which I want to be on your show with the guy who founded it, Brain State Technologies. And my brain’s balanced.
So I’m better. Mom’s better. We’re not bitter. We’re doing great. We’re working. She’s 63 years old and she is living proof that miracles do happen. And tomorrow night, when she comes — when she comes out on stage tomorrow night, there is no age. It’s just attitude. She will twirl and everybody will look up to us and say, that is the American dream. That is what the Judds represent. I think people see themselves in us.
KING: I’m looking forward to doing a show on brain state, did you say?
JUDD: Yes, balancing my brain. I’m off four medications. I take Ally, and I walk, and I meditate. I’m taking better care of myself. I’m what 45 looks like, 30/15 more like it. I’m one of those recovering people who have figured out a way to be in the music business and find moderation and balance, which that used to be an oxymoron. To me, I’m learning how to heal in the music world, which is really I think probably my greatest accomplishment.
Forget the Grammies, forget all the number ones. Honestly, the thing that I’m most proud of is the fact that I’ve survived 25 years.
An article appearing in vol. 3 issue 1. of the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.
By Vijendra Singh and Lee Gerdes
“Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) affect the lives of millions of people worldwide. Patients show a wide range of neurological and psychiatric problems, including cognitive deficit, memory loss, confusion, motor disability, depression, stress and anxiety (Poewe, 2009; Singh, 1997). We performed a preliminary study of Brain State Conditioning (BSC) (Gerdes, 2008), a computer-based brain technology that we modified from electroencephalogram (EEG), on cognition of people with AD and PD and the findings are described here. We conducted an open-label study of BSC in 6 subjects suffering from AD (two females, 61 and 83 years old) or PD (one female of 61 years old and three males, from 61 to 76 years old) BSC was employed to observe brain wave maps that were used to design protocols specific for each subject depending on the nature of the individual brain map (Gerdes, 2008). Subjects were administered with 10 sessions (90 min each) typically over a period of 5 days that also included the initial assessment. Training staff compiled the effects of BSC on these subjects.
We found that each person had a distinct brain map, which had the fingerprint of a functionally imbalanced brain. The administration of BSC sessions brought about better balance and harmony resulting in a more functionally balanced brain. All subjects showed considerable improvement of neurological and behavioral characteristics (Table 1). The improvement was evident as early as 3-4 days in some cases while the others took longer. Some subjects showed dramatic improvement while the others exhibited modest improvement but they all showed improvement. Overall, there was improvement in physical health and lifestyle that led to better sleep and attention span and reduction in depression, agitation, stress and anxiety behaviors. The improvement was also noticeable in cognitive functions like language, speech and communication skills. This was particularly obvious in two cases of AD who suffered from severe memory loss and dementia. They have made a remarkable recovery of cognitive function as reflected by their ability to recognize and communicate with family members and BSC trainers.
Recent advances in neuroscience have demonstrated that there exists a neurobiological basis of brain plasticity, brain wave oscillations and EEG (Dolan, 2002; Sandi, 2008; Stein and Hoffman, 2003). To that end, we recently developed a computer-based technology that measures brain waves and referred to it as Brain State Conditioning™ (Gerdes, 2008). The technology intends to create balance and harmony in the brain, thereby helping people with brain diseases and mental illnesses. Thus BSC is a process that involves seeing one’s brain electrical activity relayed to a computer followed by a visual display on a monitor. The brain electrical view is very fast and occurs in a few thousandths of a second. The brain is able to observe itself and the areas of imbalance are encouraged towards balance. When the brain is in optimized state, pathologies like AD and PD are suppressed and the person gradually attains a more normally-functioning brain state. In conclusion, BSC is an innovative approach to brain training that can be used to help people with neurological problems, including augmenting their cognition.
References:
Dolan, R. J. (2002). Emotion, cognition and
behavior. Science 298, 1191-1194.
Gerdes, L. (2008). Limitless You: the infinite
possibilities of a balanced brain. Namaste
Publishing, Vancouver, BC, Canada, pp. 1-281.
Poewe, W. (2009). Treatments for Parkinson
disease – past achievements and current clinical
needs. Neurology 72, suppl. 2, S65-S73.
Sandi, C. (2008). Understanding the
neurobiological basis of behavior: a good way to
go. Front. Neurosci. 2, 129-130.
Singh, V. K. (1997). Neuroautoimmunity:
pathogenic implications for Alzheimer’s disease.
Gerontology 43, 79-94.
Stein, D. S., and Hoffman, S. W. (2003). Concepts
of CNS plasticity in the context of brain damage and
repair. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 18, 317-341.”
You can download the PDF of the article from the journal here.
Brain Optimization for Depression and PTSD
http://www.theatreofthemind.com/podcasts.asp?podcast=146
“I’ve been Adventure Podcasting this summer, personally exploring the work of my guests. Some of it has been incredible and some…LOL and I will keep you posted on that part too. I took a second trip back to Brain State Technologies. It is on my A List for a high-tech meditation retreat. Great environment, great people, great technology. After 4 days and 8 sessions I left on a cloud, with abundant creativity, clarity and joy.
In this show Lee Gerdes goes into more depth on how his technology helps with addiction, depression and PTSD. People are having great success, so I thought it deserved another show.
Enjoy!”
Listen to an Interview with Lee Guerdes about Brain Optimization for Depression and PTSD
Radical Rest: 3 Creative Ways to (Finally!) Relax
By Tim Jarvis from O, The Oprah Magazine © 2009
http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200908-omag-rest/2
Read the open discussion about BST with client’s writing in with their testimonials on Oprah’s forum here.
We all know the feeling of desperately needing to unwind. But sometimes real relaxation requires a creative approach.
It’s four days into your vacation and you still haven’t been able to let go: You’re fretting about your end-of-month reports, answering e-mails from coworkers, and now your boss wants to know if she can conference you in on a call tomorrow.
Not that you really need another thing to worry about, but being unable to unwind can be dangerous, says stress expert Elissa Epel, PhD, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco. “Chronic stress is like having your engine in overdrive all the time,” Epel says. “It can damage DNA. Relaxation is crucial for overall health and longevity.”
So how do you get real rest before sliding your feet back under the desk in a week or two? One good way to start is to shut down the laptop, turn off your BlackBerry, and silence your cell phone, says Martin Batty, PhD, a relaxation researcher at the University of Nottingham, England. And you may want to mix in meditation or yoga—you’ve probably heard of the numerous studies demonstrating how these activities can help you unwind. But if you’re looking for a new approach, the options below may deliver a much-needed break.
1. Indulge your interests. Sometimes the best way to hop off the stress treadmill into a state of positive well-being is to engage your brain fully in something you enjoy, says Epel. Cooking can occupy your mind and be relaxing at the same time, and culinary vacations make a good thing even better. The International Kitchen offers them in Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Morocco. You can stay three to seven nights and cook alongside notable local chefs (TheInternationalKitchen.com).
Cooking isn’t your thing? Consider courses in massage, dance, or art: Artista Creative Safaris for women offers three-day courses in painting and printmaking in Carmel, California. The expert instruction is served up with hors d’oeuvres and beverages; to learn more, go to ArtistaCreative.com.
2. Step into a different world. You can completely disconnect from life’s demands at any one of the hundreds of monasteries across the country. Whether you sign up for a Zen retreat or visit a Benedictine order, you’re guaranteed a few days of simple living, quiet, and solitude. “We open our doors to anyone,” says Benedictine Sister Josie Sanchez, of the Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs (BenetHillMonastery.org). “And if a person can’t afford the $50 per night fee for accommodations and food, they can work around the property,” she says. (OSB.org/Retreats lists Benedictine retreats in North America and Europe.) Zen monasteries and centers offer retreats that can run $300 to $600 a week; find options around the United States at LivingCompassion.org/Calendar.html.
3. Retrain your brain. If relaxing is seriously difficult for you, you might want to try neurofeedback—using readings of brain energy to teach your mind to unwind. (There are neurofeedback practitioners all over the United States; for a directory, go to EEGInfo.com.) You’ll be hooked up to an EEG—a device that measures brain activity through electrodes attached to your scalp. Then, using visual and auditory cues such as a video game, you’ll train yourself to regulate your brain to help you slow down. (For example, when your brain waves start making a race car speed up, it means you’re learning how to move into a more relaxed state.) “Over time a client learns how to achieve the desired state without the visual feedback,” says Martin Batty, who has used the method with success in clinical studies (though he notes that the technique is still being studied and more research is needed to help determine its long-term efficacy).
One company with centers around the world is Brain State Technologies (BrainStateTech.com). “A set of ten sessions could cost $1,200 to $4,000, depending on the level of services and the location,” says Lee Gerdes, Brain State’s CEO. “But once you’ve balanced your brain, you’ll achieve the same relaxed state you get after taking a vacation, and the effects can last a lifetime.”
