Dawn DeSylvia, MD
The NeuroVizr is a new generation of Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) devices, which involves the use of light and sound used to help relax and balance the brain, body, and nervous system.1, 4, 5, 7-9, 14, 16
A significant amount of research, alongside clinical experience, suggests that AVE devices can increase blood flow to the brain, increase levels of neurotransmitters, help improve symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), worry, depression, anxiety, insomnia, cognitive impairment, memory, PTSD, as well as improve pain. AVE devices also have been shown to improve physical and academic performance as well as emotional wellness in general.1, 4-6, 9 21
After two years of consistently witnessing positive changes in users of the NeuroVizr, beyond what had been seen with other AVE devices, we designed a small pilot study to
- Gain greater understanding of how the NeuroVizr influences users.
- Contribute to the data showing AVE devices to be a valuable and promising tool for increased states of relaxation and well-being.
- Explore how the NeuroVizr may be unique to other AVE devices as we investigate the concepts of engagement and bottom up (rather than top down) stimulation.
Our hypothesis for this pilot study was that the NeuroVizr device tested in 2 settings–Sleep Angel (SA) and Alpha Primer (AP)–would have a positive effect on relaxation states measured by changes in brain wave states on electroencephalogram (EEG) as well as heart rate variability (HRV), skin conductance (sEMG), respiratory rate and pre- and post-intervention subjective questionnaire.
The results of our study met our objectives and showed that the NeuroVizr did increase states of relaxation, presence, and well-being. The subjective data showed most all participants experienced improvements in relaxation with statistical significance; with a mean improvement of 1.6 in score. Participants also reported significant increased presence, body connection, mental focus, relaxation, and happiness, as well as decreased stress and physical pain. Almost all participants (10/11) responded with maximum score (6) stating that they would recommend this device to a friend; one participant (1/11) responded with a score of 5.
Seventy-three percent (4:6 in SA and 3:5 in AP ) of participants fell asleep during the session, and objective measurements in EEG findings showed a statistically significant improvement in high beta brain wave states showing increased relaxation, as well as suggestive improvements in surface electromyography (sEMG) supporting the hypothesis that increased states of relaxation were occurring from a single eleven-minute session on the NeuroVizr.
Narrative comments from the brain-mapping practitioner conducting the study included:
“In 13 years of practice, I have never used any device or intervention that consistently delivered the desired results and no abreactions in only 11 minutes…One participant showed changes after one 11-minute session what normally takes 10-30 Neurofeedback sessions.”
Her observations were supported by the work of Hoedlmoser10 and Schabus.19
Participants narrative comments shared in Appendix A were positive as well, including one that said: “I am still in shock that I am feeling this way. So calm. Without any chemicals. It is healthy and feels good.”
Our findings show dynamic active changes immediately after the session; and while change usually is stressful for people, the opposite was occurring: not only did people feel better during this change state, but the majority of them were so relaxed, they fell asleep.
Consistent with the principle we are feeling creatures that think, and that we have more afferent neurons going from our body to our brain, tools that can impact this bottom-up signaling do seem to offer greater immediate as well as long lasting neuroplastic changes. This assertion has been explored and supported by other physicians as well, stating that bottom-up level processing of trauma and stress creates more meaningful and sustainable change.2, 16
In her book, Whole Brain Living, Jill Bolte Talylor states that “At the most basic level, it is the job of our amygdala to conceptually ask moment by moment, ‘Am I safe?’”2 When people are given an experience of safety in connection with themselves (as shown by a decrease in the high beta hyper-vigilant state and the subjective findings), not only can we become more relaxed, but our courage circuits can become engaged and help regulate extreme and maladaptive emotional states.
The NeuroVizr team and founder Garnet Dupuis are referring to the NeuroVizr as “The Change Maker” because it is designed to exercise and stimulate the natural adaptive neural capacities of the brain that are characteristic of positive neuroplastic change. The primarily bottom-up source of information offered in a NeuroVizr session, modifies compounded top-down patterns in a positive way. When a novel stimulus does not match old patterns in the brain, the brain can either become more rigid or abandon old ways and develop new ones. This can be called change, adaptation, growth, or learning; and while change is often stressful and challenging, it can also be relaxing and enjoyable.
From the objective and subjective data obtained from this study, it certainly shows the NeuroVizr to facilitate increased states of relaxation, as well as non-stressful, enjoyable change. While further studies are needed to understand more, it is clear the NeuroVizr is a game changer in this field.
References are listed in the article “NeuroVizr™ Study Paper” by Dawn DeSylvia, MD, and Justin Earl Ballard.
Published October 7, 2023
About the Author
Dawn DeSylvia, MD, a nationally recognized, board-certified family medicine doctor, attended medical school at UCLA and went on to practice and teach at UCLA Medical Centers until opening her own integrative and functional medical practice in 2013. Drawing from her diverse background, she brings together a new model of patient care that synthesizes modalities from functional and integrative medicine, quantum physics, energy medicine and technology.
Dr. DeSylvia works with patients of all needs and specializes in helping those experiencing the effects of complex, chronic disease. She utilizes various therapies that work harmoniously together to encourage the body to not only heal- but thrive! Examples of these include endo-nasal balloon treatments, IV-therapy, neural therapy and more. “Using many unique modalities, we are better able to identify what is keeping you from your natural state of health, as well as more effectively and safely removing what isn’t serving you.”
Dr. DeSylvia’s expertise and unique perspective have been shared as a guest-speaker at conferences and on podcasts including The Upgrade Labs (with Dave Asprey), The Better Health Guy and Organic Authority…just to name a few. Her engaging presence and insightful contributions have captivated audiences from numerous backgrounds, further establishing her as an influential figure in the field of integrative healthcare. Learn more about Dr. Dawn DeSylvia and The Center here: www.thecenterforwholehealth.net
@centerforwholehealth @TheCenterforWholeHealth