# Calling Medical type people. Brain question. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 3, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284 "2002-12-03T21:51:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BioHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3bc359/32.png) [@BioHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BioHazard)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/1 "2002-12-03T21:51:15Z")
[http://voodoomagicbox.com/](http://voodoomagicbox.com/) Its supposedly a safe alternative to drugs. 2 questions, is it really safe, and would it really work? (I dont trust what it says on the website) I know that there was some research about using a similar system to enable nerve deaf people to hear. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/2 "2002-12-03T22:15:46Z")
Nothing on their website as to how it works. Some speculation here. [http://www.rialian.com/rnboyd/misc.htm](http://www.rialian.com/rnboyd/misc.htm) > [@](#): > > The technology is probably related to the audio device made in Canada which used difference frequencies in the ELF range to create similar effects. The Canadian device would send one low frequency sound into the one ear, and a different ELF frequency into the other ear. > > The difference between these two ELF frequencies was in the Alpha range of brain waves and resulted in an entrainment of the brain waves into the alpha state. I think that this device is probably similar in terms of ELF frequency output of a voltage. Note that the instructions have the users clip a copper electrode to each ear, preceeded by application of a conductive gel to the ear-lobes. > > I would be interested to get hold of one and put an oscilloscope across the output. I’ll bet the output is a square wave. (Square waves are better at moving the aetheric charge than sine waves are, so motions of the aetheric substance through the body might also be involved here.) May be a way to help intellectually oriented folks settle so that they can get more out of Harmony Dynamics, and so forth. [http://iesk.et.uni-magdeburg.de/~blumsche/M112.html](http://iesk.et.uni-magdeburg.de/~blumsche/M112.html) > [@](#): > > I am a scientist who has worked in both geophysics and in medicine. I know do work with the EEG (Brain Wave Machine). Brain waves are driven at the same rate as frequecies of extremely low frequency (ELF) radio waves as well > as by rhythmic sounds and light flashes. The pulses produce higher frequency harmonics. With the ELFs, some people are effected and some are not. The hum is propbably not caused directly by the ELF waves but rather by its physiological effect on the nervous system. The most likely source of the ELF radiation is the Shumann resonances, which occur all over the planet but have local maximums and also periodic increases. > > The Schuman resonances are standing extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic waves. There frequencies are in the same range as brain waves. They vary in intensity locally and temporally, depending on the distance between the surface or the earth and the ionosphere, which form two conducting layers separated by an insulating layer. These ELF waves seem to amplify brain waves, and through the quantum Zeeman-Stark Effect cause other changes. They also drive brain waves of the same frequency and of harmonic frequencies. > > Some recent work I have done with electroencephalography (EEG) indicates that observation or measurement in the quantum sense by the brain is associated with a 8 to12 Hz. or ELF frequency. So, external ELF waves may actually > “scramble” conscious process. Sounds or flashing lights of this frequency have also been reported to cause disorientation, consistent with an effect on consciousness. [http://users.rcn.com/zap.dnai/clark5.txt](http://users.rcn.com/zap.dnai/clark5.txt) > [@](#): > > ``` > The human brain hemispheres operate on separate ear inputs, thus > stereo sound systems. But of more immediate interest is the fact > that the frequency effect internal to the brain, is the difference > frequency between the separate ear frequency inputs. > > Thus, if you input 10 Hz in one ear and 18 Hz in the other ear, the > brain hemispheres internally will have the 8 Hz difference. The > effects of 8 Hz are the meditation or ESP states in humans. > > < snip > > > All that is needed to use this system is two inexpensively built > audio oscillators and stereo earphones. One audio oscillator can be > a fixed frequency, say 20 Hz, and the other oscillator tunable > between 1 Hz and 100 Hz. > > Each oscillator is connected to one earphone only, thus an ELF > difference system is possible. The designs of ELF oscillators and > amplifiers are available everywhere, along with the electronic parts > stores. The stereo earphones cost about $25 to $30. > > ``` OSHA speaks, and Page O’ Governmental Links. [http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/elfradiation/](http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/elfradiation/) > [@](#): > > Safety and Health Topics: December 3, 2002 > ELF Radiation > > Extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation includes alternating current (AC) fields and other electromagnetic, non-ionizing radiation from 1 Hz to 300 Hz. ELF radiation at 60 Hz are produced by power lines, electrical wiring, and electrical equipment. Current research has focused on potential health effects of magnetic fields because some epidemiological studies have suggested increased cancer risk associated with estimates of magnetic field exposure. Exposure to EMFs depends on the strength of the ELF at the source, the distance from the source, and the duration of exposure. The (ACGIH) has established occupational exposure guidelines for ELF radiation. Bottom line–it’s probably mainly the placebo effect. You expect to feel good, so you do. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/3 "2002-12-03T22:19:23Z")
Hm. `Voodoo Magic Box.’ Yep, sounds like a Viable Alternative to Western Medicine to me. Here’s the closest thing to science on the site: > [@](#): > > The brain produces natural chemicals like serotonin and dopamine to increase feelings of relaxation and pleasure. Therapy of this nature has been observed by researchers to increase production of these substances. This helps to melt tension away as you enter a preferred state of consciousness. Research has led to the hypothesis that it has a mild effect on the hypothalmic area of the brain. Researchers have also noticed rapid increases in serotonin, also associated with relaxation and calmness, and decreases in cortisol, one of the primary stress- related biochemicals. Interestingly, it also increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, both associated with alertness and feelings of pleasure. This may be why so many users report feeling both relaxed and alert while using the Voodoo Magick Box. Well, as near as I can tell, they’re trying to use a pressure point or some kind of acupuncture-related mechanism to make the brain release endorphins. That much is pretty well valid: When the brain feels pain, it will initially try to numb itself by shooting itself through with neurochemicals that morphine closely mimics. I don’t really know about the earlobe being a valid pressure point for releasing that kind of a response (although it would explain a few things…), and I don’t know enough about neurochemistry to feel secure in completely bashing it. In general, it looks like hokum. It probably gets most of its effectiveness from what people expect it to do: If you really think this thing will make you see angels, you’re going to see angels no matter how much the box blows. For all that, it’s probably safe. The worst that would happen, IMHO, is that you might have a reaction to the contact jelly or the electrical pulses might fry the skin or nerves in the area. But seeing what others do to their ears, those risks seem rather mild. As for your next question: > [@](#): > > I know that there was some research about using a similar system to enable nerve deaf people to hear. You’re talking about cochlear implants, where a very small electrical soundsystem is hooked up to the cochlea (the ear’s sensitive sound-detecting apparatus, essentially millions of tiny hairs waving in a fluid disturbed by the eardrum’s movement in response to sound) and the otic (is that right?) nerve (what carries the cochlea’s impulses to the brain). AFAIK, it’s `eight-bit sound’: Low-quality digital sound that gives the congenitally deaf an idea of what it’s like to hear, but not much else. – August “My brain hurts!” Derleth ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/4 "2002-12-03T22:21:37Z")
**Ducky** , I swear, woman, you’re making me look like a piker! – August “Admiring someone who has all her ducks in a row” Derleth ---
**Author:** ![BioHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3bc359/32.png) [@BioHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BioHazard)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/5 "2002-12-03T22:46:28Z")
Actually I was talking about a different hearing sytem. In this system it used a headphone like aparatus with 2 metal plates that made contact over the temples. It used 2 different freqs modulated in some way with the output of a microphone. The brain then could (eventually) interpret as sound. The person using the system, however would have to learn how interpret the data as sound. Supposedly this system work even for people that have never heard before. But anyway IF the VooDoo Magic box could alter brain waves to similar waves as ones that happen while you are on drugs would that give a similar effect as the drugs? And yes, I know that the effect felt from drugs is because of neurotransmitters being increased/decreased/blocked/etc. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/6 "2002-12-04T00:46:01Z")
**Bio** : If a toad could fly it wouldn’t bump its ass a-hoppin’. I doubt the Voodoo Magic Box is anything more than it says: Voodoo hokum dreamed up to sell a lie. Sure, _if_ it could alter neurochemistry, it could have an effect similar to drugs. It’s that big if clause there that I’m doubting. ---
**Author:** ![Spoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Spoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoc)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/7 "2002-12-15T19:23:57Z")
**BioHazard** , how about these? Sound like even more bang for your buck, although they take more bucks too! Says drug addicts find them an effective substitution, so that’s gotta imply some kind of trip! I don’t know why the first link that follows works fine outside of this board, but when entered here gets a “Not found on this server” error message. So I’m going to leave off the [http://www](http://www)., so no one bothers clicking on it. You’ll have to type it in your browser, and including the caps & space do still get you there. Who knows?? But it’s the better of the two: [elixa.com/estim/Neuro](http://elixa.com/estim/Neuro) Trek.htm Also this one. See CES and Light & Sound: [mindaware.com](http://mindaware.com) P.s…when someone replies to a long dormant thread, is it typically ever seen?? ---
**Author:** ![BioHazard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3bc359/32.png) [@BioHazard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BioHazard)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/8 "2002-12-16T01:37:28Z")
Yes. Its called bumping it and it moves up the ladder on the forum page for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-medical-type-people-brain-question/140284/9 "2002-12-16T03:07:40Z")
You might enjoy reading [this long discussion](http://paulbeard.no-ip.org/movabletype/archives/000243.html) (with links) of voodoo machines and their ilk. > [@](#): > > The voodoo machine is a Cranial Electro-Stimulation (CES) device … it works like the [bt-6](http://www.braintuner.com/braintuner.htm)[www.braintuner.com](http://www.braintuner.com) [frequency chart](http://www.hackcanada.com/homegrown/wetware/brainwave/index.html) The testimonials aren’t real encouraging though.