# How well do "mind machines" really work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 25, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-mind-machines-really-work/318602 "2005-08-25T18:45:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BloodStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@BloodStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BloodStar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-mind-machines-really-work/318602/1 "2005-08-25T18:45:03Z")
I am curious about so called mind machines like the Sirius Light & Sound Mind Machine or the Proteus Light and Sound Mind Machine. (Googling this will get hundredds of retailers who sell them but I wasn’t sure about linking to commercial sites). Anyways, these machines promise things like relaxation, inner calm, meditative states, etc and I was wondering, not necessarily about these particular models, but whether people think that technological shortcuts to meditative states are indeed possible. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-mind-machines-really-work/318602/2 "2005-08-25T22:33:34Z")
Well, certainly there are many who consider biofeedback to be an effective way to learn to relax. Intentional production of alpha waves may be learned that way, and some could contend that that is tantamount to achieving a more meditative state. You’re going to get all into altered states of consciousness, etc. in this thread. I’d recommend you read The Nature of Consciousness by Ornstein, for some insights and understanding. You then might be able to better answer your own question. Now, there’s a type of enlightenment. xo, C. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-mind-machines-really-work/318602/3 "2005-08-25T22:34:50Z")
Sorry. That’s _The Psychology of Consciousness_ by Robert Ornstein. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-mind-machines-really-work/318602/4 "2005-08-26T00:44:18Z")
What are they marketing orgone generators/accumulators again? Holy Smoke!! Call Orson Bean!! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-mind-machines-really-work/318602/5 "2005-08-26T02:29:43Z")
> [@ouryL](#): > > What are they marketing orgone generators/accumulators again? > > Holy Smoke!! Call Orson Bean!! “Carrot juice, lots of it. I swear, sometimes it’s not worth it. I piss orange. I have to piss sitting down like a goddamn girlie-girl every fifteen minutes.” Stranger ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-do-mind-machines-really-work/318602/6 "2005-08-26T02:52:43Z")
> [@CC](#): > > Well, certainly there are many who consider biofeedback to be an effective way to learn to relax. I think you’ve misunderstood the OP. He isn’t talking about biofeedback. He’s talking about machines which play tones through headphones, while flashing LEDs on the inside of a pair of glasses. I have a Photosonix Muse I was given by an old boss. I find it to be trippy and fun at parties. It hasn’t helped me meditate, get by on less sleep etc. You can often pay a few dollars for a session on a mind machine at certain concerts, clubs, folk festivals etc.