The first time I heard about sound and light machines (sound & light entrainment devices or SLEDS), I followed the topic with mere passive interest. In our consumer driven society, we are regularly assaulted with advertisements for products to make us look better, feel better, be smarter, and live happier more fulfilled lives. Indeed, our collective need for self-actualization has been neatly comodified. Being the skeptic that I am, I prefer to substantiate marketing claims such as these with research and documentation (and they’ll be lucky if I give it that much attention). Beyond that, and if possible, I rely on personal experience.
I don’t live in the world of academia anymore, but I still recognize the importance of good hypothesis testing and statistically significant results. Especially when ascertaining the legitimacy and efficacy of a product that acts on the human system. Also, I’m generally a skeptic when it comes to shortcuts. I believe in the basic axiom that long lasting gains most reliably come from personal discipline and hard work.
So when I learned that there was a device that could put me into a relaxed, near hypnotic state, with hardly any effort on my part, I wanted to see the research behind the claims. So, you can understand my skepticism when a pair of glasses with little flashing lights, headphones, and small black box was set in front of me. Before I had time to read up on the pros and cons, I tried the machine. My skepticism waned. The subjective experience was magnificent — far beyond what I had expected. During my light and sound experience, I saw vivid colors and three dimensional shapes. I was just as impressed with the sound, it also had a three dimensional quality. I was completely lost in the "trip". I had to know more.
As a friend described the principles behind the machine to me, I recalled something I had learned about binaural sound in a biopsychology course. I began to wonder if there weren’t actually some credible principles behind the device.
I read some of the available literature. A lot of which was simply marketing in the guise of research. Now, to be fair, this doesn't mean that this material wasn’t thought provoking, just not very scholarly. However today, if you dig enough, you’ll uncover a few nicely designed studies that show intriguing results. I've kept my eye on the literature and have tried several different types of light and sound machines since. My conclusion: research be damned, I like these things.
New studies need to be conducted and existing research replicated before such concepts as accelerated learning and enhanced memory can be substantiated. However for now, there's not much contention in the lay or scientific community about the mind machines effectiveness for inducing relaxation (to say nothing for its pure entertainment value). This is why the vast majority of people use the machine anyway. If additional claims are later confirmed, so much the better.
I’ve used a light and sound machine for many years now. Sure, it can sit idle for weeks at time, but I always come back to it. Each time I do, I’m so thankful that a tool like this exists. It’s a wonderful aid in guiding me through a fulfilling 20 or 30-minute meditation. Rather than replacing my sitting meditation or yoga practice, the mind machine is an adjunct to it. The pulsing rhythm and lights draw my attention to a sharp focus, away from hectic overcrowded thoughts. Also, when I can't get to sleep, I'll slip on the goggles and headphones, call up a deep relaxation/sleep-inducing program, and I'm asleep in just a few minutes.
Like most healing tools, these devices are not a panacea (and can even be dangerous for those with epilepsy or seizures). Nor do they do the work for you. However, like the trance inducing flicker of fire and the rhythmic pounding of drums in tribal ritual, they draw us nearer to our core and essential selves. The mind machine is a tool, perhaps a tool for modern ritual. By stimulating both the auditory and visual areas of the brain, these devices play upon the best in our senses. They draw awareness to an inner place of quietude; a place much neglected by many in today's society.