MemberThe headphones that get you HIGH: $279 Nervana device stimulates nerves in the ear to trigger the release of feel-good hormones
PUBLISHED: 10:24, 21 March 2016
The familiar tactic of sticking in your headphones to transport you away from rush-hour commute could soon be kicked up a gear, thanks to a new stress-busting music gadget.
Nervana is a device that stimulates nerves in the ear while you listen to music, triggering the release of hormones in the brain that promise to chill you out and make you feel good.
It works by using electrical pulses, delivered via one of the headphones, to stimulate the vagus nerve in your left ear, and the company claims it could help to 'increase calm and reduce stress'.
The Nervana (pictured) stimulates the vagus nerve while you listen to music, triggering the release of neurotransmitters in the brain which promises to 'increase calm and reduce stress'. In particular, it helps trigger the release of serotonin and the 'cuddle' hormone oxytocin
The vagus nerves run from the brainstem through the body and are involved in a wide range of nervous functions, relaying conscious and unconscious signals to and from the major organs.
HOW NERVANA WORKS
The Nervana is a device that stimulates nerves in the ear while you listen to music, triggering the release of neurotransmitters in the brain which promises to chill you out.
It works by using electrical pulses, delivered via one of the headphones, to stimulate the vagus nerve in your left ear, and claims it could help to 'increase calm and reduce stress'.
The Florida-based firm behind the device recommends twice daily sessions of between 15 to 45 minutes, when using the Nervana – the name being a play on nerve and nirvana.
The Nervana has three modes of play.
A 'music mode' analyses the incoming signal from the users own music device, so the listener can 'feel the music'.
An 'ambient mode' uses an internal microphone to pick up sound from the wearer's environment, such as at a concert.
And the third option is a 'formula mode', which stimulates the vagus nerve without music, using predefined signal patterns.
But this device claims to be a non-invasive approach of the same method.
Just plug your music device into the black box of the Nervana and it changes the signal of the music being played, sending out music through the right earphone and a modified signal through the left earphone, depending on the music.
The earphones are colour-coded as well to avoid any mix up, with the blue headphone for the left ear delivering the electrical stimulation.
According to its makers, it has been tested on 'hundreds of people' and it is 'proven to be safe'.
However, it is marketed as a consumer, rather medical, device.
On its Indiegogo crowdfunding page, the firm explained: 'When the left earbud is placed in the left ear and the Nervana generator is turned on, the electrical signal beats to whatever music is being experienced by the user, whether supplied to the generator through a user's phone or through the environment, such as in a concert hall.
'The electrical signal stimulates the Vagus nerve, which could result in the release of neurotransmitters (the body's natural feel-good messengers).
'For most users, the results are increased feelings of calm and relaxation and stress relief.'
The device (pictured) changes the signal of the music being played, sending out music through the right earphone, and a modified signal through the left earphone which stimulates a nerve in the ear
WHAT IS THE VARGAS NERVE?
Nervana is a device that stimulates nerves in the ear while you listen to music, triggering the release of hormones in the brain that promise to chill you out and make you feel good.
The vagus nerves run from the brainstem through the body and are involved in a wide range of nervous functions, relaying conscious and unconscious signals to and from the major organs.
Stimulating the nerves has been used as a treatment for epilepsy and depression, often involving minor surgery to implant a stimulating electrode.
But this device claims to be a non-invasive approach of the same method.
A promotional video on the site depicts users reporting feelings of euphoria after using the device for a short period.
The Florida-based firm behind the device recommends twice daily sessions of between 15 to 45 minutes, when using the Nervana – the name being a play on nerve and nirvana.
But a review on The Verge reported a feeling of almost being high, as well as a 'stinging' or buzzing in the ear after use, similar to sticking a 9V battery on your tongue.
The website also sounds a note of caution after testing the device.
As branches of the vagus nerve stimulate the heart, there could potentially be consequences on heart rate of some users.
The device was on show earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where co-founder and boss, Ami Brannon, told AFP: 'We send a signal into the vagus nerve which produces dopamine, and that relaxes you.
The earphones are colour-coded as well to avoid any mix up, with the blue headphone for the left ear delivering the electrical stimulation. The device has already racked up close to 1,000 supporters on Indiegogo, raising just under $260,000 (£180,650) and It is currently available from $279 (£194)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...es-nerves-ear-trigger-feel-good-hormones.html
- Nervana device stimulates the vagus nerve in the left ear through earphone
- Its makers say this stimulates the release of calming neurotransmitters
- It works with user's existing music device, such as a phone or MP3 player
- Three different modes mean the device can sync signals to the music
PUBLISHED: 10:24, 21 March 2016
The familiar tactic of sticking in your headphones to transport you away from rush-hour commute could soon be kicked up a gear, thanks to a new stress-busting music gadget.
Nervana is a device that stimulates nerves in the ear while you listen to music, triggering the release of hormones in the brain that promise to chill you out and make you feel good.
It works by using electrical pulses, delivered via one of the headphones, to stimulate the vagus nerve in your left ear, and the company claims it could help to 'increase calm and reduce stress'.
The Nervana (pictured) stimulates the vagus nerve while you listen to music, triggering the release of neurotransmitters in the brain which promises to 'increase calm and reduce stress'. In particular, it helps trigger the release of serotonin and the 'cuddle' hormone oxytocin
The vagus nerves run from the brainstem through the body and are involved in a wide range of nervous functions, relaying conscious and unconscious signals to and from the major organs.
- Stimulating the nerves has been used as a treatment for epilepsy and depression, often involving minor surgery to implant a stimulating electrode.
HOW NERVANA WORKS
The Nervana is a device that stimulates nerves in the ear while you listen to music, triggering the release of neurotransmitters in the brain which promises to chill you out.
It works by using electrical pulses, delivered via one of the headphones, to stimulate the vagus nerve in your left ear, and claims it could help to 'increase calm and reduce stress'.
The Florida-based firm behind the device recommends twice daily sessions of between 15 to 45 minutes, when using the Nervana – the name being a play on nerve and nirvana.
The Nervana has three modes of play.
A 'music mode' analyses the incoming signal from the users own music device, so the listener can 'feel the music'.
An 'ambient mode' uses an internal microphone to pick up sound from the wearer's environment, such as at a concert.
And the third option is a 'formula mode', which stimulates the vagus nerve without music, using predefined signal patterns.
But this device claims to be a non-invasive approach of the same method.
Just plug your music device into the black box of the Nervana and it changes the signal of the music being played, sending out music through the right earphone and a modified signal through the left earphone, depending on the music.
The earphones are colour-coded as well to avoid any mix up, with the blue headphone for the left ear delivering the electrical stimulation.
According to its makers, it has been tested on 'hundreds of people' and it is 'proven to be safe'.
However, it is marketed as a consumer, rather medical, device.
On its Indiegogo crowdfunding page, the firm explained: 'When the left earbud is placed in the left ear and the Nervana generator is turned on, the electrical signal beats to whatever music is being experienced by the user, whether supplied to the generator through a user's phone or through the environment, such as in a concert hall.
'The electrical signal stimulates the Vagus nerve, which could result in the release of neurotransmitters (the body's natural feel-good messengers).
'For most users, the results are increased feelings of calm and relaxation and stress relief.'
The device (pictured) changes the signal of the music being played, sending out music through the right earphone, and a modified signal through the left earphone which stimulates a nerve in the ear
WHAT IS THE VARGAS NERVE?
Nervana is a device that stimulates nerves in the ear while you listen to music, triggering the release of hormones in the brain that promise to chill you out and make you feel good.
The vagus nerves run from the brainstem through the body and are involved in a wide range of nervous functions, relaying conscious and unconscious signals to and from the major organs.
Stimulating the nerves has been used as a treatment for epilepsy and depression, often involving minor surgery to implant a stimulating electrode.
But this device claims to be a non-invasive approach of the same method.
A promotional video on the site depicts users reporting feelings of euphoria after using the device for a short period.
The Florida-based firm behind the device recommends twice daily sessions of between 15 to 45 minutes, when using the Nervana – the name being a play on nerve and nirvana.
But a review on The Verge reported a feeling of almost being high, as well as a 'stinging' or buzzing in the ear after use, similar to sticking a 9V battery on your tongue.
The website also sounds a note of caution after testing the device.
As branches of the vagus nerve stimulate the heart, there could potentially be consequences on heart rate of some users.
The device was on show earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where co-founder and boss, Ami Brannon, told AFP: 'We send a signal into the vagus nerve which produces dopamine, and that relaxes you.
The earphones are colour-coded as well to avoid any mix up, with the blue headphone for the left ear delivering the electrical stimulation. The device has already racked up close to 1,000 supporters on Indiegogo, raising just under $260,000 (£180,650) and It is currently available from $279 (£194)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...es-nerves-ear-trigger-feel-good-hormones.html
