Can Light Stimulation Encourage Psychic Brain Wave States?: A Case Study
/This case study was designed to examine brainwave changes resulting from a 30-minute stroboscopic light session using the Roxiva lamp. The subject was a 72-year-old, Caucasian male. The light session was chosen as an intervention to support brainwave patterns consistent with psychic states (theta). Because this was the client’s first exposure to stroboscopic light, it was decided to simply encourage a relaxed attitude without any additional instructions aside from enjoying the session.
Roxiva Stroboscopic Light
Roxiva uses stroboscopic white light combined with sound for brainwave entrainment to support relaxation, meditative journeys, and psychedelic experiences without the use of medicines. The specific protocol used in this study was titled Hypnagogic Surfing. This was a 30-minute session designed for “transition trance state, hypnagogic effects, deeply relaxing, inspiration and problem-solving state.” The frequencies of the light stimulation began at 8 Hz and finished around 6 Hz, in the theta brainwave range.
Procedure
The subject was fitted with a 19-channel electrocap. Impedence levels were monitored and kept below 10 kOhms. Baseline EEG recordings were obtained in an eyes closed, reclined position using a BrainMaster Discovery EEG system. Following the baseline data collection, the Roxiva lamp was positioned approximately 4 feet from the face and the participant was fitted with ear covering headphones to listen to the accompanying audio. EEG was recorded continuously during the Roxiva light and sound session. Immediately following the session, a post-EEG was recorded.
The primary concern of this case study was to determine if the Roxiva light experience resulted in brainwave patterns consistent with a psychic state. After transforming the Pre-session EEG into a reference database, this data was compared to the EEG data collected during the Roxiva session. These analyses provided z-scores of change for all band waves (e.g., alpha, theta, beta, etc.) in 84 regions of interest. Based on previous research (Collura, 2017), any z-scores greater than .8 was considered significant.
Pre – During Roxiva Analysis
The 3D brain images displayed below show changes in the brain occurring during the Roxiva session. Cooler colors (blues) indicate that the activity decreased whereas brighter colors (yellow, orange, red) indicate that activity increased. Dark blue shading indicates areas that decreased by at least .8 z-scores. Red and Gray areas indicate areas that increased by at least .8 z-scores. Green areas did not change significantly. Note: The changes in gamma were so dramatic, the z score range was expanded from 1.3 to -1.3 z scores.
Fig. 1 Brainwave changes across the 6 primary EEG bands occurring in response to Roxiva session
These images allow us to examine overall patterns. When examined this way, we notice that the delta decreased significantly in the left hemisphere while theta increased in the right hemisphere. There were minimal changes in alpha, beta, and high beta, and a dramatic increase of global gamma activity. As noted above, the scale for gamma had to be increased from +/- .8 to +/-1.3 z scores.
Because this top-down view makes it difficult to see specific activity in temporal and occipital regions, the 3D brain image was reoriented to focus on the very back of the brain (occipital lobe). From this orientation, it is clear that there was an increase of delta activity and a significant increase of theta activity during the Roxiva session.
Fig. 2. Brainwave change highlights in Occipital Lobes in response to Roxiva session
It is interesting and potentially important that the theta increases were predominately observed in the occipital lobe and the right parietal lobe. The dramatic increase of theta in the occipital lobes suggests a shift in visual processing. Given that the lights were strobing between 6 and 8 cycles per second, this response makes sense and provides evidence that the lights were, in fact, entraining that particular frequency. In addition to memory, theta increases have also been associated with accessing the subconscious, deep states of meditation, energy healing, and during mediumship. It is noteworthy that the increase of activity in the right parietal lobe, sometimes referred to as “the God spot,” has been observed during channeling and mediumship.
The global increase in gamma is interesting in that this was not by design (of the specific protocol). It is possible that intense light stimulation (of any frequency) may result in this type of activation or these increases in gamma could be specific to the state of consciousness. Specifically, increases in gamma activity have been observed in certain meditative states (Lutz, 2004; Braboszcz, 2017), during lucid dreaming (Voss, 2009; 2014), and in psychedelic states (Stuckey, 2005; Don, et al., 1998; Riba, et al., 2002). Increased gamma activity has also been observed during psychic and medium states, although in those cases, it is usually isolated to the occipital lobes and/or the right frontal lobe.
Conclusions:
The results from this single person case study suggest that the Roxiva stroboscopic light can entrain brainwaves based on the frequency of the light flicker. In this case, the identified frequency was within the theta brainwave band which increased significantly during the session. This increase was observed to occur predominately in the occipital lobe, which is primarily involved in visual processing. Theta increases were also noted in the right parietal lobe, “The God spot,” suggesting a “blurring” of personal boundaries during this experience.
In addition, the unexpected global increase of gamma suggests there may be additional impacts/benefits of this light stimulation. This would not be unexpected as research with other forms of light stimulation have found that it can increase cerebral blood flow, increase neurotransmitter production, and even assist in the brain in removing waste through the glymphatic system (Williams, et al., 2023). For this exploration, this increase may be important as gamma increases have also been observed in various psychic and medium states.
These results suggest that the Roxiva light can be an effective tool for inducing specific states of consciousness, including hypnosis and deep state meditation. Based on the brainwave patterns observed, it seems that the Roxiva lamp may be a potentially useful tool for opening the mind to psi-related states of consciousness. These effects are likely to be increased if the light is used in conjunction with specific intention setting, meditative techniques, or guidance.
Future studies should specifically test psychic accuracy before and after use of the Roxiva lamp, exploring different protocols, and the potential impact of long-term, regular use on psychic development.
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