Sanmai
A safe, non-intrusive, deep brain stimulation and imaging system powered by focused ultrasound. It’s capable of safely and subtly tuning deep brain structures. The results are picked up by the device itself, allowing for immediate and ongoing readjustments. Each of the targets I’ve tried were useful in the context of meditation and the path; particularly the PCC, which is greatly responsible for tying the whole of the “small self” together.
I’ve been following Jay’s work since 2016, when we met at the TransTech conference. He’s been working with Shinzen, a famous western meditation teacher, who had conceived of some of the stimulation targets Jay has been working on the year Jay and I were born. :)
Getting zapped in the top pic; with Shinzen and Dr. Jay in the bottom left one. We had previously aimed the device “blind”, but here in 2019 were finally assisted by imaging.
We’re now planning a first ultrasound-enhanced meditation cohort to begin over the next month in Berkeley, CA. Join the Telegram community channel if you’re interested! Jay and Shinzen are gearing up to run two meditation retreats with the technology as well.
Cognigenics
This is the stuff of Sci-Fi: a very short-term, highly-targeted alteration of gene expression in the brain. Relying on RNA interference using shRNA, Cognigenics’ first target – the Serotonin 5HT2a receptor subtype – leads to a 34% reduction in anxiety and a doubling of the learning rate when tuned down in mice. Human safety trials are about to begin, following which we hope to conduct a first retreat augmented by this intervention.
All it takes is a single nasal spray to relax the limbic system for a few short days. So much of meditation involves learning to regulate this network, leading to the sense of settledness and safety required before the deep work to change the basic assumptions and configuration of the mind can truly take place. Guidance provided along with the intervention will assist users in identifying the relaxed versus activated states as well as uproot entrenched core beliefs causing the limbic system to be overly activated to begin with.
On a societal level, I imagine a tool that keeps people grounded and rational in times of great turmoil could inoculate us against ever-escalating fear mongering and divisive control strategies. Cognigenics was co-founded by Dean Radin of IONS fame, an world-renowned investigator on the frontiers of consciousness research.
Neurable
On the seemingly-mundane front,
Dr. Ramses Alcaide, who’s been working on his AI signal analysis solution as a publishing scientist for about 10 years, has a working product that uses simple EEG electrodes, placed inside of commercial headphones and even inside earbuds, to offer fidelity close to matching that of standard lab-grade EEG systems.
Co-founders Adam Molnar and Dr. Ramses Alcaide with a VR headset/EEG combo
Dr. Ramses, who had always found meditation to be challenging, developed a technological solution that helped him tailor a self-care regime for himself. “Insights coming from the Neurable app have not only improved my meditation, but also helped me pinpoint which techniques worked best for me”. “When I was given a work-break recommendation, the measurements in the app helped identify when I needed a quick breathing break versus when I needed to regulate my emotions.”
Humanity Tech
And back to Brain Zapping. Created by founder Dr. Blake Gurfein, this novel technology relies on generating radiofrequency magnetic fields which rapidly improve mitochondrial function brain-wide. The effect regulates cell metabolism, aiding in energy generation and reducing inflammation in the process.
Not only does this technology promote recovery from neurological and psychiatric conditions, but .. it can act as a technological nootropic, supporting energy generation AND the process of waste disposal in brain cells.
I had first tried it after a disturbed night’s sleep, overwhelmed during a conference and sporting a piercing headache. Within a minute, the pain subsided. A few minutes later, only traces remained, and I was instead energized and happy to return to my conference duties.
I had already been an investor, though, so I may be biased. ;)
It is my hope that this simple-to-use device becomes a standard not just for therapeutic purposes; early research shows an entrainment effect on the mitochondria’s own EM fields, coupling them to the device’s and improving their functionality. Aside from the immense potential benefits to brain health and power, this gentle intervention can hopefully support daily meditation through a calm and energized mind.
This isn’t the type of company that I would generally expect to find in my portfolio as I’m more into depositing energy into the brain than altering its chemical makeup,
Tactogen
But I have been deeply impressed by both Tactogen founders and their work. Creating what I can only describe as a molecule that’s a half-class above MDMA – already a tough act to beat when it comes to creating a peaceful, comfortable, and energized healing space – Tactogen has created a similar molecule with superior qualities for both therapy and awakening.
Their crafted MDMA-like molecule interfaces differently to its core target, the neuronal pumps that govern the concentration of neurotransmitters in the synaptic junction. By emphasizing SERT and lowering DAT and NET reuptake activities, and by a careful jiggering of a few other parameters, MDMA-like qualities are maintained, but the effect is less depleting to the serotonin system, has reduced cardiovascular risks, has a less disconcerting onset, and a longer effect time without a second dose being required, which is one of a few contributing factors to neurotoxicity being significantly engineered out of the way.
This class of mind-altering substances – Entactogens – lower neuroticism, defensiveness, and increase feelings of connection to self and other through establishing an “internal safe space” that allows a “deep cleaning of the soul”, especially coupled with skillful guidance and therapy.
Tactogen was founded and is led by neuroscientist Matthew Baggott, Ph.D (left). and Luke Pustejovsky. Matt started his career decades ago in the first lab to study the long-term effects of MDMA on the brain and later consulted with MAPS; a foremost expert in the field of Entactogens and the only person I’ve ever agreed to take advice from for my roll supplement stack.