We appreciate many people will have a condition or problem not mentioned on this site or directly addressed by our suites. However please DO NOT use Contact Us for information about your condition as it is not for this purpose and we cannot provide this kind of service!

Instead, try putting your keyword in our Search The Site button for possible information.

Also, being multifunctional our audio may be able to help you - at least indirectly. For example, in our Testimonials you'll see that N-Vital has provided complementary help for chronic fatigue, stress, AD/HD, high blood pressure, insomnia, headaches and more! 

If you have more than one condition in our Rebalance Suite , choose the one that best matches your main problem as it may be of assistance with your other conditions or requirements as well. If you just want to improve your overall brain fitness and function choose either N-Vital or N-Gym as both are excellent general purpose brain optimization suites -with many other possible benefits as mentioned.

Please remember: NeuroSonica is a complementary health and well being technology - we are not a provider of medical or psychological advice, services or products.

Is brainwave synchronisation safe?

Yes. It is a very gentle, safe and clinically utilised sound technology backed by nearly 60 years of scientific research.  Essentially it is just a pulse based technology to guide you into your own naturally occurring brain wave patterns - albeit in a specific and targeted manner using sound. However, please read our Disclaimer and Contraindications to make sure it is suitable for you before ordering any suites. All the other audio technologies we use in combination with our synchronisation processes are regarded as completely safe and highly beneficial.

"...the use of brain tech to naturally produce biochemical changes seems preferable to the use of pharmaceuticals."  Dr Emily L. Stevens (2002)

When will your AD/HD suite be available?

We hope sometime early -  mid 2012. We are tracking some interesting new research. In the meantime, we've had reports of help for AD/HD from listeners using N-Vital (see our testimonials)and N-Gym. However, N-Lifter for depression may be especially helpful as some of the sessions contain frequencies and other technologies known to be of specific assistance for AD/HD. Any of these should be of help however. Please blog us to let us know if you have success.

Is louder better when listening to your technology?

No! Many people assume that being a sound technology louder must be better. This is not true. Actually, for a variety of technical reasons much of our audio is designed to be most effective at comfortable to low or even barely audible volume levels. As long as you can hear it faintly in the background it will work. However, we recommend that you should experiment with volumes to find whatever levels work best for you  at any given time. If you prefer them louder that's ok too of course!

I suffer from headaches and migraines. Should I use your audio?

Yes! Clinical trials have repeatedly shown that brainwave synchronisation and many of the frequencies we use can be effective in the alleviation of headaches - including migraine. (See our references if you are interested). The research suggests that most entrainment protocols can help due to increased brain blood flow and other benefits. Our special use of low frequencies also appears to be very helpful in this regard. We would recommend N-Calm or the relaxation sessions on N-Vital for help with headcahes, because they contain some of our more gentle and soothing tracks. Although you might not want to listen during an episode (unless very quietly - which is still very effective), listening at other times appears to offer great promise. The exception however seems to be for headaches related to neurological damage and injury. As always we recommend you see a medical professional first.

"The immediate psychological effects of memory, attention, stress, pain, headaches... migraine were shown to benefit from even a single session of BWE (Brain Wave Entrainment)" Tina L. Huang PhD; Christine Charyton ,PhD. (2008). In 'A Comprehensive Review of the Psychological Effects of Brainwave Entrainment'.

Do I have to use headphones? If so, what kind?

All our audio is engineered to be most effective through correctly placed stereo headphones. In fact,some  tracks  will definately require stereo headphones as they send different signals to each ear, stimulating one hemisphere while calming the other for example. Also, your instructions will tell you if a track can be played externally or is for headphones only. Higher quality headphones of course produce higher quality audio, but NeuroSonica will work fine on most medium quality headphones and ear buds. We suggest you avoid really cheap low end ones however!

Is brainwave synchronisation ok for children?

Clinicians have been using brainwave synchronisation/ entrainment safely and successfully with children as young as 5 for decades and we have found no research to date suggesting any detrimental effects whatsoever - only benefits. Correctly applied, the use of sound pulses and frequencies embedded in music is certainly far more gentle, benign and pleasant than most pharmaceutical interventions!

However, for a variety of reasons including the strength of our audio technologies, we choose not to recommend our current sessions for those under 14 years. Recommended listening ages are supplied for all suites. Younger ears are especially sensitive, so always ensure that they, like adults, use a comfortable to low volume setting. We may introduce a range of special  sessions for younger children in the near future so please keep an eye out for new products.

What if I notice early or immediate improvements - should I discontinue my daily listening routine?

This is up to you. Some users report very dramatic improvements very quickly. If you are happy with your results and do not feel a need for more regular or extended listening because your condition has improved or disappeared or you have achieved your goal, you can simply stop. You can always begin listening again anytime as needed. As a rule however, the longer you continue to listen the more permanent the changes and improvements - especially with serious or long term conditions. Also, regularly playing our sessions over the years will help keep your brain in optimal condition and may even help offset age related neural decline.

Are there optimal volume levels for different situations?

Yes. Although most sessions usually work best as a quiet background ambience through stereo headphones, optimal volume settings will vary for tracks according to personal and environmental factors, eg. if you have a headache, are listening in a noisy environment, a bus, plane or train, or lying quietly in bed and so on. Even then they should always be comfortable or as low as possible for any given situation. Experiment to find an optimal volume level that works for your situation at any given time. Even in the noisiest environments please use common sense and respect your ears by never playing our tracks at excessive or potentially damaging volumes. This is especially important for yonger listeners.

Does your audio include Solfeggio frequencies?

Yes. NeuroSonica is a unique hybrid audio technology that includes a vast array of sound technologies, from the most contemporary leading edge to the ancient - if the latter appear to have some scientific credibilty and/or consistently favourable reports. Many people report healing and therapuetic responses to Solfeggios so we incorporate certain key Solfeggio frequencies such as 528Hz in some sessions. For those unfamiliar with the term, Solfeggio frequencies are an ancient 6-tone scale thought to have been used in sacred music, including the beautiful and well known Gregorian Chants. A leading proponent of the Solfeggio Scale, and in particular of the  possible healing qualities of 528 HZ and its link to DNA repair, is Dr. Leonard Horowitz, a  Harvard graduated public health expert . We like to keep an open mind as there is much to learn about the healing power of sound both ancient and modern.

How do I know my headphones are correct left ear/right ear?

The opening words 'Neuro' should always be heard in your left ear and 'Sonica' your right. Swap your headphones around if they are not. Also, most headphones, including the small 'ear bud' style headphones, are already marked wtih left or right.

What is the best time to listen?

For most sessions this is up to you, but with some sessions you will be instructed to play, or avoid playing them at specific times. For example, we don't reccommend you play stimulation sessions just before bed time or too much relaxation during the day if you have depression or AD/HD. It is also generally better to set a specific time of day or night so your listening sessions become more routine. Having said that, once you are familiar with your sessions and your responses, we encourage you to experiment and do whatever works best for you. Please feel free to share any of your strategies or experiences with others on our blog. Who knows, you may be able to genuinely help others with your discoveries!

What happens if I don't listen regularly?

Although it is best to follow our guidelines for regular or daily listening, there will be times when you are not able to do so. This is ok - you will still gain short term benefits any time you listen, but long term benefits tend to compound with regular use. Remember our analogy that brain training is like going to a gym, its long term effects build steadily over time. Even if you stop completely for some reason and begin listening again at a much later time, you will still get immediate short term benefits.

Can I over-listen to a session?

Yes. Although sessions can be listened to as needed, or immediately replayed for stronger effects if desired, we recommend that you don’t ‘over use’ this technology - especially in the early stages while your brain becomes accustomed to the stimuli.  Listen to your Program as instructed at first , then when you feel more comfortable with its use, experiment to see what works for you.

Do you use binaural beats? Is this why headphones need to be on the correct ear?

Yes and No. We use various technologies including our 'Virtual' audio that require stereo to be fully effective. Although binaural beats do require stereo to work, and we do include them in some sessions, they have been enormously over-hyped by certain companies despite the fact that they are one of the least effective forms of entrainment. We use much more powerful and contemporary isochronic and other pulse technologies of our own. Correct placement of headphones therefore has little do with binaurals, but more to ensure that our unique frequencies and other special sounds are directed into the correct ear. For instance, high frequencies directed into the right ear most directly stimulate the left hemisphere. Remember, this is a hybrid neuroacoustic product-not ordinary entrainment!.

Can NeuroSonica help improve hearing?

It is quite possible. Many people (including a 77 year old man as verified by his audiologist)  have reported  quite significant improvements in their hearing after using our technologies. This is exciting news but should be viewed as one of many possible additional benefits of NeuroSonica rather than a core application.

How might this occur?

It could be simply that the sessions have heightened a listener's sensitivity to frequencies that they previously filtered out or simply did not pay attention to. However, Sound Therapy pioneer Dr Alfred Tomatis suggested that high frequencies, primarily between 8,000-16,000 Hz (many of which are regularly used in our stimulation sessions) not only stimulate the brain but may also encourage flattened sensory hair cells (cilia) in the base of the cochlea to stand up again. This, he believed, could help assist in the restoration of lost frequencies. This is open to debate however.  It has also been suggested that some of our technologies may help to exercise and tone the middle ear muscles as well as produce a restorative effect on the brain and nervous system and assist with auditory processing in general. If we find out more we will let you know - in the meantime, if you also experience improved hearing please tell us!

How long before I experience results?

Most people notice or feel  'something' happening in their very first sessions! NeuroSonica produces both short and long term benefits. Although neurological changes begin to take place during the very first sessions,  they may be subtle at first and increasingly noticeable over the following weeks. People vary greatly in their sensitivity to this sort of technology but everybody will experience results and effects in their own timeframes as they would with any form of regular exercise. If you have a longstanding condition like depression or insomnia, we recommend you persist the full 90 days to create permanent change.

The great thing about NeuroSonica is that you can benefit from listening to it for the rest of your life - and regular use will help to keep your brain in optimal condition!

I'm pregnant. Is NeuroSonica ok?

NeuroSonica is highly unlikely to cause any problems - in fact  your baby will probably enjoy the soothing relaxation sessions as much as you do. However, although we have found no research to suggest any problems whatsoever with entrainment technologies for pregnant women, purely as a precaution we recommend you consult with a physician before listening to any of our audio. A fetus is highly sensitive to any stimulus experienced by the mother - positive or negative, stimulating or relaxing. Although this suggests that a deeply relaxed mum listening to a relaxation session will be encouraging a deeply relaxed baby, we always err on the side of best practise and caution in these matters.

Why is it ok to do ‘safe’ activities with stimulation sessions but only eyes closed with relaxation sessions?

Because our stimulation sessions contain the faster brainwaves characteristic of wide awake states they can be listened to whilst doing safe activities such as reading or riding in public transport, light exercise, walking and so on. (You may wish to increase the volume slightly in some of these situations to compensate for external noise levels).

In order to achieve deep calm and relaxation however, most of our relaxation sessions are not compatible with any eyes open or physical activities, as these will most likely disengage you from the slower brainwave states. However, another unique feature of our relaxation sessions is that some of them can be used for 'super learning' ( an ideal relaxed state to absorb information) and other purposes when played quietly with eyes open. These very useful extra applications are covered in our suite instructions.

No matter how you use our audio, as per our Disclaimer please never listen to any sessions while operating machinery, potentially dangerous equipment, performing potentially hazardous activities or driving.

What if I fall asleep while listening?

This is common, especially with new users listening to relaxation sessions. However, most benefits will still occur as the brain is still receiving the stimuli - so this is not a major issue in that respect. Of course- falling asleep is great news for those with insomnia!

I don't have any specific problems but just want to improve my brain.What would you suggest?

Both our Performance Suites cover a wide range of key brainwave frequencies and other technologies designed for general brain fitness. We recommend our N-Vital suite for people 35 years to senior, as it contains gentle relaxation and stimulation tracks (mostly selected from other suites) to assist with general brain fitness and performance. If you want a slightly more intense selection of tracks with the same general purpose in mind, we recommend N-Gym. We refer to these suites as our 'multi-vitamins' as they each have  widespread general applications. Either will suffice and you will not need both unless ordering for another.

How do I know which NeuroSonica suite to choose?

Please choose a suite that most closely matches your primary condition or needs. As mentioned elsewhere, we have deliberately designed each Suite to be as wholistic and multi-purpose as possible to benefit the one-off consumer. This means any given suite may produce multiple benefits for improved brain fitness and function beyond those specifically targeted. To achieve this most share a range of key general purpose frequencies such as alpha as well as sessions specific to that suite.  Please choose carefully as we do not accept returns unless the product is faulty. Always check our Contraindications (a prerequiste for ordering) and Disclaimer to ensure your suitability for using this technology.

Are there any side-effects?

“Since there is no synthetic substance entering the system, there is little chance of producing harmful or upsetting side effects, or of producing addiction. In that sense, the use of brain tech to naturally produce biochemical changes seems preferable to the use of pharmaceuticals.” Dr. Emily L. Stevens (2002)

The side effects are nearly all positive! However, even though NeuroSonica is a gentle technology it still 'pushes' neural growth by exercising the brain, much like lifting weights in a gym creates muscle growth. If you do experience  adjustment effects, they can be minimised or eliminated by simply listening  at low to  barely audible levels, for shorter durations or less frequently until they subside. Adverse responses are very much the exception – not the rule! In the unlikely event that you experience intense or prolonged physical or mental discomfort please discontinue use and/or see a medical professional.

I want to meditate deeply. What sessions do you recommend?

This depends on your definition of meditation. Any of our relaxation tracks can be used to create extremely deep meditative states and the many accompanying benefits. All suites contain at least two powerful relaxation sessions but N-Calm contains five different deep relaxation sessions , making it  the best suited for this purpose. Although we do not currently make dedicated meditation audio per se, our relaxation sessions are much more effective than commercial 'instant meditation' audio products as evidenced by our EEG comparisons and user feedback.

However, please understand that the ultimate aim of meditation is to quieten the 'chatterbox' mind and enter into Inner Silence -  by transcending thoughts and other activities and distractions of the mind, body and environment. By that definition even a powerfully relaxing  technology like NeuroSonica is best thought of as a training tool , rather than a replacement for True meditation. Despite the hype of some meditation audio companies, Zen monks and other meditation masters do not listen to binaural beats through headphones to enter into the Silence!

That said, our deep relaxation sessions are an excellent way to train your brain to access and enter into the brainwave patterns of very deep meditation in a way that would otherwise take many years of practise.  What we recommend is this: Once our audio has taken you into a place of deep inner calm you should let it finish and then enter into the silence to experience True meditation -without the 'trainer wheels'. In regards to something as important as meditation or spiritual matters, technology, no matter how effective, is only ever a vehicle  - not the end itself.  Don't be fooled by the hype.

I have some hearing loss. Will NeuroSonica work for me?

Providing you have some degree of hearing, benefits should take place. Obviously you could experiment using higher volume settings to help compensate for hearing loss or difficulties. Some of our sound technologies may even work through bone conduction. As mentioned elsewhere, many people have reported hearing improvements after using our technology- although this is an additional possible benefit - not something we can guarantee.

I’m left handed. Will this affect my left/right headphone placement?

This should make little, if any  difference, and certainly not enough to warrant swapping your headphones around. Research suggests that it is extremely rare for brain hemispheres to be reversed except in the case of mirror image twins. Just make sure the opening word 'Neuro' is in your right ear and 'Sonica' your left unless instructed otherwise.

Why are sessions not recommeded  for  those with pacemakers or those suffering from epilepsy or seizures?

Although very unikely to cause any problems, this is a safeguard we prefer to put in place as sometimes these situations or conditions can be pulse or frequency sensitive. Epilepsy for example may occasionally be triggered by specific pulse rates of strobe lighting. (Interestingly, some clinicians are finding success in treating epilepsy with entrainment - but this is not an intended application of NeuroSonica technologies at this point). We therefore advise people with epilepsy, seizures and other potentially pulse sensitive conditons not to use our technology in the unlikely event of ensuing problems. Alternatively, please defer to your medical practitoner for professional advice.

What if I have some sort of physical damage to my brain, will NeuroSonica help?

This is impossible for us to answer even if we were qualified to do so. However, NeuroSonica is a complementary health and wellbeing technology that exercises and relaxes the brain which, under normal circumstances has many benefits. Although we believe it is far more likely to help than hinder, please consult with a medical professional.