Unlock Genius: Tech-Facilitated Altered States

Introduction: Manori Sumanasinghe and Nelson Abreu have nearly 50 years of combined experience exploring consciousness and educating a niche of motivated individuals, interested in the intricacies of “inner reality” through non-profit consciousness and scientific anomaly academic organizations. As an architect and an electrical engineer, both with a focus on innovation, they set out to expose a wider demographic to the world of consciousness. They describe the approach as meeting people where they are, speaking to their more immediate needs, such as relief from discomfort, stress, and anxiety; tapping into their imagination and inspiration. It is hoped that by democratizing and demystifying the out-of-body experience and allied phenomena, more funding will pour into research and more people will want to deepen their practice. They will discuss how Neuma Being can reliably induce substance-free altered states and the results of a pilot of self-reports of altered states. 

History is no stranger to luminaries finding their muse through dreams, hypnagogia and other altered states. “Creativity, originality and initiative” is the number-three in-demand skill predicted for 2022. 77% of professionals experienced poor sleep, stress, and burnout prior to the pandemic. Worldwide, the cost of unwell workers represents 10-15% of global economic output. Studies show that mindful altered states are associated with creativity and are able to curb depression and the ill effects of burnout, while improving overall well-being. 

Meditation remains challenging for many and about 1 billion people are affected by disorders that have no medicinal relief, except psychedelic-assisted therapy (depression, PTSD, addiction, pain). Silicon Valley has made micro-dosing a trend, as well. However, substances are not for everyone or every occasion. Out-of-body experiences have been shown to reduce pain intensity by 37%. Frequent lucid dreamers have been able to solve 25% more puzzles. What if technology and a more accessible language could open up the microverse of lucid dreaming and beyond to “everyday people. 

Methods: Individuals spend thousands of dollars and months of time to learn how to achieve these mindful and heightened states of mind. This keeps millions of others from even trying. What if there was a safe, effective, and quick solution to tap into the stress-reduction power of the subconscious? It would make these benefits accessible to busy problem-solvers from creative professionals to first responders making high-stakes decisions during long shifts. What if the solution was adapted to pandemics: No-Contact, Physically-Distanced, and Hygienic?  

Over time, some technologies have emerged to facilitate altered states, including the Neuma Lounge: it’s been described as “laying inside of a sound bowl.” It uses micro-vibrational technology to induce hypnagogia and beyond in as little as 20 minutes. From there, the Neuma Lounge guides you into your subconscious using unique digital sound baths, musical scapes and verbal cues. Beautiful, musical altered states journeys in a welcoming environment allow for quickly, reliable, safe, easy, frustration-free access to the subconscious.  

The Neuma Lounge can stimulate deep relaxation, discomfort relief, vitality, mental sharpness, problem-solving (insight) through a “body asleep, mind awake” state achieved in as little as 20 minutes. It uses design, ergonomics, sound, vibration, and guided mindfulness to achieve deep relaxation and creative, insightful altered states, safely, quickly, effectively and with no physical contact — whether you’re an experienced wellness pro or a curious newcomer. The Neuma Lounge provides a substance-free alternative for deep relaxation and problem-solving states of mind, which is important for professions and personal preferences that make psychedelics a non-option. Refreshing cognitive function through long shifts and raising self-awareness can help us make better decisions and improve interpersonal communication.  

Over the course of their experience, shifting vibrational patterns and soundscapes induce a “body asleep, mind aware” state — transporting users to the “threshold consciousness” state of mind and body known as hypnagogia. This state is marked by reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is involved in planning, decision-making, and social behavior.  

The result is an increase in the free-flowing state of thought that occurs organically during rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, combined with mental awareness to channel and harness this inspiration. Research reveals that this state can be pivotal for personal problem-solving, creative development, and stress-relief. The hypnagogic period is known for being extraordinarily rich in images. Essentially, this induced hypnagogia is ideal for combating burnout by taking advantage of naturally-occurring brain phenomena.  

The Neuma Lounge is controlled wirelessly through a mobile application that allows for the selection of modes of operation designed for creativity, calm, vitality and well-being. Curated soundscapes, music and vibrations are computer-controlled and directed to a number of low-frequency transducers that allow you to hear music and instructions and feel the resonance. Multiple guided sound and vibrational journeys are available, so the experience can be customized to the desired state of being.  

Inspired by the womb of a mother – the most primal safe space known to any human – the Neuma Lounge gently embraces and envelopes the user in a unique micro-environment. The soundscape expressed through the technology transports the users to imaginary spaces within their minds. The vibrations and sound can be felt in the body, in the bones, giving an experience that is similar to being inside a guitar or on top of a speaker. The experiences are sometimes pleasant and sometimes visceral. 

Some patterns move all over and make you lose yourself into the experience, while others are highly ordered and draw your attention to the body: to specific areas, often in a sweeping motion that mimics ancient and contemporary energy mindfulness practices. By first drawing your attention away from distractions and toward the body, it eventually renders the body numb and deeply relaxed, opening you up to transpersonal, expansive experiences.  

Results: In our pilot studies, 76% felt tingling and/or energy movement, 71% felt a difference in weight, 62% felt like they were floating. These are very similar to the sensations reported in surveys related to the out-of-body experience. 98% reported an improvement in well-being; 89% in relaxation; 94% in focus; 94% in tranquility; and 83% felt recharged with effects lasting several days. Testimonials value imaginative breakthroughs, self-discovery insights, mental clarity for decisions, emotional release, and deeper relaxation. In the pandemic context, sessions are contactless, social-distancing friendly, hygienic, sufficiently automated but with some personal attention.