Narrow Band Light influences
homeostasis thereby influencing performance, behavior, psychological, and physiological
effects.
It has long been recognized that light can have profound
psychological as well as physiological effects on the human organism. Although both ocular
as well as non-ocular techniques have been employed in an attempt to achieve various such
effects, ocular treatment appears to be most efficacious.
The retinas do after all avail most of the body's blood
supply to substantially direct irradiation in a very short period of time due to the high
rate of blood flow therethrough and due to the density and proximity of the capillaries to
the retina's surface. Furthermore, not only are the eyes highly specialized organs
specifically adapted for receiving and sensing light, but a sizable portion of the brain
is exclusively devoted to processing data generated by the retinas.
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Moreover, neurologists and anatomists have relatively
recently demonstrated the existence of nerve pathways extending from the retinas that are
separate and apart from the pathways linked to the sight center of the brain. These newly
discovered interconnections link the eyes with neurological centers in the brain that
influence and control many of the body's regulatory functions. Such regulatory centers
typically exert their control via neurological or biochemical means.
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An example of an organ whose regulatory function is
responsive to light sensed by the eyes is the pineal gland which secretes the hormone
melatonin. The hormone is released during periods of darkness while production is abruptly
halted when the eyes perceive bright light. Melatonin is distributed throughout the body
via the blood and cerebrospinal fluid and can effect the function of organs by which it is
metabolized to thereby influence sleep cycles, feeding cycles, reproduction cycles and
other biological rhythms. It has therefore been suggested that phototherapy may
effectively be employed to correct a melatonin imbalance which may have resulted from, for
example, shift work, jet lag or life in the polar regions, and thereby remedy the
accompanying symptoms.
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Other such relationships have been discovered, more are
suspected and even more may, in fact, exist. Additionally, it has been found that some of
the body's responses to light are acutely dependent upon specific characteristics of the
light received by the eyes such as the light's wavelength, and intensity, and further,
that particular responses can be elicited or enhanced by varying such characteristics
according to certain sequences or patterns. Although instruments have been constructed and
techniques devised to generally exploit this systemic sensitivity to light, many important
factors had not been taken into consideration as required in order to take fuller
advantage of the effect of electromagnetic radiation on the human organism.
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It has been found that an individual's physiological and
psychological state is especially responsive to only certain, very specific
electromagnetic energy patterns and that such responses are heightened and in fact some
such responses are only achievable by substantially isolating the patterns that have been
found to be effective from ineffective patterns. By directing substantially isolated
effective patterns into an individual's eyes for relatively short periods of time,
relatively long-lasting therapeutic effects are realizable. "Energy pattern" is
used herein as a very broad term and refers to any recognizable order, arrangement,
distribution or other characteristics associated with electromagnetic energy radiation,
including for example the fundamental frequency associated with a particular wavelength,
radiation intensity, patterns of radiation intensity variation over time, the polarization
and coherence of radiation, and the spatial configuration of an image produced by the
electromagnetic radiation. Energy patterns useful for the purposes of the present
invention range from the extremely simple and pure, such as substantially monochromatic
radiation of constant intensity, to complex composites of patterns such as for example the
pulsing of multichromatic radiation, gradually increasing in terms of pulse frequency,
image size, and intensity. The specific patterns which elicit desired responses in
individuals, have been found to vary from individual to individual and have been found to
vary for a particular individual over time. The methods in accordance with the latest
technology take advantage of this discovery to provide a form of therapy for a wide
variety of disorders or irregularities.
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It has been found that a variety of long-lasting therapeutic
effects are achievable by inducing an individual to enter into or assume an apparently
relaxed, nominally homeostatic state as a direct result of the exposure of the
individual's eyes to the selected electromagnetic energy patterns for a relatively short
period of time. Such long-lasting therapeutic effects which include some of the readily
apparent indications of the homeostatic state induced by the irradiation include, but are
not limited to, a normalization of vital signs such as blood pressure, respiration rate
and heart rate, regulation and stabilization of hormonal levels, normalization of blood
imbalances, stimulation of the immune system by enhancement of the regenerative processes,
increase of the efficiency of motor coordination and action, reduction and balance of
local and systemic edema, normalization of intra-ocular pressure, stabilization of
emotions, increase of psychological awareness, mental clarity and concentration, increase
of peripheral vision, and resolution of migraine headaches.
The latest, patented, method first calls for the
identification of a particular electromagnetic energy pattern which has an apparently
homeostasis inducing effect on a particular individual and then directing radiation of
such form into the individual's eyes for a preselected period of time. It has been found
that by isolating the individual from extraneous sensory input, an individual's
responsiveness is further enhanced and that a final exposure to electromagnetic energy
perceived as generally green in color, followed by a gradual reintroduction to ambient
lighting, sounds and other environmental influences at the end of each therapy session
tends to further extend or preserve the effect. Additionally, it may be necessary to
adjust or retune the energy pattern to compensate for an individual's change in
responsiveness either during a particular session or with the commencement of a new
session.
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Monochromatic radiation of constant intensity represents a
very pure and a most fundamental of energy patterns. More complex patterns are generated
by expanding the bandwidth or otherwise combining wavelengths, or by varying intensity
either as a function of wavelength or time. For example, in contrast to a monochrome, a
band of the electromagnetic spectrum is definable in terms of bandwidth, median wavelength
and area.
By additionally varying intensity as a function of
wavelength, such terms as distribution, shape and peak acquire significance. Repetitive
variation of intensity as a function of time results in a pulsing or undulation which is
definable in terms of a pulse or undulation rate, rise time, fall rate, peak time, valley
time, and perhaps a step rate and size. Many such parameters, either singly or in
combination with other such parameters, yield energy patterns especially effective for the
purposes of this invention. Additional exploitable parameters pertaining to
electromagnetic radiation are the radiation's polarization and coherence as well as the
spatial configuration of an image formed by electromagnetic radiation as presented to an
observer's eyes.
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In order to identify the specific energy pattern to which a
particular individual, at a particular moment in time is most responsive, the individual
is monitored with respect to indications of homeostasis while a sequence of specific
energy patterns is radiated directly into the individual's eyes. Homeostatic response is
manifested by, among other things, a normalization of heart rate, respiration rate, blood
pressure, body temperature, muscle tension, intra ocular pressure, ocular tear secretion
rate, motor activity, a shift in galvanic skin response, or a shift of the brain waves
towards theta. Monitoring any one or a combination of the relevant functions can
facilitate the identification of a particular stimulus that has the desired
homeostasis-inducing effect. Additionally, or alternatively the individual's own
subjective perceptions are relied upon during the identification efforts. A perceived
feeling of well-being, relaxation or the experiencing of a soothing sensation has proven
to be a useful indicator of entry into a more advanced homeostatic state. The energy
pattern of a particular sequence having the most pronounced such effect is then employed
directly as a therapeutic tool or as a basis for identifying more complex combinations of
patterns to yield a potentially even greater effect.
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The method of the present technology does not require full
understanding of the mechanisms that cause certain energy patterns to evoke psychological
and physiological responses. The method relies on a substantially empirical approach
wherein a particular energy pattern is exploited because it induces homeostatic response
without regard to why or how. It has been found that individuals are at first typically
most responsive to fairly fundamental, simple, or pure patterns and it is for this reason
that substantially monochromatic or narrow wavebands of radiation are preferred initially.
It has additionally been found that as a particular individual becomes more accustomed to
this type of phototherapy, responsiveness to more complex patterns gradually increases.
The electromagnetic energy range employed need not be limited to the visible spectrum, but
can extend into wavelengths not consciously perceived by the individual. Indeed, many of
the more intricate and subtler patterns involving for example certain waveband contours or
intensity pulse profiles and timing have been found to affect individuals subconsciously.
An additional technique that has been found to facilitate
the identification of the most effective energy patterns is the presentation of the
various patterns in a generally energy-increasing sequence. For example, in order to
identify the wavelengths to which an individual is most responsive, a sequence of narrow
wavebands is presented progressing from low energy, long wavelengths toward high energy,
short wavelength. Similarly, in order to determine the most effective intensity, a
sequence from low intensity to higher intensity is preferred. Pulse rates, rise times,
image size, as well as most parameters associated with electromagnetic radiation are
arrangable in an energy-increasing sequence for this purpose. The parameters of coherence
and polarization are preferably varied in sequences extending from a random distribution
to a more highly ordered pattern.
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The following describes a method by which effective
electromagnetic energy patterns are first identified and subsequently used as a
therapeutic tool. The method requires electromagnetic energy to be radiated directly into
an observer's eyes but is not limited to wavelengths in the visible spectrum. When the
eyes are irradiated with the effective energy pattern(s) during a session, a
multi-faceted, long-lasting therapeutic response results.
In order to practice the present invention, means are
required for selectably directing specific bands of electromagnetic energy directly into
an observer's eyes. It is additionally preferable that the intensity of such wavebands is
selectably variable. It has been found that individuals are responsive to very specific
energy patterns and that response is diminished if ineffective patterns are included in a
particular composite of energy patterns. Such diminution may be the result of dilution,
distraction, interference, or other factors.
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In order to therefore provide as "pure" an energy
pattern as possible, both in an effort to identify an effective pattern and then to
maximize the efficacy of such pattern to achieve therapeutic results, the use of
substantially monochromatic or relatively narrow wavebands is required. Narrow band pass
filters are currently available that facilitate the selection of a variety of such narrow
wavebands (10-20nm) throughout the electromagnetic spectrum from a single radiation
source.
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Additionally, in order to eliminate the 50 or 60 Hz pattern
component that would automatically be incorporated in an energy pattern composite with the
use of an AC powered radiation source, a DC powered radiation source is preferably
employed. For more complex embodiments of the present invention, the intensity of such
source should be readily selectively alterable over time, such that wave patterns can be
created that are variable in terms of pulse rate, peak voltage, peak time, rise time, fall
time, and valley time. Power supply wave generators capable of providing such versatility
are commercially available.
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An additionally readily variable parameter associated with
directing electromagnetic radiation into an observer's eyes is the apparent size and shape
of the field of radiation. Finally, by integrating two separate systems side by side, each
directing radiation to a single eye, even more versatility is available to enable
identification of a particular pattern to which an individual is most responsive and to
then avail such pattern for administration of the therapy. Such a system allows monocular,
binocular, or biocular presentation of the various energy patterns. Additionally, the
capability to vary the polarization and coherence of electromagnetic radiation can be
included for exploitation in accordance with the method of the present invention.
The preferred method of practicing the present invention in
its most basic form involves binocular treatment, the use of narrow wavebands of radiation
selected from throughout the visible spectrum corresponding to what are perceived as eight
different colors evenly spaced throughout such spectrum, and relies on the observer's own
subjective selections vis-a-vis the most homeostatic effect. The observer is first
isolated from distractions such as extraneous light and sound and postural stresses are
minimized to allow the individual to properly concentrate on the display directed into the
eyes while peering into the device described above.
An intermediate intensity is selected and the wavebands are
displayed one at a time progressing from the relatively long to the shorter wavelengths
for about 3-5 minutes each. The intensity remains constant throughout the session. The
observer is asked to identify the three wavebands which have the most soothing effect.
Those three wavebands are then redisplayed 5-8 minutes at a time, again in a long
wavelength to short wavelength sequence. The observer is asked to narrow his preference
down to two and then one waveband. Once identified, the waveband found to be most soothing
is displayed for about twenty minutes. Subsequent thereto, an intermediate waveband such
as corresponding to a color perceived as green is displayed for a few minutes after which
ambient lighting is gradually phased in to complete the session.
More complex methods of practicing the present invention
expand on the above described sequence. For example, once a preferred waveband has been
selected, the intensity of such waveband is varied in an increasing sequence to enable the
observer to identify the intensity found to be most soothing. The preferred values of the
other variable parameters are selected in a similar manner. A preferred waveband at a
preferred intensity is then pulsed in a sequence of varying pulse rates in order to
identify a pattern of increased complexity and effectiveness. The other capabilities of
the above described device are similarly explored in terms of their effect on the
particular individual. Eventually, a potentially very complex energy pattern is composed
to which a particular individual is particularly responsive.
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Alternatively, instead of relying on the observer's
subjective perceptions as to which energy pattern offers the most homeostasis inducing
effect, more objective indications are relied upon. By monitoring physiological responses
such as the observer's heart or respiration rates during the sequential display of various
patterns, an enhanced state of homeostasis is immediately recognizable. Real time
monitoring of blood pressure or body temperature provide similar indications. Monitoring
an EEG for a shift toward theta has been similarly found to be useful. Other functions
that provide indications of homeostasis in the organism include galvanic skin response,
muscle tension, intra ocular pressure, ocular tear secretion rate and motor activity.
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