Discovering photic training: your brain, source of inner light
Since the first observations of electrophysiologists Adrian and Matthews in 1934, photic entrainment has fascinated researchers. This phenomenon reveals the brain's reaction to visual stimulation, generating "evoked potentials" in response to pulsating light stimuli.
Ancient history, modern results
The history of photic training dates back to Ptolemy, a disciple of Aristotle, who already described in the year 300 the feeling of contentment resulting from observing the sun through the spokes of a rotating wheel. At the beginning of the 20th century, Dr. Janet at the Salpêtrière hospital in Paris reproduced these effects, observing an improvement in the mental state of her patients thanks to pulsating light.
An iconic example is artist Brion Gysin 's Dream Machine , generating stroboscopic pulses in the alpha EEG band. In 1959, Gysin and William Burroughs explored the altered states of consciousness induced by this intriguing machine.
Current clinical perspectives
According to Anadi Martel in “The Power of Light,” photic training originates in the thalamus, the sensory relay center of the brain.
Anadi Martel has opened new horizons, in particular thanks to the use of pulsed light at 40 Hz of the Gamma type. Photic entrainment devices that act on the EEG open a fascinating frontier in research into cognition and mental well-being.
Towards a bright future
Since the first observations, photic stimulation has evolved, demonstrating its clinical potential. It is obvious that light, used in a targeted manner, can positively influence our mental well-being. Anadi Martel's study highlights the need for precautions, but asserts that light can play a significant role in our quest for mental well-being.
As new studies emerge, photic stimulation continues to reveal itself as a valuable tool for guiding our brains toward a state of serenity and balance. To follow the latest advances in light therapy and photic training, explore our previous articles on the Sensolight website, where science and light meet.
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