What Is The David Smart?
The David Smart mind machine from MindAliveInc, uses light and sound to stimulate or sedate your brain’s responses, which help to achieve various states associated with everything from deep relaxation to extreme alertness. It does this via the supplied headphones and LED glasses, in conjunction with the user friendly controls on the main unit.
What Does The David Smart Do?
This mind machine by MindAlive uses the brain’s ability to become entrained, to naturally guide the users brain to follow specific light and sound patterns (called sessions). The frequencies, which are used, are the same as what naturally occurs in your own brain, which is why your mind is more inclined to respond and follow these tailored sessions.
With continued practice, these sessions aid the user to experience and understand the changes in their own brains, as a response to the light and sound stimulation.
How Will The David Smart Help Me?
There are programmed sessions within each control unit, with specific light and sound frequencies. With regular use, your mind will respond to match these natural rhythms, which are associated with specific mind states, therefore, can be used to benefit the individuals needs. The David Smart mind machine has been tested and categorised to help with five areas:
- Energise
- Meditate
- Brain Brightener
- Sleep
- Mood Booster
Each of these selections have TWO separate sessions, which give you a more tailored experience. Below are examples of each session and their effective uses.
Energise 1 – This 20 minute Beta session is ideal for mornings; when you need a non-caffeine boost to start your day.
Energise 2 – This 18 minute super boost session can help to give you a kick start for any form of physical activity.
Meditate 1 – This 20 minute session is great when you need to slow down your mind and regroup your thoughts; this works well with the HRV setting switched on (please see below where HRV is explained) and you are focused on your breathing.
Meditate 2 – This 40 minute session is brilliant when you have the time to really unwind and it helps to guide your focus on the “here and now”.
Brain Brightener 1 – This 24 minute session can be used to set your mind up for improved concentration and memory; great when used as a pre-study aid.
Brain Brightener 2 – This 25 minute session can be used to help clear your mind if you have problems with focus and mind chatter; it has been utilised to help those with ADD/ADHD.
Sleep 1 – This is a 45 minute session, which can help an anxious mind, soothing it into a more relaxed state in preparation for sleep.
Sleep 2 – This 40 minute session is more effective when you are already relaxed and just wish to be guided into an even more relaxed state.
Mood Booster 1 – This 30 minute session is a pick-me-up to brighten your mood and reduce anxiety; works great in conjunction with positive visualisation techniques.
Mood Booster 2 – This 42 minute session is useful for keeping your mind alert and focused, when used in your meditation routine.
Other Features To Look Out For:
Tru-Vu Omniscreen Eyesets – The eyesets provided with your David Smart have LEDs, which are white with a blue tint. These eyesets are designed to flash independently in order to send different light signals to the left and right side of each eye. This is a feature which standard AVEs do not generally have and go a long way to enhance eye stimulation and entrainment.
Sound Sync – Another big plus for me is the Sound Sync sessions. I have always enjoyed using my own music and guided meditations. This feature allows for a more lucid experience. All you have to do is select one of the primary sessions (1-5) and the mind machine will create a randomised session, based on your choice, and as long as your music is playing. This really gives this mind machine the edge; as it becomes more easy to explore how your mind responds to the subtle changes in these randomised sessions.
Back Light Function – The ability to see the control buttons in a darkened room is a great feature; especially when using your mind machine for relaxation. I have used other mind machines and without this feature, you will find yourself feeling for the right buttons when it is dark; this little attribute is a dream.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) – The David Smart was one of the first mind machines to introduce HRV. The mind machine creates a steady “heartbeat”, which helps to pace your breathing, which over time, will help to guide your breathing to become more relaxed and focused. The mind machine uses a “breath cycle”, approximately 8 seconds at the beginning and will increase to 10 seconds as you progress. I find that it helps me to discipline my focus and reduce mental chatter.
What Do You Get With Your David Smart Mind Machine?
David Smart
- Large Carry Bag
- White Tru-Vu Omniscreen Eyeset
- Eyeset Carry Case
- Stereo Headphones
- 3.5 mm Stereo Patch Cord
- AC Adapter
- 9 Volt Alkaline Battery
- Operators Manual
- Quickstart Guide
Overall, the David Smart is a great mind machine, which to me, does everything it claims. MindAliveInc have been pioneers in this field for over 20 years and have been the benchmark for others to follow.
A high percentage of scientific research in the subject of AVE have used the MindAliveInc equipment. As a testament to their quality; all the David mind machines have been approved with a CSA, UL, and CE electrical certification for worldwide use.
For more information on the clinical use of AVE, I would highly recommend looking through the vast detailed studies, which are available through MindAliveInc
Additional Glasses
MindAliveInc have also developed a range of eyesets for the David Smart, which can be used to further enhance your entrainment experience (of note is that some of the glasses are not compatible with certain Smart Devices, so always check your PAL model first before considering an upgrade).
Multi-Color Tru-Vu Omniscreen Eyeset
Also available to buy seperately are the Multi-Color Tru-Vu Omniscreen Eyesets. These eyesets do the same as the Tru-Vu above but now include six other colours, in addition to the original white LEDs. These colours include blue, cyan, green, yellow, red, and magenta. This really enhances your experience and allows you to tailor your sessions to include colour therapy, in addition to entrainment.
View hole Glasses
View Hole Glasses is another style of glasses, which can be used. These add a more functional element to entrainment; as instead of experiencing your David Smart from a sitting or lying position, you can now use it on the move. This has to be done with real understanding of your session and extreme caution must be used; as AVE produces dissociation effects and although there are huge benefits to using these glasses, I’d heed every safety precaution when attempting to use these eyesets.
Is The David Smart Worth Buying?
In my view YES! It is a very robust and functional mind machine. It is very much built for purpose and functions well for the entrainment sessions it has been designed for. If you are looking for a mind machine, it is the least expensive in the David range but no less effective.
Mind Machine Afterthoughts
As with all mind machines, entrainment takes time and practice to be effective. Every brain responds differently and at different rates, so never beat yourself up about your progress. Also keep in mind that this is a tool to guide your brain to follow and match the frequencies of the session. The mind machines themselves won’t make you smart or sleep better but if your mind is at these frequencies, it has been shown that you will be at a place where your mind and body can respond more effectively.
Where Can I Buy A David Smart?
Here are few links where you can find the David Smart or other David Products:
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