Sonic B.R.A.I.N. Laboratory

Lead Researcher: Dr. Lee Bartel


What is the Sonic B.R.A.I.N. lab?

It is a research laboratory to study the effect of sound on brain and body and possible applications to health and specific therapies. The full name of the lab is: “Sonic Body Response And Imaging Neuro-effect Laboratory. It also extends its facilities for music psychology research.


Research Foundation

The use of music as a “therapy” to effect changes in mental and physical states has a long history dating back to Bible times and the ancient Greeks. In modern times evidence has shown that music has an effect on heart rate, heart-rate variability, breath rate, brain waves, and other body rhythms. In addition there is recent growing evidence that self-regulation training of brain wave activity can alleviate or remediate specific medical and psychological conditions. Of particular interest is the effects of physioacoustic effects of low frequency sound on the body (e.g., pain, mobility, circulation) and as a means of effecting gamma level brain activity.  A few research studies have used sonic entrainment and music therapy techniques and show some similar effects. Much more research is needed to develop knowledge in how music, specific naturally occurring sounds, and contrived sonic effects can affect physical and psychological health conditions. Further, no known research to date combines the two dimensions of sonic therapy and EEG-based neuro-therapy. Sonic effects of music can potentially be a very powerful remedial technique to affect a range of disorders mental and physical disorders and symptoms.

Equipment

4 computers
Procomp Infinity Encoder
Thought Technologies Biograph software
EKG monitoring
HRV monitoring
Skin Conductance monitoring
Vibroacoustic Transducers – Ibeam Bass
Sound Oasis VTS1000
Mackie Monitor Speakers

Research Projects

Completed, on-going, or proposed research projects using the Sonic B.R.A.I.N. Laboratory facilities include: