I just came across the whole idea of biofeedback and wanted to get some of your opinions on the subject. I was thinking that it may be a cool way to really focus my meditation and further develop my abilities to have absolute controll of my body. I personaly would love to run a few experiments on my self as far as blood pressure and heart rate are concerned. My ultimate goal would be to give myself mild stimulants (like caffiene) and see the natural effect on my body and compare the results to those after I have practiced meditation with various biofeedback devices monitoring me. The practical application would ultimately be to increase athletic abilities with nothing more than though--mind over matter.

Biofeedback info

I built myself a GSR device that generates a tone that lowers as I alter skin resistance to that associated with a relaxed state. I exercised with a EEG biofeedback device and found I was quite adept at generating alpha waves. I discovered that relaxing my forehead muscles was both indicative and successful for gaining Alpha state so I have trained myself to be able to do that. Another device which is very easy to use and quite beneficial is a quick responding temperature device. I built one that plugs into my VOM. Hold it in your hand and learn how to increase the temperature in your hand. This gives you the ability to dilate vessels, veins and capillaries, lessening blood pressure, which allows the blood to flow more readily to the extremities and increase their temperature. It also means that your brain is getting more blood flow which heightens your ability to think, me thinks.

I found Hiroshi Motoyama's work with measuring ion densities around individuals while they were in a Faraday cage as promising some new biofeedback techniques for possibly pursuing the state of mind of long time yoga practitioners, referred to as kundalini awakening.

Very interesting, do you have any schematics for the devices you built? I would love to build my own but I really have no idea where to start.

On a side note--I recall you living in Silicon Valley, just curious, but do you know a Cindy Burgdorf?

I may be able to locate my schematic and parts list for the audio GSR indicator. I notice a company is selling a similar unit for $99. I used an old silver dime and a silver newspaper delivery medal I found for the probes. There are some designs on the web: http://www.hackcanada.com/ice3/wetware/lie...or_circuit.html and http://www.hackcanada.com/ice3/wetware/lie..._circuit_2.html but they are not the audio type which is quite nice as closing the eyes can help in attaining the relaxation. I think the meter that Scientologists use is basically a simple GSR device though a true believer would of had me believe it was something basically magical.

I'll see if I can locate the plans for you. As far as the temperature sensor, I used and got a couple of ICs in a small transistor like package that are designed for the purpose and need no other parts. I believe they have been discontinued but there are many similar units out there. You can use a digital thermometer or just research how to use a diode for such purposes. I suppose an analogue thermometer could work with a bit of practice. You might be able to find schematics for these and more at your local library. I know I have a couple of books of electronic circuits and I believe one shows how to use a diode as a temperature sensor. Give me a couple of days.

No, I'm not aware of Cindy.

My local library basically sucks, I doubt they will have anything useful. Thanks alot for the other resources though.

I am sure I will learn alot from you in the near future, if you don't mind helping out a novice do-it-yourselfer