Iasis MCN delivers a small current that produces big results.
Here’s how:
Our Wonderful Brain
The human brain is the most exquisitely complex, self-organizing, and highly dynamic system in the known universe. Our mind—the element in/of us that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons—has been thought by most to originate or reside in the brain. In recent years, this notion has been challenged. Regardless of the outcome of this challenge, we have empirical evidence that the brain’s appropriate function (or dysfunction) has a profound impact on our mood, perceptions, and cognitive abilities.
The brain is also our body’s control center, taking information from our inner and outer environment, synthesizing it, and sending instructions throughout the body via electrical and hormonal signals to turn on or turn off processes in order to maintain homeostasis (balance). Without homeostasis, “dis” ease results.
A Hurt Brain
Disturbances in brain function can come from a variety of insults: physical or emotional trauma, toxins, infections, lying beliefs, and stress. These disturbances can result in dysfunctional and/or rigid patterns of thought, impaired cognition, or misperception.
As a consequence, we can experience (neither list is exhaustive):
Mental Health Challenges:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Addictions
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Eating disorders
Physical Ailments:
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Neurodegenerative conditions (dementia or Parkinson’s disease)
- Fatigue
- Headache (including migraine)
- Chronic pain
- Cardiovascular disease (hypertension, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease)
- Chronic Lyme disease/Post-Lyme syndrome
- Hormonal imbalances
- Immune dysfunction and dysregulation (recurrent or chronic infections and autoimmunity)
A Powerful Tool in Brain Healing
The Iasis device and software uses information derived from EEG (direct electrical measurement of brainwaves) to deliver imperceptible, but precise electrical impulses to various areas of the brain. This is technically known as LIP-tES (low-intensity pulse-based transcranial electrical stimulation). These impulses disentrain rigid and dysfunctional patterns, allowing the brain to “reboot” and reorganize with more appropriate and flexible patterns. Iasis is thought to accomplish this by the following mechanisms:
- Stimulating neurogenesis and neuroplasticity (the ability to make new brain cells and new connections)
- Enhancing or modulating existing brain cell function
- Promoting a more balanced autonomic nervous system (more “rest and digest” than “fight, flight or freeze”)
- Enhancing the clearance of toxins from the brain
Iasis Examined
Iasis is the first neurofeedback system with image-based evidence of success. In 2017, a pilot study evaluating its use in treating post-concussive symptoms (PCS) resulting from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) was published in the journal, Brain Injury. This study was a joint effort between the University of California at San Diego and the Veteran’s Administration. It used standardized clinical interviews, validated questionnaires, and magnetoencephalography (a technology combining EEG and MRI) to evaluate the response to Iasis treatment of six subjects suffering PCS after mTBI.
Significant improvement was noted in all of the subjects and in all evaluated parameters who completed the treatments. One of the subjects was able to quit nicotine use, a benefit he attributed to the treatment. One subject was not diligent in treatment schedule and only completed 30% of his treatments. Despite his non-compliance, he still received benefit evidenced in evaluated parameters.
The Future
Iasis’s mechanisms of action, and its efficacy in multiple disorders, are being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials. As a follow-up to the pilot study, a much larger randomized, placebo-controlled trial in mild traumatic brain injury is underway with the aforementioned researchers. Currently, the University of Texas is conducting studies of Iasis MCN in depression and anxiety, dementia, and substance abuse. Stay tuned for those results!
