An Examination of the Roxiva Stroboscopic Lamp on Quantitative EEG

This case study was designed to examine brainwave changes resulting from a 30-minute stroboscopic light session using the Roxiva lamp. The subject was a 72-year-old, Caucasian male. The light session was chosen as an intervention to support self-hypnosis. Because this was the client’s first exposure to stroboscopic light, it was decided to simply encourage a relaxed attitude without any additional instructions aside from enjoying the session.

Roxiva Stroboscopic Light

Roxiva uses stroboscopic white light combined with sound for brainwave entrainment to support relaxation, meditative journeys, and psychedelic experiences without the use of medicines. The specific protocol used in this study was titled Hypnagogic Surfing. This was a 30-minute session designed for “transition trance state, hypnagogic effects, deeply relaxing, inspiration and problem-solving state.” The frequencies of the light stimulation began at 8 Hz and finished around 6 Hz, in the theta brainwave range.

Procedure

The subject was fitted with a 19-channel electrocap. Impedence levels were monitored and kept below 10 kOhms. Baseline EEG recordings were obtained in an eyes closed, reclined position using a BrainMaster Discovery EEG system.  Following the baseline data collection, the Roxiva lamp was positioned approximately 4 feet from the face and the participant was fitted with ear covering headphones to listen to the accompanying audio. EEG was recorded continuously during the Roxiva light and sound session. Immediately following the session, a post-meditation EEG was recorded.

The primary concern of this case study was to determine if the Roxiva light experience resulted in brainwave patterns consistent with a hypnotic state. After transforming the Pre-session EEG into a reference database, this data was compared to the EEG data collected during the Roxiva session. These analyses provided z-scores of change for all band waves (e.g., alpha, theta, beta, etc.) in 84 regions of interest. Based on previous research (Collura, 2017), any z-scores greater than .8 was considered significant.

Pre – During Roxiva Analysis

The 3D brain images displayed below show changes in the brain occurring during the Roxiva session. Cooler colors (blues) indicate that the activity decreased whereas brighter colors (yellow, orange, red) indicate that activity increased. Dark blue shading indicates areas that decreased by at least .8 z-scores. Red and Gray areas indicate areas that increased by at least .8 z-scores. Green areas did not change significantly. Note: The changes in gamma were so dramatic, the z score range was expanded from 1.3 to -1.3 z scores.

Fig. 1 Brainwave changes across the 6 primary EEG bands occurring in response to Roxiva session

These images allow us to examine overall patterns. When examined this way, we notice that the delta decreased significantly in the left hemisphere while theta increased in the right hemisphere. There were minimal changes in alpha, beta, and high beta, and a dramatic increase of global gamma activity. As noted above, the scale for gamma had to be increased from +/- .8 to +/-1.3 z scores.

Because this top-down view makes it difficult to see specific activity in temporal and occipital regions, the 3D brain image was reoriented to focus on the very back of the brain (Occipital lobe). From this orientation, it is clear that there was an increase of delta activity and a significant increase of theta activity during the Roxiva session.

Fig. 2. Brainwave change highlights in Occipital Lobes in response to Roxiva session

 These results suggest an interesting pattern. Typically, slow wave activity (e.g., theta) is viewed as “deactivating” while fast activity (e.g., gamma) is viewed as activating. However, in some states of consciousness these two brainwave patterns occur together in something called co-modulation. Theta and gamma co-modulation has been observed during memory states as well as the management of multi-item messages. Framed another way, it may be a process where the brain is processing and organizing complex information. Other research has suggested that theta and gamma oscillations may work together to facilitate hypnotic states (see Jensen, et al., 2015).

In addition, it is interesting and potentially important that the theta increases were predominately observed in the occipital lobe, suggesting a shift in visual processing. Given that the lights were strobing between 6 and 8 cycles per second, this response makes sense and provides evidence that the lights were, in fact, entraining that particular frequency. In addition to memory, theta increases have also been associated with accessing the subconscious and deep states of meditation.

The global increase in gamma is interesting in that this was not by design (of the specific protocol). It is possible that intense light stimulation (of any frequency) may result in this type of activation or these increases in gamma could be specific to the state of consciousness. Specifically, increases in gamma activity have been observed in certain meditative states (Lutz, 2004; Braboszcz, 2017), during lucid dreaming (Voss, 2009; 2014), and in psychedelic states (Stuckey, 2005; Don, et al., 1998; Riba, et al., 2002).

Either way, it is a potentially important finding as gamma stimulation has recently been found to be effective in protecting against cognitive decline and potentially improving certain cognitive functions (see Monteiro, et al., 2022).

Conclusions:

The results from this single person case study suggest that the Roxiva stroboscopic light can entrain brainwaves based on the frequency of the light flicker. In this case, the identified frequency was within the theta brainwave band which increased significantly in Occipital regions of the brain which are predominately involved in visual processing and also the area of the brain to be more influenced by light stimulation. This suggests that the Roxiva light can be an effective tool for inducing specific states of consciousness, including hypnosis or deep state meditation. These effects are likely to be increased if the light is used in conjunction with specific intention setting, meditative techniques, or guidance.

In addition, the unexpected global increase of gamma suggests there may be additional impacts/benefits of this light stimulation. This would not be unexpected as research with other forms of light stimulation have found that it can increase cerebral blood flow, increase neurotransmitter production, and even assist in the brain in removing waste through the glymphatic system (Williams, et al., 2023).

Future studies should explore brainwave patterns during other Roxiva sessions (designed to entrain other frequencies, or combinations of frequencies). In addition, it may be useful to specifically examine subjects who have more experience with meditation and altered states of consciousness. Further, it may be valuable to examine subjective responses to these sessions as well as the longer-term impact on cognitive, emotional, and psychological functioning. It is also recommended that mental health therapists trained in this process explore its use as a possible therapeutic technique to help clients move through defenses or plateaus in their psychological work.

References:

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Monteiro, F., Carvalho, Ó., Sousa, N., Silva, F. S., & Sotiropoulos, I. (2022). Photobiomodulation and visual stimulation against cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease pathology: A systematic review. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 8(1), e12249.

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