Recommendation for Symmetron - our experience

October 27, 2007 – 3:52 pm

I’m a clinical psychologist specializing in the field of applied psychophysiology–the mind/body self-regulation of bio and neurofeedback. We’ve had the Symmetron for six months. With it we also utilize a light and sound system combined with nice tonal music as Larry suggests. Everyone who’s tried our Symmetron has gone into a significant parasympathetic response. From my years of specializing in relaxation therapies I haven’t seen a quicker or better way to get someone into parasympathetic than the Symmetron. I believe, however, that the safe and supportive psychological set up is still important (as always). There are a small number of people who responded just as well to soft massage or deep hypnosis but the Symmetron is quick, automated, and more universal. If there is an automated process which is more universal, or more effective, I’d like to hear about it. Only once did I hear of someone who found the experience negative - a woman with some type of head injury jumped up saying she just couldn’t handle the motion. I’m not sure what her issues were but this will be rare. Some people, of course, find light & sound uncomfortable. On these music works just as well. Not one of our trial people wanted to get up from the chair after the session was over. This was actually a slight (but pleasant) problem. Most people express they have never experienced a state so deep. Everyone reported mental clarity and quietness. Most say they were not sleeping but were in that theta/alpha dominate window. A few reported they were less deep but then said they were still more relaxed than they thought possible. The main limitation, of course, is the size and cost - making it difficult for home utilization. Almost everyone wanted to take it home.
Matthew Kelley Ph.D.

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