FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of having the Advanced Biofeedback Brainwave Training?

This link will redirect you to our pricing page: www.biocybernaut.com/pricing.htm

What is Alpha?

Alpha brain waves are associated with creativity, calmness, insight and centered energy. They occur at frequencies around 10 cycles per second (Hertz, Hz). They range from 8 to 13 Hz.

What are brain waves?

These are cascades of neural signals internal to the brain. They are revealed by variations in the electrical field of the brain. The field variations can be sensed by electrodes placed on the scalp. Brain waves were discovered by Hans Berger in 1908 and published in 1929. They are measured with EEGs (Electroencephalographs).

What does EEG stand for?

This is an acronym for Electroencephalograph.

What are Electroencephalographs?

These are recordings ("graphs") of electrical signals ("electro") from the brain ("encephalo").

How are Alpha Brain Waves detected?

They are recorded by EEG with sensor electrodes on the person's head. These electrodes do not send any electricity to the person. They only receive electrical signals naturally generated by the brain so that Biocybernaut's systems can measure and analyse the brain waves.

What is biofeedback?

Biofeedback gives a person indications of the level of some biological parameter by feeding back a tone or music or a meter reading or a computer display.

What is biofeedback training?

This occurs when a person receives feedback of a biological parameter and is able to consciously and unconsciously employ strategies to increase or suppress the level of the parameter. Neurofeedback training is a specialized kind of biofeedback training.

What is neurofeedback?

The Biocybernaut Institute uses musical sounds to feedback the level of Alpha brain waves being produced by the trainee in real time. We also show scores on a computer screen in between training epochs (every two minutes).

How does biofeedback training (neurofeedback) work at Biocybernaut Institute?

The first level of training is a seven day intensive training combining sessions of real-time feedback of Alpha with post session debriefing, mood scale analysis, data analysis, and discussion. Biofeedback works because the trainee is able to experiment with strategies for increasing Alpha brain waves and automatically select those which are working well.

How is Biocybernaut training superior to other systems?

Biocybernaut training is better than other systems in some or all of more than 16 aspects, listed on another page. The main reason for this is that they do not have Dr. Hardt's more than 30 years of scientific research in the field of Brain Wave Neurofeedback Training.

Is Biocybernaut training natural?

Yes. All the inputs and outputs to and from your brain during training are entirely natural. They include the brain waves your brain naturally produces and musical tones that you are naturally used to hearing. The Biocybernaut Institute uses advanced technology to analyze the brain waves and synthesize appropriate musical tones. The process is entirely non-invasive. Unlike the use of drugs, it is chemically non-invasive too.

What are the benefits of Biocybernaut training?

Our studies show that beyond effectively enhancing brain wave skills, our trainings increase calmness, creativity, intelligence, and performance in many trainees, as well as personal breakthroughs and transcendant experiences.

Do I have to shave my head?

No. Not unless you feel happier shaven. The electrodes are placed amongst the hairs and held in place by a water washable paste. A gel is placed underneath the electrode to increase the sensitivity of the measurement of the signals. If a trainee has baldness or is shaven headed, the electrodes are held in place with paper or tape.

Is biofeedback dangerous psychologically?

Not at all. The good news is that you only get as much feedback as you can handle. The bad news is that is all you get. :) Feel free to consult health professionals. They will tell you there is no danger from brain wave feedback, though some may be skeptical about the benefits if they have only heard about inferior systems and not the scientific studies done by the Biocybernaut Institute.

Will My Belief System be Shaken?

Not especially. Biocybernaut training is very flexible and accomodates itself to a vast range of belief systems. Your mind does all the work. Trust your mind. The good news is that you get only the experiences you can handle. Unfortunately, that is as much as you get. ;{) Your insights will be your own and will assist you in growing.

Is Biocybernaut training therapy?

No. Biocybernaut trainers are certified Biofeedback practitioners but are not therapists. Biocybernaut training works well with whatever psychotherapy or drug therapy you may be using, though some drugs reduce Alpha brain wave production. Always consult a medical professional before changing a drug therapy or psycho-therapy program.

Is biofeedback electrically dangerous?

There is no electrical danger because the electrodes are sensory only (measurement only). No electricity is sent to the brain. The feedback you receive is non-electrical because it is in the form of sound waves and scores shown visually on a computer screen. Your brain naturally generates all the electricity that enters or leaves your body during biofeedback. The electrical signals generated by your brain are in the sub microvolt to low millivolt range, hundreds and millions of times smaller than the volts in a battery for a child's toy. The electrical currents are similarly small and entirely natural.

Is Biocybernaut training dangerous for epileptics?

There is no danger for epileptics. We do not use any entrainment modalities in our trainings. If you do suffer from epilepsy, you will have opportunity to disclose it to use before beginning training. You are free to consult a medical professional about your condition. In all our trainings, no person has suffered a seizure or a fit.

How can the Biocybernaut Institute sense the tiny electrical signals generated by the brain?

We use technology developed over thirty years. We have specially constructed amplifiers and unique filters to process and extract the signals for our feedback system, that are state of the art and have unmatched specifications.

Are Alpha brain waves the only kind of brain waves?

There are also Beta, Delta, and Theta brain waves.

What is Beta?

Beta brain waves are the fastest at 13 to 40 Hz and are usually associated with attention and concentration.

What is Delta?

Delta brain waves are associated with unconscious states of mind such as sleep and coma.

What is Theta?

Theta brain waves are often characteristic of a drowsy state of mind, but are also associated with some mystical states of mind, especially when they combine with slow Alpha.

Can a visually impaired or blind person be trained by the Biocybernaut system?

Yes. The primary and most important feedback is musical tones that the trainee hears. Secondary feedback is provided by visual scores and we can make special arrangements to have someone read aloud the visual feedback.

What preparations should I make for the training?

Eat like a king for breakfast, and a pauper for dinner, abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, sleep well, and don't plan on doing much else besides being in session at Biocybernaut training. There is more on the Preparations page.

What's the night life like in Santa Clara?

Quiet. The Bay Area in general shakes, rattles, roars, howls, laughs, and hums. However, don't plan on doing much else besides being in session at Biocybernaut training. Training is intense (8 to 12 hours a day). After Biocybernaut training you might enjoy many of the San Francisco Bay Area's attractions from a new perspective.

What other kinds of training does the Biocybernaut Institute offer?

We provide training for Advanced Alpha, Shared Alpha Biofeedback, and Theta as some of our more than a dozen advanced trainings.

What are Hertz (Hz)?  

Hertz is a measure of frequency or cycles per second, abbreviated Hz, named after Heinrich Hertz of Germany who did pioneering work in electromagnetism and perception in the 1800's. Hertz is also a measure of vibrations per second and repeated actions that do not necessarily "cycle".