Interesting bit of biofeedback technology

[mithriltabby]

(Discovered this in IEEE Spectrum.) The StressEraser is a specialized biofeedback device that monitors the activity of your vagus nerve by its effects on your pulse rate. It’s down to $299 from the $399 reported in the article, but that’s still a bit pricy. I’m curious as to how the use of this widget relates to traditional meditation techniques...

Comments

[abditus.livejournal.com]

Back in Santa Barbara there was a heath fair and a therapist was there with a biofeedback device -- a lot more clunky and less fancy looking than the one in the link. I got her card and started taking sessions with her where I learned to control how stressed/relaxed I was. It was like a nice guided meditation because you got feedback if you were "doing it wrong" and really teaches you to focus as well as read you own body. Over the years I've periodically searched for a similar device, but the ones like she had ran about a $1000+. Hmm, now you've got my interest. I wonder how this one compares.

[mithriltabby]

Someone really needs to open up a gadget showroom where people can try out all these expensive toys to determine if they’re worth buying...

[devonapple.livejournal.com]

I thought they had... is it not The Sharper Image?

[mithriltabby]

No, they’re about tech-as-status-symbol, not tech-as-useful-innovation. I’ve never seen the Sharper Image having an array of exotic ergonomic keyboards to try out, for instance.

[devonapple.livejournal.com]

An excellent distinction.