How Sensate Works

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How Sensate Works

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

How Sensate Works

By Stefan Chmelik

 

Who are we

BioSelf Technology is defining the emerging field of non-invasive soundwave-based neural-therapeutics. We call this new therapy SomacousticsTM. This highlights the somatic impact of aural and acoustic therapeutic intervention. In this new and evolving field, BioSelf Technology is pioneering the use of non-mass consensus methods, integrated with scientifically validated concepts from current medical practices.


What do we do - Sensate

The Sensate® technology uses sound only, synchronized as a single composition across the audible (heard via the Sensate App) and subaudible (felt, infrasonic, via the Sensate device) frequency range. Sensate® is a non-electrical, soundwave-based ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) balancing platform designed to increase the relaxation response and has been shown to affect biomarkers known to regulate vagal-nerve tone, such as personal wellbeing, sleep duration, feelings of stress and HRV (Heart Rate Variability).(Sensate-Maastricht Study, TM Studios Research Lab in Lisbon)


Sensate does not utilize:

  • Electrical stimulation (TCNS, VNS)

  • Electro-magnetic frequencies

  • Infra Red (FIR)

  • Active biofeedback

  • Biometric data collection


Sensate creates a neural signature in a very short time and without experience on the part of the user, that is measurably similar to that seen in long-term meditators.(Sensate-Maastricht Study, TM Studios Research Lab in Lisbon) Sensate uses full body sound via thoracic (chest) amplification delivered through bone conduction, as well as compressed airwave sound experienced via the ears in the way that we may typically perceive music. These Soundscapes are composed as synchronized orchestral pieces within a Hz range of very low frequency to the extent of human acoustic hearing (below 30 Hz, up to 20,000 Hz).


Sensate® Device

Sensate® (Sensate Inc/BioSelf Technology Ltd of USA/London, UK) is a non-electrical, vibrotactile device for stress management. Sensate® is one component of a complex, cross-modal (acoustic and aural) sensory experience (i.e., Sensate® Somacoustics) that supports relaxation and positive affect. The device utilizes low-frequency technology (<30 Hz) to improve the parasympathetic nervous system's (PNS) response to chronic stress. Two novel concepts of the Sensate® device are Sternal Bone Conduction and Thoracic Resonance.


The Theory Behind Sensate

Sensate works by creating an anatomical mechanical wave (Acoustic VNS - aVNS). Mechanical waves need a medium to travel through, such as air or liquid. Sound waves include audible (20 Hz-20 KHz) and subaudible (0-20 Hz, 20+ KHz) frequencies. Sound waves are pressure waves that create a physiological response, and it is believed this can also occur in the central nervous system.(Broner, 1978) Olav Skille initially suggested vibroacoustic stimulation as a therapeutic intervention in the 1959’s. Early reports suggest vibroacoustic stimulation may improve stress-induced depression, anxiety, tension, and fatigue. (Skille, 1989) These findings, along with results from Sigurdardóttir et al. (2019), may support the use of aVNS as a feasible, effective modality for individuals being treated for stress-related symptoms.

C.T. images differentiate the afferent nerve branches that innervate the vagus nerve located throughout the thoracic cavity. The resonant properties of the sternum/ribs, and of the thoracic cavity provide a mechanism for the Sensate® device, yielding a novel aVNS modality that improves PNS function (Parasympathetic Nervous System, part of the ANS). This leads to lower levels of anxiety, reduction in experiences of insomnia, and other stress-related symptoms, the reduction of which is conducive to improved well-being.(Lenhardt, 2007; Lloyd, 2022; Peng, et al. 2021; Peng, et al. 2014)

Further, according to polyvagal theory, sound interfaces with ancient reflexes to create profound changes to biosensory, bio-emotional and biophysical regulatory states. (Porges, 2023) “We can induce the body’s innate relaxation response by activating the parasympathetic branch of our nervous system via stimulation of the Vagus Nerve. Think of the Vagus nerve as the brake pedal that helps the body and mind slow down in order to counter the harmful effects of a chronic and unmanaged stress response. Vocalizations and intentional breathing by humming and chanting are actually neural exercises that stimulate specific pathways in the Vagus nerve.” (Motherhood Community) 



Novel Concepts of the Sensate Device

1- Bone conduction

The bone conduction phenomena has been recognised since the 16th Century, but almost entirely in relation to hearing.(Henry & Letowski, 2007) Sensate® is the first technology to focus on sternal (chest) bone conduction as a therapeutic modality to activate regulatory processes in the body as a whole, rather than as a replacement for auditory loss.

Bone conduction is the transmission of mechanical vibrations through bone. Bone generally conveys lower-frequency sounds more effectively than higher frequency sound, hence it is perfect for our infrasonic (low frequency) technology. High-pitched sounds cause bone segments to vibrate individually, whereas low-pitched sounds vibrate the entire bone, causing it to resonate. This affects the perception of sound, without stimulating the inner ear.

Sound waves travel more rapidly and powerfully in solids compared to air, and bone is the most dense tissue in the body. Most reptiles “hear” vibrations by means of bone conduction rather than air wave compression (i.e normal hearing through the ear).(Zug & Dowling, 2024) This is relevant to Sensate®, which is a soundwave technology using this phenomena to interface directly with the early or ‘reptilian’ brain, where the threat-perception response is initiated.


2- Thoracic resonance

Thoracic amplification is only viable on the sternum due to the nature of anatomically conducive structures, including fascia (connective tissue), which touches every part of the body.

Sensate® turns the human chest into an internal instrument specific to each user's thoracic and visceral (internal organ) anatomy. When an  instrument vibrates at its resonance frequency, vibration is transferred to the hollow space within the acoustic chamber. The column of air within the thoracic cavity vibrates, turning the chest into a resonance chamber. Research has shown that thoracic engagement and amplification is an integral part of meditation mantras and religious chanting, and early-stage research has validated related neural correlates to these practices. In the paper entitled ‘The Neurophysiological Correlates of Religious Chanting’, Junling Gao suggests that such practices induce distinctive psychotherapeutic effects.(Gao, et al. 2019)

The body's mechanoreceptors (sensory receptors that respond to pressure) can respond to a broad frequency of sound vibrations.(Persinger, 2013) One of the most sensitive mechanoreceptors to sound vibrations are Pacinian corpuscles, located throughout the body, below the skin, in joint spaces, the thoracic cavity, and organs.(Iheanacho & Vellipuram, 2021) When vibratory pressure is detected, a signal is sent along the sensory nerve and is carried to the brain.(Purves et al. 2001(b); Sigurdardóttir, et al. 2019) The mechanism is likely a result of acoustic resonance (fluid, organs, and cavities) within the body.(Persinger, 2013) It is theorized that the amplified sound wave directly influences the vagus nerve's sub-branches.(McDoniel & Chmelik, 2022)


Final Takeaway

The Sensate system provides a non-invasive, effective and easy to use solution for the modern problem of stress related symptoms. The novel approach delivers broad-spectrum sound to the whole system, body and ears, and creates a profound neural response otherwise generally only observed in long-term meditators. Sensate has applications for personal use and by clinicians working with people suffering from mental wellbeing issues, where it has the potential to significantly reduce stress symptoms and increase personal perception of wellbeing.


 

Sensately yours, 

Stefan




Stefan Chmelik is co-founder of and inventor of the Sensate stress reduction system, which is based on his over three decades of clinical experience working with anxiety, stress and trauma. His mission is now the company's mission - to positively impact the lives of 100 million people by 2025.

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References:

 

Broner, N. (1978), ‘The Effects of Low Frequency Noise on People—A Review’, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol.58, No.4, pp.483-500. DOI: 10.1016/S0022-460X(78)80036-0.


Gao, J.; Leung, H.K.; Wu, B.W.Y; et. al, (March, 2019), ‘The Neurophysiological Correlates of Religious Chanting’, Scientific Reports, Vol.9, No.4262, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40200-w.


Henry, P. and Letowski, T. R. (May, 2007), ‘Bone Conduction: Anatomy, Physiology and Communication’, Army Research Laboratory: Maryland. 


Iheanacho, F. and Vellipuram, A. R. (September, 2021), ‘Physiology, Mechanoreceptors.’, StatPearls [Internet], Treasure Island, Florida, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541068/ .


Lenhardt, M. L., Shulman, A., and Goldstein, B. A. (2007), ‘Bone-conduction propagation in the human body: implications for high-frequency therapy’, The International Tinnitus Journal, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 81–86.


Lloyd, B. A. (2022), ‘Database of Tissue Properties: Speed of Sound’, The Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society, https://itis.swiss/virtual-population/tissue-properties/database/acoustic-properties/speed-of-sound/ . 


McDoniel, S. and Chmelik, S. (April, 2022), ‘Sensate® Somacoustics: A New Wave for Stress Management’, From Research Gate: DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.35760.23046.


Motherhood Community (March, 2024), ‘What Chanting & A Mantra Meditation Practices can do to your Brain - According to fMRI Scans’, https://motherhoodcommunity.com/this-is-what-mantra-meditation-practice-chanting-can-do-to-your-brain-according-to-fmri-scans/. 


Peng, Y., Dai, Z., Mansy, H. A., Sandler, R. H., Balk, R. A., & Royston, T. J. (2014), ‘Sound transmission in the chest under surface excitation: an experimental and computational study with diagnostic applications’, Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, Vol.52, No.8, pp.695-706. 

Peng, D., Tong, W., Collins, D. J., Ibbotson, M. R., Prawer, S., & Stamp, M. (January, 2021), ‘Mechanisms and Applications of Neuromodulation Using Surface Acoustic Waves-A Mini-Review’, Frontiers in Neuroscience, Vol.15, 629056. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.629056. 

Persinger, M. A. (2013), ‘Infrasound, human health, and adaptation: an integrative overview of recondite hazards in a complex environment’, Natural Hazards (Dordrecht), Vol.70, No.1, pp.501-525.

Porges, S. W. (November, 2023), ‘The vagal paradox: A polyvagal solution’, Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, Vol.16, 100200.

Purves, D.; Augustine, G. J.; Fitzpatrick, D.; et al. (2001b), ‘Mechanoreceptors Specialized to Receive Tactile Information’, in Neuroscience, 2nd (eds.), Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10799/.

Sigurdardóttir, G. A., Nielsen, P. M., Rønager, J., & Wang, A. G. (September, 2019), ‘A pilot study on high amplitude low frequency–music impulse stimulation as an add‐on treatment for depression’, Brain and Behavior, Vol.9, No.10, https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1399. 

Skille, O. (January, 1989), ‘VibroAcoustic Therapy’, Music Therapy, Vol.8, No.1, pp.61-77, https://doi.org/10.1093/mt/8.1.61 .

Zug, G. R. and Dowling, H. G. (June, 2024), ‘Reptile’, Encyclopedia Britannica [online], https://www.britannica.com/animal/reptile .