Can you imagine putting a device on your head before bed that allows you to control your dreams? This futuristic headband, currently under development by American technology startup Prophetic, promises to do just that.
Set to be released in 2025, Halo is designed to make dreams more lucid, meaning dreams in which you are aware that you are dreaming. These dreams can be controlled in some cases, potentially providing practical benefits in waking life, such as problem-solving, virtual travel, or skill practice.
While lucid dreams can happen spontaneously, about half of the population can expect to have at least one in their lifetime. The Halo headband aims to leverage these experiences for real-life benefits using the latest technology.
The Halo team collected brain data from volunteers having lucid dreams using EEG and fMRI technology. This information is then used to develop a mechanism for inducing, maintaining, and influencing lucid dreaming using transcranial focused ultrasound (TUS) technology, which is transmitted through the headband. TUS uses high-frequency sound rather than magnetic fields or electric current, offering improved anatomical precision and the ability to reach deep areas of the brain.
Research shows that electrical or sound stimulation can increase brain activity, particularly during sleep, resulting in more frequent lucid dreams. Professor Mark Blagrove, a sleep scientist, states that sound stimulation may induce high-frequency brain activity linked to dream clarity.
Despite the potential benefits, there are some concerns about the long-term effects and interference with the purpose of dreaming. The Halo headband is expected to cost up to £1,575 ($2,000) and may not be suitable for everyone. There are other techniques for inducing lucid dreams, such as sound pairing and self-awareness training, that do not require advanced technology like the Halo headband.
About our experts
Professor Mark Blagrove is a sleep and dream researcher based at the Swansea University Sleep Research Institute. He is involved in various sleep and dream research work and is a co-author of the book Science of Art and Dreams as well as having contributed to several psychology and dream publications.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
