Links for electrosleep (CES) research

"Tools and Techniques for Mental Fitness " website (for a US manufacturer of CES devices in Valley Forge PA) . Many items sold relating to very many differing topics, relaxation being the theme.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)

What does CES feel like?

Applied through electrodes to the area between the mastoids and the jaw, the sensation felt by the individual is normally one of relaxation.

Can I use it while I sleep?

If there is high stress or anxiety just prior to treatment, the individual may go to sleep while using CES, particularly if in a reclining chair or bed. Sleep at the time of application is not required to benefit from CES, although individuals frequently report an improvement in the quality of their night time sleep.

How does CES work?

As with a number of medicines, the mechanism of action (how it works) of CES is not fully understood. Research has led to the hypothesis that it has a mild effect on the hypothalmic area of the brain. Researchers also have noticed rapid increases in serotonin, also associated with relaxation and calmness, and decreases in cortisol, one of the primary stress-related biochemicals. Interestingly, CES also increases levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, both associated with alertness and feelings of pleasure. This may be why so many CES users report feeling both relaxed and alert.

What is CES used for?

CES was originally developed in the Soviet Union in 1949, it's primary focus being the treatment of sleep disorders, hence it's initial designation as "electrosleep." Treatment of insomnia, however, has been overshadowed by psychiatric application for depression and anxiety.

Is CES dangerous?

No negative effects or major contraindications have been found from the use of CES to date, either in the US or other parts of the world.

Bibliography (many entries)

Magnon device from Ekaterinberg, Russia
Number one on Google search Nov 29 2006
Posted at http://www.magnon.ru/rm6e.htm

New Apparatus of Dynamic Electroseleep "Magnon DES-01".
Integration of Dynamic Electrosleep and Drugs.

V.Y Gulyaev, V.A. Matveyev, I.E. Oranski
"Magnon", USMA, Ekaterinburg, Russia
International congress. Balneology. Physiotherapy. Rehabilitation medicine of XXI century. Perm, Russia, January 19-21, 2000.

   The new apparatus of electrosleep and central analgesia "Magnon-DES-01" is designed and produced. The fundamental difference of the given model from traditional sources used for electrocerebral therapy and electrosleep and also from offered by us before apparatus of bioelectrosleep ("Elson", "Adapton-SLEEP") consists that complex modulatad electrical current, close under the shape to signals of EEG, applies on subcortical and (or) cortical departments of a brain according to the data of current EEG of the patient and phases of natural sleep known and described by neurophysiologists. The procedures thus can be carried out immediately from the apparatus with beforehand given manually parameters, or in "linkage" with a computer program with given in particular frequency and time limits phases of natural sleep. It is possible also usage of small doses of tranquilizing or anesthetizing remedies. The selection of frequency parameters during the procedure will not be carried out, that considerably facilitates operation of medical staff.

Article goes on to describe frequencies and durations of exposure, clinical results.
Home page: http://www.magnon.ru/english.html

The National Library of Medicine records a study in 1980 that compared electrosleep with relaxation techniques and dismissed electrosleep. Before that, Frankel Buchbinder and Snyder weighed in with "Ineffectiveness of electrosleep in chronic primary insomnia". From the Archives of General Psychiatry. Its a download. I didn`t read it.
http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/citation/29/4/563

Alpha Stim site

A dense presentation of material is offered by Alpha Stim technology. Pages posted are on a company website and taken from a book Bioelectronic Medicine by Paul J Rosch and Marko Markov. Alpha Stim is a Texas outfit from Daniel L. Kirsch and Ray B Smith.
http://alpha-stim.com

Also:

The Bakken Library and Museum shows an Electrosleep Machine c.1955
http://www.thebakken.org/artifacts/database/artifact.asp?type=category&category=E3&id=1920

The American Journal of Psychiatry favors us with an article from 1970
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/127/4/533

An interesting short history is provided by Rife Technology
http://www.holman.net/rife/Other_Devices/other_devices.html

Apparently from Dream Mask, a page with a lot of content in a readable format. Features the NeuroTrek Digital Pro, billed as the Ultimate in CES. Introduction and overview, bibliography, some technical information and brain chat.
http://wellness-tools.stores.yahoo.net/antiaging.html