CSF Flow || Length: 30 or 45 minutes
CSF Flow
|| Length: 30 or 45 minutes (Two versions of each length)
|| Purpose: Brain health - Stimulation of Cerebrospinal fluid movement, cerebral blood flow, neural cleansing, nutrient distribution.
|| Frequencies: Session dependent. Gamma (associated with neural cleansing and cognitive health), SMR (associated with balanced mood, sleep and mental clarity) and Theta (associated with meditative relaxation, recovery and enhanced brain blood flow).
Music composed by Matias Lujan
[Interesting side note: When I first read the research supporting these sessions, I wondered what music could go well with them. Matias had sent me a track a couple of months earlier that was unused. And when I listened to it, I was surprised to find that it has a repeating pattern in the music that exactly matched the timing that the research had shown was most effective. That's synchronicity in action. Almost like it was meant to be.]
Photic Pulsing
These sessions use protocols from recent research that shows that specific uses of photic pulsing increases the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal column. It also takes advantage of existing research that shows certain frequencies increase blood flow in the brain. And ongoing research into neural detoxing with Gamma frequencies. Isochronic tones have been added to the music to match the photic pulsing and non-pulsing sections of these sessions.
These protocols involve on and off periods of flicker effect and audio tones. So be prepared for a very different type of experience.
The Importance Of Hydration
Because these sessions stimulate a type of detox effect and increased fluid flow, it is highly recommended to drink water before and after the sessions. Better still would be to add a little sugar free electrolyte mix to the water (Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium). Water hydration is of course a good practice with ANY session, but particularly useful for these sessions.
The Four Sessions
There are four versions of session. Two of them are entrainment based and two are Cyberdelic in nature. All of them have the first two pulsed sections seperated by a non-pulsed Theta section. And all end with either non-pulsed SMR or non-pulsed Gamma. The specific sections within each session are listed here:
CSF Flow 1 SMR (30 min) [2 pulsed SMR, 1 non-pulsed Theta, 1 non-pulsed SMR]
CSF Flow++ 1 Cyber SMR (30 min) [2 pulsed Cyberdelic, 1 non-pulsed Theta, 1 non-pulsed SMR]
CSF Flow 2 SMR Gamma (45 min) [2 pulsed SMR, 1 non-pulsed Theta, 1 pulsed Gamma, 1 non-pulsed Gamma]
CSF Flow++ 2 Cyber Gamma (45 min) [2 pulsed Cyberdelic, 1 non-pulsed Theta, 1 pulsed Gamma, 1 non-pulsed Gamma]
Suggested Session Use
The main obvious difference between the two lengths of session, is that the longer sessions contain an addition of 20 minutes of Gamma at the end. And therefore takes advantage of existing research around the use of this frequency for cognitive health. The shorter sessions have more time in SMR which has associations with mental balance and clarity.
The Cyberdelic versions take advantage of one aspect of the research that is less obvious. And also as a result have more visual effects which some people will find more engaging and enjoyable. These cyberdelic versions may not be for everyone though. And the suggestion would be to start with the non-cyberdelic sessions. And for some people this will be the best place to stay and there will be no need for using the cyberdelic ones.
Remember to hydrate well before and after these sessions. And of course, make sure anyone using them has no underlying medical or health conditions as per the safety/consent form. If in doubt, consult with a doctor before using any session.
There are other ways for people to stimulate CSF flow like deep breathing and exercise. So treat these sessions as an additional tool rather than a replacement for overall health. And like with any session, if there is any discomfort associated with their use, then consider that these sessions may not be suitable for you/them.
The Roles Of Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF has several important known functions, including protection, waste removal, nutrient transport, chemical environment regulation, and buoyancy. There is also research to suggest that CSF acts as a form of communication. Many parts of the brain are bathed in CSF including the Pineal gland.
Protection
CSF acts as a shock absorber, protecting the brain from damage during head trauma or movement. It cushions the brain against the skull and reduces the force of impact.
Waste Removal:
CSF helps remove metabolic waste products from the brain and spinal cord, ensuring the brain functions optimally.
These waste products are then absorbed and excreted from the body.
Nutrient and Hormone Transport:
CSF serves as a medium for transporting nutrients, hormones, and other essential substances to the brain and spinal cord. This transport is crucial for the normal functioning of the nervous system.
Regulation of Chemical Environment:
CSF helps maintain a stable chemical environment within the brain, including pH, electrolytes, and glucose levels. This is essential for proper neuronal function and brain health.
Buoyancy:
CSF provides buoyancy to the brain, reducing its apparent weight by about 90%. This allows the brain to function without being crushed by its own weight.
Electrical Activity In Csf Fluid
There is an electrical potential difference across the membrane of the choroid plexus epithelial cells, which drives the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This electrical gradient, along with osmotic forces, pulls sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate ions from the plasma into the CSF, creating the CSF's electrical conductivity.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that a 5-mV lumen-positive voltage potential exists across the choroid plexus epithelial cell membranes. This electrical potential difference drives the movement of ions across the cell membrane and the increased concentration of ions in the CSF creates an osmotic gradient, which draws water into the CSF from the plasma.The high concentration of ions in the CSF gives it a significant electrical conductivity.
Csf As A Form Of Communication
This electrical activity has given rise to research that suggests that CSF acts as a channel of communication throughout the brain and body. And that it acts as a signaling pathway, carrying signals and nutrients from the brain to the spinal cord and potentially beyond.
Recent research has shown that CSF can carry signals and molecules beyond its traditional role as a drainage system.
This includes signaling molecules that can affect behavior, such as the GnRH system, and hormones like melatonin.
CSF circulates through the brain's ventricles (including the Pineal Gland), around the brain and spinal cord, and even into the perivascular spaces surrounding blood vessels and nerves. This allows it to reach various parts of the central nervous system and potentially beyond. While research is ongoing, some studies suggest that CSF can travel to distant parts of the body via nerves, potentially enabling the delivery of signals, nutrients, or even drugs to various locations.