If you’ve been struggling with energy levels or sleep quality (and honestly, who hasn’t?), there’s an innovative wearable that’s catching the attention of wellness enthusiasts and sleep experts alike. Enter AYO, a sleek, light-therapy device that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie but promises very down-to-earth benefits for your circadian rhythm.

Unlike your typical fitness tracker, AYO takes a unique approach by focusing on light therapy. The device sits on your face like a pair of glasses, delivering carefully calibrated blue light to help regulate your body’s internal clock. Think of it as a personal sunrise simulator that you can wear anywhere.

What sets AYO apart is its sophisticated understanding of chronobiology – the science of our body’s natural rhythms. The companion app creates a personalized schedule based on your sleep patterns, travel plans, and daily routine. Whether you’re fighting jet lag, struggling with seasonal blues, or just trying to reset your sleep schedule after too many late-night Netflix binges, AYO has you covered.

The Science Behind the Specs

The device works by emitting specific wavelengths of blue light that signal to your brain it’s time to be alert. By wearing AYO for 5-60 minutes during your biological morning (which the app helps you determine), you’re essentially giving your body clock a gentle but effective nudge in the right direction.

The App: Your Personal Circadian Coach

The brilliance of AYO extends far beyond the wearable itself. Its companion app serves as your personal chronobiologist, offering an impressive range of customization options tailored to your unique needs.

What truly elevates the AYO experience is the app’s remarkable versatility. Upon setup, you’ll select your primary goal – whether you’re looking to optimize sleep, combat winter blues, boost energy levels, or even enhance metabolism. The app then crafts a personalized regimen specifically calibrated to your chosen target.

The customization doesn’t stop there. The app gives you granular control over your light therapy sessions, allowing you to adjust both the intensity of the blue light and the duration of each treatment. This level of personalization ensures that even light-sensitive users can find their comfort zone while still reaping the benefits.

For those of us battling the infamous afternoon energy crash, AYO offers a game-changing solution. The app can recommend multiple daily sessions strategically timed to your body’s natural rhythm. I’ve personally found that adding an early afternoon session right after lunch has dramatically minimized my 3 PM slump – a revelation for my productivity.

Perhaps one of the most thoughtful features is the app’s caffeine guidance. It actually calculates and alerts you to when you should have your final caffeinated beverage of the day based on your sleep schedule. This small but significant detail demonstrates AYO’s holistic approach to circadian health.

My Experience

After wearing AYO for several weeks, I noticed subtle but meaningful changes in my energy patterns. The morning light sessions helped me feel more alert without the jittery side effects of my usual triple-shot espresso. Following the app’s suggestion to add that second session after lunch has been transformative for my afternoon productivity – no more mid-afternoon energy crashes that once had me reaching for sugary snacks or extra coffee.

The most surprising benefit? I found myself naturally winding down earlier in the evening, making those precious eight hours of sleep actually achievable. And by following the app’s recommendation about timing my last cup of coffee, I’ve found myself falling asleep more easily and waking feeling genuinely refreshed.

The Aesthetic Factor

Let’s address the elephant in the room – yes, you’ll look a bit like you’re about to pilot a spaceship while wearing AYO. But the design is surprisingly minimal and lightweight. The device is compact enough to toss in your bag, making it perfect for travel or mid-day energy slumps at the office.

The Bottom Line

While AYO isn’t a miracle cure for all sleep woes, it’s an intriguing option for anyone looking to optimize their circadian rhythm through natural means. The investment might seem steep, but when you consider the cost of daily premium coffees or sleep supplements, the long-term value becomes clear.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of AYO:

• Consistency is key – use it at the same time each day
• Follow the app’s personalized schedule
• Don’t hesitate to experiment with the intensity settings until you find your sweet spot
• Try the multi-session approach if you struggle with afternoon energy dips
• Take advantage of the caffeine timing recommendations
• Combine with good sleep hygiene practices
• Keep the device charged

Would I recommend it? For those serious about optimizing their sleep-wake cycle and willing to commit to a new routine, AYO offers a science-backed approach that goes beyond traditional sleep tracking. The sophisticated app makes this more than just a light device – it’s a comprehensive circadian health system. Just remember – while the technology is impressive, it works best as part of a holistic approach to wellness that includes proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management.

Sweet dreams and bright mornings, beauties!

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I am going to introduce you to some innovative sleep technology with my MOONA Cooling Pillow Pad review. Sleep makes up nearly a third of our lives, and it has a huge impact on the other two thirds of our lives.  Good sleep is the foundational pillar of good health and optimal functioning, but during this unprecedented time of a global pandemic, stress levels are at an all-time high, and many people are struggling to wind down sufficiently to get the restorative rest so vital to ongoing health, optimal immunity, and general wellbeing. Like so many people, I have wanted a safe, non-habit-forming way to improve my sleep, so I was delighted to discover and get to review MOONA, the Precision Cooling Pillow Pad.  MOONA uses a bedside device, pillow pad, and sophisticated app to help regulate temperature around the head and neck area to help the user fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake up naturally and gently.

Cooler temperatures, especially around the head and neck (where much thermic exchange occurs), facilitate falling asleep and getting deeper sleep, whereas a warmer temperature will help wake a person up in the morning.  To see some of the cutting-edge scientific literature supporting this, click here.  MOONA helps improve sleep by providing personalized temperature regulation customized to the user, delivering cool temperatures to the pillow pad throughout the night to facilitate and deepen sleep, and then gradually increasing the temperature to help the user wake up at a scheduled time in the morning.  The result is both better rest and a less groggy awakening in the morning.

The setup for MOONA is easy and intuitive, and the app and device work flawlessly together.  On the app, your Temperature Profile is divided into three phases:  Fall Asleep, Night, and Wake Up.  The app will recommend an ideal Temperature Profile based on a few questions you answer during setup, but you can easily adjust any of the recommended settings yourself as well if you have a different preference.  After each night, the MOONA app asks you to answer a few basic questions about how you slept and how well MOONA worked for you (e.g., was it too cold, too hot).  MOONA uses your input over time to further personalize your temperature profile through a machine learning algorithm, which means that your temperature profile gets automatically optimized with your feedback.  The cooling and heating of the pillow pad is done through water circulating in thin silicone tubing inside the pillow pad; the bedside device is what cools or warms up the water, which then diffuses into the pillow before cycling back to the beside device to be cooled or warmed again, providing gentle temperature regulation.  This design is nice because there is minimal activity going on beneath your head (e.g., just a quiet flow of liquid in through the tubing—which you cannot even feel) as you rest on the pillow pad.

In addition to having a very sleek design and aesthetic that looks nice on a bedside table, MOONA is also well-engineered to be a great sleep device.  For example, it is extremely quiet.  If you are worried that the noise MOONA makes might disturb fragile sleep, you can rest easy, as MOONA runs at around 25-35dB, which is quieter than a whisper!  In fact, MOONA is so quiet that I initially had trouble detecting any sound at all when I turned it on, such that I wondered if it was working.  Happily, it turns out it was working perfectly, albeit very quietly; MOONA is just near silent, and this remains true even when it is set to heat or cool to the maximum settings.  I had expected it to be much louder than it is, and I am impressed by how minimally disruptive its barely-audible purr really is. Additionally, the pillow pad itself manages to control temperature while still being very thin and lightweight, such that it will neatly and easily fit into the pillowcase when placed on top of your favorite pillow, all without substantially changing the feel of the favorite pillow itself.  Altogether, the pillow pad is only 19mm (0.8in) thick.  The soft, thin pillow pad—along with the quiet operation of the device when it is working–make MOONA very unobtrusive and quite comfortable in combination with the pillow of your choice.

I found MOONA wonderfully comfortable, and it worked well with every pillow I tried. I have already raved about how quiet it is, but it is also easy to get accustomed to using. MOONA does its cooling sleep magic in a way that is almost subtle, which is important for a sleep device. Although you might expect that a chilly pillow would initially be uncomfortable and/or require a long adjustment period, I did not find this to be the case. Perhaps because MOONA strategically targets just the head and neck (rather than a cooling mattress pad, for instance), the cooling it provides is—for lack of a better word–unobtrusive. I never once woke up or had trouble falling asleep because I felt “too cold” with MOONA.  Even on its coldest settings, MOONA was comfortable. Having tried cooling mattress pads, I can tell you that those did wake me up feeling cold, and I much prefer MOONA’s strategic, targeted cooling.

Before I started using MOONA, my sleep tended to be light and broken up by many awakenings through the night. Since incorporating MOONA into my bedtime routine, I am sleeping much more soundly.  Since receiving the device, I have been tracking my sleep with an Oura ring to measure any changes.  Most of all, I was interested in changes in my Sleep Score. Oura’s Sleep Score is calculated according to multiple factors, including your total sleep time, sleep efficiency (the percentage of time you spend asleep during the night), latency (the time it takes you to fall asleep), among other metrics, so it is a good overall indicator of sleep quality. Objectively, I have seen a significant and fairly steady improvement in my overall Sleep Score as measured nightly by my Oura ring, demonstrating without a doubt that MOONA has benefitted the overall quality of my sleep. When I received MOONA in mid-February of this year, my monthly average Sleep Score was 66; with MOONA, my Sleep Score improved to an average of 77 in March and 73 in April, both showing significant improvement over my average sleep quality before MOONA. I am sleeping much better, and that in and of itself is a great benefit, but the best reward of using MOONA these last two months is that I feel better rested and more energized during the day.  MOONA has made a difference in the overall quality of my days and nights.  If you struggle with insomnia, poor sleep quality, or daytime fatigue, I highly recommend MOONA as a sleek, well-designed way to comfortably improve your sleep quality—all with none of the side effects or daytime grogginess of so many sleep aids.

In closing, I highly recommend MOONA for more restful nights and better days. If you are curious to try it for yourself, you can do so at no risk. MOONA comes with a generous 60-day trial period during which you can request a return at any point. Try MOONA and treat yourself to better sleep here.

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I am here to share my Nebula Genomics experience!  I was excited to become a Nebula Genomics affiliate because they offer Whole Genome Sequencing DNA tests that decode all 6.4 billion DNA base pairs in the human genome!  According to their site, the first whole genome sequencing ever done cost over $3 billion dollars, but today they have made the 30x Whole-Genome Sequencing service accessible for a price under $300.  Whole-Genome Sequencing reads out over 6,000,000,000 positions on your genome, and then every letter of the DNA is read an average of 30 times!  You can see why this is the gold standard for genetic testing.  Unlike many other DNA testing companies, Nebula Genomics gives you total control and ownership of your data.

When I had the opportunity to purchase a Nebula Genomics DNA Test at a discount, I jumped at the chance.  Nebula Genomics has all sorts of things to recommend it.  First, there is the fact that it uses advanced and comprehensive 30x Whole-Genome Sequencing. Second, all genomic big data is available for download (so you own your data).  Third, Nebula Genomics allows for deep genetic maternal and paternal ancestry. Fourth, Nebula Genomics offers Genome Exploration Tools, such as over 200 DNA reports, that help users understand the latest genomics, health, and wellness research as well as how it applies personally.  That is a big draw for me, because since I’m not a geneticist, I could use some assistance putting together a bigger picture with real-world implications from the minutiae.

The collection process was simple, painless, and well explained, and the collection kit comes with a pre-labeled return envelope complete with postage.   I have sent my kit off and am awaiting the results.  I am eager to see what I can learn about myself and what positive changes this knowledge may help to inspire!

The post My Nebula Genomics Experience appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

What is the story of how you decided to create NeoRhythm? What was the initial inspiration?        

Marko Kadunc (MK): Well, some things are just meant to happen, and NeoRhythm was one of them. With PEMF being one of the most user-friendly technologies, recognized by science, well tested and safe to use, we thought why not take advantage of it. Initial research showed there is still a lot of room for improvement and upgrade, and that’s when we realized for the first time, this might be a beginning of a great journey.

With technology development, IoT, and other modern solutions that are becoming more and more available on the market, it gives scientists, developers, and entrepreneurs unlimited possibilities to create solutions that could change people’s lives for the better in many ways.

As NeoRhythm CEO, how/when did you know that you and the team had a good idea?

MK: Most people believe that once the product is developed, (in our case, scientifically confirmed), tested and launched, that’s when you know. But the truth is, that’s only the beginning. We only knew our idea was good after receiving feedback from the first 3000 customers that confirmed we are on the right track. But it’s an ongoing journey, and improvement never really ends as the initial idea keeps getting upgraded.

Could you explain what Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) technology is and why you and your team at MDCN Technologies, Inc. wanted to make this specific technology widely accessible to consumers?

PEMF technology has been used in big, expensive wellness devices for decades with great success. It is used as a treatment for various medical conditions such as chronic pain, fractures and depression and has been shown as promising and safe to treat cancer in studies. It is a form of neurostimulation that encourages your brain to mimic external signals provided by the device in a non-invasive and entirely safe way. With PEMF being scientifically proven, non-invasive and FDA approved as well as safe, we thought it was the right choice to make it accessible to practically everyone.

So how does PEMF really work? If you’ve ever felt yourself sleepy while on a train ride, the repetitive chug-a-chug of the wheels lulling you to sleep, there’s a neurological reason for that. The rhythm of the wheels matches a brain wave state that encourages relaxing and sleep. Our brains take a cue from the movements of the train and mirror the rhythm. The result is that your state of mind shifts into sleep mode.

We want to bring PEMF to people to help them train their brains to work for them, not against them. They are to use it in the comfort of their own home for self-care and consequently avoid  the development of a clinical condition.

How does PEMF compare to other forms of neurostimulation such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), which uses much higher stimuli approaching neuronal firing level? How do the impacts and potential benefits of these two modalities differ?

MK: Firstly, NeoRhythm is built for a variety of purposes, unlike other rTMS (brain stimulation therapies used to treat depression) devices are, although it uses the same technology. As opposed to rTMS, we can use PEMF every day, meaning we do not need to wait for a clinical condition to appear and start treating it when too late. We all know it’s better to prevent rather than cure, and that is what NeoRhythm helps you do. It also provides brainwave entrainment, which rTMS devices don’t. There is also, of course, the price-performance ratio.

How did you and your scientific team determine an ideal intensity for the magnetic fields generated by NeoRhythm in terms of maximizing efficacy while maintaining optimal safety for a consumer device?

Well, this wasn’t hard with a team of experts and a multidisciplinary board of advisers, as well as PEMF, being so thoroughly studied, proven safe, non-invasive, and used through decades. Over the years, we have assembled an ambitious team of 15+ experts in various fields and have invited prominent experts in the areas of neuroscience and technology to work with us in various phases of development.

When you consider the potential applications of your technology for the medical and professional sphere, are there specific ailments that you would like to target, and why? Without getting into anything proprietary, how would you tweak or adjust the basic design of the consumer-targeted NeoRhythm in order to create a clinical device?  To what general degree (if any) would clinical disorders require a higher magnetic field intensity for a therapeutic response?

MK: We believe that there are three things you need in order to solve most of your problems – a good night’s sleep, being able to relax and concentrate fully. And that’s what we help people to reach with NeoRhythm. Although it is designed as a wellness device, there is a thin line between clinical and wellness.

The basic design, with some minor adaptions, is already pre-prepared for the medical up-grade to treat depression and migraines. NeoRhythm could already be the answer to some of these issues. But, all these clinical conditions deserve more attention and broader understanding of the client/patient needs, and this has to be integrated into hardware, software, and above all, into communication channels of the company. This will, of course, influence the final price, as it takes the initial NeoRhythm to a higher level.

NeoRhythm is built on the experiences of our research team, especially Bion Institute, and also on the experiences of other scientific and clinical studies. Higher magnetic field intensity is proved to be effective, especially in treating depression, but why using higher intensities, if we can achieve the same results with low-intensity solutions. All PEMF solutions should be based on the scientific/clinical studies but also be confirmed by users so there is a confirmation both by science and people, who are the users after all.

Last but not least, that core NeoRhythm advantage is brainwave entrainment, and this is one of the functionalities where NeoRhythm differs from the higher intensity solutions on the market.

Could you explain the regenerative effects seen with PEMF and what is responsible for them?

MK: There are many studies on PEMF being proven effective on tissue regeneration, but what is mentioned mostly is nerve regeneration – which is one of the main reasons to use PEMF. Nerve regeneration means that the nervous tissues, cells, and cell products are able to repair, and PEMF has been proven effective even with individuals suffering from neurological issues such as spine pain, multiple sclerosis, or even stroke, which proves its power.

What inspired you to create a neurostimulation wearable that can be positioned different ways to target specific areas of the brain? Could you tell us a little about how you determined the ideal placement and frequencies for each of your unique programs?

MK: Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental forces in the universe and is responsible for innumerable observable phenomena in everyday life. NeoRhythm harnesses its power to produce frequencies that encourage the mind to function in your preferred state, from energy and concentration to sleep to pain control and beyond. And it does so like no other device – it features five inverted coils, strategically placed across the comfortable headband, to produce harmless electromagnetic fields that emit waves in patterns that your mind seeks to imitate. Because of well-thought positioning of 5 magnetic-field-generating inverted coils, which separately and in-tune target specific areas in the brain (prefrontal cortex, temporal lobes, cerebellum, parietal lobe, occipital lobe) or spinal cord to offer the largest and most precise stimulation area on the market today.

NeoRhythm can be placed in any of the 5 predetermined stimulation positions; each one designed access directly to the right part of the brain to provoke the desired state of mind. For example, if you choose the Energy & Vitality mode, it is best to wear the headband over the prefrontal cortex region. For Pain Control, the headband should be worn in a slightly lower position, at the back of the head or even around the back of the neck, to better access the parietal and temporal lobes.

A little bit about frequencies: gamma brainwaves have the highest frequencies (30 Hz+) and are dominant in states with heightened perception. Beta brainwaves (14-30 Hz) are dominant when we are awake, and our consciousness is normally alert. Alpha brainwaves (9-13 Hz) are dominant when we are relaxed – still awake but less alert and perceptive. Theta brainwaves (4-8 Hz) are dominant when we are in a state of reduced consciousness – light and REM sleep, dreaming, or deep meditation. Delta brainwaves (less than 4 Hz) are dominant when we are in a deep sleep without awareness of our surroundings.

NeoRhythm has been carefully programmed by a team of scientists to generate specific dominant rhythm (through controlled low and medium-intensity magnetic fields that develop a minimum flux density of 2.5 gauses and a maximum of 25 gauses) that mirror the mind’s naturally-occurring wave frequencies. Each frequency matches a “state of mind” that we associate with specific activities. In this way, you can choose your preferred state of mind by selecting one of the NeoRhythm programs, and your mind will seek to match NeoRhythm’s suggestion. The intensities created have been proven effective, yet still non-invasive and safe to use.

For example, the program for sleep improvement uses the dominant frequency of 4 Hz, a magnetic flux density of 2.5 mT,  and the accompanying frequency of 2.67 Hz with a magnetic flux density of 0.25mT.

What are the most remarkable things you have learned about the power and benefit of PEMF since launching MDCN Technologies, Inc. and developing NeoRhythm?

MK: How it can truly change your life when you make other changes in it, besides using PEMF. It is incredible what kind of power our brain has over our lives, and we’re just starting to understand and take advantage of it fully. No magic pill is needed. What we need is a good night’s sleep, healthy nutrition, and an active lifestyle that will help us take full advantage of PEMF and truly change our lives for the better.

The Sleek NeoRhythm Headband

Your company is very committed to science and clinical (scientific) testing.  In addition to using scientifically-confirmed frequencies that have been widely studied and FDA-approved for medical and wellness purposes, NeoRhythm has also undergone two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to formally demonstrate its safety and effectiveness. Why is this commitment to science important to you, and what sorts of further studies are either underway or planned?

MK: Well, without being backed by science, you cannot prove it to be effective, right? If it weren’t backed by science, it would have been just guessing what it could do. That’s why we decided to use PEMF, which is already used widely and proven effective and safe.

We are already preparing for our next research – tackling sleep. Our goal is to define frequencies better so we can then address different sleep disorders and problems. As we are all different, we find it essential to find solutions to various problems in order to help as many people as possible. Unfortunately, there is no universal device, but with modern software solutions (mostly in connection with smartphones) we see options to research and therefore adapt our technology for different needs easily and cost-effectively.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned so far in your career as an entrepreneur?

MK: It’s all about people. I mean it. I’ve learned that you have to connect with people you trust and how important mutual respect is, among co-workers, partners, and customers. I also find it important to have clear goals and always know what your next step is.

What was your mission at the outset of creating MDCN Technologies, and has the mission evolved over time or with new discoveries? If so, how?

MK: Our long-term vision was and is still the same. We want to become the reference point for life quality improvement, where we use transcranial magnetic field technology. We want to optimize our technology by making it invincible and trying to be as customer-centric as possible. We have always kept our customer’s needs in mind. We learned a lot from the first users’ feedback and used it to improve our product. The first headband was redesigned and made much lighter, more comfortable, and more flexible. We developed a new and comprehensive app. We added features to address a broader range of different issues. Over the years, we have developed new ideas and solutions together in the field of PEMF devices with a common goal: to improve the quality of life for all, and the mission stays the same.

What are the biggest problems you hope to solve through NeoRhythm and future endeavors?

MK: We strive to develop medical devices and other devices with high efficiency, that are based on PEMF technology so we can make PEMF available for all people – improving people’s lives is our mission after all. We have set a few goals we want to reach in the next 3 years – to optimize the frequency and include other technical solutions that would make our PEMF technology smarter are two of the most important for us. And of course, helping people improve their lives in the process. We try to offer our customers as much advice as we can to make their lives better, besides using our product.

When it comes to NeoRhythm, we believe in its power to change the world by changing people’s lives for the better first. This is why, to get a chance to make our revolutionary innovation visible to the global population, we decided to join the Innovation World Cup this year. Thousands of contestants from over 80 countries have taken part, and we are ready to join them and shake the future! The most important thing for us right now is to bring NeoRhythm to the spotlight across the WT (wearable technology) scene, so it can improve the lives of people worldwide and begin its global journey. It’s ready to do that by being proven effective and helping thousands of people worldwide already.

The post Interview with Marko Kadunc, OmniPEMF & NeoRhythm CEO appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

In this video, I’m interviewing Ami Brannon from Neuvana, the company behind the first commercially-available Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), Neuvana Xen Headphones. This innovative wellness device has been recognized by winning iPhone Life’s Best of CES 2020 Award.

Ms. Brannon has a background in medicine and is an expert on the vagus nerve, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and all the latest emerging science and research around these topics, so it was a real treat to interview her!

Tune in to our discussion below and find out what the vagus nerve is, what it does, and why stimulating it is so valuable for boosting wellness and managing chronic stress. Also, learn what vagal tone is and how using this device can help improve it. Get tips on how to best use Xen for optimal benefits.

You can learn more about the innovative science behind Neuvanna Xen here!

The post Interview Ami Brannon, Neuvana Xen: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Earbuds appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.