A device that I have seen great success with in my own healing journey is the Fisher Wallace Stimulator. It is FDA cleared and commonly used as a drug free alternative to treat insomnia, depression, anxiety, and pain. Many people have also reported better cognitive function, less tinnitus, better sensory processing, lower cortisol, more energy, etc.
I love how unlike a drug which works to replace what the brain is not doing, this device actually stimulates your brain to heal and do what it is supposed to do in the first place. Some people might be hesitant that it uses electric to stimulate the brain, but it helps to know that our bodies are already full of electricity, especially in our brains! This device just comes along side to help our brains do what they were designed to do.
My personal experience with this device has been awesome. At first, it took a little bit of getting used to. I needed to sit down during sessions to keep my balance. Now, I can walk around with it on just fine. I saw great improvements with my sleep, mood and energy levels. It was a gradual improvement though. One of those things where a couple weeks in, I just noticed I felt better and didn’t feel the need to supplement as much. I could get a lot more done in one day and think better. Then, I guess I was feeling so good that I didn’t think I needed it anymore and stopped prematurely. Sure enough, about 3 days later I felt exhausted, depressed and had just an overall lack of peace feeling. I was wondering what had just come over me. Then I happened to glance over at my night stand, saw my Fisher Wallace and remembered that I hadn’t used it in a few days. So I would highly suggest using it for the full 30 days to allow your brain to make lasting neuroplastic changes. Then, if you feel great, I’d follow the instructions to taper to a maintenance mode before stopping treatment.
I have now had my Fisher Wallace for years, and even though I don’t need to use it regularly anymore, it has been very handy for acute problems such as bouts of insomnia, or when I had post-partum anxiety around that viscous 3 month hormone drop. That brings me to another great point. Fisher Wallace is an effective and much safer alternative to prescription drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
From the Fisher Wallace website:
The Fisher Wallace Stimulator® works by stimulating the brain to produce neurochemicals such as serotonin, while modulating the default mode network and entraining alpha waves. The device treats insomnia but is not a sedative – instead, the device modulates the brain to produce a restful state that accelerates sleep onset and restores longer periods of sleep. FDA-Clearance Date: 1990 Medicaid Approval Date: 2017 Treatment Guidelines Patients use the Fisher Wallace Stimulator® at home for 20 minutes, once or twice a day on level 2. Patients with insomnia use the device within two hours of bedtime. Consistent daily use in the first 30 days is recommended. If mood and sleep symptoms are reduced but do not go into remission within the first 30 days, patients may continue using the device on a daily basis. The device has been on the market since 1990 without reports of negative effects resulting from long term use. If mood and sleep symptoms go into remission (no symptoms), patients may use the device on a “maintenance basis” – three to four times per week – or on an as-needed basis. There are no withdrawal effects associated with ceasing use of the device. The device may be safely used in conjunction with antidepressants and/or other medications. Patients should not reduce or cease taking medication without first speaking with their doctor.
Fisher Wallace has come out recently with a newer device called Kortex which is essentially the same device, but incorporates visuals with a virtual reality head set. I personally don’t think I would have been ready for anything visual like that when I first ordered mine because of my sensory processing difficulties, but I wouldn’t mind trying it now. I think I just like the simplicity of my traditional Fisher Wallace and the fact that I can wear it while folding laundry.
Neither Hope Unfading nor I make any money from the purchase of Fisher Wallace Devices. It is just something I have found to be extremely helpful in my healing journey and want to share with others.