Alpha-Stim® Technology for Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and Pain: How it Works

Alpha-Stim® Technology

With the recent publicity about the dangerous side effects of many prescription medications, patients are more concerned than ever about the risks they take when they seek help for their pain or mood disorders. Alpha-Stim® technology is not only safer than any drug, but it is even safer than most other devices because it only uses microamperes (µA; millionths of an ampere) of electricity. To put this into perspective, a device producing a maximum output of 600 µA, like the Alpha-Stim®, uses about 1,000 times less current than a typical TENS device, and is limited to about 11,000 times less power than a 60-watt light bulb. Some people don't even feel this amount of electricity (Kirsch 2002; learn more >>).

How does the Alpha-Stim® work?
The Alpha-Stim® is based on the concept that the biophysics underlying the body’s biochemistry also plays a significant role in regulating all of life’s processes. There are about 75 trillion cells in a human body, each having a small electrical potential of ~80mV across its cell membrane, similar to a battery. Alpha-Stim®’s proprietary waveform works by moving electrons through the body and brain at a variety of frequencies, collectively known as harmonic resonance. This normalizes the electrical activity of the nervous system and brain as measured by an electroencephalogram (EEG).

The exact mechanism by which Alpha-Stim® produces its effects is not fully understood. However, based on previous and ongoing studies, it appears that the Alpha-Stim® microcurrent waveform activates particular groups of nerve cells located at the brainstem, a site at the base of the brain that sits atop of the spinal cord. These nerve cells produce the chemicals serotonin and acetylcholine, which can affect the chemical activity of nerve cells that are both nearby and at more distant sites in the nervous system. LEARN MORE >>

A work by Kennerly (2006) has shown beneficial changes in brain activity after a single 20-minute treatment with Alpha-Stim® CES. Blue shows a decrease in delta frequency (slow brain waves) activity while red shows an increase in alpha (relaxation waves) frequency activity. LEARN MORE >>

What scientific research has been conducted?
The efficacy and safety of Alpha-Stim® is backed by more than 50 research studies. Most of the studies were double-blind placebo controlled and were conducted at major US universities. At present, there are over 126 research studies on CES in humans and 29 experimental animal studies. The overwhelming majority of the scientific research is extremely positive. No significant lasting side effects have been reported. To view the results of CES and MET studies conducted specifically with the Alpha-Stim® technology, click here.

What about clinical results?
Post-marketing surveys show that more than 90% of pain patients achieve clinically significant relief with Alpha-Stim®, even when conventional intervention has failed. In a survey of 47 physicians reporting on 500 patients, Alpha-Stim® treatments produced clinically significant results (at least 25% improvement) in 92% of patients for pain management, 94% for anxiety, 90% for depression, 93% for stress, 79% for insomnia, 90% for headaches, and 95% for muscle tension. Nearly half of the patients in all categories had 75 to 100% relief

Furthermore, a survey of 2,500 patients who used Alpha-Stim® technology for 3 weeks or more reported similar results. Of 1,949 pain patients, only 7% had less than 25% improvement, 32% had fair improvement of 25-49%, 38% had moderate improvement of 50-74%, and 23% of patients experienced 75-100% improvement. Combining the survey results from 723 patients reporting anxiety, depression, stress, chronic fatigue, and/or insomnia, only 8% had less than 25% improvement, 24% had fair improvement of 25-49%, 33% had moderate improvement of 50-74%, and over one-third (35%) experienced 75-100% improvement. LEARN MORE >>