What is eSmartr Sleev™?

A couple of months ago, eSmartr Sleev™ was introduced to me through VoxxLife.  I had heard about eSmartr a year ago but really did not understand the science behind it or its purpose.  The more I study it, wear it and sell it to others seeking improved cognition, my fascination grows.  Ultimately, this Cognitive Based Technology (CBT) delivers enhanced concentration and memory, heightened decision making, increased stamina, accelerated reaction times, and an improved sense of clarity and calm.  It works on our Executive Function, Information Flow, and Anxiety, Depression and Memory Networks and more. It is my intention here to enlighten anyone reading about this neurotech.  Does it truly make daily life better, helping you to find your focus and make mindfulness easy whenever you play, learn, or create? Read on to find out…

Before I begin, let me provide a disclaimer that I am not a neuroscientist and by no means an expert on the human brain.  I am just keen to learn more and open to this concept of neuroplasticity.  From what I understand; however, neuroscientists are also fascinated by the possibilities of this sleeve neurotechnology, enough to study it further.

History

This 2 minute video by the Founders of eSmartr explains where the concept originated and needs no further explanation.

As a mother, I am so proud of these two university students that set out to help other students study drug-free.  It is my understanding that approximately 25% of people prescribed medications for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or anxiety, etc. share their "meds".  I found this out first hand from my own boys who enlightened me on this commonplace practice at university to borrow Concerta or Adderall for example to help get through the stress of midterms and exams.  In my day, it was Diet Coke, chocolate and gum.  Today they use “harder” stuff.  Could eSmartr be a “softer”, healthier alternative?

In any case, as Gaelen Dhaliwal mentions in the video, it was by accident they discovered using an early prototype of the sleeve that it improved gaming abilities.  To visualize this, watch this 1 minute video and let your imagination soar: Introducing the eSmartr Sleev with Cognitive Boost Technology (CBT)

What is it?

The eSmartr Sleev™ is another form of wearable neurotechnology similar in concept to Voxx Human Performance Technology (HPT) which is in socks, insoles, patches and more. If you are not familiar with Voxx, I recommend you read my last blog "Voxx in a Nutshell".  The distinct difference is that eSmartr works strictly on cognitive function.  In fact, the Sleev™ is considered Cognitive Based Technology (CBT) - think “neck up”.  Voxx HPT, on the other hand effects the whole body, “neck up and neck down”.  Despite its potential, CBT will not deliver any extra balance, power, velocity of force, Range of Motion, etc like VoxxHPT does.  Think cognitive benefits only.  Officially, eSmartr CBT Sleev™ is “the first non-invasive enhancement to supercharging your mind’s natural ability. An uncommon advantage to reach your maximum potential.” 

How Does the Sleev™ Work?

From the Sleev™ Sell Sheet: “The proprietary Cognitive Boost Technology™ pattern embedded in every Sleev™ is designed to optimize neural communications. Through vibrotactile stimulation, skin receptors are triggered to generate a combination of signals. These signals are processed by the cognitive networks to allow users to naturally experience their passions more fully with focus, clarity and calmness. 

In simpler terms, your peripheral nervous system in your dominant forearm reads the pattern in the sleeve and transmits it to the brain causing a neural reaction.  This neural response bypasses the brainstem (where VoxxHPT goes) and goes to the occipital and frontal lobes.  The neuromapping images of the cortex (surface of the brain) affected by CBT show this effect.  It also goes to the neural networks.  These are collections of different nodes inside our brains that work together to give the functionality to cognitive networks.

1000s of neuromaps have been done with the eSmartr Sleev™ beyond the 1st published study (more on this below).  In each neuromap, 10 different cognitive networks are viewed:

1. Pain
2. Attention Dorsal
3. Attention Ventral
4. Default Mode
5. Reward
6. Mood
7. Anxiety
8. Executive Function
9. Frontal Occipital
10. Facial Recognition

The performance of a neural network is measured by assessing the speed between nodes and assessing whether the entire network is engaging. The neuromapping shows us  how many nodes are being used and how fast is the speed between nodes. This will determine the amount of output.  Also, how many nodes recruited is a measure of the more efficient the system is.  N.B. Speed = measure of cognitive performance.  Just ask any student writing an exam how important it is to think fast!

What Disrupts the Performance of our Brains?

Stress. Anxiety. Trauma. Drugs. Environment.  Aging. The ex-Air Force in me still loves acronyms so I made this up: SATDEA.  These 6 factors interfere with the flow rate of information and sometimes we get stuck in a loop from previous trauma.  These emotional, psychological & physical traumas also affect our neural networks.  Just witness the challenges that arise in someone in their neural responsiveness after trauma, e.g a concussion.

Neuromapping is like an X-ray – nothing is hidden when the cap is on the skull.  If the neuromapper has not asked someone first, they can tell they if they have had a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), used chemicals, or have stress.

Another factor disrupting performance is that most brains are aging unless you are actively building brain health with diet, exercise, and challenging the brain. From the neuromapping results to date, eSmartr is acting like neurofeedback on trickle charge – providing a constant state of clarity and formation of networks.  That is when something called "Optimal Neuroplasticity" kicks in – when the brain works better, the body likes to keep it there and will rewire accordingly.

It is no surprise then that eSmartr can impact people’s ability.  A simple example is procrastination, for which the # 1 reason is feeling overwhelm.  When someone puts the sleeve on, it is commonly heard: “I never would have got those 6 things done!"  Efficiency is the effect seen.

Back to neuroplasticity.  The better we can keep brain in this newer optimized state (with the sleeve), the better it can do self-healing.  Imagine the possibilities for your health...

Analogies

Here are two analogies to help comprehend this sleeve neurotech:

1. AM Radio Analogy  When you are driving further away from a radio antenna, the static increases until all you hear is radio static and no more music.  We get "static" in our brains from the 5 causes mentioned above (SATDE) and aging.  CBT technology in this Sleeve is like a booster on the radio antenna and there is less static in the nervous system (networks).  This  helps you "hear" and be in the moment.
2. Fog Analogy  Driving in fog, the dangers are still there but you cannot see them.  The CBT sleeve lifts the fog, and you become more observant as the driver with clarity to see the road.  You also become more efficient operating at a higher cognitive level.

What are the Benefits?

Here are five 1-2 minute videos helping to explain how all this works from a human I had the privilege of meeting with one of the biggest brains I know:

1. eSmartr's Dr. Joe Baldino, DC explains the benefits of Cognitive Boost Technology™
2. eSmartr's Dr. Joe Baldino, DC explains Executive Function
3. eSmartr's Dr. Joe Baldino, DC explains Memory Network
4. eSmartr's Dr. Joe Baldino, DC explains Information Flow
5. eSmartr's Dr. Joe Baldino, DC explains Attention

What Benefits can eSmartr CBT Sleev™ claim?

• Enhance attention, focus
• Decision making and working memory
• Enhanced anxiety networks
• Reduced stress
• Enhanced clarity
• Reduced mental fog

Who is it for?

No matter your age or lifestyle, it seems wearing this “neurotech” will help you achieve your true potential in 20 minutes; it has the cognitive effect of calming a brain that is running too fast (seen as red/yellow areas in neuropmapping), increasing a brain running too slow (dark/light blue) or a working on the combination of these dysregulated patterns.  It can be for anyone that wants to:

• Handle change and challenges better
• Absorb and retain more information
• Enhance writing and comprehension
• Use and manage time more efficiently
• Reduce procrastination
• Enhance prioritization
• Become more productive

Specific examples: High stress, high detail, high pressure jobs e.g. stock brokers, surgeons, dentists, coders, military experts, students, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, gamers, etc.

Research

There is one clinical white paper on eSmartr so far from Dr. Robert W. Thatcher, Ph.D. and The Applied Neuroscience Research Institute called “Effects of Pattern Forearm Stimulation on the Human EEG and Cognitive Networks”.  Essentially, electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 19 scalp locations from 20 subjects before and after wearing the sleeves on their dominant forearms.  The results showed statistically significant t-test differences (P < .01) between the baseline condition vs the sleeves on condition in both the surface EEG and in the LORETA current sources. The largest differences were decreased alpha and beta frequency power at both the surface EEG and the LORETA current sources with the sleeve on vs the baseline.  If this is getting technical - just know that 20 out of 20 people exhibited statistically significant changes in several brain networks and this not only means it is beyond any placebo effect, but extremely exciting!

Neuromapping

This image is just one example of a brainmap we were presented in our Practitioner training.  In the pre-eSmartr neuropmap on the left, notice the dark blue especially in the frontal cortex - an indication that things are too slow (by 4x) and the red in the occipital cortex - an indication that things are processing too fast (by 4x).  After eSmartr was worn 20 minutes, notice the increased amount of green (optimal performance) both in the frontal and occipital (back) regions of the brain!  Imagine what that change could do for your brain...

Videos and Testimonials

There are a growing number of videos and unsolicited written testimonials on the Facebook Voxx Testimonial group. Please ask me to invite you to the page if you want to look up specific conditions and how it has helped.  So far I have read the growing list of moving stories from eSmartr on Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, and a teenager undergoing a high school test.  And there is also a new eSmartr Stories FaceBook Group

In fact there are a few artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, gamers etc who are already fans and have seen the first hand difference in their neuromap with simply putting on the sleeve for 15-20 minutes.  Check their full entertaining eSmartr Stories, the highlight video and two other fan videos:

1. eSmartr Stories | Behind the Sleev® with Lil Jon
2. eSmartr Stories | Cookin' with Chef Merch
3. eSmartr Stories | On the Green with Adam Migur (Professional Golfer) 
4. eSmartr Stories | Off-Road with Robbie Maddison
5. eSmartr Stories | Getting it "Dunne" with Kirsty Dunne
6. eSmartr x Tempo Storm: Reynad
7. eSmartr x Tempo Storm: ZeRo
8. eSmartr x Tempo Storm: Alex Myers
9. Highlight Video 
10. Brain mapping Menace on The Woody Show
11. OMAR SE FAIT SCANNER LE CERVEAU !

Why does it take 15-20 minutes?

After putting on the sleeve, it takes time to reach our cognitive networks as the brain is complex and there are many nodes. These networks need the time make you a better you.

How do you see the Full Value of CBT?

To see the full value you have to be fully engaged, i.e. outside of default mode. You must be engaged in cognitive action like playing, organizing etc.  This is why the eSmartr Sleev™ tag line is “Play - Learn - Create”.  It is what we have to be doing to appreciate the higher benefit of cognitive function.

We find people e.g. accountants, coders, students, athletes etc. are finding a  calming experience, being able to organize, prioritize, read better, study for longer, allow them to get into the cognitive zone and allows the mental clarity needed to accomplish the task.  But to appreciate this, one must be engaged in cognitive activity.  You won’t see the benefits in sleep.

Summary

Straight from VoxxLife's eSmartr Product Sheet "This innovative technology, exclusively targets and stimulates, the cognitive networks in the brain that promote FOCUS, CLARITY and CALM. CBT will help guide you into a sense of calm and clarity, heightening your focus, helping you make the most of what you’re passionate about. Use the eSmartr Sleev™ while you play golf, practice yoga, study music, create artwork, pursue photography...anything that requires cognitive performance, accelerated mental sharpness, thought organization and refined clarity."

Final Thoughts

With the Sleev™ clinically proven to help with attention, focus, memory, decision making etc., I have been wearing the sleeve mostly in my work hours.  If I were to have my brain neuromapped (a bucket list!), I can only imagine the array of colours in the both the white and gray matter beyond the ideal optimal green. I have caught myself joking that I have adult onset ADHD.  If true, that would indicate a brain running too fast (red or yellow).  Wearing the sleeve for a couple months so far, I can tell you that I am calmer. With that calm, I stay more focused on the task at hand and ultimately accomplish more.  Thinking holistic nutritionally, this should help my adrenal glands, and in turn my thyroid, and combine that with less stress aiding my digestion and ultimately this should lead to better health.

Am I a fan?  There is one easy way to tell – I am still wearing it.  Kristy Dunne said it best for me in her video “it detoxes that clutter that’s going on inside your head.”   Ok, maybe I have just drunk the eSmartr Kool-aid. It is only a study of one (myself) and I am doing other things that might be helping my stress level.  But - with all the science and my own experience - yes – I believe it is helping my focus and making mindfulness easier when I play, learn and create.  Maybe it could for you too?

To Buy

Contact the original person who introduced you to eSmartr/Voxx (if it was not me).  They cared enough to share it with you.  If it was me (4 options):

1. My Voxx Website (to order online): laurakissmannwellness.voxxlife.com
2. My Business ShopPage (to order online and learn more): laurakissmannwellness.com  You can also ask me any questions from the contact page by email.
3. Call (613) 257-5522/761-0048 to set up a 30 minute in person/call on eSmartr/Voxx Appointment with me.
4. Book me using my online booking for a 30 minute in person/call eSmartr/Voxx Appointment with me.

Tips to Remember about eSmartr Sleev™ are found here on my my Voxx website. There are details on using it on your dominant arm, right and left-handed versions, sizing, warranty and materials.