Learn about different brainwaves and how they influence mental states, cognition, and overall brain function.
Muse is a lightweight headband that records brain-wave (EEG) activity and pairs with a smartphone app (Calm) to give real-time feedback aimed at encouraging a relaxed, meditative state. Regular practice may help users notice fewer distractions, better stress control, and improved mood.
The headband is comfortable once positioned correctly, although first-time users may need a few tries to obtain a steady Bluetooth signal. It is not compatible with very old phones (e.g., iPhone 4). Setup instructions are brief, and the app is ready within minutes; settings can then be personalised.
During a session you sit quietly, eyes closed, and count your breaths. The app plays gentle wind or water sounds that soften as EEG patterns shift toward "calm," giving intuitive feedback. Sessions can run from 3 to 45 minutes.
After each session the app shows the proportion of time spent "calm," "neutral," or "active," awards points for calm periods, and offers optional challenges to lengthen them. The graphs are simple to read and manipulate.
The company site supplies FAQs and rapid email support. Users can opt in to share anonymised session data for research, which may help clarify how well the device works.
Muse delivers portable neurofeedback, a method used clinically for years that previously required bulky clinic-based equipment. By reinforcing desired EEG features—such as reduced theta (4–7 Hz) or increased low-beta/alpha (12–15 Hz) activity—the approach aims to train a calmer, more focused state. Evidence is still emerging; individual results can vary.
Further reading:
Traditional neurofeedback techniques have never been rigorously tested in psychiatric conditions for several reasons. First, the methods are not protected by exclusive intellectual property, so industry funding for large trials has been scarce. Devices that deliver neurofeedback have also not been viewed by the FDA as unique medical devices that could be patent-protected. In addition, experts disagree on which EEG rhythm patterns might be most therapeutic for specific patient groups. I was unable to find clinical-trial references that used Muse technology specifically.
Although the FDA has not formally cleared neurofeedback for clinical use, many clinics already offer it. Widespread adoption has been limited by cost concerns and uncertain efficacy. Most protocols require attendance at a supervised clinic several times a week for months—a time-consuming, expensive commitment that insurers generally do not reimburse because published efficacy data are sparse. Muse moves EEG neurofeedback into the realm of self-directed practice with a wearable headband and smartphone app, sharply lowering cost and allowing individuals to judge for themselves whether the approach is worth their time.
The Muse headband costs $299 and the companion app is free—reasonable, given the technology’s complexity and the amount of data it provides.
