The journey began while looking out a window, which was strongly back lit — I had an idea.  When I closed my eyes, I could still clearly see the images which appeared outside the window.  These were very strong “afterimages,” which made me think that it would be interesting to flash simple images over my eyelid while sleeping.

My thought was that simple images could be incorporated into my dream, triggering lucidity or alertness within the dream without awakening me, allowing me to explore the dream state.  I theorized that the image could also be used to set the theme of the dream.  In a sense, I wanted to designate the dream’s subject matter prior to sleeping.

This led me on a five-year project to develop my so called “Lucid Dream Trainer,” which incorporated REM or Rapid Eye Movement detection goggles connected to a box that once my dream state was detected, could send flashing red light to my eyelid, tones to my ears, and slight tactile stimulation to my wrist. (Lucid Dream Trainer and Pattern Disk Viewer: Can You Talk To Animals In Your Dreams?) I used the disk viewer to predetermine the dream’s subject matter.

After a bit of time getting use to wearing modified swim goggles to bed, the device worked pretty well, sending me on some interesting dream journeys, where I searched for ideas for music and for new inventions.

Several years later, still interested in afterimages, I had an idea for a vision test.  Through research, I learned that afterimages and the time that they remained visible, could be used to detect diabetes, a leading cause of blindness.

I proposed a simple instrument and study to the R&D group at the vision care company where I worked, but unfortunately it was determined that too much research was needed, and it was not pursued.

Later, I learned of a study that was done using afterimages to reduce pain resulting from injury.  Essentially, the afterimage was focused upon and after a period of training, the user was able to produce Alpha brain waves, which can reduce pain, lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and many other beneficial effects.

Having studied afterimages for several years, I was very intrigued and contacted the Australian psychologist who carried out the study – Dr. Brian Costello.  We became friends and exchanged emails and ideas over the next several years, until his unfortunate passing in 2010.

Brian’s study showed that if the user focused on a yellow-green image and then closed their eyes and focused on the resulting violet afterimage, they could produce Alpha brain waves.

I soon learned how to produce Alpha waves using Brian’s technique.  This set me off on a new journey, one of using Afterimages to improve health, athletic, and daily performances.

Alpha brain waves cause us to relax.  Normally, while awake, our brains are in a “Beta state.”  Meaning we are alert and processing data quickly.  Alpha waves, which are much slower, allow us to relax and perform at optimal states.  This is often referred to as being in “The Zone” by great athletes, who many times are on auto-pilot during their performance.  They are not aware or stressed; they just do it – perfectly.

I first developed a set of Alpha get well cards or “The Only Get Well Card That May Actually Make You Well,” and developed similar patented products for athletes and other performers to reduce stress, including a clothing line. (Alpha Golf Disk: AlphaWAVE Relaxation / Performance Improvement Disk.)

The only issue with these products is that it takes the user about two to four weeks, ten minutes a day to condition oneself to the Alpha state.  It works well, but some people will not hang in there that long.  We all want the results, but most want them quickly.

While working one day with a vision instrument, I noticed that the blue color of the Blue-Yellow feature on the device was very near the color of the afterimage, which becomes visible when one closes their eyes after focusing on the image of the Alpha Get Well card that I developed.

I measured the blue filter and found that it was really in the indigo part of the visible spectrum, but very close to Brian’s findings. So this got me thinking once again. What if I could apply that blue lens into a pair of blacked-out sun glasses?  My thought was that this would present only that wavelength of light directly to the eye, and using a simple training methodology, I could quickly induce Alpha waves.

I made a pair, and the results were amazing.  Alpha waves could be produced within a short training period.  I continued to experiment with the glasses thinking this might be a good product.  The Alpha glasses could be marketed to Clinical Psychologists as a stress and pain reducing tool, a therapeutic lens if you will. Alpha Glasses: Alpha Brainwave Generation Glasses.)

My new dream was that the Alpha glasses would be developed, and used to treat service veterans who experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and others who suffer from trauma-related disorders.

The Alpha Glasses will hopefully come to market one day – for me, a dream come true.

Moral:  Pursue your dreams; you never know where the journey will take you!