Flow Neuroscience - Group Chat

So I have been using the Flow headset for a couple of weeks and I have started to notice some changes - bit of background I have not been sleeping well for a long time and my mood and anxiety can be all over the place at the best of times so I thought I would take part in the study and give Flow a go. Tbh I wasn’t expecting much but a few days ago I actually slept through the night for the first time in a looooong time!!! I just wondered how others are finding it? 

@opalskye I've just started my intense period (5x a week) again, as I was starting to see some results (better sleep, less anxiety etc), but because I went past midnight with the stimulation a couple of times I either had to continue doing it late or miss a day, and that seemed to be setting me back a bit.

Hopefully I'll be able to keep on track better this time and reap longer term benefits. I too wasn't really expecting this to make much impact after literally years of poor sleep patterns, stress etc, but I don't think that it's wishful thinking to say that I really think it could make a lasting impact if I can just get the course sorted properly for myself

@seakay so good to hear it’s having a positive effect on you too - I have tried all sorts to help with my sleep but for the last year or so it has been so difficult to get a good nights sleep which then adds to my stress and anxiety so the fact that I was able to sleep through was so amazing.

I have to say my mood seems better I initially thought maybe it’s just me but my family have mentioned that I’m smiling more (for them to notice it means I must be 😅) 

Good luck with your schedule - I ended up using it in the morning before I get ready and catch up with emails and then it’s done for the day. I’m hoping this has a lasting impact too - from what I have read it seems to so fingers crossed 🤞 

@opalskye Thank you, and fingers crossed your improvement continues!

It's interesting that you do the stimulation in the morning. Because I want better sleep, I assumed it would be best to use it at night, perhaps I should rethink

@seakay Thank you and you too! I’m hoping it’s helping others in the study group too! 

Hmm I was so eager to use it once it had arrived I started my schedule in the morning and just stuck with it - perhaps the stimulation helps me throughout the day and by the evening I can then rest well (just guessing!)

When you use it at night do you feel relaxed afterwards?

@opalskye I wouldn't say relaxed, exactly. It's still a bit tingly and I get a slight headache every now and again. 

If it wasn't for the fact that I think I'm feeling slightly better overall, I'd think it was having no effect!

I might try moving the session back through the day gradually and see if there is any difference.

Hi! So nice to have this little group to talk in about flow and give/ receive support! I was wondering if any of you have felt a difference in your energy levels since using it? Whether that's from improved sleep or maybe better appetite? 

@cmc I haven't noticed a big energy difference as yet, but I've been concentrating on trying to adjust the time that I sleep, as because my flat is located over a shop and in the main road of a (small) town I feel that that affects the amount I sleep and so the energy I have etc etc.

However, other people have commented that I'm looking "brighter", so maybe I am more alert/energised than previously.

Have you noticed any differences (I know that it's early days)

i cant say Ive noticed anything yet. I have some discomfort on my skin from the right hand pad which is irritating but im adjusting the placement slightly offcentre to counter this, otherwise its fine. I havent stuck with a single time of day when using the Flow. It fluctuates as to when i'm free and not visible on a screen. Morning when doing admin works well.

Flow box (nice looking box I have to say) arrived a while ago and I was quite excited. I read some reviews to start with and my excitement has gone. Well I said to myself: I’m not depressed-depressed!!! Not like my family members …yes family history with mental health appears for various reasons and no reasons through out generations from distant cousins and aunts to my close family. So me? I was taught to be strong and resilient and simply put up with things. And I do but deep inside it is a struggle. So I had to be honest with myself and admit that I do have morning anxieties, not every morning (when I was younger I had lots of them) and not like my family members where certain anxieties will transform into panic attacks etc. That occasionally I wake up at night. That I get moody, actually cross and recently I cannot control it somehow. And I’ve realised that my energy levels are not good whatsoever. 
I’m very observant when it comes to my body and my mind so recent changes started to worry me. Is it me being over 40 now? Is is perimenopause? Or is it family mental health history creeping on me now too? 
I’m literally having the headset on while I’m writing it. It’s a bit too early to say whether I’m happy with it. 
It feels a bit tingly. But I’m giving it a go ladies! Fingers crossed 🤞 

@seakay it was tingly/itchy for me - but the more I have used it the less I notice that now!

Maybe my skin has got used to that feeling somehow but the fact that I’m sleeping better and my mood has improved I will take the tingling any day! 

@cmc I agree - love that we can all share our experiences here 😊 

I have noticed I’m less tired, I feel up to doing more so maybe my energy levels have improved I hadn’t really thought about that tbf (my sleep has improved so I have just been happy about that!)- are you noticing an improvement? 

@opalskye0 isn’t it interesting how we are taught to somehow just be strong - I know so many women (I’m sure men too) who have to just get on with things because you can’t openly say you may be struggling. I’m glad to see this is changing slowly but there is a lot to unlearn I guess

Good luck with the headset - hoping for good things for you too!  

@libs Hi Libs, 

Thank you for sharing! I’ve not been able to consistently use the headset everyday and have slightly guilty for this but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one! 

I personally have found slightly tingly/red marks on my forehead as I get used to it. Does anyone else get a ringing sound in their ears?? Or what are people doing when they have it on? 

I’ve also found that it makes soooo sleepy, I’ve fallen asleep with it on before just before bed so I know it can help me sleep but is it too much?? I tried in the morning and ended up napping for two hours when I didn’t really want to 😭

I haven’t personally noticed any difference in mood. But will continue to try and get into it a bit more. Thank you all for sharing nice to have a space to discuss! 

@seakay I had few days of headaches, really not nice ones and had to have a break form those sessions. Not sure why and what triggered it but it’s better now.