Dementia prevention speakers launched. Is this the first step towards full-fledged music therapy?
【Just listen to the sound, and you can prevent “dementia” without any side effects… a thorough examination of the performance of the “speaker” that is gaining popularity.】
https://gendai.media/articles/-/118767
・In 2019, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study reported that “40 Hz (40 times per second) stimulation of mice with dementia showed a decrease in Amyloid-β in the brain
・Amyloid-β is a substance that is believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease and is the brain’s garbage, so to speak. It is believed that the accumulation of amyloid-β in the brain causes cognitive decline
・The “kikippa” speaker was developed based on the latest research. It is believed to be effective in preventing dementia simply by connecting it to a TV and listening to the sound through this speaker, and inquiries have been pouring in since its release in April.
・When this speaker is connected to a TV, 40 vibrations per second are added to the TV sound, producing a “gamma wave sound” at 40 Hz. The sound is a bit disconcerting at first, but you will get used to it as you use the speaker. Although the sound is processed, there are no problems with normal TV viewing.
・The recommendation is to “watch” about one hour a day, which is easily met if you watch TV. If the sound of the TV can help prevent dementia, it couldn’t be easier!
・Research at Ochanomizu University has found that 40 Hz gamma waves activate cells called astrocytes, which maintain the environment in the brain. It is possible that the activation of astrocytes promotes the function of flushing out amyloid-β.
The above is a quote from the article.
Is this the first step toward full-fledged music therapy?
【Music therapy? Frequency (EEG) devices finally available in Spring 23? What musicians think.】
https://amimako.com/music-health-hz-frequency/
About a year ago I blogged about this device (kikippa). Today is a continuation of that blog.
In my last blog,
I was annoyed by the developer’s comment that “40Hz sound is almost inaudible”, to which I replied, “If it were 40Hz, you would be able to hear it normally. I was skeptical.^^
In fact, after the sale, the users seemed to be able to watch TV without any problems, although there was some discomfort regarding the use of the kikippa. Some people said that it was not suitable for listening to music.
【Shionogi Healthcare kikippa Official Site】
https://www.shop.shionogi-hc.co.jp/lp/kikippa01/product.html
Price is 49500 yen (service fee is 1980 yen/month)
Frankly speaking, it is expensive.
And the monthly service fee of 1,980 yen is also expensive.
I have been paying attention to music therapy and was hoping that this device would be the first step toward full-fledged music therapy, but I guess it is only a half step.
Incidentally, Shionogi Healthcare President Satoru Yoshimoto stated, “Since (the new product) is not a medical device, it cannot convey any outstanding efficacy.”
Well, that is true.
However, it would be interesting if, in the future, we could see a clear difference in the cognitive function of people using this device.
By the way, I also found this article.
【It turns out that simply eating raw wasabi every day improves memory!】
https://nazology.net/archives/138047
They found that continuous consumption of horseradish significantly improved memory in people over 60 years old.
Fresh wasabi, I don’t know how much it would cost if I ate it every day, but so far, fresh wasabi seems easier to introduce than kikippa.^^
See you then.
The sound of kikippa, as heard in this video, is still a bit strange. For the future development of music therapy, further effective data accumulation and lower prices are required.
