Can I create a 40hz anti-Alzheimer set-up on my own?

July 13, 2023 3:24 PM

Alzheimer’s is in the extended family medical history. This article caught my attention. The results were so promising that there is an MIT/Silicon Valley start-up creating a medical device to do this, but I’d prefer to get started sooner and without what I expect to be hefty price tag.

I assume the essential items would be a bass speaker/cabinet capable of accurately reproducing a 40hz tone, and a high quality sound file, or device that can accurately produce a 40hz sound.

Since results are seen in sound, vibration, and light (which is wild) I figured turn on and lean on the cabinet while reading a book.

MeFi sound engineers - do the components I’d need exist for the average Fish? Low cost would be magnificent.

And in general - how would you solve this problem? Is there anything else I should consider before diving into thisproject?

“ Evidence that non-invasive sensory stimulation of 40 Hz gamma frequency brain rhythms can reduce Alzheimer’s disease pathology and symptoms, already shown with light and sound by multiple research groups in mice and humans, now extends to tactile stimulation. A new study by MIT scientists shows that Alzheimer’s model mice exposed to 40 Hz vibration an hour a day for several weeks showed improved brain health and motor function compared to untreated controls. ”

posted by Silvery Fish to Technology (11 answers total)

I don't see why headphones and/or a subwoofer wouldn't do (as you are a Fish, not a mouse), 40hz isn't that low. Turntable hum is 60hz.

(You could try a transducer like the Buttkicker, but I'd think the physical attachment would alter the waveform.)

40hz gamma pure tone binaural beats

100% 40hz Gamma waves

40hz 24h

etc

I'd imagine there are apps you can use to generate a 40hz strobe and play it over HDMI out.
posted by snuffleupagus at 3:36 PM on July 13, 2023 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: snuffleupagus, thank you. And - is there a subwoofer you’d recommend?
posted by Silvery Fish at 4:33 PM on July 13, 2023

mynoise.net has a 40Hz Brainwave Generator and they also have phone apps and the ability to pay for generating customized mp3s from generators of various lengths.
posted by foxfirefey at 4:44 PM on July 13, 2023 [8 favorites]

I have no idea on the efficacy, but if you wanted to mix in some light pulses, there's a product category of programmable light goggles (usually used to induce visual hallucinations/meditative states) called "light and sound machines". I've tried the Kasina (recreationally, not for medical experiments) and it seems functional, haven't tried making my own "tracks" yet but it looks like tools exist to do it.
posted by rivenwanderer at 4:52 PM on July 13, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: For a subwoofer it depends on how you're going to drive it, your space, how you want to employ it.

For this purpose, in a vacuum, I'd probably pick a chonky, powered home theater sub with a front firing speaker.

Klipsch is well thought of. 40hz is getting down to the bottom of its range but it should work.

Stereo RCA jacks so should be easy to connect whatever you're using for playback.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:52 PM on July 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Basically any headphones (even earbuds) have totally fine frequency response at 40hz, so you don't need anything special to try this out. That said, it sounds like this study was of mice exposed to full-body vibration through their entire cages, not just audio. In fact, the mice whose cages weren't vibrated were right beside the mice who were and so they could definitely hear the same noise. So even if this works in some way (which is highly speculative), it doesn't appear to work from just sound.
posted by ssg at 10:54 PM on July 13, 2023 [3 favorites]

I feel obliged to say that “new treatment cures Alzheimer’s in mice” has roughly the epistemic status of “my wife and I are separated, she’s totally fine with this.”
posted by eirias at 4:09 AM on July 14, 2023 [9 favorites]

I think it's worth noting that something improving symptoms does not necessarily mean it's a preventative.
posted by ananci at 4:24 AM on July 14, 2023 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: eirias - understood. I am not sure there ever will be a “cure.” I am curious about reducing or delaying the progression, and this is a potentially low-cost, low-risk, non-invasive approach that is not throwing a lot of substances into my body. Consider me approaching this with with an attitude of playful curiosity and not promised cure. This could all go the way of robot lawyers. Worst case, I spend a couple of hours of my life grooving out to some low frequency vibes. I do appreciate the clear-eyed reminder.
posted by Silvery Fish at 4:32 AM on July 14, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: For the purposes of "why not try it?" I'd say you're fine with a home audio system powered subwoofer. I'd suggest one with a 15" speaker, though, as the larger speaker is more likely able to handle continuous low frequencies for longer periods of time. This Monoprice sub, maybe.

and a high quality sound file, or device that can accurately produce a 40hz sound.

There are like a bazillion "tone generator" apps for phones, iDevices, or computers that will work fine - as long as it puts out a sine wave @ 40 Hz, that's all you need.

Note that low frequency sound waves are omnidirectional (they go everywhere), and can vibrate things besides the air and speaker box, often unpredictably - don't be surprised if housemates, co-habitants, or neighbors complain about the continuous low rumbling even if you don't think it's very loud.
posted by soundguy99 at 2:34 PM on July 14, 2023

Best answer: A company called Gamma sells 40 Hz lamps, light bulbs, and audio devices at a seemingly reasonable price point. Their audio apparently manifests as a "clicking" sound though? Not a steady tone?
posted by unknowncommand at 1:19 PM on July 15, 2023 [1 favorite]