Data

Tools

Indexes

Applications

Experiments

Awesome

An open API service indexing awesome lists of open source software.

https://github.com/velocitatem/zenray

BRIGHTEN YOUR MIND
https://github.com/velocitatem/zenray

Last synced: 2 months ago
JSON representation

BRIGHTEN YOUR MIND

Awesome Lists containing this project

README 

        
# Zenray



*BRIGHTEN YOUR MIND*



A portable light therapy device that uses researched frequencies to lessen users' anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms. We will use a device consisting of 9-12 white led lights, controlled by arduino and program 2-3 presets for our MVP that focus on different areas (amusement and stress relief, insomnia relief). The programmes will be based on extensive research in the area that has been carried out since the 70s, our unique selling point is that the device is affordable and portable (similar solutions cost up to 2000 euros on the market right now and are tedious to set up), possibly syncable with music.



## The Problem

As mentioned in the description, the problem we are trying to solve is the lack of affordable and portable light therapy devices. The current solutions are either too expensive or too bulky to be used on the go. Our solution is to create a device that is both affordable and portable.



## Components

To build the device, we will need the following components:



| Component           | Quantity |

|---------------------|----------|

| MAX72xx             | 2        |

| Red LED             | 1        |

| Yellow LED          | 1        |

| $1k\omega$ Resistor | 3        |

| Photo-resistor      | 1        |

| NPN Transistor      | 1        |

| Jumper Buses        | 25       |

| Simple Jumpers      | 10       |

| Breadboards         | 1-2      |

| Cardboard Headset   | 1        |

| ESP 32              | 1        |



**Total Cost:** ~38 Euros



With the above components, we will be able to build the device. The device will be controlled by the ESP 32, which will be connected to the MAX72xx. The ESP 32 will be connected to the internet and will be able to be controlled via a web interface. The web interface will be hosted on the ESP 32 itself.



## Circuit Diagrams

The project consists of two main circuits, one to control the MAX72xx and one to control the LED. The MAX72xx circuit is based on the [MAX7219](https://how2electronics.com/8x8-led-matrix-max7219-arduino/) and [ESP 32](https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/documentation/esp32_datasheet_en.pdf). The led circuit does not rely on any external components, it is just a simple circuit to control the led with a transistor.



![arduino](./circuit_ard.svg)



![led](./circuit_led.svg)



![image](https://github.com/velocitatem/zenray/assets/60182044/dd9fd5e1-eb9d-4f45-adbc-9ecf2432f154)



### Inputs and Outputs

For the display, the inputs are a bit more abstract:



| Program   | Result                                           |

|-----------|--------------------------------------------------|

| Amusement | The display will show a random pattern of lights |

| Relief    | 10HZ frequency                                   |



And for the led, the inputs are:



| Input            | Result  |

|------------------|---------|

| Hight Lumniocity | LED ON  |

| Low Lumniocity   | LED OFF |



LED Simulation: [link](https://www.tinkercad.com/things/hfVYoatWuRI?sharecode=ZBD9FycEfKoT8tPLrLQteGDT8PjNM_R2r0t22P-xDYU)



## Research



**Red light therapy helps boost ATP production which is lowered in the case of depression and anxiety disorders**



Red light therapy or photobiomodulation has been increasing in popularity over the last few years. The most well-studied mechanism of action of PBM centers around cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), which is unit four of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, responsible for the final reduction of oxygen to water using the electrons generated from glucose metabolism [^1^]. The theory is that CCO enzyme activity may be inhibited by nitric oxide, especially in damaged cells. In order to dissociate NO in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, photons are needed that will be absorbed by CCO, with absorption peaks in the red (600-700nm) and infrared (760-900nm) spectral region. This means that red light therapy directly encourages the dissociation of NO and, in return, raises the membrane potential of mitochondria, allowing for an increase in glucose metabolization and ATP production [^1^]. Lowered ATP production is a hallmark of many neurological conditions such as major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease [^2^].



Flickering light therapy works faster than antidepressants to cure symptoms of depression and helps with mindfulness. Many current therapies for mood disorders such as depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), anxiety, and insomnia involve pharmaceutical involvement in the form of antidepressants or other mood enhancers, as well as psychiatric counseling. However, these approaches can have adverse side effects and may not always be cost and time efficient. Recently, light therapy has emerged as an effective tool for treating neuropsychiatric behaviors and symptoms associated with various brain disorders, including depression. One of the most effective forms of light therapy is flickering photic stimulation at alpha frequencies, which has been proven to improve behavioral performance in depressed individuals faster than fluoxetine, a common antidepressant [^3^]. In addition to its mood-enhancing effects, flicker light stimulation induces short-term alterations in consciousness, including hallucinations and geometric patterns, similar to those induced by psychedelic substances but with minimal to nonexistent side effects. This has been reported to create a spiritual and unity experience, boosting insightfulness and bliss [^4^]. By producing gamma waves through flickering, in a receptive state, the therapy has similar effects to meditating, improving cognitive function and balancing brain waves to combat insomnia and stress [^5^].



[^1^]: [Hamblin M. R. (2016). Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA clinical, 6, 113–124](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.09.002).

[^2^]: [Hennessy, M., & Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Photobiomodulation and the brain: a new paradigm. Journal of optics (2010), 19(1), 013003](https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/19/1/013003).

[^3^]: [Kim, S., Kim, S., Khalid, A., Jeong, Y., Jeong, B., Lee, S. T., Jung, K. H., Chu, K., Lee, S. K., & Jeon, D. (2016). Rhythmical Photic Stimulation at Alpha Frequencies Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects in a Mouse Model of Depression. PloS one, 11(1), e0145374](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0145374).

[^4^]: [Bartossek, M. T., Kemmerer, J., & Schmidt, T. T. (2021). Altered states phenomena induced by visual flicker light stimulation. PloS one, 16(7), e0253779](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253779).

[^5^]: [Braboszcz, C., Cahn, B. R., Levy, J., Fernandez, M., & Delorme, A. (2017). Increased Gamma Brainwave Amplitude Compared to Control in Three Different Meditation Traditions. PloS one, 12(1), e0170647](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170647).



## Our program - novel combination of red flickering light therapy



Zenray is a novel product on the market that combines the repairing benefits of red light therapy with mood enhancing effects of flickering light therapy. The MVP comes with 3 presets. The “amusement” program in the Zenray device that focuses on amusement and stress relief. It is a list of arrays (x,y) that will be lit up in a loop. The first element is the x coordinate, and the second is the y coordinate. The program contains 50 points with x and y coordinates. Each point on the LED matrix will be lit up in a specific sequence that flickers at an alpha frequency, creating a moving light pattern that is designed to be visually stimulating whilst the red LEDs used also simulate the creation of gamma waves in the brain, improving cognitive abilities.



## Code



All the necessary code to flash is in `program.ino`. Once you flash the code, you should check the *serial console* for the connection IP. Then you can connect to the device via the browser and navigate to the `/` endpoint to see the main page. All will be explained there.