ARP 330 - A Quick Look at the Pulsetto VNS Device

I try to stay off of sites like Kickstarter and Indigogo. Too much temptation and even more disappointment. Back in the day, I use to support the up and coming companies. 

But I got tired of waiting sometimes month before the product arrived. I have been burned by companies that found out it was hard to be an innovator.

Few days ago, I got an email that I was about to toss in the trash. Looked like spam. Anyway, I found out that it is an actual company that claims to treat anxiety, sleep problems and helping to focus attention.

Supposedly, this is a device that you place on your neck, apply a gel to help you make contact with the Vagus nerve for a tingling session of calm and relaxation. 

It has possibilities for some of us that want more non-drug based symptom options.

But there are hitches in the giddy-up. 

In this episode, a quick look at the Pulsetto VNS device.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

There is a post on SciTechDaily about reducing the amount of social media consumption called Can 30 Minutes a Day Save Your Mental Health? 

Excellent Crash Course explainer video on what the Autonomous, Parasympathetic and Sympathetic system is, what it does and how it relates to stress and anxiety. 

Chris Haslam at Wired.com review of the Pulsetto device, really good article.

HealthInsider post on Pulsetto Review: Can It Improve the Quality of Your Life?

The official Pulsetto website can provide more information if you are interested in this device.

Trust Pilot Reviews of the device.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 329 Cat Coloring Book as Meditation Practice

The TLDR version: What I do know is that a coloring book could be an opportunity for those who have trouble with some of the traditional concepts of meditation or mindfulness practice. 

But be careful about making a purchase. When possible, buy from a human creator.

The much longer version: I insist on being a human being so I still do my own research. Not saying I having dipped a toe or two into the new hyped up gizmo world of ask a question get a possibly faulty answer of A.I. 

I have. I think I've learned more about human beings and the the decisions that they are making concerning the use of a service with a raft of ethical considerations tossed to the wind.

Which causes me to have certain types of additional anxiety about what humans do. 

In searching for resources for this week's episode I discovered the world of Kindle Digital Publishing (KDP) and stress and anxiety coloring books. 

For those that don't know, there is a group of people that produce low content books. These can be lined notebooks, journals, prompt books and yes, coloring books.

These books are very easy to produce. If you have a word processing program you are good to go. Create the book, slap a cover on it and send it to KDP. 

There are people that make dang good money doing this. Some are crafts people and true artists. Others jumped on the trend early enough to make a profit with low quality crap.

This is nothing new. Mainstream publishers have been making low content books for years. As in centuries. If you have ever been in a TJ Max or Ross store, you've seen them. 

What is new is two things colliding. A subset of people creating "stress or anxiety relief "coloring books for adults and A.I. 

These entrepreneur folks are cranking out hundreds of these books using A.I. to make minor variations to name, cover and the appearance of content. There is a tsunami of very low quality book. 

I can't tell by looking at the cover who is who. Or if it is a good book for actual use?

Does the coloring book have perforated pages to make it easy to work with?

Is it single or double sided?

Will there be bleed through?

I'm trying to say, buyer be aware and beware. 

What I do know is that a coloring book could be an opportunity for those who have trouble with some of the traditional concepts of meditation or mindfulness practice. 

That is the topic of this episode on the summer slowdown.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Blue Star Coloring Ocean Animal Patterns Coloring Book

Dover Publishing Fifty Favorite Birds Coloring Book By Lisa Bonforte

Rockridge Press adult coloring book Stress Relief Cat Coloring Book, I found this on the Simon and Schuster website. 

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.