FAQ | Healium

So how does this work again? Do I need a VR headset? Which VR headsets are compatible?

Yes and no. It depends on how immersive you want the experience to be. Our virtual reality stories require a virtual reality headset. Healium is compatible with Oculus Go, Quest 1, Quest 2, as well as Pico headsets like the Pico G24k, G24k E, Pico Neo 3 and 4. You can purchase a VR headset at your favorite retailer and then get the Healium app, optional EEG headband, and video curriculum here. Healium VR and AR work with a BrainLink Lite headband. No VR goggles? No problem. Our augmented reality stories DON’T require VR goggles. Healium AR works with just your mobile device and either a BrainLink Lite EEG headband or an Apple Watch (on iPhone) for heart rate. You can get Healium AR here on your iPhone or Android. Confused? Watch this video about the difference between Healium VR and AR or email us at hello@tryhealium.com

Does seeing your heart rate or brain patterns displayed increase stress?

In some cases, seeing the feedback can create some anxiety. However, from a training perspective the feedback becomes important. When using any kind of biofeedback for stress or anxiety, it’s often helpful to introduce the feedback gradually or intermix it with approaches that use no feedback. This helps to get used to receiving feedback and learning to approach it as simply information without any kind of judgment related to performance. It is a very mindful approach that provides an external bit of information that corresponds to your internal world. Once a person is able to allow the feedback to kind of “float to the background” of the experience, it can be very useful in learning how to be aware of and gently modify their feeling state.

What is neuromeditation?

NeuroMeditation is the application of brain-based principles to meditation practices. It is based on the understanding that all meditations are not the same. Based on dozens of brain imaging studies, we can categorize meditations based on the way attention is directed, our intention during the practice, and the way it impacts the brain. In general, meditation styles fall into one (or more) of 5 categories: Focus, Mindfulness, Quiet Mind, Open Heart, and Deep States. By understanding each of these styles, you can choose one to match your goals and needs. In addition to the science behind meditation, the NeuroMeditation system also teaches a variety of tools, techniques, and strategies to help you enter these specific meditative states. EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback) is one of the tools used in this process.

Is Healium a treatment for anxiety, depression, or PTSD?

No. Healium VR and AR apps are NOT an FDA-approved treatment for medical conditions nor are they a replacement for psychotropic medication or cognitive behavioral therapy. Healium is also not a replacement for professional counseling or therapy which is one of the best things you can do to help yourself. Healium is a self-awareness and self-management tool that allows the user to become more self-aware that their feelings have power. If you have questions about whether Healium is right for you, talk with your health care professional.

How is EEG neuromeditation different than traditional neurofeedback?

On the surface, these two practices look identical. You place electrodes on the scalp, measure brainwave activity, and provide the person with some form of feedback about what is happening in their brain. Auditory (sound) feedback is generally a specific tone or music that happens when the brainwave patterns shift to the desired state. Visual feedback can be on a flat screen or in virtual reality/augmented reality with Healium. Visual feedback typically involves something changing in the visual experience in response to the brainwave patterns. For example, the screen might dim when you are not in the desired brainwave state and it might become brighter when you are in the desired state. Both traditional neurofeedback and EEG NeuroMeditation use these forms of feedback; however, the function and form of the client’s experience for each of these is quite different.

In traditional neurofeedback, the goal is generally to help shift the brain out of undesirable pattern. For example, someone with ADHD may have an excessive amount of theta brainwave activity in a specific region of the brain. The neurofeedback therapist would place sensors in that exact region and “reward” the person whenever the theta activity drops below a certain level. This is a very individualized process designed to help a person’s brain learn how to move out of its typical, stuck pattern of behaving.

In EEG neuromeditation, the neurofeedback parameters are pre-determined. It is not individualized. We know how the brain should be responding during specific meditation states, so the neurofeedback becomes a tool to help someone identify if and when they are able to enter those states and when they shift into mind-wandering or some other “undesirable” state. It is not about trying to make the brain change a potentially problematic pattern. It is about helping someone to understand their internal state. The neurofeedback, in this case, serves as meditation “training wheels.”

My BrainLink Lite won’t connect to my Healium app or the line is flat.

Follow these instructions to connect or troubleshoot your BrainLink Lite headband connection. If you’re still having issues, please email us at hello@tryhealium.com or use the Live Chat on our website. Tips: The EEG headband must be ON YOUR HEAD and powered on before you try to connect to any device. If the power is low, it will not connect. You must use the short-white cord native cord that came with the headband to charge the EEG power pod until the red light goes completely out on the power pod. This cord came under the foam padding of the box. 3rd party chargers will not work. Did you click the power pod completely into place so there are no gaps like this? If the headband beeps 4 times, that means the power is low. If it beeps twice, that means it’s connected and is sensing brain patterns. If you’ve previously connected the BrainLink to another device like your mobile device, you have to completely power down your other devices to break the Bluetooth connection if you’re pairing with a new device. The brainlink will only be able to connect if you are logged into the Healium app with a paid subscription. Log out and log back in with your pro email and password. Did you allow all of the health and data permissions when you downloaded the Healium app the first time? If not, the brainlink headband won’t be able to connect. To fix that, go to settings on your mobile device, scroll down to the Healium app, and ensure all of the permissions are toggled on if you want to use the EEG headband.

Can I use Healium without an EEG headband, smartwatch or other wearable?

Yes! Healium can work passively without a wearable integration. However, you will need a headband or smartwatch if you want to control the environment with your brain patterns or heart rate. To operate Healium without a wearable, click “NO” when you’re asked whether you’re using a wearable.

My Healium Login Credentials Aren’t Working

Go here and try to login with your credentials. https://dashboard.tryhealium.com/login/
If you get an error, type in your email address and click “forgot password”. Then look in your spam folder or inbox to see if you received a link to reset your password.
Which headset are you using? If your login works on the link in #1 but not in the VR headset, it might be that your headset is not connected to wifi. You won’t be able to login if your headset is not connected to wifi. Go to settings in the headsets, connect to wifi, and then double-check that you’re connected to wifi by opening up a browser in your VR headset. All headsets have an app called “browser“, click on it, type in a website and see if the website loads properly. If it does, you’re connected to wifi.
If you’re still not able to login, ensure that you’re typing your Healium credentials inside the Healium app and not at the login to the actual headset. When you click on the Healium app thumbnail, you should be taken to a green-colored screen to type your login.
If you’re still not able to login, reboot your VR headset by pressing and holding the power button to power off. Restart the headset and try to log in again with your credentials on the Healium app.
If that still doesn’t work, contact hello@tryhealium.com and we’re happy to get on a call to help you track down the issue.

Why am I getting a “Timed Out” error when I try to log into my Pico VR headset for the first time?

When you create a Pico account for the first time, you have to verify your email address. If you don’t verify your email address first and try to log in, you will receive a “Timed Out” error inside the headset and you won’t be able to download even free apps from the Pico app store. To resolve this go to your email, search in your email for PICO and click the link in that email to verify your email address. Then, you should be able to log in with the credentials you just created and download items from the app store.

Is Healium down?

No. If you have a bug to report, please email hello@tryhealium.com Healium Customer Service

Which mobile devices are compatible with the Healium AR app?

Healium is compatible with iPhone and iPad devices running AR Kit (iPhone 6S or above), as well as Android Phones and Tablet devices running AR Core (typically 8.0 or later – Samsung Galaxy S7 or above)

The video appears blurry. How can I fix that?

Wipe the lens with a dry soft cloth in a circular motion to remove oil or smudges. You can wear glasses while wearing the VR headset. Much like a scuba mask you need to move it around and adjust it on your face as the lenses are curved to give people a few different ways to view them. For some of our stereoscopic scenes, if you’ve never seen depth on video, it may appear blurry at first. The new Oculus Quest headsets have higher resolution and the ability to adjust for interpupillary distance which also helps with focus. The Pico Goblin headsets provide 4K resolution.

My Apple Watch won’t connect to Healium AR?

A reminder that Apple Watch only connects to our augmented reality iphone app. Your watch may take up to 15 seconds to connect to the app. If it doesn’t connect, it might be that you need to re-enable health kit or app permissions. Here’s how to do that.

1. On your iphone, go to SETTINGS/ HEALTH/ DATA ACCESS & DEVICES/ HEALIUM AR and ensure that both heart rate buttons are enabled.

2. Go to your iphone, go to SETTINGS/ HEALIUM AR app and ensure you have given access and that the buttons for Bluetooth and camera are powered on.

3. If the Healium app still doesn’t show up on your apple watch, open the Apple Watch companion app on your iPhone, and scroll down through the My Watch section to the app you’re trying to install. Tap on this app to see the “Show App on Apple Watch” toggle. Flip the switch to off, wait for the app to finish uninstalling, then toggle it back on again.

Should I be concerned about radiation from the BrainLink Lite EEG headband?

BrainLink uses the internationally popularized Bluetooth 3.0 wireless transmission standard protocol, and many Bluetooth headsets have also used the same wireless technology. However, the data size and power transmitted by BrainLink are much less than the audio and voice of general Bluetooth headsets. Therefore, compared to the commercially available Bluetooth headsets, BrainLink has nearly zero radiation. Read more on their website.

How does neurofeedback fit in?

Neurofeedback, or EEG biofeedback, is the practice of measuring brainwave activity and then feeding that information back to the client using auditory or visual information. Typically, this process is used to teach the brain to shift to a more flexible, adaptive, or resilient pattern. This type of work can be used by neurofeedback clinicians to treat ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and many other mental health conditions. Because we know what should be happening in the brain during specific states of meditation AND because we can monitor this and get feedback about our internal states, we can strategically combine these practices to make them both more powerful. We refer to this process as EEG NeuroMeditation, which is what Healium is doing with an EEG sensing headband.

What’s the difference between Healium VR and AR apps?

VR or virtual reality apps work with VR goggles. The environment is completely immersive or closed off to the outside world. AR or augmented reality apps work with just your mobile device where you can still see the real world but there are images superimposed over the real world. With Healium AR, you are manipulating 3D objects in the real world on your Iphone or Android with your brain patterns, heart rate, or even just your imagination. VR goggles are not required with mobile AR (augmented reality). All you need is your smart phone or tablet.

Will Healium tell me whether I’m a positive or a negative person?

No, Healium is not a diagnostic tool and is not a treatment for medical conditions. It’s a self-awareness tool that allows you to discover your ability to control your brain patterns and heart rate during guided meditations. If you have questions about your emotional state, please seek the advice of a professional.

My Brainlink Lite won’t connect to the Healium VR app or the line is flat

Follow these instructions to connect or troubleshoot your BrainLink Lite headband connection. If you’re still having issues, please email us at hello@tryhealium.com or use the Live Chat on our website. Tips: The EEG headband must be ON YOUR HEAD and powered on before you try to connect to any device. If the power is low, it will not connect. You must use the short-white cord native cord that came with the headband to charge the EEG power pod until the red light goes completely out on the power pod. This cord came under the foam padding of the box. 3rd party chargers will not work. Did you click the power pod completely into place so there are no gaps like this? If the headband beeps 4 times, that means the power is low. If it beeps twice, that means it’s connected and is sensing brain patterns. If you’ve previously connected the BrainLink to another device like your mobile device, you have to completely power down your other devices to break the Bluetooth connection if you’re pairing with a new device. The brainlink will only be able to connect if you are logged into the Healium app with a paid subscription. Log out and log back in with your pro email and password. Did you allow all of the health and data permissions when you downloaded the Healium app the first time? If not, the brainlink headband won’t be able to connect. To fix that, go to settings on your mobile device, scroll down to the Healium app, and ensure all of the permissions are toggled on if you want to use the EEG headband.

Which models of the BrainLink Lite headband work with Healium?

The BrainLink LITE headband will power Healium. The Brainlink Pro version does not work with Healium. You can get a BrainLink Lite headband on Healium’s e-commerce site. Confused? We are happy to help. Please email hello@tryhealium.com

What are the 5 styles?

Focus practices involve directing the attention toward a single target, recognizing when the mind wanders, and quickly returning attention to the single target.

Mindfulness includes practices that involve shifting to an observer stance; watching what is happening in the present moment-thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations-without attachment or judgment.

Open Heart is an umbrella term to include practices such as lovingkindness, compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness. These are practices that involve activating and sustaining a positive emotional state (and usually sending that energy to others).

Quiet Mind is the stereotype of meditation and involves entering a state of spaciousness with minimal internal dialogue.

Deep States involve shifting into a state where consciousness is freed of its usual restrictions. There can be spontaneous memories, emotions, or internal journeys.

What kind of equipment do you need to do EEG neuromeditation?

If you want to use EEG NeuroMeditation with VR/AR, you will need a BrainLink Lite headband, a compatible VR headset (Oculus Go, Quest, Quest 2, Pico Goblin, and Pico G2, G24k, G24k E), a smartphone (for AR), and a subscription to the Healium software. You can purchase them here https://www.tryhealium.com/buy/ .

How many different neuromeditation protocols are there?

At the moment, Healium works with 2 of the NeuroMeditation styles. We have protocols developed for Positivity and Quiet Mind styles with plans to release focus protocols for the other styles in the near future. What if I am interested in NeuroMeditation, but don’t want to buy an EEG headband? You can still get involved. The Healium software has guided experiences for all of the NeuroMeditation styles that can be used without an EEG headband headband. Simply choose which style you would like to practice, choose an experience, and follow the guided meditation instructions and the experiences automatically advance forward. It is that easy.

How do I know which neuromeditation style is best for me or my client?

We have developed an online survey that people can take to help them identify which strategy might be a good starting point. You can take the survey on our home page here: https://www.tryhealium.com/

Where can I learn more about neuromeditation?

When you purchase the Healium software, you will have access to a 4-week video course that will teach you the science and practice of Open Heart NeuroMeditation using VR/AR. In addition, you can always check out the website: www.neuromeditationinstitute.com. This is likely to give you a pretty good overview of what the method and process of neuromeditation is all about. You can also check out the book, “Meditation Interventions to Rewire the Brain” written by Dr. Jeff Tarrant, the founder of the NeuroMeditation Institute which comes with the purchase of a Healium kit. This is a good overview of the science with a lot of practical techniques and exercises included. If you are specifically looking for information on the EEG NeuroMeditation aspect of the program, you can check out the book chapter, “NeuroMeditation: An Introduction and Overview” written by Dr. Tarrant in the Handbook of Clinical Qeeg and Neurotherapy. You can also find 3-day workshops across the country taught by NMI Trainers.

Why is my line flat instead of slightly wavy?

The most common reason for a flat line is when the user does not have the EEG headband on their forehead before they try to pair or connect the device. Therefore, the Brainlink cannot get a good baseline. If you’re using an EEG headband, your line may also be flat if you have forehead tension or a bad blue tooth connection. If you’re using another wearable like an Apple Watch, you may not have allowed the proper permissions when you downloaded the Healium app for the first time. Here’s some additional helpful information: Follow these instructions to connect or troubleshoot your BrainLink Lite headband connection. If you’re still having issues, please email us at hello@tryhealium.com or use the Live Chat on our website. Tips: The EEG headband must be ON YOUR HEAD and powered on before you try to connect to any device. If the power is low, it will not connect. You must use the short-white cord native cord that came with the headband to charge the EEG power pod until the red light goes completely out on the power pod. This cord came under the foam padding of the box. 3rd party chargers will not work. Did you click the power pod completely into place so there are no gaps like this? If the headband beeps 4 times, that means the power is low. If it beeps twice, that means it’s connected and is sensing brain patterns. If you’ve previously connected the BrainLink to another device like your mobile device, you have to completely power down your other devices to break the Bluetooth connection if you’re pairing with a new device. The brainlink will only be able to connect if you are logged into the Healium app with a paid subscription. Log out and log back in with your pro email and password. Did you allow all of the health and data permissions when you downloaded the Healium app the first time? If not, the brainlink headband won’t be able to connect. To fix that, go to settings on your mobile device, scroll down to the Healium app, and ensure all of the permissions are toggled on if you want to use the EEG headband.

My EEG headband won’t connect to my VR goggles?

Note: As of February 2020, Muse is no longer compatible with Healium. We apologize for the inconvenience. Muse has stopped actively supporting its SDK for third-party developers. Beginning April 1 2020, the Brainlink Lite will become compatible with Healium’s VR and AR apps. Make sure that your EEG headband is on your forehead and powered on when you try to connect and follow the instructions in this blog post. Also make sure that it isn’t connected to another nearby device with bluetooth. Turn off the bluetooth on your mobile device or laptop for example to ensure your headband has disconnected from previously connected devices. Did you click “ALLOW” on all of the privacy questions when you downloaded the app? If not, the EEG headband will not have the proper Bluetooth permissions to connect to the Healium app. To fix this, uninstall the Healium VR app by clicking the three dots . . . to the right of the app thumbnail in your library and select “uninstall”. Reinstall the app and re-answer the privacy questions. Make sure that your headband isn’t connected to another device that’s blocking the VR goggle connection. Turn off the bluetooth on your mobile device for example to ensure your headband has disconnected from your mobile phone and can connect to your VR goggles. Power cycle the VR headset. Make sure the headband’s power is on when you add a device inside the Healium app.

My VR goggles keep shutting off while I’m using them. Why?

Most VR goggles, have a forehead sensor inside the goggles. If it doesn’t detect a forehead or a face then the goggles may shut down to preserve the battery. Pro tip: If you want to keep your VR goggles from going to sleep, you can put a piece of black tape over the forehead sensor to keep them powered on at all times until you choose to shut them down by pressing and holding the power button until the lights go out. It tricks the goggles into thinking there’s a forehead in front of the sensor. If your goggles continue to keep shutting down, some forums suggest removing the eyeglass spacer (if you installed one) as it might be covering the face detection sensor inside the headset. Also, check to make sure that the face detection sensor is clean and free of any fabric covering it. In addition under “power” in settings inside the headset, you can adjust the “auto sleep” setting to longer than the default 15 seconds. Pro tip: If you want to keep your VR goggles from going to sleep, you can put a piece of black tape over the forehead sensor to keep them powered on at all times.

My EEG headband won’t connect to my AR phone app?

Make sure that your EEG headband isn’t connected to your VR headset instead. Turn off your headset when using the Healium AR phone apps to make sure.

The experience I downloaded keeps stopping and starting. Normal?

Yes, that’s what’s supposed to happen! If you’re using an EEG headband then the experience will stop and start according to your brainwaves meeting a certain threshold. This is normal. However, if you find that you’re not using a headband and the experience still appears to stop or buffer, delete the experience and redownload it over stable wifi, waiting for it to fully download before clicking on any other thumbnail. You can toggle difficulty settings to adjust how easily the Healium experience stops by pressing the front trigger on the remote control to open a settings menu. You can also toggle off the data graph altogether.

My Apple watch is not showing the healium icon on the watch face?

If you know you’ve downloaded the Healium iPhone app that has a watch component but it’s not showing up under the “Available Apps” banner, chances are you have Automatic App Install turned off and your iPhone didn’t initially recognize that these apps were Apple Watch compatible. As such, your iPhone may need a reboot to properly sync its app collection. Reboot your iphone.

If the Healium app still doesn’t show up, open the Apple Watch companion app on your iPhone, and scroll down through the My Watch section to the app you’re trying to install. Tap on this app to see the “Show App on Apple Watch” toggle. Flip the switch to off, wait for the app to finish uninstalling, then toggle it back on again.

In the Healium AR app I’m not able to place a 3D object. I tap the screen and nothing happens?

Make sure that you’ve chosen a well lit area that has good contrast. Try your carpet or a newspaper on your desk. Like in this video: https://youtu.be/5MxplKPkX6g You should see a mesh displayed on the screen.

Frequently Asked Questions