A Visit to a RigaBrain Brain Training Session

My appointment fell on the evening of the last day of March, as I could not make it at any other time on a weekday. I went to my first RigaBrain trial training session. Exactly 30 days had passed since I had been here for the first time at the introductory afternoon. I was greeted by a young woman who offered me a place to hang my coat, a pair of crocheted house slippers to change into - which I did - and asked me to wait a moment.

Image from www.theverge.com

Then Pēteris Urtāns invited me into the room, where he asked me to settle into a large, comfortable reclining chair facing the window. It all began with a brief interview - quick answers to a few questions: Do you have sleep disturbances? Have you ever had a concussion? Do you experience persistent anxiety? Do you eat fish regularly? (a trick question) Are you fully aware of yourself? Do you believe in anything?

That last question involuntarily brought to mind the Freemasons, who also ask a question about faith when admitting new members - because the belief holds that a person cannot improve, develop or grow if they believe in absolutely nothing.

After the interview, I was handed a sheet headed "Declaration", which I was asked to read and sign - confirming that I was voluntarily participating in the given training programme and that sensors were being attached to my head, which would convert brain waves into information, record it and store it on a computer, which in turn would be able to create feedback to the brain in the form of audio sound or a digital image. This was followed by an eleven-point list of "I acknowledge that..." and a four-point list of "I agree (to what)...". Something like signing a contract, so that there would be no complaints afterwards.

Then measuring devices (sensors) were attached to both ears and on each side of the head. Moreover, Pēteris explained and commented on each action and touch, saying what he would do and why it was needed. Initially, test measurements were taken with eyes open and then with eyes closed. Then relaxing music was put on (the first piece in a Deep Forest style), alternating with more rhythmic or more peaceful tracks. The flow of music was interrupted every now and then by clicks or pauses, which were supposedly produced by my own brain. The whole thing sounds somewhat like a slightly damaged recording and is even mildly irritating, as one involuntarily wants to take out the CD and switch from the player to the radio.

So I spent a full 30 minutes half-reclining in the chair with my eyes closed, listening to music with clicks interspersed throughout. Achieving complete absence of thought doesn't quite work, as every now and then the mind drifts to things that need doing. Only right at the very end, when I firmly resolved to stop thinking about anything at all, the time was up. My sense of wellbeing before and after had not changed - at least I didn't notice anything of the sort or could not articulate it. Perhaps I was just slightly more rested, as I had been feeling a certain spring-time tiredness at the end of the working day.

My task now was to observe myself for 2–3 weeks. To tune in to the sensations of the moment, to spend time in the state of "here and now" every so often. Strictly no alcohol (not even a small amount, not even a sip), no kvass, and no tinctures with an alcohol base. To try to adhere to the six principles of brain hygiene.

Before leaving, I also had the opportunity to collect a variety of printed materials on what to pay attention to after brain training, recommendations and suggestions, a self-assessment questionnaire, and more.

To be continued...