What Brings You to BrainO₂™?

We repeatedly ask: “Can you hear your heartbeat in your head?” If yes — we are there. If no — we are not. Physiologically this is a sensation that almost everyone has experienced and easily recognizes. It means the body is sending enough blood to the head that the eardrum throbs. This is the actual threshold we use. Once the answer becomes yes, we repeatedly pulse oxygen for 2–5 seconds being careful not to allow the pulse rate to decrease.

Not everyone hears their heartbeat. For me the transition is really a challenge experience where I feel a stern, but not distressed urge to back off my pace for recovery. I’m able to continue because while it’s uncomfortable, it’s like climbing a hill on a bike. As long as I don’t increase my pace — I can hold it. Shortly after this urge I begin to hear my pulse in my head. When this happens I hold pace for about 30 seconds, switch to oxygen for 2–5 breaths, and switch back to the higher pace. This minimal recovery keeps me close to the zone.

Power Exert corresponds to a physical exertion, like a sprint. As with all exercise, restrain yourself to exertion levels appropriate to your conditioning. Exercising harder than your body will allow can result in injury.

Shy of the heartbeat in the head, the usage method still works — but gains in mental function are consistent with Ardenne’s lesser published results of 5–15%. Scientific research supports the concept that mammals compensate for hypoxic athletic challenge by squirting more blood to the brain. The 400% blood flow increase seems and feels consistent in our experience and with the results.

I generally never experience ‘euphoria’. My exit feeling is clear — like I had a great workout. My vision is good and I feel very calm for the remains of the day.