Staying Sound of Mind

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Galina Mindlin (Janet Appel Public Relations)

In 1991, Iakov I. Levine, MD, a professor at the Moscow Medical Academy in Russia, developed a groundbreaking method of treating insomnia, calling the process "brain music therapy." In the procedure, the patient's brain waves are recorded via an EEG and converted using an algorithm into musical notes which correlate to brain waves that promote either repose or activation.

The brain waves of particular focus are those associated with various physiological parameters, such as heart rate and muscle tension. The musical sounds are copied into two distinct files on a CD: one relaxing file and one activating file. Playing the particular file promotes the matching mood in the patient's body and helps to regulate his/her own behavioral and physiological conditions.

In 2004, Galina Mindlin, MD, PhD, received the exclusive rights to provide this treatment in the United States through her private practice in New York and has already treated hundreds of patients diagnosed with various mental disorders. Mindlin is the assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as supervising attending physician in the department of psychiatry at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital of Columbia University. She is one of the few physicians in the world who has extensive training in brain music therapy.

Although originally intended for insomnia patients, brain music therapy is found to have positive remedial effects on patients of varying disorders including anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, migraine/tension headaches, auditory hallucinations and those suffering from substance abuse and/or dependence. Brain music therapy is also found to have significant mental relief benefits to those under daily stress or sudden rises in stress from work, such as business people, shift workers, athletes and military personnel.

According to Mindlin, "[brain music therapy] is effective by itself and has also been successful when combined with pharmacological intervention and other treatment modalities," which allows for an innovative system of combined medical treatment for patients.

As the treatment is customized to an individual's unique EEG patterns, and has no chemical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, or reported side effects to date, Mindlin says "unequivocally that brain music therapy is one of the safest and most effective treatments for insomnia and anxiety."

— Bob Stott