Millions of Americans live with chronic or episodic anxiety. While technology has become one of the main contributors of that stress, it also has the potential to provide the solution. The market for stress-reducing technologies has been booming for a few years. NuCalm, from Solace Lifesciences Inc., was first introduced in 2010 as a drug-free, stress intervention system that moderated adrenaline levels in the body. The technology, which was adopted in clinical settings like dental clinics over the last few years, now has a consumer version. At CES Unveiled this year, the company introduced ReNu, a stress management kit that induces a deep slumber through a proprietary software.
While the company claims that ReNu's strength is a brainwave-tweaking software that rapidly reduces stress, the process starts with a surprising step that feels counterintuitive. Before the user can experience the technology, they are required to use supplements in the form of a cream or chewable nutrients that the company claims are "all-natural amino acids". Next, a couple of small patches, placed behind each ear, produce microcurrents to rapidly increase the absorption of the nutrients. The stimulation from the patches also prepares the brain for the company's proprietary software, which is delivered to the brain in the form of binaural audio.
The ReNu kit includes a noise-cancelling JBL Everest Elite headset that enables the listener to hear soothing music. The track uses a mix of algorithms for binaural beats that tweak brainwave frequencies. Through the audio, ReNu oscillates the frequency between alpha and theta zones -- essentially producing a state of deep relaxation and recovery to cope with a stressful day.
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