which eeg device should I get

hi,
I want to get an eeg device for home use, to see what my brain waves are, gamma, beta, alpha and theta.
for meditating and whatever, learning, creative states.
would anyone please help me choose what to buy?
I know nothing about this.
but this one looks interesting:
https://shop.openbci.com/products/openbci-eeg-headband-kit?variant=8120393760782

thank you for any help,
Charlie

Comments

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA

    Charlie, hi.

    If 4 channels are enough for you, get the Ganglion with the headband. If you need more than 4 channels, then Cyton.

    William

  • thank you very much William.
    I only want to see what my brain waves are.
    gamma, beta, alpha and theta and delta.
    is the Ganglion all I need?
    and do I need to buy anything else?
    and is it hard to figure out out how to use the Ganglion and headband
    and whatever else I need, computer program or whatever?
    thank you for any help,
    Charlie

  • I've read more of the Guide. it is looking rather complicated.
    would you please tell me, if there is an eeg device that I can get, that works good, and is simpler?
    how about the Muse 2? or something similar?
    I don't want to buy something that doesn't work though.
    thank you for any thoughts.
    Charlie

    https://www.amazon.com/Muse-2-Brain-Sensing-Headband/dp/B07HL2S9JQ

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA

    All the docs for OpenBCI, tutorials, how to use each piece of equipment and software, are here,

    https://docs.openbci.com/docs/Welcome.html

    The Ganglion connects to 'electrodes' on the scalp. (To read out the EEG, no voltage is sent in.) You have a choice of electrodes, as shown on the shop page. In addition to the headband, you can also use gold cups (and paste), etc. Electrodes plug into the pins on the Ganglion.

    William

  • could you possibly talk on the phone for a couple minutes?
    716 839 3078 is my home phone
    if not, is there anyone I can talk to on the phone about this?
    all I want is to see what brainwave category I'm in,
    and see if I can get into alpha and theta, and maybe gamma too.

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA

    You can email contact at openbci.com and exchange some emails with OpenBCI customer support.

    all I want is to see what brainwave category I'm in, and see if I can get into alpha and theta, and maybe gamma too.

    Brainwave frequencies are a constant mix of these 'bands', so they change frequently. Even within a matter of seconds. So you are never "in a brainwave category" continuously. Some devices such as Muse, come with built in 'meditation' programs that will help you generate more of the alpha waves. Which are associated with calmness and relaxation.

    Regards, William

  • thank you very much.
    what do you think of the Muse 2?
    good, bad?

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA

    Muse is a decent device. However it is limited in EEG, to only measure the points on the forehead. That is the band across the forehead you see on the photos. OpenBCI Ganglion and Cyton can place electrodes anywhere on the head.

    Generally alpha wave production is much stronger in the very back of the head.

    Most people, when their eyes are closed and they relax, start to generate significant amounts of alpha waves. Another good way to learn this is to look in your local neighborhood for a meditation class or teacher that you resonate with. Many health agencies offer MBSR Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction classes. This would give long term benefits.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=Mindfulness+Based+Stress+Reduction

  • wow, thank you very much.
    for the Open BCI Ganglion, how bad would it be for my purposes, that the Focus Widget is temporarily deprecated?
    the guide says:
    The Focus Widget is temporarily deprecated until a more reliable Focus algorithm is implemented. If you would still like to use this widget, you can download and run GUI v4.2.0.

  • retiututretiutut Louisiana, USA
  • thanks alot.
    I'm thinking is more complicated than what I want.
    do you have any thoughts about simpler EEG devices?
    like maybe this Emotiv device for $299
    https://www.emotiv.com/product/emotiv-insight-5-channel-mobile-eeg/

  • retiututretiutut Louisiana, USA
    edited May 2021

    for the Open BCI Ganglion, how bad would it be for my purposes, that the Focus Widget is temporarily deprecated?

    The OpenBCI Ganglion is a simple device with amazing reliability and the power of the BrainFlow backend. It's very easy to get started using the OpenBCI GUI.

    OpenBCI exists as a trusted, transparent, and customizable option for neuro-hackers and researchers alike. With OpenBCI devices, you will always own your full raw data, and you have a world-wide community to collaborate with. For more detailed examples of what's possible, check out https://www.openbci.com/community.

    Take Care,
    RW

  • thank you.
    I was told that I would need the Cyton to
    do what I want to do (see my brain wave categories).
    do you disagree?
    and think the Ganglion is all I need?

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA

    Ganglion is 4 channels. That is usually enough for most starting with EEG. Cyton is 8 or 16 channels.

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA

    do what I want to do (see my brain wave categories).

    As mentioned previously, these are constantly changing, depending on factors such as your relaxation, focus, sleepiness, etc.

  • thank you so much.
    customer support said I need the Cyton.
    do you disagree?

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA

    customer support said I need the Cyton. do you disagree?

    I don't have a record of your interaction with support. As I said, the main difference is the number of channels. Do you understand that the Muse has 4 channels, and the Insight has 5 channels? Ganglion has 4. Cyton has either 8 or 16. That is why the cost is significantly more.

  • ok.
    yes I understand, thank you.
    do you have any thoughts about the Emotiv Insight 5 Channel?
    https://www.emotiv.com/product/emotiv-insight-5-channel-mobile-eeg/

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