The Science of Calm: Webinar Replay and Recap

Watch the Replay: Dharma Dr. Founder Brad Mosell and Chief Clinical Advisor Dr. Amy Serin explore the science of bilateral stimulation and share exciting research results, including brain scan evidence of reduced stress markers. Join Brad as he shares his journey with the brand and discover why Tabs are a powerful tool for mental health support—both in therapy sessions and everyday life.

 

Brad’s Journey with Dharma Dr., Product Highlight, and Vision

1. The Dharma Dr. Tabs: A Portable Tool for Stress Management

Timestamp: 00:01:45 – 00:03:00

  • Brad introduces the Dharma Dr. tabs, wireless tactile stimulation devices designed for both clinical and non-clinical use.

  • Compact, discreet, and easy to use, the tabs are engineered for therapists, coaches, and individuals seeking effective stress management solutions.

2. App Features that Redefine Accessibility

Timestamp: 00:03:15 – 00:07:30

  • Adjustable Intensity and Speed: Three speed grades, which can be controlled both manually, or through the app.

  • Dharma Dr. App: Offers even more control with up to 10 speed and intensity settings.

  • Remote Access for Telehealth: Brad shares the bluetooth connection option for clients and therapists, and steps through how to pair from both the client and therapist perspective during virtual sessions. 

  • Group Therapy Functionality: Allows one therapist to control multiple tabs simultaneously, creating scalable solutions for group EMDR and stress management protocols.

  • Video Integration: Provides grounding exercises and stabilization techniques to complement bilateral stimulation.

 

Dr. Serin’s Research and Clinical Insights

How Bilateral Stimulation Impacts the Brain

Timestamp: 00:14:40 – 00:24:24

  • Dr. Serin discussed the role of tactile stimulation in EMDR therapy, emphasizing its superiority over other forms of stimulation (like auditory or visual) in activating the brain's contralateral pathways.

  • She explained how eye movements alone can overwhelm the amygdala, creating unnecessary stress for some patients. By contrast, tactile stimulation provides a gentler, more effective way to activate the same mechanisms without triggering overstimulation.

  • Eye movements vs. tactile stimulation: Eye movements in EMDR can be activating, but combining them with tactile stimulation reduces the stress response more effectively.

  • Alternating vs. continuous stimulation: Alternating tactile input uniquely engages the brain's contralateral pathways (across hemispheres) for maximum effectiveness. Continuous vibration does not yield the same benefits.

Salience Network Hypothesis and Amygdala Depotentiation

Timestamp: 00:17:36 – 00:18:47

  • Dr. Serin explained how bilateral stimulation contributes to amygdala depotentiation, reducing the overactivation of the brain’s “fear center.”

  • The TouchPoints’ tactile stimulation adds sensory input, which directly downgrades the stress switch, allowing the brain to disengage from the fight-or-flight response.

  • This process supports the salience network hypothesis, helping the brain reallocate resources from heightened emotional responses to more rational, logical processing.

  • By disrupting the loop of overactivation in the amygdala, the tabs promote a calming effect that is central to their therapeutic use.

Clinical Study Results: The Power of Bilateral Stimulation

Timestamp: 00:19:00 – 00:20:30

  • Dr. Serin highlighted results from a study published in the Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedical Science, involving 1,084 participants.

  • Findings revealed that 30 seconds of bilateral stimulation reduced subjective units of distress (SUDs) by an average of 63%.

  • The immediate impact of bilateral stimulation was likened to resetting the brain's "stress switch," helping participants enter a calmer, more balanced state.

The Power of EMDR 

Timestamp: 00:20:50 – 00:22:00

  • Bilateral EMDR Treatment Statistics (from Cochrane Review):

  • After 6 sessions (90 minutes each):

    • 100% of single trauma survivors no longer met PTSD diagnosis criteria

    • 80% of multiple trauma survivors no longer met PTSD diagnosis criteria

Why Tapping Isn’t Cutting it

Timestamp: 00:22:24 – 00:24:24

  • The cerebellum anticipates self-induced touching and tapping and changes the brain's response

  • Self-tapping does not produce the same reduction in the stress response

  • Research shows therapist tapping cannot produce the same rhythm as devices

  • Distinct difference on EEG recordings when tactile BLS is vibrational vs. tapping

  • Conclusion: tactile BLS should be vibrational, rhythmic, and externally produced for maximal effect

  • Discussion of why cognitive approaches alone aren't always effective:

    • Can't override high stress with conscious mind

    • Need physiological state change first

    • Tabs help achieve proper state for cognitive work

EEG Studies Reduced Activity in Frontal Theta Waves

Timestamp: 00:24:40 – 00:28:00

  • Dr. Serin discusses how the tactile bilateral stimulation (BLS) provided by the Dharma Dr. tabs leads to a reduction in frontal theta activity on EEG readings.

  • Frontal theta waves are typically associated with stress, rumination, and overactive thinking.

  • The reduced theta activity suggests a shift in the brain toward a more calm and regulated state, which is critical for effective therapeutic work and stress reduction.

  • This is an important feature because it indicates that the tactile stimulation has a direct impact on calming the brain's frontal lobe, promoting a more relaxed mental state conducive to healing and therapeutic processes.

Double Blind Cortisol Study

Timestamp:  00:29:00 – 00:32:40

  • Dr. Serin refers to a triple-blind study that investigates the effects of bilateral stimulation (BLS) on cortisol levels..

  • The results showed a significant reduction in cortisol levels (a stress hormone) after the application of bilateral stimulation, suggesting that BLS can effectively lower stress and promote relaxation.

  • The decrease in cortisol levels is key because it points to the potential of tactile BLS to mediate the body’s stress response, contributing to the therapeutic effects of the tabs.

Applications Beyond EMDR

Timestamp: 00:29:00 – 00:30:30

  • Dr. Serin discusses the preventive power of using bilateral stimulation (BLS) outside of therapy sessions.

  • She explains that regular use of BLS in day-to-day life helps prevent distressing experiences from becoming long-term traumatic memories.

  • By utilizing the device outside of the office (e.g., using the Dharma Dr. tabs), individuals can manage stress before it becomes overwhelming and ingrained, thus reducing the likelihood of certain experiences becoming EMDR targets (issues that require formal therapy).

  • This practice can help people process stress in real-time, preventing it from escalating into something that needs to be dealt with in therapy, and enhancing emotional resilience in day-to-day life

Unpublished Data from Broadman 25

Timestamp: ~00:32:40 – 00:37:00

  • Dr. Serin references unpublished data from Broadman 25, which is an area of the brain associated with emotional processing.

  • She discusses how this specific area of the brain is involved in the modulation of stress responses and emotional regulation. Broadman 25 is crucial because it has a role in how the brain processes emotions in real-time.

  • The data suggests that tactile bilateral stimulation (such as through the tabs) can impact Broadman 25, leading to improvements in emotional processing and stress regulation.

  • This unpublished data further supports the potential for the tabs to not only lower stress levels but also improve emotional resilience over time, especially when used as a daily tool to support mental health.

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