Thync, is it a scam?

[SpectrHz]

Is this a scam? I had not heard of it until today, and seems to fall under the tired old "energy booster" crap.

http://www.amazon.com/Thync-Wearable-Technology-changes-feel/dp/B011EVQBG0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_422_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SYQZBFT6KCSAEQVJHDH

 Also, considering I wasn't able to get any links to their scientific description of how it works, they claim, "energy vibes" that alter literally anything you want... Like sleep, motivation, blah blah... I just wanted the eevblogs opinion on what seems to be at first skeptical glance, a us 300$ crock of shit.

[dr.diesel]

Is this a scam?

Yup, sure is.

[firewalker]

If they are talking for "energy vibes"...

There is a relation with electrical signals and vibrations with the mood of a person. If they had gone so far and had managed to master such a thing, it would be with huge letters to the page of the product.

Alexander.

[SpectrHz]

If they are talking for "energy vibes"...

The is a relation with electrical signals and vibrations with the mood of a person. If they had gone so far and had managed to master such a thing, it would be with huge letters to the page of the product.

Alexander.

That's what I figured, it would be a much bigger deal with alot more scientific evidence if they actually managed to master that. Also a lot more coverage from valid sources. But all the reviews are from pointless tech news outlets that are about as usefull for valid news as hitting my head with a hammer...

[German_EE]

Scam, unless proven otherwise.

[TerraHertz]

Dunno if it's a scam, but that forehead patch makes wearers look retarded. Also the product name makes you thound retarded when you thay it.

But maybe no one will notith.

[denelec]

It's real... Dilbert just invented it...   
http://dilbert.com/   

[SpectrHz]

Dunno if it's a scam, but that forehead patch makes wearers look retarded. Also the product name makes you thound retarded when you thay it.

But maybe no one will notith.

True, it may not be a scam. At least not intentionally, I'm sure the designers genuinely believe what they have made is real, so that would make it legit, just nonscientific. I've seen devices like this before, and the kicker that sets me off is always how many things it can regulate, they claim it can give you energy, boost motivation, help you unwind, help you sleep better, boost focus, etc... These can be huge mental struggles for everyone at times, so obviously we want a quick, non-invasive solution to help us. However, the thync and its pie-in-the-sky claims are dubious at best. If it was truly that simple to control all these things, effectively, and measurably in a scientifically repeatable trial with real result, I feel like there would be scientific journals and companies springing up all over the place jumping on this, not just the occasional snake oil cure all company. This seems to be an all-encompassing cure all, and to my knowledge, the only real way to alter cognitive function non-invasively via electromagnetic impulses is with a TMS machine, like Ben Krasnow with that scary huge coil he was dumping a capacitor bank into to screw with his primary motor cortex. I'm sure the thync is playing fast and loose with real science, and I'm sure there is some science behind this, however I also feel that this device in no way actually uses it. just a 300$ placebo you strap to your head that buzzes on your skull.

I'm obviously not certain about any of this, these are just my first impressions of them.

[drws]

Nice customer review for it

First off, I WAS able to concentrate much better at work. HOW-E-VER, when the wife fired up the microwave I soiled myself and forgot who I was for awhile. Anyway, 3 stars.

[subacati]

My best guess is that this is a 'mind entrainment' device. Experiments with this technology have been ongoing since the 1950s.
The merits of 'mind entrainment' are dubious at best.
The most successful experiments have involved flashing lights, often in concert with binaural sound.
Do a search for mind entrainment and brain wave stimulator projects and you'll probably find dozens of diy projects that make similar claims.

[xrunner]

Turn it up - WAY up.

[Docholiday]

This reminds me of the bio feedback unit sold long ago. Just another spin of the same device.

[wagon]

Probably placebo effect in any 'users'.

[Docholiday]

Funny you mention "placebo" I was just thinking that after my post. A very powerful tool (placebo) and thats how a lot of these natural remedies work too.

[helius]

A story that was told to me third-hand, so I can't expect it will be hugely credible, but it is interesting:
In the '60s, researchers at an electronics lab were testing on themselves running amplified conditioned signals to probes attached to their ears. At some combinations of frequency and amplitude there were physical effects ranging from blinking to jaw clenching. But there may have been deeper mental effects also, as one of the scientists later jumped off a bridge.
You can also search for a video called "3d no glasses" to see what can happen when the face is electrically stimulated.