That One Time I Tried To Hack My Brain

Hello! My name is Amir, I am a social media & community manager, and I spend a lot of time in front of the computer: eight hours a day, sometimes more. Three months ago, to better understand what happens to my brain when I work, I bought the Waverox Mind Tracker and spent over 90 hours in it. In this review, I will tell you how it works, its pros and cons, and who it might be useful for.

What is Mind Tracker and why did I buy it?

Essentially, the Waverox Mind Tracker is a headband that helps track your brain’s state throughout the day. Waverox says that the gadget will help improve productivity, and teach you how to focus better and cope with stress.

Honestly, I don't have serious productivity problems, and I don't generally stress too much, but I was curious about what happens in my head and whether I could work even more efficiently. That's how I got the device. Before this, I had never used anything like that, other than fitness trackers for sport.

Price, form factor, design, and other specifications

I bought MindTracker in October 2023, and it cost me ~700 Euros at the time. I don't know the current price – but you can learn it by leaving a request on the Waverox website. You can choose from 2 form factors: wireless headphones with noise cancellation, or a headband (my option). As far as I’m aware, their functionality is pretty much identical, and they have the same number of electrodes. I’ve picked the headband because it’s slightly lighter, and I wouldn’t trade my AirPods for the world.

The gadget was delivered in a minimalistic matte black box, with a travel case inside. The first impression was rather positive: the headband is very good-looking, made of matte plastic, and the wires are hidden inside the headband. Golden electrodes that do most of the work are also hidden and aren’t seen when I wear the headband. I could see that engineers and designers did a great job. Ergonomics-wise, the headband is very light and small, so I never had any problems with wearing it outside. Additionally, you can adjust the headband to your head.

A USB charger is included in the packaging. I charge the headband about once a week, and I wear it for 1-2 hours on weekdays, so I just charge it on Sunday.

To use the Mind Tracker, you can either use a PC or a smartphone. I use both the Mac OS and the IOS apps, and it synchronizes great. I always have the app open when I’m working, but outside of work, for a meditation session or to check the data for the day, I use the mobile app.

What MindTracker does and how I use it

The device reads real-time brain activity data using electrodes. It processes the obtained data and translates it into metrics: concentration, fatigue, stress level, cognitive load level, and others.

Right from the home screen, I can see three blocks of data about my state. The first one shows the brain's load level (usually represented as a percentage). This metric shows me how busy my brain is at the moment. One funny experiment I did is trying to imagine a complex environment while closing my eyes - my brain’s load level skyrockets.

The second block reflects my overall current state: engagement, relaxation, anxiety, stress, or overwork. In three months, it showed a state of fatigue only once; the rest of the time, I was either focused or relaxed. Based on this metric, you can make more informed decisions about when to work. Usually, when I see that my brain is focused, I try to get as much work done as possible.

The third block shows my emotional state: whether I am focused, calm, or tense. I found this metric especially useful, as I tend not to give attention to my emotions when heavily concentrated. If the app shows me I’m tense, it’s a sign for me to take a step back, and think about why I feel that way.

To ensure accurate tracking, I calibrate my device in the morning: I put it on while being in a calm state and just measure the indicators. This allows me to track iAPF: my individual alpha frequency. If it decreases, something is wrong, and I need to rest. It's interesting to measure iAPF in the morning and evening; for example, this morning, my iAPF was -3.6%, and now, in the evening, it's -2%.

I also go through the Stress Resistance training. It is a 25-day course of nine-minute meditations. I usually do it like this: dim the lights, go to a quiet place, sit in one position, and listen to the training. During the session, MindTracker reads the brain's state and plays different sounds. If I am completely relaxed, it suggests nature sounds; if I stop feeling relaxed, it adds the sounds of a busy highway. Ideally, the training should be done every day, but I don't always find the time, so I have only reached level 6 so far. At the end of the session, the device informs whether I passed the level. If the training is not done for some time, the statistics are reset, and you have to start over.

Here’s how I use the Mind Tracker. I wake up in the morning, calibrate it, then work for 3-4 hours. It’s important to note that I work from home, so I calibrate the device BEFORE starting to work. I usually leave it on when I do my usual coffee run since it’s interesting to me how my brain switches once I’m out of the house. I have no problems with wearing the headband outside: it’s not at all heavy and feels like it’s made out of fabric. Towards the evening, I sometimes put it back on to do the training I mentioned earlier.

When working from a coffee shop or a co-working, the headband doesn't bother anyone. Sometimes people ask what it is because the device has a pretty noticeable green light when turned on. Personally, I like the way the device looks, so I like wearing it in public. Seems very cyberpunk-ish, especially with a black hoodie and a laptop.

In conclusion, the Waverox Mind Tracker didn’t make any shocking revelations about me, or the way I work. I’m a pretty calm and productive person, and the device mainly confirmed that for me. However, I find it very useful for deciding when to work and when to take breaks. I’ve tried the Pomodoro Technique before using the Mind Tracker, but found it lacking personalization. For this purpose, the Waverox Mind Tracker is perfect for me.

Pros, cons, and who it's suitable for

Mind Tracker pros:

• Excellent design.

• Accurately shows the state.

• Various metrics.

• Training programs: perfect solution for those who want to start meditating, learn to relax, and deal with stress.

  
  

Cons:

• Form factor: it would be great if the device was even smaller and could fit into the ear.
• No app for Android yet.
• Calibration is needed, and while it takes a minute to perform, I’m still too lazy for that sometimes.