I’d like to share a synthesis of recent clinical findings regarding the application of specific frequencies in cardiovascular and autonomic rehabilitation, specifically focusing on a 2025 study published in Annals of Neurosciences.
The study, “Effect of OM chanting of 528 Hz frequency on heart rate variability, psychological wellbeing, and quality of sleep in patients of hypertension,” (Bhoot et al., 2025) explored how sound can act as a direct regulator of the autonomic nervous system.
In patients with Stage 1 hypertension, often characterized by a sympathetic "fight or flight" dominance, the daily intervention of 528 Hz chanting led to significant neuro physiological shifts:
Parasympathetic activation
A notable increase in RMSSD (Root Mean Square of Successive Differences), a key metric for vagus nerve activity.
Cardiovascular decoupling
Significant reduction in systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) pressure, suggesting a "tuning" of the biological response.
Sleep architecture
Drastic improvement in PSQI scores, indicating that daytime cardiac coherence directly correlates with nocturnal neural recovery.
Based on this clinical framework, I have designed a 30 day sound protocol that integrates these findings with an advanced acoustic layer: bilateral brain panning.
Why this differs from standard streaming content: Most "healing" tracks on popular streaming platforms are mastered in traditional stereo, which provides a static soundstage. In contrast, this design utilizes a dynamic left to right bilateral pan. From a neuropsychological perspective, this seeks to:
The protocol:
I would love to hear your thoughts on the integration of bilateral panning as a variable in HRV modulation studies.
I keep thinking about this question and never getting a consistent answer.
I've seen some pop science claims that the ability to learn drops off after age 18, age 25 or age 32. Other people suggest it never really drops off, but what if you don't have much of a base to start with?
I'm in my 30s and have barely ever learned anything effectively. I've never completed any kind of rigorous intellectual work or thought (studying, etc. I've studied but not hard). I've never mastered a skill (but I have spent years struggling or acting mindlessly at a base level), or overcome any kind of meaningful challenge. I struggle with retaining information, much less connecting things that aren't extremely obvious. I have very few instances of making connections between things on my own, and never had a philosophical or metacognitive thought in my head until someone prompted me to in young adulthood.
Before anyone asks, yes I'm employed, and decent at it (though my work is probably 80% repetitive action and simple recognition) and I have no diagnosed developmental disorders or learning disabilities. I did fine in school, although my actual education was extremely lacking.
Meanwhile, I'm bored. But I have zero faith in my ability to learn anything to any meaningful level especially because I'd basically be starting from zero, with no mental "tools", at a huge cognitive disadvantage. But I still want to have hobbies, interests, maybe a better job, all of which would require learning skills that I don't think I can. I need some kind of advice, or else a breakdown of what's wrong with me.
Hi everyone! I had a question for those who are practicing neuropsychologists. I’m really interested in the field because I feel like there is a variety of things you can work with for example neuro developmental disorders, mental health, dementia, forensics, aviation competency, and so on.
From what I have noticed I feel like it’s one of those lesser known fields so I’m wondering where do most of your clients come from? How many clients would you say you have per month and of those how many are new and how many are follow up’s? I understand that you create treatment plans for clients, but can you also take a more active role like doing talk therapy?
Also wanted to get other people’s point of views about the field for example why did you choose to practice neuropsychology?
I know I asked a lot of questions 😅 but I would love to hear your answers and experiences!
Hey guys, This is not a post of seeking career advice or asking you to help me to choose program
I got offer from MUSC neuroscience PhD program and UAB neuroenginnering program. As someone who does not live in the US, I’m genuinely struggling to find enough info for those two less known universities and so to make a good choice.
Let me know if you have any thoughts, personal experience, opinions to share about the two programs. I simply just want to learn more about two programs.
Hi everyone,
I'm having a bit of a academic career crisis (as most psych student seem to be having). I am currently going into my last year of a psych BSc and writing a thesis next year. I'm a part of two different labs and have been loving research. A professor I've been working with this year has told me that where I stand currently, the school I am at would accept me for MA psychology (provided I continue on trend with my current habits). My issue is its a thesis based psych problem and most of the post-grad psycology programs I've been investigating are the same. I really enjoy the research (like a lot) but also don't really have it in me to consider a PhD without at leasttaking a break first for some kind of career. What possibilities are there right out of a masters for this kind of program, or are there any at all. Is a thesis-based MA useful? Other paths to look into? What are your recommendations?
Any and all thoughts are beyond appreciated!
Hey Everyone,
Welcome to the r/Neuropsychology weekly education, training, and professional development megathread. The subreddit gets a large proportion of incoming content dedicated to questions related to the schooling and professional life of neuropsychologists. Most of these questions can be answered by browsing the subreddit function; however, we still get many posts with very specific and individualized questions (often related to coursework, graduate programs, lab research etc.).
Often these individualized questions are important...but usually only to the OP given how specific and individualized they are. Because of this, these types of posts are automatically removed as they don't further the overarching goal of the subreddit in promoting high-quality discussion and information related to the field of neuropsychology. The mod team has been brainstorming a way to balance these two dilemmas, this recurring megathread will be open every end for a limited time to ask any question related to education, or other aspects of professional development in the field of neuropsychology. In addition to that, we've compiled (and will continue to gather) a list of quick Q/A's from past posts and general resources below as well.
So here it is! General, specific, high quality, low quality - it doesn't matter! As long as it is, in some way, related to the training and professional life of neuropsychologists, it's fair game to ask - as long as it's contained to this megathread! And all you wonderful subscribers can fee free to answer these questions as they appear. The post will remain sticked for visibility and we encourage everyone to sort by new to find the latest questions and answers.
Also, here are some more common general questions and their answers that have crossed the sub over the years:
Stay classy r/Neuropsychology!
I've always been curious about this topic and would like to hear your thoughts, opinions and any known research!
99% of Mothers I meet always say the love they have for their child is unique, unlike anything they’ve felt before and are able to identify that it is different from the love they feel towards their partner/parents etc. It seems to be unconditional and at time emotionally overwhelming. I’ve added a link to another reddit post that gives more insight on the feeling.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskWomen/s/Oqoc4Dvut6
- Does anyone know what the biological basis / neurological mechanisms are for this?
- Is there evidence on when this happens?
- Do other biological changes occur?
- Are there changes that occur during the physical birth
- And if so do women who have C-sections experience the same changes?
- Are there associated changes in men and how/when does this occur?
I’ve read that there’s a reduction in gray matter, neural pruning and increase in oxytocin. I’ve also heard the theory that it developed as a survival mechanism, women’s brain chemistry alters to feel huge amounts of love for their children in order to ensure they are cared for and survive (I may have this wrong)
Another aspect is if we could identify the neurological changes that occur, could we find a way to replicate these changes in people who adopt or use surrogacy, either by personal choice or because they cannot bear children?
Obviously if this were possible it would be the persons choice, and it would have to be ethical and safe.
Thanks for your time!! Any and all comments, info and opinions are appreciated!
If you disagree with any of this please don’t take it personally! Just a curious discussion!!
Hello everyone,
I've worked quite a bit with neuropsychological testing and always seem to find a difference in how many SD classify impairment (between colleagues and papers). I know it's not that black and white and combining testing with observations and the history is necessary to conclude anything. But I'm just curious which psychometric criteria everyone uses.
So, how many SD do you use as a sign of impairment? Do you have any literature to support your cut-off?
I’m going to a new appointment specifically for medication. My overall TBI, vertigo, headaches, etc. I’ve been on stims for three decades and they make a huge difference in my ADHD functioning.
My current PC has been my subscriber. He doesn’t specialize in adhd and doesn’t feel comfortable increasing my dosage. He has been great though. I’ve only increased 3x in 30 years.
Would a neurologist be able to increase my dosage?
Hey all!!
I have a question about future career paths and the possibility of breaking into neuroscience OR psychology from a social work background. I am expecting to graduate with my Masters in Social Work this December and through my masters program, have discovered strong passion for HOW and WHY the brain does certain things, specifically in regards to mental health/trauma/disabilities etc… My 2 main areas of focus right now are: a) understanding the impacts that trauma has on the brain b) the development and presentation of autism/ autism related focus
I obviously don’t come from a STEM background and know that pursuing this passion would require a lot of stem skills that I lack which is why I am considering a PhD in Psychology.
I would like to continue my education beyond my masters, either with a second masters or a PhD (in eaither neuroscience/neuropsychology/psychology) but would love any advice about if that’s even possible or a direction I should consider given my background, what the outlook is like, if it’s practical, etc… Right now, I am thinking my end goal might be less clinical and more academia/research focused but still unsure.
I am working with the local university to join research studies and have a few leads, which I know I will need before making a decision and give me a better idea of my interests. I just figured I’d ask and see if anyone has any input that could guide my search. TYIA!
Hello, I am getting assessed this week. I experienced a psychosis inbetween and was wondering if it’s common practice to share this prior with the provider since it was after I filled out all of the forms regarding concerns and symptoms. If tbis is the wrong sub delete this, but I just wanted to make sure I am not inconveniencing or impairing my assessment by not sharing this early. Thanks!
I’m interested in studying clinical neuropsychology in Australia, and i’m concerned i might end up unemployed from the bare job market i’ve been hearing about, also seeing no jobs on seek 😭
I’d like to hear the experiences of job seeking and opportunities from neuropsychologists here 🙏
And is it impossible to move to say, Canada or Europe to work there since they require you to become a registered clinical psychologist before clinical neuropsych, which i would be skipping if i studied here in Australia.
In 2025, the NEPTUNE model of near-death experiences sought to bridge Physiology, Psychology, and Evolutionary Science to explain NDEs.
The Psychological Leg of the model heavily relies on the assumption that a dissociative trait facilitates NDEs. In this article, I argue against this argument
i'm looking for interesting stuff to consume in my free time so any youtube videos, published articles, tedtalks, experiments, book, anythinggg is welcome!
My music taste is definitely related to what I grew up listening to in the late 90's, early 2000's and 2010's. Like literally tied directly to it. Listening to video game soundtracks led me to love those songs, and therefore look up more songs from those artists and then continue further with songs/artists of the same genre. For example. Razor Scooter for the PS1, an obscure, random video game. But it made me love underground punk rock of the era, such as "Outta Control" by Sloppy Meateaters, "Story About Us" by Never Too Late, "I'm Not Giving Up On This One" by, presumably the same band "Never Too Late"? "Escape" by Sloppy Meateaters. For Tony Hawk's Underground 2, I remember my biggest song was "Liberate" by Disturbed. I can go on and on for all the years i've played video games, it would take too long. But these are just some of the many examples of songs that influenced me growing up, specifically in the rock/metal genre from a kid who grew up mostly on hip-hop and RNB.
What's the neuropsychology related to this? I still find myself mostly enjoying this era of songs. I can't enjoy anything past a certain time, mostly 2010+. Is it nostalgia? Is it the quality of music that's changed? The latter being my inclination, music just isn't anything close to what it was in the past 30-40 years and I really think it's because of the internet and the ease of making music for the average joe. I don't know.
We put together the data on transcranial photobiomodulation and it is quite interesting. Would love to hear the experts' feedback on this and where it is going.
Hello everyone! I wanted to share a technical breakdown and a neuro acoustic tool I’ve developed, bridging the gap between environmental physics and clinical findings regarding white noise (WN).
While we often define White Noise as a signal with constant power spectral density (a flat line from 20 Hz to 20 kHz), nature provides a complex analogue through waterfalls. A waterfall isn't a uniform mass; it is the sum of millions of microacoustic events. The air trapped in bubbles of varying sizes, each oscillating and bursting at different frequencies, creates a statistical signal that covers the audible spectrum. This natural "masking" effect is highly effective for habituation therapy and tinnitus management by reducing the cortex's response to sudden environmental stimuli.
To ground this practice, I’ve been analyzing the recent systematic review by Gürkan, Öztürk, and Karakaş (Noise & Health, 2025), titled "Applications of White Noise in Maternal and Neonatal Care". Their synthesis of 12 Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) offers a compelling argumentative basis for WN as a nonpharmacological intervention:
Sleep architecture
WN significantly shortens sleep latency and improves efficiency by masking cortical arousal.
Autonomic modulation
Evidence shows a suppression of the sympathetic nervous system response, leading to decreased catecholamine levels (adrenaline), lower heart rate, and reduced salivary cortisol in neonates.
Nociception
WN proved highly effective in reducing pain perception during invasive procedures (e.g., heel prick tests) through sensory competition and physiological recovery.
The tool I designing "bilateral waterfall stimulation":
Based on these principles, I designed a specific 33 minute neuro acoustic tool. Unlike a static recording, I applied panning modulation to create a fluid, rhythmic movement from left to right.
The intent behind this specific design is to move the waterfall’s spectrum across the hemispheres to facilitate:
Hemispheric synchronization
Encouraging fluid communication between brain regions.
Alertness deactivation
Utilizing rhythmic panning (analogous to some principles in EMDR) to help "disengage" the DMN (Default Mode Network) from intrusive thoughts, inducing a state of flow.
Spatial immersion
Reducing auditory fatigue through spatial depth, mimicking natural sound propagation.
Note on safety: As the 2025 review warns, intensity matters. High volume exposure can lead to neurodevelopmental delays, so moderate volume is strictly recommended.
(Note: Best experienced with headphones to perceive the bilateral movement)
Hello! I'm currently in my sophomore year of college (Psych major), with plans of becoming a neuropsychologist. I'm wondering what kind of extracurriculars (volunteering/research/shadowing etc) would help me advance in my future career / boost my resume?
Hey Everyone,
Welcome to the r/Neuropsychology weekly education, training, and professional development megathread. The subreddit gets a large proportion of incoming content dedicated to questions related to the schooling and professional life of neuropsychologists. Most of these questions can be answered by browsing the subreddit function; however, we still get many posts with very specific and individualized questions (often related to coursework, graduate programs, lab research etc.).
Often these individualized questions are important...but usually only to the OP given how specific and individualized they are. Because of this, these types of posts are automatically removed as they don't further the overarching goal of the subreddit in promoting high-quality discussion and information related to the field of neuropsychology. The mod team has been brainstorming a way to balance these two dilemmas, this recurring megathread will be open every end for a limited time to ask any question related to education, or other aspects of professional development in the field of neuropsychology. In addition to that, we've compiled (and will continue to gather) a list of quick Q/A's from past posts and general resources below as well.
So here it is! General, specific, high quality, low quality - it doesn't matter! As long as it is, in some way, related to the training and professional life of neuropsychologists, it's fair game to ask - as long as it's contained to this megathread! And all you wonderful subscribers can fee free to answer these questions as they appear. The post will remain sticked for visibility and we encourage everyone to sort by new to find the latest questions and answers.
Also, here are some more common general questions and their answers that have crossed the sub over the years:
Stay classy r/Neuropsychology!