Is a CES Device the same as an electrosleep device? In this article, we’ll explore the answer!
improve your sleep with the CES Ultra electrosleep device
A History Of “Electrosleep”
According to CES Ultra, “Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) is the American FDA’s term for what the rest of the world calls “electrosleep.” Electrosleep is essentially the process of pushing tiny electrical currents through the brain in order to induce or improve sleep.
(You can also use CES devices to help with anxiety. Learn more about CES for anxiety here.)
Researchers have been experimenting with electrosleep since the early 1900s when in Russia, a group of scientists attempted to find a specific frequency that would put patients reliably and completely to sleep. Though they never found that frequency, they discovered something else along the way. Surprisingly, the patients in these trials reported significant improvements in their sleep. Since the onset of the experiment, they fell asleep more quickly, slept more deeply, and felt more satisfied with the quality of their overall sleep.
This surprising and encouraging finding led to the development of modern electrosleep devices in the 1950s in Europe. No longer designed to “put you out,” manufacturers marketed these handheld units to improve sleep and relieve insomnia. The USA caught onto the craze and developed “Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation” in the 1960s. In the beginning, researchers studied CES at universities and teaching hospitals, starting with animal studies. They attempted to determine whether CES really did improve sleep, whether it was safe, and the mechanism of action on the brain.
Research in the USA
Through these studies, US researchers discovered that the current did in fact travel through the brain and that it increased the production and firing of neurotransmitters like serotonin, melatonin, dopamine, and endorphins. They also discovered that CES devices were capable of restoring balance to neurotransmitters even after deliberately tampering with them chemically, or through various addictive substances.
The other exciting finding that emerged through those extensive early studies was the inarguable safety of CES. Through decades of research and clinical trials, the only negative effects reported have been minor headaches, irritation at the site of application, and dizziness or drowsiness in a very small number of patients.
Electricity? In the BRAIN?
Even though it sounds a bit terrifying, the application of microcurrent to the brain actually makes a whole lot of sense.
You see, the brain is electrical in nature. Electrical activity in the brain controls the production and management of neurotransmitters.
When electrical activity is balanced and consistent, the brain can function at its highest level. However, stress can disrupt normal electrical patterns in the brain, resulting in neurochemical imbalances that can cause anxiety, frenetic thought, compulsive behavior, and disrupted sleep-wake cycles.
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation delivers microcurrent, often via gelled electrode pads, to stimulate tissue in the hypothalamic area of the brain with a well-studied, healing frequency.
The hypothalamus controls many important functions of the body, including temperature regulation, appetite, and weight control, emotions, sleep cycles, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Gentle stimulation prompts the brain to return to a state of homeostasis and normal production of neurotransmitters, which restores proper chemical rhythm and balance. CES promotes healthy serotonin, melatonin, and B-Endorphin levels while decreasing cortisol, the “stress” hormone that can throw your body out of balance.
CES & Electrosleep—Are They The Same?
So, are CES devices the same as electrosleep devices? It’s a little bit complicated. The answer is yes—and no.
Modern CES devices registered and sold in the US today are not the same as the electrosleep devices of the 1900s. CES devices are standardized, studied, and proven safe, while old electrosleep devices were experimental.
However, most of the world still uses the term “electrosleep” to describe devices that use microcurrent to improve sleep, including CES devices.
Around the world, most electrosleep devices aren’t highly regulated and can be purchased by the general public. In the US, the FDA classifies CES devices as Class II medical devices for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia, and Class III medical devices for the treatment of depression. Class II medical devices are generally considered safe, though they are subject to review for performance, labeling, clinical testing data, and post-market surveillance. Other examples of Class II medical devices are pregnancy tests, blood pressure cuffs, and contact lenses.
CES devises Today
CES devices sold in the US today are generally standardized to a frequency of 100 Hz, which is the most widely-researched frequency for improving anxiety, insomnia, and other mental health complaints. A small number of units, like the CES Ultra, are FDA-registered, which means they have been vigorously tested and meet the FDA’s strict standards for safety and efficacy.
Of CES devices on the market today, the CES Ultra is the most widely researched and proven device. It was even studied in a Meta-analysis by the Harvard University School of Public Health.
In one study of CES therapy, ten patients with self-reported insomnia were studied overnight in a sleep lab that monitored their EEG. Half used CES and half used a sham CES treatment, daily, for ten days. After the 10 days, patients receiving actual CES “went to sleep faster, awoke fewer times during the night, spent more time in Stage IV sleep, and reported feeling more rested the following morning.” Even more promising, however, is the fact that at a two-year follow-up, CES-treated patients were still sleeping normally, while the sham-treated patients were not.
This is just one tiny sampling of the hundreds of trials and studies involving CES which yielded statistically significant positive effects for the last 80 decades in the USA.
How to Select a CES Device
When selecting a CES device, beware of cheap, untested devices like those commonly sold on Amazon and Alibaba. These recent additions to the market have not been tested or studied, and have not received FDA clearance. So, stick with what’s known to be safe and effective, even if it costs a little bit more.
It is best to obtain your CES device either through your healthcare provider, alternative practitioner, or through a company with practitioners on staff who can review your case and approve a device prescription. One such company is Miridia Technology, the seller of the CES Ultra. When you purchase the CES Ultra from Miridia Technology, you will also enjoy the benefits of a 60-day money-back guarantee, free shipping, in-house, US-based tech support and customer service, and excellent training.
Who Should Try Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation?
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation is an excellent option for anyone struggling with anxiety or sleep, or a combination of the two. It is a very safe and non-invasive therapy that poses an extremely low risk of negative side effects. CES therapy is also non-habit forming, which means you don’t have to worry about developing dependency.
It is an excellent first-line therapy for mild to moderate anxiety and insomnia— however, it’s important to work with a practitioner to determine whether it would be a good fit for you.
Never use CES while driving or operating machinery, or doing anything else that requires your complete attention, for safety reasons. CES can cause drowsiness in some patients.
Exercise caution and seek direct supervision and guidance from a healthcare provider to use CES in the following circumstances:
- If you are pregnant
- If you are currently taking medication for anxiety, depression, insomnia, or another psychological condition
- If you have epilepsy or suffer from seizures
- If you have an implanted electronic medical device, like a pacemaker
How to Use a CES Device for Best Results
teenage boy uses FDA-cleared, painless, CES Ultra “electrosleep” device for insomnia
When using a CES device, it’s important to understand that results may not be immediate. This is the case for virtually any treatment for anxiety and/or insomnia. It takes time to restore balance to the brain.
Most users experience significant improvement in their sleep within 1-2 weeks if they use CES consistently, and as directed.
You can work with your practitioner to determine an effective course of treatment for your unique needs, but general recommendations will do for most users. Try using CES 1-2 times per day for 30-45 minutes. Once you start feeling better, you can decrease your use to 1 time per day, 4-7 times per week, and continue to decrease the frequency of sessions over time.
Feel free to reintroduce CES as needed if you experience further bouts of anxiety or insomnia, as long as nothing significant has changed with your health.
We’re Excited to Hear Your Success Story!
Whether you call it CES therapy or Electrosleep, it’s pretty much irrefutable that treating the brain with gentle microcurrent is a safe and effective way to improve sleep quality, duration, and satisfaction. That’s something to get excited about!
If you struggle with insomnia, consider implementing CES into your daily routine. There’s a good chance that you’ll be sleeping much better and feeling much more rested after two weeks of consistent use. And the best part is, you can keep your CES device and use it as needed for years to come!
Have more questions? Check out this post about Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation to learn more.
Order your CES Ultra today, and start sleeping better now>>
Thanks for Reading,
-Kara
**This article is written for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always work with a qualified healthcare provider when making decisions about your health and wellness.
October 4, 2022
Kara Howell
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