The Science of Equanimity & Its Emerging Neurotech (Jay Sanguinetti)
Is Ultrasound the next big thing in mindfulness?
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What if instead of subscribing prozac, the medical system provided mental health support by using cutting edge technology that dropped you into a state of equanimity and wholeness?
And then what if this was followed by an ongoing mindfulness protocol that made accessing it regularly part of your life?
This upgraded vision of helping people be happier and healthier was the crux of the conversation with today’s guest Jay Sanguinetti.
Jay is a scientist, professor, entrepreneur, and meditation teacher. He currently co-directs the SEMA Lab (Science Enhanced Mindful Awareness) with renowned teacher Shinzen Young and is the Assistant Director at the Center for Consciousness Studies at University of Arizona.
In this conversation we explore how neuroscience, technology, and mindfulness are coming together to uplift humanity.
With the mission of alleviating human suffering, Jay and his colleagues have spent years trying to understand the science of equanimity. Using what they learned, they’ve found ways that technology can accelerate and improve accessibility to these states. A key technology we discuss is the use of targeted ultrasound to give people access to an initial gateway experience.
What I appreciate about what Jay and his team are doing is that there is a marriage between emerging technology and ancient technologies like meditation. I believe the most supportive path forward for humans is through integrating the best of both old and new.
Other interesting ideas in this conversation:
What is the role of science in mindfulness?
How ultrasound provides more than an initial peak experience
The potential role of AI in scaling mindfulness and mental health support
The comparison between neurotech and other altered state accelerators, such as psychedelics
How the healthcare system may shift with oncoming advances in mental health
The importance of business model alignment with the next generation of mental health technologies
The unfolding of a mindfulness practice to life becoming a mindfulness practice
A lot of times there seems to be this polarized view of how technology and mindfulness interoperate. I think this is polarized, limited thinking.
I believe there’s a huge opportunity to use the latest advances in technology to supercharge the ancient technology that we know already works. I’m glad people like Jay are working on this and I’m keeping a close eye on the field as it progresses.
I found myself very energized after this conversation thinking about the future that Jay describes. I hope you enjoy it!
-Scott
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Episode Transcript
Show notes:
00:00 - Introduction and Research at SEMA Lab
01:17 - The Role of Science in Making Mindfulness Accessible
04:24 - The Potential of Neurotechnology in Enhancing Mindfulness
05:23 - Targeted Ultrasound and its Effects on Equanimity
08:58 - Comparing Neurotechnology to Other Accelerators
10:05 - The Precision and Subtlety of Focused Brain Stimulation
12:20 - The Lasting Effects of Targeted Ultrasound
15:41 - The Future of Neurotechnology in Mental Health
21:06 - The Challenge of Validated Scientific Protocols
22:44 - The Importance of Integration in Mental Health Interventions
23:23 - Living in Richness
24:50 - The Challenge of Bringing Insights into Daily Life
26:14 - The Role of AI in Personal Transformation
27:10 - The Importance of Community in Personal Growth
28:10 - The Potential of AI in Mental Health Support
29:04 - Aligning AI Systems with Human Well-being
30:00 - Creating a Model of Human Happiness
31:26 - The Need for Comprehensive Models of Well-being
32:22 - Aligning Technology with Human Goals
34:11 - The Importance of Aligning Business Models with Solutions
35:11 - The Challenge of Aligning Personal Transformation with Social Responsibility
36:07 - The Practice of Aligning Personal and Social Goals
37:33 - The Role of AI in Supporting Personal Transformation
39:20 - The Importance of Connection in Technology
41:04 - Aligning Personal Goals with a Deeper Mission
42:25 - The Journey of Personal Transformation
43:30 - Moving from Separation to Connection