What NuCalm feels like
All NuCalm modes result in increased well-being and performance.
When I finish restorative sessions, I generally feel lighter but also slightly groggy for a few minutes. As I get back into the day, my physical and mental energy lift. More than the energy boost is the increased stamina. I can go for longer, with deeper focus and making fewer mistakes. My motivation stays higher. Ultimately, I am more effective.
Recharge 20 mode. As previously instructed by other users, I began here. This is the regenerative mode with the highest return on the time (R.O.T).
I used it first thing in the morning, so I capitalized on my natural alpha and theta dominant brain state and saved the biosignal discs for later.
I did my normal self-guided meditation while the app pumped out relaxing and semi-familiar yet distinct audio.
I shifted my focus from the nuances of the music to my body to both simultaneously. The session itself felt dream-like. I didn’t feel fully conscious, nor did I feel asleep. Almost like the delirious state in the middle of the night when something wakes you from a dream.
The session fades between what I can best describe as multiple different audio scenes, likely one for each energy center.
Rescue mode felt similar, but progressed slower and with a deeper sound. It felt more restorative, a bodily regenerative state. Recharge, on the other hand, also improved creativity, abstract thinking, and pattern recognition.
I emerged from both modes feeling slightly drowsy until I stood up. Then I’d best describe my state as crisp. Completely recharged and ready to take on the day, without any overt stimulation (which can also result in jitters and anxiety).
I now use Rescue every night I sleep <7 hours, and fairly consistently duck away for a quick mid-day Recharge 20.
DEEP SLEEP mode surprised me. This is the only mode that doesn’t require headphones or earphones. A speaker suffices. There are a bunch of different options, and I used their rain track as a replacement during my wind-down routine. I also used this on the occasions I woke up with my mind racing and couldn’t get back to sleep.
Reliably, regardless of what I was doing, in as little as 4 minutes, DEEP SLEEP shifts my mind into drowsiness and relaxation. Sometimes, I fell asleep long before I planned to, without any of my usual sleep supplement stack.
Ignite mode. As predicted, this is by far my favorite. It’s the ultimate digital pre-workout and nootropic. In less than three minutes, my body feels switched ON. Way stronger than a cup or two of coffee. This one surprised me the most. The first time I used it, I felt a major urge to go on a run. And I hate running. Ignite is my go-to performance enhancer now. I highly recommend the explicit Certainty motivational audio track.
Gamma is an incredible brain state. It’s addicting and can be depleting if not balanced with parasympathetic recovery. I only allow myself to use it after a recharge session.
Focus mode. Although nowhere near as profound as Ignite, Focus is sustainable and good for the workday. I didn’t even test this mode for the first week or so. I’d say it favorably rivals the other neuromusic company which I reviewed called Brain.fm. Focus definitely improves my productivity.
The performance modes, however, start kicking in instantly.