Wish you could wake up without a cup of coffee? Or wind down at night without a glass of wine? Most of us spend the day self-medicating to manage our energy, using stimulants and sedatives to adjust our body’s rhythms. Rhythms thrown off by the activity-driven stress of modern life. But what if there was a wearable that could replicate the states of calm and balance we’re chasing and ultimately restore our body’s natural rhythms?

Dr. David Rabin is the Cofounder and CIO at Apollo Neuroscience, a technology company developing the first scientifically-validated wearable to improve focus, sleep and meditative states by delivering layered vibrations to the skin. A board-certified psychiatrist and translational neuroscientist, Dr. Rabin spent the last decade studying the impact of chronic stress in humans and researching non-invasive therapies designed to improve quality of life in patients with treatment-resistant illnesses. He also led the world’s largest controlled study around the benefits of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in mental disorders.

On this episode of Ali Fitness, David joins us to explain how his work treating patients with PTSD, anxiety and substance abuse disorders led to the creation of the Apollo wearable. He walks us through what it looks and feels like to use the device on a given day, selecting from among its seven functional frequencies to wake up or wind down naturally. David also describes the science behind Apollo, discussing how it changes our biological rhythms, redirecting energy away from the body’s stress response system. Listen in to understand how elite athletes are using Apollo to adapt to stress and learn how the wearable could help you realize your true potential and feel your absolute best!

Topics Covered

[1:00] How Dr. Rabin came to develop the Apollo wearable

• Treat patients with PTSD, depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders
• MDMA trial for PTSD led to focus on options that don’t require daily meds
• Develop understanding of what body does physiologically in different states
• Create Apollo to deliver vibration to skin based on how touch affects body

[6:39] What it might look like to use Apollo on a given day

• Set to wakeful frequency first thing in morning
• Use to increase focus during afternoon slump
• Schedule to wind down energy gradually at night

[10:44] What biometrics the Apollo device tracks

• Basic tracking of activity level and circadian rhythms
• Transfer data from other wearables to Apollo screen

[14:00] The 7 functional frequencies available on Apollo

1. Wake up and energize
2. Clear and focused
3. Social and open
4. Recover from stress
5. Enhance meditation
6. Enhance relaxation
7. Enhance sleep

[15:50] What users feel physically when Apollo is on

• Barely noticeable gentle vibration (similar to ocean wave)
• Replicates effects of coffee, amphetamines, etc. naturally

[18:41] Why Apollo can’t force your body to enter a particular state

• Accelerates recovery but can’t energize artificially if exhausted/injured
• Elite athletes use to adapt to stress (e.g.: fight with partner, poor sleep)

[21:39] Where users wear the Apollo device

• Works anywhere on body
• First version designed for ankle or wrist

[22:36] When users wear the Apollo device

• During day, at night or both
• Turn on for 5 to 10 minutes (effects last 30 to 120 minutes)

[24:30] How the Apollo works independently of your phone

• Turn on/off without phone, low EMF
• Bluetooth only active when app open

[25:54] The benefits of the Apollo subscription model

• Automatic software upgrades based on usership
• Automatically import info from other devices

[27:30] The science behind the Apollo’s effectiveness

• Rhythms in music impact heartrate, HRV and respiration
• Research team explored what happens if apply to skin
• Soothing, gentle touch signals safety, brain calms down
• Apollo activates skin receptors in same way (reduce threat response)

[33:45] The findings of the EEG pattern study

• Apollo reliably improves HRV + performance under stress
• Inexperienced meditators show same brain wave patterns as experts
• Experienced meditators achieve deeper state more quickly

[37:58] The potential for Apollo to develop an automatic mode

• Able to detect when body shows signs of stress in preliminary trials
• Turn on frequencies automatically based on how you use device
• Rely on Apollo less and less as restore body’s natural balance

[40:44] How to get the Apollo device

• Buy online at https://shop.apolloneuro.com/
• Ships anywhere in world

[42:26] How psychedelic studies informed the invention of Apollo

• Psychedelics work in clinical setting due to safety experience
• Feeling safe helps us realize true potential, feel our best

Learn More About Dr. David Rabin

Apollo Neuroscience

Resources

Oura Ring

WHOOP

Apple Watch

Oura Ring on Ali Fitness EP050

WHOOP on Ali Fitness EP115

Apple HealthKit

Headspace

Calm

Health Optimisation Summit

Modern Spirit

Imperial College London Centre for Psychedelic Research

MAPS MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Studies

The Apollo EEG Meditation Study

The Apollo PTSD Study

Apollo Science & Research