In an interview with MysticMag, Ariel Garten, the creator of Muse, shares the origins and evolution of this innovative brain health platform.
Launched in 2014 to make brain health more accessible, Muse initially focused on enhancing meditation by providing real-time neurofeedback, enabling users to monitor and train their brain activity as it happens. What began as a meditation tool has grown into a versatile system, supported by over 200 research studies, influencing areas like focus, sleep, stress management, and even aiding conditions such as Alzheimer’s and cancer recovery.
Garten’s drive to help people understand and improve their mental well-being is evident as she explains to MysticMag how Muse makes meditation more approachable and effective through advanced technology.
What inspired the creation of Muse, and how does it enhance meditation practices?
When we launched Muse in 2014, our goal was to make brain health more accessible by giving people real-time insights into their minds. We started by helping people meditate using neurofeedback, providing a way to see and train their brain activity in the moment. But Muse has grown far beyond meditation—today, it’s a brain health platform backed by over 200+ published research studies showing its impact on everything from focus and sleep to stroke recovery, Alzheimer’s, and even supporting people through cancer diagnosis.
We all know that meditation is good for you, but meditation is hard to do. Muse helps you meditate by giving you real-time feedback on brain activity, helping you recognize when your mind is focused in a state of meditation, and encouraging your mind to stay there. After your meditation we also show you what your brainwaves were doing. This accelerates learning and makes meditation easier and more effective. But more than that, Muse is now empowering people with the tools to understand, train, and optimize their brain health every day.
How does Muse’s technology help users improve focus, relaxation, and mindfulness?
Muse uses advanced EEG (electroencephalography) technology to monitor brain activity and translate it into real-time audio cues. During our Biofeedback Meditations, when the mind is calm and focused, users hear peaceful sounds—when it becomes distracted, the sounds intensify, gently guiding them back to a meditative state. Over time, this process strengthens the brain’s ability to sustain focus, regulate stress, and build mindfulness habits. Muse also includes biofeedback for breath, heart rate, and body movement, creating a comprehensive approach to relaxation and self-awareness.
Muse provides key metrics like the Calm Score to measure focus and relaxation, and Brain Recharge, which helps users understand how well their brain is recovering throughout the day. For deeper cognitive training, our Alpha Peak feature gives insight into peak mental performance by tracking shifts in alpha brainwave activity, which is linked to creativity, relaxation, and cognitive efficiency.
Muse is also the most accurate sleep wearable on the market because it measures brain activity, not just heart rate like other devices. Our advanced EEG sleep tracking provides expert-level accuracy in detecting sleep stages, giving users deeper insights into their rest. Muse also features Digital Sleeping Pills, which use smart audio experiences that respond in real time to brain activity, helping users fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Can you explain how brain-sensing technology works in Muse headbands?
Muse headbands use EEG (electroencephalography) sensors to detect electrical activity in the brain, measuring different brainwave frequencies (like alpha, beta, and theta) associated with various mental states, such as calm, focus, and distraction. This data is processed in real time and translated into interactive feedback through the Muse app, allowing users to train their brains for improved mental performance.
We just launched our latest model, Muse S Athena, which is the first consumer wearable to combine EEG with fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy). fNIRS tracks changes in blood flow and oxygenation in the brain, offering a deeper look into cognitive function beyond electrical activity alone. While EEG measures how active the brain is, fNIRS reveals how efficiently the brain is delivering oxygen to key areas during cognitive tasks. This dual-sensing approach gives users an unparalleled view of their brain health, allowing for more precise neurofeedback training to enhance focus, cognitive endurance, and relaxation.
By integrating EEG and fNIRS, Muse S Athena provides a more complete picture of brain performance, making it the most advanced consumer brain health device available today.
What are some of the key benefits users have reported after using Muse regularly?
Muse users have reported significant improvements in cognitive performance, emotional regulation, stress reduction, and sleep quality through regular use. By providing real-time neurofeedback and scientifically validated brain training, Muse helps users strengthen focus, manage stress more effectively, and enhance overall mental resilience.
Here are some of the key benefits:
• Improved focus & cognitive performance – Strengthens the ability to sustain attention and enhances cognitive endurance.
• Reduced stress & emotional regulation – Helps users gain better awareness and control over their mental states, leading to improved stress management and emotional resilience.
• Better sleep – Muse’s Digital Sleeping Pills and expert-level sleep tracking help users fall asleep faster and stay asleep, and has been shown to improve sleep quality by 20%.
• Faster meditation progress – Real-time feedback accelerates the learning curve, making meditation more effective.
• Enhanced mindfulness & self-awareness – Helps users stay present and develop lasting mindfulness habits.
Muse’s impact has been validated by over 200+ published research studies. Some notable findings include:
• 54% reduction in stress and burnout among healthcare practitioners using Muse.
• Breast cancer patients preparing for surgery experienced less fatigue and stress and reported an improved quality of life at both 2 weeks and 3 months post-surgery compared to their baseline.
How does Muse differentiate itself from other meditation and biofeedback devices?
Muse is the only consumer wearable that provides real-time neurofeedback using EEG and, with the latest model, fNIRS for brain oxygenation. Unlike traditional meditation apps, which rely on guided sessions without feedback, Muse actively trains the brain with personalized insights and interactive experiences.
It also integrates multiple biofeedback modalities, including heart rate and breath tracking, making it a comprehensive brain and body training tool. Muse is also the most accurate sleep wearable on the market.
What’s next for Muse in terms of innovation and future product developments?
Muse continues to push the boundaries of brain health technology. The latest Muse S Athena is the first consumer wearable to combine EEG and fNIRS, providing deeper cognitive insights and training. Future innovations will focus on expanding personalized neurofeedback, enhancing AI-driven insights, and developing new training programs for focus, cognitive longevity, and mental resilience. The goal is to make brain training even more adaptive, accessible, and impactful for users at every stage of their journey.
Find out more at: www.choosemuse.com
