REM-shifter

ATTENTION: in light of the different processing capacities of various smartphones, we cannot guarantee that the app will work on all devices at the present time. We are currently working to resolve this issue. If the REM-shifter app fails to work on your phone, you may wish to temporarily acquire another device (a second-hand phone, for instance), preferably an Android one with a hands-free headset.The program currently works best with the smartphones listed here.

1.1 REM-shifter can be operated with a wireless headset. However, it is just as convenient to use the simplest wired headset and a sleep mask. The headset should be positioned so that the microphone is closest to your nose. See photo for example.

1.2 REM-shifter has a very simple functionality: 2 exhales – restarts the timer (see illustration for example). If no command is input once the timer runs out the alarm will sound, which can also be disabled using your breath. 15 seconds before the end of the interval the app sends a warning signal so as to allow you to turn off the alarm ahead of time.

1.3 Settings: Alarm interval – set timer.

1.4 Settings: Duration – duration of attempt.

1.5 Settings: Vibration – toggle vibration.

1.6 Settings: Noise limit – tells the app to disregard any noise quieter than your sharp exhales (for example if your exhales are consistently around 5000, set your noise limit to around 4000). In this case, the alarm clock from the headphones should not sound louder than your noise limit, otherwise there will be false signals.

1.7 Settings: Breathing range – fix the duration of one exhale command input.

1.8 Settings: Deaf mode - mode of ignoring signals by breathing until a warning sound.

1.9 Settings: Alarm file - select a file for the alarm. Without it wil be used default audio record.

1.10 To test REM-shifter, turn it on and perform 2 exhales above the noise limit. The sound produced by your exhales (whether through the mouth or through the nose) should control the timer. Make sure that you are able to turn off the alarm with two exhales (switching the timer back on), or three exhales (pause). To be able to exhale loudly enough, take a deep breath beforehand.>

2.1 Practicing phase induction techniques: choose any technique (described in the “techniques” section) and practice it at 1–5 minute intervals (setting a timer for this interval), starting techniques every time, for a total duration of 15–30 minutes. Whenever the alarm warning or the alarm itself sounds, exhale twice. REM-shifter will help you stay awake during practice, which you must perform several times a week. The app will train you to feel the effect of the technique much faster, which will help you enter the phase state much more easily during an actual attempt, especially upon waking up

2.2 Active direct phase induction method: when falling asleep, set the interval for 3–5 minutes and begin your attempt. The REM-shifter will prevent you from falling asleep. It is advisable not to set the duration of the whole attempt for more than 30 minutes or an hour. Each time a warning or an alarm sounds, exhale twice to restart the interval.

2.3 Passive direct phase induction method: when falling asleep, set the interval for 10–20 minutes and make short attempts to enter the phase state every time REM-shifter wakes you up or nudges you toward wakefulness. It is advisable not to set the duration of the whole attempt for more than 1.5 hours. Each time a warning or an alarm sounds, exhale twice to restart the interval.

2.4 Indirect phase induction method: set the interval for roughly 70 minutes for a prolonged nighttime attempt, or for 20 minutes for a morning attempt (having woken up 1.5–2 hours before definitive awakening) and make brief attempts to enter the phase state every time REM-shifter wakes you up. Each time a warning or an alarm sounds, exhale twice to restart the interval.

2.5 Passive REM-shifting: at night, when going to bed, set the interval for 2–4 minutes and go to sleep. If before, during or after the alarm sounds you experience vivid dreams including tactile sensations and motor function (or if you enter the phase state), exhale two times and allow yourself to fall asleep. If that is not the case, do not fall asleep! That is how you will condition the necessary reflex. Dreams without vivid sensations are rarely present during the REM stage, so do not react to them. Once you succeed to fall asleep during the REM phase almost every time, it will be exponentially easier for you to induce the phase state using any method. Results might take several days or several weeks. To secure the result you will need to practice for about a month, after which you will be able to enter the phase state without using the app.

2.5.1 Protocol 1 (eay): turn on REM-shifter every night for 30–60 minutes before sleep with a deactivated sleep alarm cycle.

2.5.2 Protocol 2 (hard): turn on REM-shifter every night for the duration of the entire night with an activated sleep alarm cycle, so as not to fall asleep before the onset of signs of REM sleep (same principle for daytime sleep). If the nighttime or daytime attempt is unsuccessful, do not sleep before the next attempt.

2.5.3 Protocol 3 (extreme): turn on REM-shifter every night for 15–30 minute intervals following 1–2 hours of rest with an activated sleep alarm cycle, so as not to fall asleep before the onset of signs of REM sleep (same principle for daytime sleep). If any of the attempts are unsuccessful, do not sleep before the next attempt.

2.6 Active REM-shifting: at night, when going to bed, set the interval for 2–4 minutes and attempt to enter the phase state directly (details in the “techniques” section). If before, during or after the alarm sounds you find yourself in the phase state – or experiencing either a brief/partial dissociation from your body or sleep paralysis – exhale two times and allow yourself to fall asleep either in the phase state or directly after. If that is not the case, do not fall asleep! That is how you will condition the necessary reflex. After a while you will be able to induce a phase state upon falling asleep almost 100% of the time. Once you are able to obtain steady results, you can stop the program, but only once you have had a fully realized phase experience. Results might take several days or several weeks. To secure your result you will need to practice for about a month, after which you will be able to enter the phase state without using the app.

2.6.1 Protocol 1 (easy): turn on REM-shifter every night for 30–60 minutes before sleep with a deactivated sleep alarm cycle.

2.6.2 Protocol 2 (hard): turn on REM-shifter every night for the duration of the entire night with an activated sleep alarm cycle, so as not to fall asleep before the onset of the phase state (same principle for daytime sleep). If the nighttime attempt is unsuccessful, do not sleep before your next attempt.

2.6.3 Protocol 3 (extreme): turn on REM-shifter every night for 15–30 minute intervals with a break at 1–2 hours and an activated sleep alarm cycle, so as to not fall asleep before the onset of the phase state (same principle for daytime sleep). If any of the attempts are unsuccessful, do not sleep before the next attempt.

2.7 Conversion REM-shifting (indirect method into direct + reflex): at night, when going to bed, set the interval for 30 minutes and attempt to enter the phase stae indirectly each time after the alarms (details in the “techniques” section). You should fall asleep between the attempts. If after an alarm you achieve the phase state – or experiencing either a brief/partial dissociation from your body or sleep paralysis – exhale two times and allow yourself to fall asleep either in the phase state or directly after. If you are successful at least 3 nights in a row, reduce the interval by 5 minutes, and try again the same routine. If you are successful at least 3 nights in a row again, reduce the interval by 5 minutes more, etc. You goal is to achieve 5 minute interval or less, so as not to fall asleep before the onset of the phase state (same principle for daytime sleep). The sleep alarm cycle can be activated for more efficiency. That is how you will condition the necessary reflex. After a while you will be able to induce a phase state upon falling asleep almost 100% of the time. Once you are able to obtain steady results, you can stop the program, but only once you have had a fully realized phase experience. Results might take several weeks. To secure your result you will need to practice for about a month, after which you will be able to enter the phase state without using the app.

(If you do manage to change your sleep rhythm and shift your REM sleep to the beginning of the cycle, making it possible to enter the phase state every time you fall asleep, please write to us and describe your experience at: obe4u@obe4u.com)