Mendi brain training device review

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CROWDFUNDING REVIEW – Everyone knows that working out – lifting weights, running, etcetera, is the way to make your muscles healthier and stronger.  We all possess one body part that you simply cannot exercise in that way – our brain.  Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to exercise our brain similarly?  Science says we can. Unlike heading down to your local gym and picking up some weights, you need to head to your local clinic and have medical professionals hook you up to a gazillion-dollar neurofeedback machine.  But what if you could help your brain break a sweat in the comfort of your own home?  Enter Mendi.  Let’s take a look at it.

What is it?

Mendi, the combination of the headset and the software, is a neurofeedback system designed for home use. Think of it as a form of meditation that provides direct feedback on its effectiveness.  From Mendi’s website:

Just like the muscles in your body, your brain can be trained. The more you train it, the more you can learn to control your brain activity and reach new heights in brain performance.

Neuroplasticity is the ability to naturally strengthen your brain. By training and strengthening your brain, you can create new pathways that allow for more mental flexibility and higher function.

With Mendi, advanced sensors measure your brain activity. Your brain activity is then visualized in a fun and easy to use training app. By training with Mendi, you effectively strengthen the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) area of your brain, which controls your brain’s pathways.

More from the Mendi Facebook Q&A:

The Mendi hardware is based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology which, among other things, measures blood flow and oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Reduced blood flow (hypoperfusion) in the PFC is correlated with various brain disorders and unwanted symptoms, such as ADHD and emotional control deficit. Using neurofeedback, we can train the brain to voluntarily regulate blood flow to the PFC.

The headset emits an infrared light which monitors activity in the front of your brain. The app provides exercises to train your brain, requiring focus and calm to control the game, and subsequently increasing activity in your PFC. While the headset measures your progress, it’s really all about the software that stimulates your brain and delivers results.

There are many recent and ongoing studies in the scientific community focused on the benefits of fNIRS neurofeedback (an innovative combination of technology and methodology).

So Mendi is a brain exercise device that is designed to help you improve focus and overall brain performance by improving the blood flow and blood-oxygen levels in your prefrontal cortex.

What’s in the box?

I was sent a pre-release version, so what will be included in the box is still changing.  My box contained only the Mendi device. Production devices will also include a charging cord. The specific design of the headset may be slightly different in the production version.

Hardware specs

  • Weight: 2 ounces
  • Power: Micro-USB rechargeable – possibly USB-C in the production unit
  • Battery life: approximately 90 minutes based on my testing
  • Strap: soft cloth elastic and adjustable for size

Design and features

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The device itself is made of soft-touch plastic.  I want to reiterate that I received a pre-production sample – actually version 3.  Version 4 is in the works, but I don’t have any details on what is changing.  Suffice it to say that they are refining the design based on feedback and it appears that each iteration is getting better.

Inside the front of the headband, we find the three sensors.

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Each is mounted on a springy base that allows them to press into your forehead to make good contact without applying uncomfortable pressure. These sensors allow Mendi to measure blood flow and oxygenation in the PFC.

The headset is wireless and rechargeable.  The micro-USB charging port is found on the left end of the headset. There is some discussion that it may be replaced with a USB-C port in the production unit, but that is not guaranteed.

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Powering up Mendi is as simple as pressing the power button with the Mendi logo on the right side of the headset.

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The logo pulses slowly until it connects with the IOS or Android app on your phone or iPad. You can press the button again to turn Mendi off. Mendi also powers off automatically when you exit the Mendi app.

Here I am modeling Mendi.  You wear it so that the band rests just above your eyebrows. Do I look smarter?

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Setup

Setup involves charging the Mendi and installing the app on your IOS or Android device. There is no account setup.  The app is supposed to support multiple user profiles once it is released, so there will be a profile setup as part of the app setup.

Performance

Let’s talk a little (very little) about the science behind this.  The underlying technology is called functional Near-InfraRed Spectroscopy (fNIRS).  The idea is that activating the PFC results in changes to blood flow in that region in terms of flow and oxygenation. By employing light sources, like the ones in the sensors, these changes can be measured and tied to activity in the PFC.  Mendi, with its hardware and software, can measure and quantify these changes in the PFC. It calls those changes energy, increase and flow. Here are their descriptions of each metric.

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To get started, you put on the headset.  It should be snug, but not tight.  If it is too loose, the game will tell you there is a weak signal and to be calm and not move.  I found that slightly tightening the headset eliminated that message.  Firing up the game on my phone shows a splash screen and then confirms that the headset is connected and shows the battery level. The sole included game is simple – you focus on a ball. When you properly focus, it causes changes in your PFC, increasing blood flow and oxygenation. Mendi detects these changes and the ball rises.

The game allows you to do sessions of 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 minutes.

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You focus the ball and try to relax and not think about anything.

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As your focus improves, the ball goes up.

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As you lose focus, the ball goes down.

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When the session is over, the game congratulates you for your hard work.

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It then shows you a summary of your results and the scores for each of the three metrics.

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A note – the screenshots above were from the app version that I installed.  Mid-review, the app updated and the look is slightly different.  I didn’t capture new screenshots as the app will be updated again before the production release.

The journal function tracks all your sessions.  The idea is that as you use the device, just like muscle exercise, you should see improvements in brain function.

Here are all my Mendi sessions.  As you can see – I have been able to achieve longer flows and energy increases suggesting that I am getting better at focusing.  It doesn’t work every day, but the trend is improving.

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Longer flows mean more brain stamina and improved ability to maintain focus without a break.  Higher increases indicate improved ability to gain focus quickly.  Improved energy indicates an overall improvement in long-term brain stamina.

Here’s a sample of the gameplay.  I started a two-minute session.  I’ll apologize for the video quality. The camera I was using simply can’t focus this close, and getting far enough to focus well made the video too small to be useful. At about 1:45, I deliberately looked away to lose focus.  You can see what happens.

Once again, a reminder – this is a pre-release version of both the hardware and the software.  The software updated in the middle of my review and is being updated pretty much continuously. In the version I tested, there was no facility for tracking multiple users.  The Mendi folks tell me that the release version will be able to track multiple users, so one Mendi can be used by a whole family.  They say that the software will remain free and there will be no ongoing costs.  The purchase price for the hardware is the extent of the cost of the Mendi solution.

The Mendi folks talk about using Mendi two to three times per week over several weeks to begin to see results.  I only had two weeks to complete this review, so I used Mendi once or twice daily for two weeks.  And, what exactly are these “results” supposed to look like?  That’s part of the issue – it’s different for everyone.

One other aspect of this pre-release version is that it is exactly one thing – focus on the ball and make it go up.  They state that they are continuing to add features to the software, so the assumption is that there are plans for multiple types of games that focus on different specific brain improvement techniques.

As I continued using Mendi over the two weeks I had to use it, I did see improvements in my numbers.  Has that translated to anything practically noticeable to either my wife or me?

OK – stay with me here.

I’m retired.  I live in Florida.  So…I golf.  Do golf well?  No.  But I still enjoy myself, and trust me, the worst day I have had on the golf course is still way better than the best day I ever had at work.  On a typical championship golf course with a par of 72, I typically shoot in the mid-90s.  On executive par 3/4 courses with a par of 27-29, lately, I have been shooting in the high 30s.  I’ve been in a slump and haven’t been able to figure it out.  Of course, lessons aren’t in the cards now, with COVID-19, so it is what it is.  Enter Mendi.  Over the past few days, I have seen a marked improvement in my golf game.  My scores on executive 9-hole courses have gone from 10-12 over par to 4-6 over par.  My scores on 18-hole championship courses have gone from the mid to high 90s to the low 80s.  I even shot the front nine at only two over par a few days ago.

OK – is all this Mendi-related?  Honestly, I have no idea. I have been using Mendi for a bit over a week.  According to them, it can take several weeks to see results.  Athletes use neurofeedback sessions to help them improve focus and performance.  While the term “athlete” must be used extremely loosely when referring to me, I am seeing a marked improvement in my golf game and the only change I have made is using Mendi.

What I like

  • Comfortable
  • One-time purchase with no ongoing fees
  • Support for multiple users (coming before release)
  • Immediate feedback

What I’d change

  • I’d prefer a USB-C charging port versus the pre-release micro-USB port
  • Additional games in the software – that may happen  before the production release
  • Support for multiple users should be added to the app

Final thoughts

I was excited to test Mendi.  There are so many health and fitness devices marketed for home use that are really just a way to separate you from your money.  I was skeptical about Mendi and thought it might fall into that category.  After a couple of weeks using Mendi, I am skeptical, but I am skeptical of my original skepticism.  My golf game continues to be better, and I have no other way to explain that than Mendi. I plan to continue to use Mendi and see whether over the long run I see other positive changes.  For now, at least, let’s say that I am a semi-skeptical believer in neurofeedback, and Mendi’s ability to deliver that to a home user at a reasonable price.

Price: Early Kickstarter backers can get a Mendi for $299.  Full retail will be $499.
Where to buy: Mendi is only available via Kickstarter. with an August-October delivery target.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Mendi.

39 thoughts on “Mendi brain training device review”




  1. Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
  2. Hi Garry,

    Glad to hear you’re living your dream golfing life. Like you, I would say I’m a semi-skeptic. If you do continue to use the device, could I bother you to post a quick update (even just as a comment on this message) in three weeks or so (before the Kickstarter finishes)? Curious to see if your feelings evolve for better or for worse as you continue using the device. Cheers!

    1. Justin:
      For what it’s worth, I’m still playing better several days after I wrote that. I continue to use Mendi, although I am slowing to 3-4 10 minute sessions per week for now. I’ll do my best to remember to post a comment here before their funding period expires.

      I will tell you that paying more attention to what’s changed, I seem to be able to focus and retain focus on the golf ball better than before. That helps me keep my head down and complete the swing without moving. Do I still do it perfectly? Nope. I still have blow-up holes. Typically, after a blow-up hole, my round would be shot. Now, I am able to refocus and get back into it. I blew up on hole #6 the other afternoon and came back and shot par on 7,8 & 9. So, we’ll see how it goes. I’ll comment again in a few weeks.

      Thanks for reading!

      1. Hi Garry

        Great review, thanks! Would you mind giving us a quick update? Quite interested to see if you’re still noticing improvements and are feeling motivated enough to keep using Mendi.

        Have a good day!

        1. Ferdy: Overall, I am still golfing better than I had been. I still have the occasional bad day, but I find I am able to pull myself out of a slump better than I could previously. I continue to do 3-4 Mendi 7-minute sessions per week. I’m not sure that I am noticing any other changes, either positive or negative, yet, but I continue to use it and plan to for several more weeks so see if anything more noticeable happens.

    1. Steven,
      If you go to their website, there is some research evidence of positive results, but certainly, more study is needed. If they get similar results to clinical neurofeedback, a one-time purchase is a bargain versus three $150 sessions per week.

    1. There is no evidence anywhere of efficacy for neurotherapy, neurofeedback, whatever their self written literature says. Check for yourself. But if this improves your putting, who could say no.

  3. My son has ADHD and currently takes concerta 36mg and guanfacine 1mg will this be helpful for him will he have to stop his medications in order to try out mendi how does this work in conjunction to medication?

    1. Susan,
      The-Gadgeteer.com is an independent review site that has no affiliation with any of the companies that provide products for review. We do not provide product support for any of the items we review.

      If you have questions about a product we review, please contact the manufacturer directly. You can refer to Mendi’s website at mendi.io or ask to join their early access Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mendivip/ where they respond to specific questions.

    2. Hello susan,

      Mendi is a fake product with no effect what so ever. NOTHING can be read through the forehead with some infrared lamps. The pictures are fake, the people are fake, the “facts” are in line with crystal healing. Its the biggest scam on kickstarter at the moment. SAD to see Mr Kolb so utterly fooled by an app that fakes some progress and have fake rewards.

      1. This seems like a big scam to me as well. They have over one year of testing and I can’t find one mayor review about this product. The proof of the clinical trials is nowhere to be found. If anyone has the legal documents I would like to read them, if they don’t exist this is not illegal. Funny to mention that they call it a medical device altho they make pretty strong claims.

  4. Premkumar Stephen

    Can it be used by multiple children in the family, or is it locked to a single person by the app? thanks

    1. Premkumar:
      Currently, the app is single-user, but they say it will support multiple users when the product is released. Today, if you have multiple devices, you can download the app on each device and a user can use each device. We have the app on my phone and my wife’s phone and each use Mendi independently.

      Hope this helps.

      Garry

      1. Prior to making any purchase for alleged brain enhancement, I research for reviews. The gadgeteer site was the only review I could find. My question: were double-blind studies done with this device to accrue data? That’s all I wanted to know. thx.

        1. We are a review site, not the manufacturer. I recommend checking out their early access Facebook page – their CEO is extremely responsive to inquiries.

      2. Hi Gary, I just want to know, if you & your wife feel/believe or have experienced that this device has IMPROVED your mental & emotional function OR NOT?! Just how EFFECTIVE it REALLY is, is KEY for me…can you help on this one, please.. I haven’t seen/heard anybody (except the advertising) say ‘YES’ yet?! And I suspect that you might have found it more informative/instructive to have tested yourselves with some IQ, Maths tests & Sudoku etc. to check your processing skills before using the Mendi and not just Golf?! How did your wife test herself?! I’m asking/suggesting this because, without broader testing there maybe subtle/subliminal, yet accrueing changes that you haven’t become aware of yet?!
        thx, Lucia :- )

        1. Lucia:
          All we can offer is anecdotal. For example, I just shot the best nine-hole round of championship golf I have ever shot. What my wife and I find is that we both seem to be able to concentrate and focus better since starting to use Mendi. We both use it two to three times per week. I have also been playing pickleball better lately. My main issue is that I take my eye off the ball, and perhaps Mendi is helping me focus more during games. But again, that’s all anecdotal, I have no clinical evidence to support it as I am not a clinician.

          My wife has been an avid Sudoku solver for years and she still is. She hasn’t noticed that she’s solving faster or any measurable improvement.

          As far as mood – pretty hard to measure as we are both retired, live in the best place in the world, and are happy as can be. It’s hard to improve that. 🙂

          Sorry I don’t have more hard and fast data.

          1. Thanks for that Gary, I suspect that as your wife has been doing Sudoku for many years, she’s pretty hot on it already and that this device can only improve where improvements can be made?! And ‘yes’ lol.. I imagine the same to be said for any ‘improved mood’ with you both as well ;- ) I have since last post found this … https://www.tdcs.com/best-tdcs-devices.. it ranks as No 5 the to easy use and affordable ‘LiftID’ (about £140) as similar results for focus & concentration etc. it’s an interesting listing and states their use and effectiveness… No1 is Caputron 3×3 Activadose tDCS Device Starter Kit
            Most researched and trusted tDCS device by professionals and universities worldwide. The Activadose is featured in numerous scientific publications and advocated by many tDCS professionals.
            The only Clinical Grade tDCS Device – Built to research standards and trusted for home tDCS
            Ranked Best tDCS Device of 2020 by Researchers and Professionals
            Real time voltage adjustment based on skin impedance ensures precise current delivery, LCD screen shows time remaining as well as current output
            Includes entire tDCS Starter Kit – Activadose tDCS Device, Caputron Universal Strap, Pair of tDCS Electrodes (3×3),Most researched and trusted tDCS device by professionals and universities worldwide. The Activadose is featured in numerous scientific publications and advocated by many tDCS professionals.The only Clinical Grade tDCS Device – Built to research standards and trusted for home tDCS Ranked Best tDCS Device of 2020 by Researchers and Professionals..
            $399+ $119.73 Shipping & Import Fees Deposit to United Kingdom
            NOT COOL LOOKING THOUGH…LOL ;- )

  5. Really great review. I’m torn by this 2013 New Yorker Article “Brain Games are Bogus”. It’s details the Swedish research, that I’ve assumed underpins this product. A lot can change in 7 years, but i haven’t been able to find any newer research in english.

    I’m curious if you’ve come across the article, and what your thoughts are on it after your experience.

    1. I really can’t speak to anything in the article. All I can speak to is my personal experience as I detailed in the article. Can I attribute the improvements to Mendi? No, not specifically, but that’s all that has changed in my lifestyle. The device provides neurofeedback, and my understanding is that is different from “training” per se. I recommend checking out their early access Facebook page – their CEO is extremely responsive to inquiries.

      1. P.S. I had meant to say ‘a big thank you’ for doing the review Gary, real world feed-back is priceless! I’ve added a link below (don’t know why it, not go blue) .. but it’s one of those, that you can test your logic & 3D skills etc. with.. better to judge one’s processing skills with?! And while practice as they say.. ‘makes perfect’..in reality it often doesn’t :- ( .. but in striving towards perfection, we may ameliorate our imperfections and yet prevail to triumph and both achieve & understand success on & in our own terms.
        https://logiclike.com

  6. Oh-oh-oh!!! one more thing found..NeuroSky MindWave Mobile 2: Brainwave Starter Kit EEG Headset
    Brand: NeuroSky £189 …
    The MindWave Mobile 2 is the first and most affordable professional EEG headset for home and mobile use. With NeuroSky’s MindWave Mobile 2 headset and our neurofeedback training software, you are able to build up your ability to concentrate, focus and relax. The headset’s sensor measures the brain’s electrical activity and transfers the data readout via Bluetooth.The Brainwave Starter Kit is especially designed for users who are new to the world of neurofeedback and features introductory apps. You can download dozens further mental fitness apps or games through our AppStore. These include apps for stress reduction, meditation, mindfulness, PEAK PERFORMANCE TRAINING and more! Supported platforms: Windows (XP/7/8/10), Mac (OSX 10.8 or later), iOS (iOS 8 or later) and Android (Android 2.3 or later)
    Thanks again Gary for taking the time to do your review it’s much appreciated..
    Lucia :- )

    1. P.S. Having read more since last night.. it seems that a lot of people have trouble getting the apps to work for them with the ‘NeuroSky MindWave Mobile 2: Brainwave Starter Kit EEG Headset
      Brand: NeuroSky £189’ .. and not getting much response from Customer Service either.. And apologies for accidentally 2 x past & copy some info on the ‘LiftID System’..
      Oh! – oh!.. and also found last night (and it’s genuinely based on Nasa research/from aero-flight pilots) https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2013/cg_2.html & https://www.playattention.com/ .. though I reckon PlayAttention must cost a small fortune as NO costings to be found anywhere on their site ;- ( ?! ..but you can give your email address and download a number of free books to help with Education (TopTips & Strategies, Relaxation & Focus etc. .. many on ADHD). Lucia 🙂

  7. I became a Mendi backer this past April. I’ve yet to receive anything from Mendi other than emails. I have sent a few emails however I’ve had no response.

  8. My Son did Nuerofeedback for ADD approx 10 years ago. All I can say is it was a miracle worker for him. We paid for 30 sessions and he went by himself no prodding. Before the sessions he could never find anything. I would not want to be him. After the sessions it was a miracle. He has been able to find th8ngs and focus. We saw such an improvement. I dont know why more people do not know about this. I am happy to find Mendi to give him a tune up. I do need to do more research on this before buying. I am very excited about it though.

    1. It has been several months since I have used Mendi. Over time, I wasn’t realizing much personal benefit. That isn’t to say it doesn’t work, but for me, I wasn’t reaping rewards for the time I spent.

      I may consider starting to use it again, but not for a while as I have time conflicts at the moment.

  9. This type of technology is ultra cheap and has been sold as miracle brain cures for decades now under different labels. I can buy a fnirs set with better software support for at most $80. I can get all pre made components to make my own and create cool training visualizations for $30. Is Mendi real? Is Mendi good? No, yet another brain scam in a long line of brain scams! Blood flow to the front of the brain doesn’t even work in such a way as to be trained by such an exercise. Psychiatrist’s review: don’t waste your money!

  10. In your “What I’d Change” section you mentioned wanting additional games.

    If you have a Windows desktop you can use
    MendiGameAnything.

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