Pupil Based Biofeedback
Our research focuses on understanding how the brain's arousal state (central arousal) influences our behavior and mental well-being. The Locus Coeruleus (LC), a small region in the brainstem, is one of the brain structures regulating central arousal through the release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline.
Intriguingly, there is a close relationship between our eye’s pupil size and central arousal, regulated by LC activity (Zerbi et al., 2019). Building on this relationship, we've developed a novel biofeedback approach that allows individuals to learn how to consciously control pupil size via mental strategies and real-time feedback on their own pupil size (Meissner et al., 2023). Such self-regulation is associated with changes in neural activity of arousal-regulating centers like the LC. For an easy at home usage, we are currently implementing the pupil-based biofeedback method in virtual reality goggles (myflow.ch). Importantly, our pupil-based biofeedback holds promise as a user-friendly tool for influencing central arousal with potential applications in the context of emotion regulation, stress management, and performance enhancement.
Moving forward, we are continuing to explore implications of pupil-based biofeedback in fundamental, clinical, and applied research projects. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying central arousal modulation, we aim to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for promoting mental well-being and cognitive functioning.