Frequently Asked Questions
On this page we have put together the answers to the most common questions that we recieve. If you cannot find an answer to your question, please do feel free to contact us.
About Mendi
What is Mendi?
Mendi is a portable neurofeedback brain training system that combines fNIRS technology with behavioral science to enhance brain health. The Mendi system includes two core components:
• The Mendi headband which uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
• A brain training mobile app which allows you to visualize and practice controlling your brain activity in near real-time.
With Mendi, you can measure, track, and strengthen your brain health. Consistent Mendi training enhances the brain’s executive functions, including sustained attention, emotion regulation, stress management, and working memory—fostering a healthier brain and greater mental well-being over time.
• The Mendi headband which uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
• A brain training mobile app which allows you to visualize and practice controlling your brain activity in near real-time.
With Mendi, you can measure, track, and strengthen your brain health. Consistent Mendi training enhances the brain’s executive functions, including sustained attention, emotion regulation, stress management, and working memory—fostering a healthier brain and greater mental well-being over time.
Why should I use Mendi?
Thousands of users report positive changes in their brain health and mental well-being through regular Mendi use. The most frequently reported benefits include enhanced focus, improved emotional regulation, and higher-quality sleep. Mendi can support brain health across several key areas:
• Mental well-being: Brain training is essential for mental health and is commonly used in clinical settings for preventive care as well as by individuals managing stress, anxiety, ADHD, and sleep issues.
• Performance: A healthy brain is foundational for optimal performance. Many individuals and organizations use brain training to improve focus, decision-making, and productivity.
• Overall health: Brain health impacts every part of the body. Just as with prioritizing physical fitness, maintaining cognitive health is essential for overall well-being.
Read more about how our community benefits from Mendi in our user stories .
• Mental well-being: Brain training is essential for mental health and is commonly used in clinical settings for preventive care as well as by individuals managing stress, anxiety, ADHD, and sleep issues.
• Performance: A healthy brain is foundational for optimal performance. Many individuals and organizations use brain training to improve focus, decision-making, and productivity.
• Overall health: Brain health impacts every part of the body. Just as with prioritizing physical fitness, maintaining cognitive health is essential for overall well-being.
Read more about how our community benefits from Mendi in our user stories .
How to use Mendi
How does Mendi work?
Mendi uses neurofeedback to provide you with live, visual feedback based on your brain activity measured by the Mendi headset while you play a brain training mobile game. The Mendi headset uses fNIRS technology which, among other things, measures blood flow and oxygenation in the PFC. The app includes a brain training game requiring focus and calmness. This subsequently increases activity in your PFC, which controls your brain’s pathways.
• With Mendi you measure, control and improve your brain activity.
• Mendi is 100% safe as infrared light is non-invasive.
• Mendi can (and should) be used by anyone.
If you combine Mendi’s neurofeedback practice with a practice of a lifestyle change/doing/nudging, you can see the effect in the ease with which your behavior changes. It is important that one understands what they are looking for in results. The most efficient way to measure progress is to track one of your behaviors. For example, if you’re focusing your neurofeedback practice on attention, try reading for 15 minutes everyday without interruption, and track the ease with which you can do that over the course of your Mendi practice.
• With Mendi you measure, control and improve your brain activity.
• Mendi is 100% safe as infrared light is non-invasive.
• Mendi can (and should) be used by anyone.
If you combine Mendi’s neurofeedback practice with a practice of a lifestyle change/doing/nudging, you can see the effect in the ease with which your behavior changes. It is important that one understands what they are looking for in results. The most efficient way to measure progress is to track one of your behaviors. For example, if you’re focusing your neurofeedback practice on attention, try reading for 15 minutes everyday without interruption, and track the ease with which you can do that over the course of your Mendi practice.
How often should I use Mendi?
New users should gradually adjust their neurofeedback training to suit their individual needs. During the first week, we recommend three 5-minute sessions to become familiar with the app and headband.
Over time, you can increase session length. Aim for 4–5 sessions per week, gradually extending them to 10 or 15 minutes as you progress, until you feel comfortable with daily sessions. Be mindful of mental fatigue, and prioritize quality over quantity by scheduling sessions under calm conditions for the most accurate feedback.
Over time, you can increase session length. Aim for 4–5 sessions per week, gradually extending them to 10 or 15 minutes as you progress, until you feel comfortable with daily sessions. Be mindful of mental fatigue, and prioritize quality over quantity by scheduling sessions under calm conditions for the most accurate feedback.
Who can use Mendi?
Mendi is suitable for all age groups, though we recommend it for ages 5 and up. It is particularly helpful for those seeking to improve focus, emotion regulation, and working memory as part of a healthy brain training routine.
Please note that Mendi is not a certified medical device and is not intended to diagnose or treat medical or mental health conditions. If you have, or suspect you may have, a medical condition, please consult your healthcare provider before using Mendi.
Please note that Mendi is not a certified medical device and is not intended to diagnose or treat medical or mental health conditions. If you have, or suspect you may have, a medical condition, please consult your healthcare provider before using Mendi.
How do I get started with Mendi?
Get started in less than 30 sec:
1. Put on your Mendi headband and open the Mendi brain training app. Press the power button on the headset – it will connect to your phone automatically. Ensure the headband fits snugly on your forehead, with no hair or air between the sensors and your skin.
2. Conduct your session in a dim, low-light environment to bright lights – this helps ensure a clearer signal.
3. Select your training duration and settle in. Relax and focus on the ball, aim to make it rise. Each time a star appears, think of it as instant feedback that you're “doing it right.”
Bonus Tip: Try a quick session before work, studying, or sports. It’s a great way to boost focus and mental sharpness!
1. Put on your Mendi headband and open the Mendi brain training app. Press the power button on the headset – it will connect to your phone automatically. Ensure the headband fits snugly on your forehead, with no hair or air between the sensors and your skin.
2. Conduct your session in a dim, low-light environment to bright lights – this helps ensure a clearer signal.
3. Select your training duration and settle in. Relax and focus on the ball, aim to make it rise. Each time a star appears, think of it as instant feedback that you're “doing it right.”
Bonus Tip: Try a quick session before work, studying, or sports. It’s a great way to boost focus and mental sharpness!
Looking for detailed guidance?
If you are looking for more detailed guidance, please read the following:
⒈ Switch on the Mendi device and put it on your head:
• Make sure the head strap is tightly but comfortably affixed, and adjust it if necessary.
• If you have longer hair, move it out of the way.
• Wear the Mendi headset at the same position in each session, align the lower edge of the device with your eyebrows.
⒉ Find a quiet place, avoid direct sunlight and bright lamps. Put your phone flat on a table in front of you. Remember:
• It takes about 4-6 sec before you see any effect as Mendi measures the blood flow and oxygenation to PFC.
• Breathe regularly. Try to relax as you start your training session.
• Don’t do your session immediately after a workout or any other form of strenuous physical activity.
• Try to keep movement to a minimum during your session. Avoid touching the Mendi headset.
⒊ Now relax completely. Do not think about anything. Only focus on the ball to make it go up.
⒈ Switch on the Mendi device and put it on your head:
• Make sure the head strap is tightly but comfortably affixed, and adjust it if necessary.
• If you have longer hair, move it out of the way.
• Wear the Mendi headset at the same position in each session, align the lower edge of the device with your eyebrows.
⒉ Find a quiet place, avoid direct sunlight and bright lamps. Put your phone flat on a table in front of you. Remember:
• It takes about 4-6 sec before you see any effect as Mendi measures the blood flow and oxygenation to PFC.
• Breathe regularly. Try to relax as you start your training session.
• Don’t do your session immediately after a workout or any other form of strenuous physical activity.
• Try to keep movement to a minimum during your session. Avoid touching the Mendi headset.
⒊ Now relax completely. Do not think about anything. Only focus on the ball to make it go up.
About brain training
How is the brain wired?
The main function of our brains is to receive all of the information from the world (sights, sounds, smells, feelings, interactions, news), make sense of it, and then turn it into action.
Every single thing you do and think is processed in the brain through neurons and neural networks. So what are neurons and neural networks, how do they work, and how can Mendi help control them?
Neurons are the information messengers of the body. They are responsible for translating information from the outside world into signals that can be communicated across the nervous system and brain. Neurons are cells.
The human brain is estimated to contain over 100 billion neurons (roughly the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy), and each neuron is connected to thousands of other neurons. These interconnected neurons are then further connected across the entire brain into neural networks. The networks take information from all parts of your brain and body and integrate them into cohesive thoughts and behaviors.
The neural networks in your brain are always changing. That's why we call the brain “plastic”. When you learn something, there is a physical and chemical change to the shape and output of a neuron.
Every single thing you do and think is processed in the brain through neurons and neural networks. So what are neurons and neural networks, how do they work, and how can Mendi help control them?
Neurons are the information messengers of the body. They are responsible for translating information from the outside world into signals that can be communicated across the nervous system and brain. Neurons are cells.
The human brain is estimated to contain over 100 billion neurons (roughly the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy), and each neuron is connected to thousands of other neurons. These interconnected neurons are then further connected across the entire brain into neural networks. The networks take information from all parts of your brain and body and integrate them into cohesive thoughts and behaviors.
The neural networks in your brain are always changing. That's why we call the brain “plastic”. When you learn something, there is a physical and chemical change to the shape and output of a neuron.
What is prefrontal cortex (PFC)?
The brain is organized into specialized areas that process specific kinds of information quickly, and then interconnect to put together a comprehensive picture of the world. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the area of the brain that Mendi measures.
If you think of your brain as an entire orchestra with billions of instruments playing together, the PFC is where the conductor stands. The PFC is a region of the brain that lies at the very front of your brain. Its location in the front of the brain allows it to act as a major hub for neural networks carrying information from all parts of the brain. One of the PFC’s roles as a conductor is to decide what to pay attention to.
If you think of your brain as an entire orchestra with billions of instruments playing together, the PFC is where the conductor stands. The PFC is a region of the brain that lies at the very front of your brain. Its location in the front of the brain allows it to act as a major hub for neural networks carrying information from all parts of the brain. One of the PFC’s roles as a conductor is to decide what to pay attention to.
What is neuroplasticity?
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.
So, just like the muscles in your body, you can train your brain to be stronger. When you train your brain, you learn to stimulate the flow of oxygenated blood to the area that you are training. The fact that the brain is “plastic” allows for the potential to learn, grow, and change. This is what Mendi helps you do. Mendi makes it easier for you to forge your own desired patterns of thought.
So, just like the muscles in your body, you can train your brain to be stronger. When you train your brain, you learn to stimulate the flow of oxygenated blood to the area that you are training. The fact that the brain is “plastic” allows for the potential to learn, grow, and change. This is what Mendi helps you do. Mendi makes it easier for you to forge your own desired patterns of thought.
What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a way for people to look at their own brain activity in real-time, and learn how to control it. In the same way that we use mirrors to help us see how we appear on the outside, neurofeedback helps us see what our brain is doing when we’re thinking.
Feedback is how we learn and the brain is not an exception. The first and most important step in changing the way you think is to shine a light on the networks that support your current ways of thinking. Through live visual feedback of what your brain is doing, you are able to train it to function better and this is exactly what neurofeedback is about. Mendi does that by showing you how your brain interprets the world in real-time through neurofeedback.
Training with neurofeedback is considered to improve different cognitive functions. Elite athletes, world class artists, executives, entrepreneurs and in general any top performing individual across various undertakings use neurofeedback to maintain their high performance in combination with clear mind. But traditionally, neurofeedback brain training is expensive, with people paying up to $15,000 or more for clinical neurofeedback, in their quest to improve health and performance. Mendi brings neurofeedback clinics to the comfort of your home.
Feedback is how we learn and the brain is not an exception. The first and most important step in changing the way you think is to shine a light on the networks that support your current ways of thinking. Through live visual feedback of what your brain is doing, you are able to train it to function better and this is exactly what neurofeedback is about. Mendi does that by showing you how your brain interprets the world in real-time through neurofeedback.
Training with neurofeedback is considered to improve different cognitive functions. Elite athletes, world class artists, executives, entrepreneurs and in general any top performing individual across various undertakings use neurofeedback to maintain their high performance in combination with clear mind. But traditionally, neurofeedback brain training is expensive, with people paying up to $15,000 or more for clinical neurofeedback, in their quest to improve health and performance. Mendi brings neurofeedback clinics to the comfort of your home.
Other devices
What is the difference between Mendi and Muse?
We believe every practice and every device can be helpful depending on your purpose. There are two main distinctions between Mendi and Muse. Mendi measures blood flow and oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which provides an accurate indicator of brain activity in the area we are working to measure control and enhance. Muse, as far as we know, uses electroencephalography (EEG) which measures electrical activity in your brain from the surface of your scalp.
Mendi is about measuring, controlling and enhancing your brain activity. Muse, similar to a meditation app, helps you relax. Regular brain training may help you preserve and enhance brain activity and neural plasticity. Long-term effects of neuroplasticity can include improvement in cognition, for instance, memory and attention, and emotional control. Brain training with Mendi is a similar experience to meditation with the technology that has dozens of future possible applications that we are on a journey to unpack.
Mendi is about measuring, controlling and enhancing your brain activity. Muse, similar to a meditation app, helps you relax. Regular brain training may help you preserve and enhance brain activity and neural plasticity. Long-term effects of neuroplasticity can include improvement in cognition, for instance, memory and attention, and emotional control. Brain training with Mendi is a similar experience to meditation with the technology that has dozens of future possible applications that we are on a journey to unpack.
What is the difference between Mendi and Halo?
We believe every practice and every device can be helpful depending on your purpose. The main distinction between Mendi and Halo which is now part of Flow is that they use different techniques.
Mendi uses neurofeedback to provide you with live, visual feedback based on your brain activity measured by Mendi headset while you play a brain training mobile game. Mendi headset uses fNIRS technology which, among other things, measures blood flow and oxygenation in the PFC. The app provides brain training requiring focus and calmness. This subsequently increases activity in your PFC, which controls your brain’s pathways. This is a natural process to condition the brain to increase blood flow and other nutrients to the prefrontal cortex, which can help preserve and improve brain performance, mental well-being and overall health.
Halo uses transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) which sends electrical currents to the brain to prompt a change in behavior.
Mendi uses neurofeedback to provide you with live, visual feedback based on your brain activity measured by Mendi headset while you play a brain training mobile game. Mendi headset uses fNIRS technology which, among other things, measures blood flow and oxygenation in the PFC. The app provides brain training requiring focus and calmness. This subsequently increases activity in your PFC, which controls your brain’s pathways. This is a natural process to condition the brain to increase blood flow and other nutrients to the prefrontal cortex, which can help preserve and improve brain performance, mental well-being and overall health.
Halo uses transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) which sends electrical currents to the brain to prompt a change in behavior.
What is the difference between Mendi and Apollo?
We believe every practice and every device can be helpful depending on your purpose.
With Mendi you measure, control and improve your brain activity. Mendi uses neurofeedback to provide you with live, visual feedback based on your brain activity measured by Mendi headset while you play a brain training mobile game. Mendi headset uses fNIRS technology which, among other things, measures blood flow and oxygenation in the PFC. The app provides brain training requiring focus and calmness. This subsequently increases activity in your PFC, which controls your brain’s pathways. This is a natural process to condition the brain to increase blood flow and other nutrients to the prefrontal cortex, which can help preserve and improve brain performance, mental well-being and overall health.
Apollo is an HRV training device. As far as we understand Apollo helps you to improve your breathing, so you can be more calm and relaxed.
With Mendi you measure, control and improve your brain activity. Mendi uses neurofeedback to provide you with live, visual feedback based on your brain activity measured by Mendi headset while you play a brain training mobile game. Mendi headset uses fNIRS technology which, among other things, measures blood flow and oxygenation in the PFC. The app provides brain training requiring focus and calmness. This subsequently increases activity in your PFC, which controls your brain’s pathways. This is a natural process to condition the brain to increase blood flow and other nutrients to the prefrontal cortex, which can help preserve and improve brain performance, mental well-being and overall health.
Apollo is an HRV training device. As far as we understand Apollo helps you to improve your breathing, so you can be more calm and relaxed.
What is the difference between Mendi and Flow?
We believe every practice and every device can be helpful depending on your purpose. The main distinction between Mendi and Flow is that they use different techniques.
Mendi uses neurofeedback to provide you with live, visual feedback based on your brain activity measured by Mendi headset while you play a brain training mobile game. Mendi headset uses fNIRS technology which, among other things, measures blood flow and oxygenation in the PFC. The app provides brain training requiring focus and calmness. This subsequently increases activity in your PFC, which controls your brain’s pathways. This is a natural process to condition the brain to increase blood flow and other nutrients to the prefrontal cortex, which can help preserve and improve brain performance, mental well-being and overall health.
Flow uses transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to deliver electrical signals to restore activity in brain cells, resulting in a reduction of depressive symptoms (according to Flow).
Mendi uses neurofeedback to provide you with live, visual feedback based on your brain activity measured by Mendi headset while you play a brain training mobile game. Mendi headset uses fNIRS technology which, among other things, measures blood flow and oxygenation in the PFC. The app provides brain training requiring focus and calmness. This subsequently increases activity in your PFC, which controls your brain’s pathways. This is a natural process to condition the brain to increase blood flow and other nutrients to the prefrontal cortex, which can help preserve and improve brain performance, mental well-being and overall health.
Flow uses transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to deliver electrical signals to restore activity in brain cells, resulting in a reduction of depressive symptoms (according to Flow).
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