Share
13 min read
trackingEvidence-based

The Missing Piece in Brain Health Tracking: Why We're Partnering with Sens.ai (member)

A neurofeedback study for APOE4 carriers (and anyone serious about cognitive longevity)

T
· Reviewed by Dr. Kevin Tran, PharmD

Key takeaways · TL;DR

APOE4 carriers can track supplements, sleep, HRV, and bloodwork, but cognitive function itself has been guesswork. Phoenix is partnering with Sens.ai, a home neurofeedback headset combining five modalities (neurofeedback, photobiomodulation, HRV biofeedback, binaural beats, ERP cognitive assessments) that delivers the objective P300 latency and peak alpha frequency measurements normally requiring $15,000 clinical protocols, in a $1,250 device.

Definition

An electrical brain response to a specific stimulus, measured via EEG and used as an objective biomarker of cognitive function.

ERPs include measurements like P300 latency, which tracks decision-making speed, and peak alpha frequency, which correlates with cognitive performance. Unlike subjective tests, ERPs reflect actual brain electrical activity in response to precisely timed stimuli. For APOE4 carriers, ERPs offer an objective tracking tool that is sensitive to intervention effects and doesn't require waiting for cognitive symptoms. Home devices like Sens.ai have made ERP assessment accessible for daily monitoring rather than requiring clinical EEG labs.

Definition

The time between a stimulus and the brain's P300 electrical response, a clinical marker of information processing speed and decision-making.

P300 latency has been used in cognitive neuroscience since the 1960s to track decision-making and attention. Longer latency is associated with aging, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's progression, while shorter latency reflects faster cognitive processing. Tracking P300 over time gives APOE4 carriers an objective measure of whether interventions are actually improving cognition, rather than relying on subjective impressions or annual neuropsych batteries.

Hi Phoenix friend,

Here's a question that keeps me up at night:

How do I know if what I'm doing is actually working?

I take supplements. I exercise. I track my sleep. I've optimized my diet. I do all the things the research says should protect my brain.

But my brain doesn't come with a dashboard.

I can see my cholesterol on a blood test. My VO2 max on my watch. My HRV every morning. But cognition? Processing speed? Whether my brain is aging faster or slower than it should?

That's mostly... guesswork.

Until now.

The Feedback Loop Problem

Over the past year, we've run studies on photobiomodulation helmets and vagus nerve stimulation devices. We've tracked supplements and exercise and sleep interventions across hundreds of members.

And we keep running into the same problem.

People do interventions. They feel better. Or they don't. But "feeling sharper" isn't data. It's not something you can optimize. It's not something that tells you whether to continue, adjust, or abandon what you're doing.

We needed objective cognitive tracking. Something that could measure whether interventions actually move the needle on brain function.

That's why we're partnering with Sens.ai.

Checkout our Q&A with Sens.ai CEO Paola

What is Sens.ai?

Let me explain what this thing actually is. Because it's not what you might expect.

Sens.ai is a neurofeedback headset. But neurofeedback is just one piece. It combines five different modalities:

1. Neurofeedback (the core)

Your brain produces electrical signals. Different patterns correspond to different mental states (focused, relaxed, creative, anxious). Neurofeedback makes these invisible patterns visible.

Here's how it works: sensors on your scalp read your brainwaves in real-time. That signal gets converted into audio and visual feedback. When your brain hits the target state, you get positive reinforcement (the sound gets louder, the image gets clearer). When it drifts, the feedback dims.

It's like a hands-free video game. Your brain learns to reproduce the states that get rewarded.

The research on neurofeedback spans 50+ years. It's been used for ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, concussion recovery, and cognitive enhancement. The best clinical protocols typically cost $15,000+ for a week of treatment [1].

Sens.ai took those protocols and put them in a $1,250 headset you can use at home.

2. Photobiomodulation

Near-infrared light (810nm wavelength) delivered through the skull. This primes your brain before training. Think of it as a warm-up.

If you've followed our previous studies, you know we've been tracking photobiomodulation for a while. Sens.ai's version includes binaural beats and guided meditations during the light therapy, making the experience more immersive.

3. HRV Biofeedback

A pulse oximeter on the ear cup measures your heart rate variability. The app guides you through resonance breathing to activate your parasympathetic nervous system.

This is the foundation. You can't train higher brain states effectively when your nervous system is in fight-or-flight mode. HRV biofeedback calms you down first.

4. Binaural Beats

Audio frequencies that support state shifts. Nothing revolutionary on its own, but integrated well into the overall experience.

5. ERP Assessments (This is the key part)

Event-Related Potentials. Objective cognitive tests that measure:

  • P300 latency: How fast your brain processes new information and makes decisions

  • Peak Alpha Frequency: A biomarker linked to cognitive performance and intelligence

  • Reaction time and accuracy

  • Impulse control

These aren't subjective questionnaires. They're measurements of your brain's electrical response to specific stimuli. You can track them over time. You can see if they improve.

And here's what gets me excited: Sens.ai is developing a biological brain age clock in partnership with the Buck Institute (the largest longevity research organization in the US). Coming in April 2025.

This will tell you if your brain is aging faster or slower than expected. Not based on how you feel. Based on measurable neural signals.

The Data So Far

Sens.ai has published results from their protocols [2]:

Sleep Nirvana Mission (4-week sleep protocol):

  • 77% reported improved sleep quality

  • 7.5% faster reaction time

  • 40% improvement in impulse control

  • 7.4% faster brain processing speed (P300 latency)

Sharp Mind Mission (designed for cognitive aging):

  • Improvements in peak alpha frequency (typically declines with age)

  • Enhanced P300 markers

  • Better reaction time and accuracy

The company has a good track record of transparency. They publish white papers with their results. They're building a learning system that continuously measures outcomes across users.

Is it perfect evidence? No. These are company-published studies, not independent peer-reviewed trials. But the underlying science of neurofeedback is well-established [3][4], and having objective before/after measurements is a massive improvement over "I think I feel better."

Why This Matters for APOE4 Carriers

APOE4 carriers face a specific challenge: brain changes can begin 20-30 years before cognitive symptoms appear [5].

That means the window for intervention is now. Not when we start forgetting names. Not when we can't find our keys. Now.

But it also means we're flying blind. We don't have symptoms to track. We don't have obvious feedback on whether our interventions are working.

Research shows that cognitive engagement may be particularly protective for APOE4 carriers [6]. Active brain training (not passive consumption) appears to reduce amyloid deposition in carriers more than non-carriers [7].

Neurofeedback is essentially structured cognitive engagement. Your brain actively works to achieve target states. It's exercise for neural pathways.

Combined with objective tracking, this gives us something we've never had: a feedback loop for brain health.

How the Study Works

Here's the deal:

  1. Go to sens.ai/phoenix

  2. Use code PHOENIX for $100 off ($1,150 instead of $1,250)

  3. Try it for 60 days (satisfied or reimbursed guarantee, no risk)

  4. Use whatever mode works for you (Sharp Mind, Sleep Nirvana, Attention Mastery, etc.)

Unlike our previous studies, this one is open-ended. No rigid protocol. Use the device the way that makes sense for your goals.
And this is open for non Phoenix members!

If you are a member:

  • Opt in to the study in the Phoenix app

  • Log your sessions in your daily check-ins (mode, duration, experience)

  • Connect your wearables (Oura, Whoop, Apple Health) once our app update launches

  • We'll correlate your Sens.ai sessions with your sleep, HRV, and subjective wellbeing data

Practical Details

Price: $1,150 with code PHOENIX (normally $1,250)

Subscription: $29/month for the personal membership (required for the AI-guided protocols)

Family plan: Coming Q1 (~$45/month for multiple users sharing one headset)

Shipping: Worldwide (US, Canada, UK, Australia, Europe, etc.)

Return policy: 60-day satisfaction guarantee. Use it for two months. If it doesn't work for you, return it.

Best results: 8+ weeks of consistent use, 15+ minutes per session, 5 times per week

What We're Building

This partnership is part of a larger vision.

At Phoenix, we're trying to solve the measurement problem for brain health. We're building a platform where you can:

  • Track your interventions (supplements, devices, lifestyle changes)

  • Log your daily experience (energy, focus, sleep quality, mood)

  • Connect your wearables (continuous HRV, sleep architecture, activity data)

  • Upload your blood tests (we have AI analysis for APOE4-specific biomarkers)

  • Run structured experiments with peer accountability

And now, with partners like Sens.ai, add objective cognitive assessments to the mix.

The goal? Know what's working. Stop guessing. Optimize based on data.

I believe this is the kind of infrastructure we need.

The Bottom Line

Neurofeedback has 50 years of clinical research behind it. Sens.ai makes it accessible at home. They include objective cognitive assessments. They're building a brain age clock.

There's a 60-day money-back guarantee. Zero risk.

If you're already spending money on brain supplements, sleep trackers, and health optimizations, this is a tool that might actually tell you if those things are working.

Link: sens.ai/phoenix
Code: PHOENIX ($100 off)

Try it. Track it. Let's see what the data shows.

References

[1] Clinical neurofeedback protocols typically range from $150-200 per session, with 10-30 sessions recommended. Five-day intensive programs at top clinics can cost $15,000+.

[2] Sens.ai User Results. Sleep Nirvana Mission Protocol and Sharp Mind Mission data. https://sens.ai/results

[3] Marzbani H, Marateb HR, Mansourian M. Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design, Methodology and Clinical Applications. Basic Clin Neurosci. 2016 Apr;7(2):143-58. https://pubmed.gov/27303609

[4] Zoefel B, Huster RJ, Herrmann CS. Neurofeedback training of the upper alpha frequency band in EEG improves cognitive performance. Neuroimage. 2011 Jan 15;54(2):1427-31. https://pubmed.gov/20850552

[5] Bateman RJ, et al. Clinical and biomarker changes in dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease. N Engl J Med. 2012;367(9):795-804. https://pubmed.gov/22784036

[6] Berkowitz CL, Mosconi L, Rahman A, et al. Clinical Application of APOE in Alzheimer's Prevention: A Precision Medicine Approach. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2018;5(4):245-252. https://pubmed.gov/30298183

[7] Landau SM, et al. Association of lifetime cognitive engagement and low β-amyloid deposition. Arch Neurol. 2012;69(5):623-629. https://pubmed.gov/22271235

Dr. Kevin Tran is the founder of The Phoenix Community, a platform helping APOE4 carriers beat the odds through structured experimentation, biomarker tracking, and collective intelligence. He is an APOE4/4 carrier, Doctor of Pharmacy, and former healthcare strategy consultant.

Join the study: sens.ai/phoenix | Code: PHOENIX
Join The Phoenix Community: thephoenix.community
Questions? kevin@thephoenix.community

Most Newsletters? One-way street.
How boring…
This is the Phoenix Community. So let's make it a two-way street.
Got a question? Feedback?
Hit reply. I read every single one.

Filed under
trackingtherapiescognition

Discussion

Join the conversation

Your email will never be published. Be respectful and constructive.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

How can APOE4 carriers measure whether their brain interventions are actually working?
Objective cognitive tracking has historically required expensive clinical testing, so most people rely on subjective 'feeling sharper' which is not optimizable data. Sens.ai is a home headset that uses event-related potential (ERP) assessments to measure P300 latency (how fast your brain processes new information and makes decisions), peak alpha frequency (a biomarker linked to cognitive performance and intelligence), reaction time and accuracy, and impulse control. These are electrical measurements of your brain's response to specific stimuli, not subjective questionnaires. Tracking them over weeks and months lets APOE4 carriers see whether interventions like supplements, exercise, or sleep changes produce measurable improvements in cognition itself, not just surrogate markers.
What is neurofeedback and does it work for brain health?
Neurofeedback uses sensors on the scalp to read brainwaves in real time, converting them into audio and visual feedback so your brain can learn to reproduce target states. When your brain hits the target (focused, relaxed, creative), feedback gets stronger. When it drifts, feedback dims. It is essentially a hands-free video game your brain plays against itself. Research on neurofeedback spans 50+ years and has been used for ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, concussion recovery, and cognitive enhancement. The best clinical protocols typically cost $15,000+ for a week of treatment. Sens.ai compressed those protocols into a $1,250 home headset, making daily neurofeedback training feasible for APOE4 carriers focused on long-term brain optimization.
What are ERP assessments and why do they matter for APOE4 carriers?
Event-related potentials (ERPs) are measurements of the brain's electrical response to specific stimuli, used in neurology and cognitive science as objective markers of brain function. Two ERP measures are particularly relevant: P300 latency tracks how fast your brain processes new information and has been used clinically to detect early cognitive decline, and peak alpha frequency is a biomarker correlated with cognitive performance and intelligence. For APOE4 carriers worried about tracking their long-term brain trajectory, ERP assessments are one of the few home-accessible objective measures. Sens.ai is also developing a biological brain age clock in partnership with the Buck Institute, the largest US longevity research organization, which will quantify whether your brain is aging faster or slower than expected.
What does the Sens.ai headset include beyond neurofeedback?
Sens.ai combines five modalities in one device. Neurofeedback is the core, using scalp sensors to train target brain states. Photobiomodulation delivers near-infrared light (810nm) through the skull to prime the brain before training, with binaural beats and guided meditations during the light therapy. HRV biofeedback uses a pulse oximeter in the ear cup to guide resonance breathing and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, because you cannot train higher brain states effectively when in fight-or-flight mode. Binaural beats support state shifts through audio frequencies. ERP assessments provide the objective cognitive measurements that let you track progress over time. For APOE4 carriers, the integrated approach addresses multiple pathways simultaneously.
Why This Matters for APOE4 Carriers
APOE4 carriers face a specific challenge: brain changes can begin 20-30 years before cognitive symptoms appear [5]. That means the window for intervention is now . Not when we start forgetting names. Not when we can't find our keys. Now. But it also means we're flying blind. We don't have symptoms to track. We don't have obvious feedback on whether our interventions are working. Research shows that cognitive engagement may be particularly protective for APOE4 carriers [6]. Active brain training (not passive consumption) appears to reduce amyloid deposition in carriers more than non-carriers [7]. Neurofeedback is essentially structured cognitive engagement. Your brain actively works to achieve target states. It's exercise for neural pathways. Combined with objective tracking, this gives us something we've never had: a feedback loop for brain health.
How the Study Works
Here's the deal: Go to sens.ai/phoenix Use code PHOENIX for $100 off ($1,150 instead of $1,250) Try it for 60 days (satisfied or reimbursed guarantee, no risk) Use whatever mode works for you (Sharp Mind, Sleep Nirvana, Attention Mastery, etc.) Unlike our previous studies, this one is open-ended. No rigid protocol. Use the device the way that makes sense for your goals. And this is open for non Phoenix members! If you are a member: Opt in to the study in the Phoenix app Log your sessions in your daily check-ins (mode, duration, experience) Connect your wearables (Oura, Whoop, Apple Health) once our app update launches We'll correlate your Sens.ai sessions with your sleep, HRV, and subjective wellbeing data
What We're Building
This partnership is part of a larger vision. At Phoenix , we're trying to solve the measurement problem for brain health. We're building a platform where you can: Track your interventions (supplements, devices, lifestyle changes) Log your daily experience (energy, focus, sleep quality, mood) Connect your wearables (continuous HRV, sleep architecture, activity data) Upload your blood tests (we have AI analysis for APOE4-specific biomarkers) Run structured experiments with peer accountability And now, with partners like Sens.ai , add objective cognitive assessments to the mix. The goal? Know what's working. Stop guessing. Optimize based on data. I believe this is the kind of infrastructure we need.
Keep reading

Related protocols.