Case Study: Unilateral tPBM Intervention for Drug Addiction

Overview

This case study examines the application of unilateral transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) in treating a patient with a 20-year history of drug addiction. Following Dr. Schiffer’s theory of brain duality, the intervention targeted the healthy hemisphere to balance neurophysiological and behavioral dysfunction. Remarkably, the patient not only achieved drug abstinence during the intervention but also secured employment shortly afterward.

Patient Profile

Chief Complaint: Inability to cease drug addiction for over 20 years as an adult.
Baseline EEG:
- Excessive 5 Hz activity in the frontal and left temporal areas.
- Dominant alpha wave activity at 9 Hz.

Intervention Protocol

**tPBM Approach**:

Based on Dr. Schiffer’s hypothesis, lateral gaze anxiety indicates hemispheric dysfunction:
**Right lateral gaze anxiety** pinpointed the issue in the **left hemisphere**.
The **healthy right hemisphere** was targeted for tPBM stimulation.

**Stimulation Protocol**:

**Unilateral stimulation** of the right hemisphere at 10 Hz, leveraging visual field crossover principles to address hemispheric imbalances.
The intervention was conducted 3x per week over a 4-week period for 10 minutes per session.

Follow-Up Findings

Neurophysiological Changes:
- Disappearance of 5 Hz excess in the prefrontal dorsal region.
- Alpha wave frequency shifted from 9 Hz to 10 Hz, indicating improved cortical activity and regulation.
Visual Evidence:
- Baseline vs. Post-Intervention EEG:
  - At baseline, 5 Hz peak activity in the orbital gyrus reached 40 μV².
  - Post-intervention, this peak reduced significantly to approximately 2 μV².

Behavioral Improvements

The patient did not use drugs during the 4-week intervention period—a major milestone after two decades of addiction.
Achieved his first employment six weeks after the intervention, marking a profound transformation in life stability and functionality.

Implications

This case highlights the potential of unilateral tPBM as an effective treatment for drug addiction. By targeting the healthy hemisphere, the approach aligns with Dr. Schiffer's framework, addressing anxiety-driven hemispheric imbalances to restore neural harmony.

The success of this intervention demonstrates:

Reduction of dysfunctional slow-wave activity (5 Hz).
Stabilization of alpha activity, crucial for cognitive and emotional regulation.
Immediate behavioral changes, including abstinence and reintegration into society.

Conclusion

Unilateral tPBM offers a promising, non-invasive solution for addressing severe, treatment-resistant drug addiction. By applying Dr. Schiffer's lateral gaze theory to guide stimulation protocols, this approach provides hope for individuals struggling with addiction, fostering lasting neurophysiological and behavioral recovery.