System and method for controlling hypothalamic function via vestibular stimulation

A method of regulating a physiological function controlled by a hypothalamus of an individual, the method comprising:

• applying a stimulation to at least a portion of a vestibular system of an individual;
• receiving a subjective input from such an individual based upon the individual's perceived response of the hypothalamus in regulating the physiological function;
• and
• adjusting the stimulation based on the received subjective input.

A system for regulating a physiological function controlled by a hypothalamus of an individual, the system comprising:

• a vestibular stimulation element adapted to apply a stimulation to at least a portion of a vestibular system of the individual;
• a response module that comprises a sensor adapted to detect changes in a physiological function that is regulated by the hypothalamus in response to the stimulation applied to the vestibular system, wherein the physiological functions comprise at least one of a vascular tone, a core temperature, a metabolic function, a pulse shape, a galvanic skin response, a heart rate variability, a baroreceptor sensitivity, a body weight, a muscle sympathetic nerve activation, a pupillary dilation, peristaltic movement of materials through the patient's digestive system, or a blood pressure;
• and
• a control unit that controls the vestibular stimulation element such that the stimulation applied by the vestibular stimulation element is adjusted based on detected changes in the physiological function.

A method of regulating a physiological function controlled by a hypothalamus of an individual, the method comprising:

• applying a stimulation to a vestibular system of an individual;
• detecting changes in a physiological function that is regulated by the hypothalamus in response to the stimulation applied to the vestibular system;
• and
• adjusting the stimulation based on the detected changes in the physiological function, wherein the one or more physiological functions comprise at least one of a vascular tone, a core temperature, a metabolic function, a pulse shape, a galvanic skin response, a heart rate variability, a baroreceptor sensitivity, a body weight, a muscle sympathetic nerve activation, a pupillary dilation, peristaltic movement of materials through the patient's digestive system, or a blood pressure.

A system for influencing a hypothalamus of an individual to alleviate an anxiety level of the individual, the system comprising:

• a vestibular stimulation element adapted to apply a stimulation to at least a portion of the vestibular system of an individual;
• a response module that enables such an individual to provide a subjective input based upon a perceived response of the hypothalamus in affecting the anxiety level of the individual, the response of the hypothalamus being in response to the stimulation applied to the vestibular system;
• and
• a control unit that controls the vestibular stimulation element such that the stimulation applied by the vestibular stimulation element is adjusted based on the subjective input provided to the response module.