Medical risks

Some people may be at risk of photosensitive seizures without knowing it, or without having been previously diagnosed with epilepsy. It is estimated that 1 in 4,000 people suffer from some form of photosensitive epilepsy, with 90% of patients having their first seizure before the age of 20.

Photosensitive epilepsy is often passed on by parents (particularly photosensitive mothers, whose children have a 25% chance of showing signs of photosensitivity) [1]. Even people with no history of seizures or epilepsy may have an undiagnosed condition that can lead to “photosensitive epileptic seizures” when using the Dream Machine.

If at any time you experience involuntary movements (such as spasms), or convulsions, or muscle contractions, or absence (loss of consciousness), or confusion, or a strong sense of déjà-vu, or intense dizziness or fainting, stop using the Dream Machine immediately and consult your doctor. Do not resume use of the Dream Machine without your doctor's permission.

If, at any time while using the Dream Machine, you experience any of the above symptoms, the risk of them developing into a full-blown seizure can be considerably reduced by covering your eyes.

Photosensitive epilepsy
Photosensitive epilepsy is a form of epilepsy in which seizures can be triggered by flashing lights or changing light patterns.

There are several types of photosensitive epilepsy (epileptic syndromes in which seizures can be triggered by flashing light):
- Hereditary or potentially hereditary epilepsies are often photosensitive and include:
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
- Primary generalized epilepsies
- Juvenile absentee epilepsy
- Childhood absentee epilepsy
- Palpebral myoclonus with absences (Jeavons syndrome)
- Epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures on awakening
-Occipital lobe epilepsy is also frequently photosensitive.

Spontaneous epileptic symptoms
Unexplained loss of consciousness, as well as involuntary twitching of the limbs or head in the morning, absences or transient loss of consciousness on awakening, which can lead to concentration difficulties, can be signs of potentially photosensitive epilepsy.

These spontaneous epileptic symptoms are a good indicator of the risk of photosensitive seizures, even in people with no clear history of photosensitivity.
Even a single episode of one of these symptoms is enough to represent a significant risk factor, so you should not use this application if you have already experienced any of these symptoms.

Brain damage
You must not use the Dream Machine if you have suffered any kind of brain damage, such as stroke, trauma, encephalitis, brain infection/abscess, severe meningitis, or brain surgery, especially if recent.

You should not use Dream Machine if you have had a brain tumor. Seizures are more likely to occur in the days following a brain injury, but a first seizure can occur up to 30 years or more later.

Pregnancy
You should not use the Dream Machine during pregnancy, especially in the advanced stages, as seizures are more frequent during pregnancy and can cause serious, even fatal, damage to the unborn child [5].

Fatigue
You should not use the Dream Machine after periods of sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation significantly reduces the epileptogenic threshold, increasing the risk of triggering seizures in susceptible individuals.

Medications that can trigger seizures
We advise against using the Dream Machine if you are currently taking medication containing any of the following substances, as they may increase the risk of seizures.

If you have any doubts about a medication you are currently taking and its potential to trigger seizures, we recommend that you consult the doctor who prescribed it.

Drugs used in the treatment of pulmonary or respiratory disorders:
- Aminophylline
- Theophylline

Antibiotics :
- Isoniazid
- Lindane
- Metronidazole
- Nalidixic acid
- Penicillins
- Ciprofloxacin

Anti-malarials:
- Mefloquine
- Chloroquine (also used for certain rheumatological conditions)

Antidepressants:
- Bupropion
- Clomipramine

Immunosuppressants:
- Chlorambucil
- Cyclosporine

Sedatives:
- Diphenhydramine (Nytol)
- Promethazine
- Other antihistamines

Opiates and opioids:
- Morphine
- Other opioids
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Pethidine (meperidine)
- Pentazocine
- Propoxyphene
- Tramadol

Stimulants:
- Amphetamines
- Cocaine
- Methylphenidate
- Phenylpropanolamine

Drugs for nausea and dizziness:
- Cyclizine
- Prochlorperazine
- Domperidone

Antipsychotics:
- Clozapine
- Chlorpromazine and other phenothiazines
- Haloperidol, benperidol, droperidol, melperone, azaperone (butyrophenones)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- Mefenamic acid
- Aspirin
- Diclofenac
- Indomethacin

Anticholinergics:
- Oxybutinin

Anti-spasticity drugs:
- Baclofen

Anti-dementia drugs:
- Donepezil
- Rivastigmine
- Galantamine
- Memantine

Anti-migraine drugs of the triptan family:
- Sumatriptan (Imigran)
- Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
- Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
- Frovatriptan
- Naratriptan

Erectile dysfunction drugs:
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Sildenafil (Viagra)

We revise this list regularly to keep it up to date with the latest knowledge about drugs that can trigger seizures.

Alcohol and sedative withdrawal
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal generally appear around 6 hours after stopping alcohol consumption, and can last up to 6 days. These symptoms include seizures, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, emotional lability, tremors, confusion, sweating and blurred vision.

Seizures are one of the most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and in some cases may be the only symptom.
Seizures associated with alcohol withdrawal mainly occur in the early phase of withdrawal (over 90% appear within 48 hours of stopping alcohol consumption). In over 50% of cases, other epilepsy risk factors are also present.

Around 5% of epileptic seizures due to alcohol withdrawal evolve into consecutive uncontrolled epileptic seizures (status epilepticus), an emergency situation that can lead to death or brain damage.

After very prolonged periods of alcohol consumption, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, may last for up to 2 weeks after alcohol cessation, and may also include visual and auditory hallucinations and illusions.

Very similar symptoms, including seizures, may occur during withdrawal from sedatives if they are stopped abruptly after prolonged use.

Mental health disorders
You should not use the Dream Machine if you have symptoms associated with psychosis (which may include seeing or hearing things that others do not perceive). This is because strobe light can induce hallucinatory experiences, which can be disturbing if you already suffer from psychosis.

You should not use the Dream Machine if you are experiencing panic attacks, have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder, or are experiencing severe episodes of dissociation.

Panic attacks are sudden, unexpected episodes of anxiety that intensify rapidly. They can be accompanied by feelings of terror, fear of dying and dissociation (a sense of unreality).

Dissociative disorders can include:
- depersonalization-derealization disorder (sensation of unreality concerning oneself, one's body and/or one's environment),
- dissociative amnesia (memory gaps concerning events or personal information related to trauma or intense stress, beyond “normal” forgetting),
- and dissociative identity disorder (the presence of two or more distinct personalities).
- Dissociation can also occur in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), when people experience “flashbacks” - that is, intense memories or the sensation of reliving traumatic events.
- Strobe light can trigger feelings of anxiety and/or dissociation in people prone to these experiences.
- If you are experiencing intense suicidal thoughts, feelings or impulses, we do not recommend using the Dream Machine. Instead, we advise you to seek help from your loved ones, family or a healthcare professional.
- Dissociation can also occur in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), when people experience “flashbacks” - that is, intense memories or the sensation of reliving traumatic events.
- Stroboscopic light can trigger feelings of anxiety and/or dissociation in people prone to these experiences.
- If you are experiencing intense suicidal thoughts, feelings or impulses, we do not recommend using the Dream Machine. Instead, we advise you to seek help from your loved ones, family or a healthcare professional.

Still have questions?

If you have read this document and still have questions, you can contact us at any time at support@dream-machine.tech.

If in doubt, use the Dream Machine only with your doctor's consent.