Swiss Champions in Mind Training don t have any Devices

Last Updated on June 4, 2026 by pg@petergamma.org

Pharamacolgist & Meditation Expert Diego Hangartner has no devices, as he says in the following interview:

Diego participated in brain scan studies for around 20 years. Are these results in “Altered Traits”?

But what is “Altered Traits” more than a popular scientific book?

I use smartwatches to meditate to lower my resting heart rate. And I use a Fenix 6 to monitor my respiration rate.

But a physiologist like me is frustrated about smartwatches, since they are only of little use for medical and research applications:

It would be nice for a physiologist like me to have some objectively measured data. But to invests 100 000 USD in a home lab equipment for it? Is it worth it? Diego Hangartner says about this topic, it is about his own perception. And this what I have in common with Diego.

Since if we can percieve our gamma waves in the brain, who mounts EEG electrodes to measure those, a procedure which takes a lot of time?


EEG devices are expensive and complicated. And if such devices would be really helpful for meditators, would not the Swiss champions like.

  • Pema Wangyal from the Drukpa Center Kollbrunn
  • Loten Dahortsang who still lives in the Rikon Tibet Institute Monasty
  • Rita Riniker with her Longku FPMT center near Berne

Use those as well? But these Swiss champions among the meditators don t have any devices. And they have a meditation practice between 15 – 17 years.