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Holistic Science Prevails
As I checked the cameras, Patrick Flanagan took his seat behind the desk for filming this spring day in 2013. I was excited—today he was going to talk about an IQ and meditation boosting invention that had earned him a featured spot in LIFE Magazine as one of America’s most promising young scientists.
But something was different. Normally Pat was calm, relaxed, and playful on the green screen set I had built for him in his Cottonwood warehouse at PhiSciences. Today, though, I could see he was nervous.
Pat looked at me, then asked softly if I could turn off the camera.
I did, and what poured out next was one of the most extraordinary stories I’d ever heard from him. Pat told me how his invention—the Neurophone—had been seized under secrecy by the U.S. government in the 60s. For over twenty years, they studied it for potential military uses, searching for ways to weaponize what he had created. During that time, Pat worked in a government think tank, carefully making sure nothing he designed could be turned toward harmful ends.
Exercising the Corpus Callossum for Good
I was shocked. But Pat, with his usual grace, had a surprisingly lighthearted take. He explained that because he approached science holistically—always wedded to spirit—they eventually decided he wasn’t worth bothering. “They finally wrote me off,” he laughed. “Haven’t touched me in years.”
After a few laughs together, the tension broke. Pat felt ready to go on camera.
And then came the magic.
He explained that the Neurophone works by sending gentle ultrasonic waves—more delicate than those from a simple ultrasonic toothbrush—directly into the brain. These waves harmonize the left and right hemispheres, boosting IQ, enhancing learning, and deepening meditation.
I filmed in wonder, and later, as I edited, the wonder only grew. To bring his explanation alive, I found an underwater shot that looked like thought itself drifting in waves, and I layered in subtle sound effects to evoke the ultrasonic hum.
When I showed the finished segment to Pat, he loved it.
The NEO Neurophone
A year later, Patrick took me up on an offer to update his NF3 Neurophone. Together, we launched an Indiegogo campaign for the new model, the NEO—short for Neural Efficiency Optimizer. The response was overwhelming: we pre-sold 5,000 units and raised $1.6 million dollars. For a moment, it seemed the Neurophone was about to step fully into the mainstream. But as the NEO was on the cusp of wider production, Patrick’s health began to deteriorate. The next steps needed to mass produce the NEO were never taken.
Happily there is still a Neurophone available on the market, the NF3. Its casing is not as contemporary in appearance as NEO. But the NF3 utilizes only one ultrasonic mode but it provides the same great benefits. The NF3 is in stereo whereas the NEO was mono.
A Father of the New Age
Pat was never fully embraced by the mainstream world—whether in science or in spirit. But within the conscious community, he was beloved. He was a sought-after speaker, a pioneer whose blend of brilliance, curiosity, and heart touched countless lives. His inventions may not have conquered the marketplace, but his ideas conquered hearts and opened minds.
I believe one day his work will be recognized by the mainstream. That belief is one of the reasons I’ve created this series: to honor Patrick, preserve his legacy, and share his genius with the world. If this story resonates with you, please consider donating to our REMEMBERING PATRICK FLANAGAN crowdfunder to help keep this important work going.
