brainfm

Neuroscience-backed audio app that plays music specifically engineered to enhance focus, relaxation, and sleep by modulating neural activity.

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Technologies Used

React
Next.js
TypeScript
TailwindCSS
React Native
Android
iOS
Python
FastAPI
MongoDB
AWS
Docker

Gallery

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Introduction

Brain.fm is a neuroscience-backed audio platform available on web, iOS, and Android, designed to help users achieve mental states such as focus, relaxation, and sleep. Unlike traditional music apps, Brain.fm leverages patented audio modulation techniques that actively influence neural activity, producing noticeable effects within minutes.

By merging music, neuroscience, and technology, Brain.fm empowers users to be more productive, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality — anytime, anywhere.

Key Features

  • Focus, Relaxation & Sleep Modes: Functional music specifically engineered to match user goals and modulate brain activity.
  • Cross-Platform Access: Available via web, iOS, and Android apps, with synchronized accounts and progress across devices.
  • Personalized Recommendations: AI-driven playlists that adapt to user behavior and daily routines.
  • Offline Playback: Downloadable sessions on mobile apps for use during travel or without connectivity.
  • Session Tracking & Analytics: Engagement metrics, focus streaks, and session history to help users track performance over time.

Technical Insights

  • Frontend: Built with React, Next.js, and TypeScript for the web platform. TailwindCSS ensures a responsive and accessible UI. Mobile apps are built with React Native, delivering consistent functionality across iOS and Android while sharing core logic with the web client.
  • Backend & APIs: Node.js handles authentication, user management, and content delivery, while Python services power the recommendation engine and audio modulation pipelines.
  • Database & Persistence: PostgreSQL stores user accounts, playlists, preferences, and engagement metrics.
  • Audio Engine: Neuroscience-informed audio processing stack generates and streams modulated tracks optimized for brainwave entrainment.
  • Infrastructure: Hosted on AWS, leveraging S3 for audio assets, CloudFront for global delivery, and Dockerized services deployed with autoscaling for reliability.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Seamless Cross-Device Experience: Users switch between web and mobile frequently. We solved this with synchronized session state across devices, backed by PostgreSQL and real-time APIs.
  • Mobile Performance & Offline Mode: Supporting high-quality audio on iOS and Android, even offline, required efficient caching. We built encrypted offline playback with React Native local storage and background playback support.
  • Scalability for Streaming: Handling thousands of concurrent streams while preserving modulation quality was solved using AWS CloudFront CDN and audio streaming optimizations.
  • Personalization at Scale: To balance simplicity with personalization, we built Python-based recommendation models that adjust playlists in real time without overwhelming users.
  • Building User Trust: Many were skeptical of neuroscience-driven audio. To address this, Brain.fm provided research-backed evidence within the app and published validation studies, increasing credibility.