Trick Trades

Project ALPHA

A 90-day research study investigating whether alpha brainwave state training can transform day trading performance, decision-making, and emotional control.
[DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE]

90 Day Study

30 Participants

Dr. Krigolson Principal Investigator

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The Problem

Why Most Traders Fail

90% of day traders fail — not because they lack knowledge, but because no one teaches them how to control the brain state from which they apply that knowledge. Fear, greed, overtrading, and emotional attachment to money aren't character flaws. They're brain states. And they can be trained.

Study Hypothesis

Day traders who learn to achieve and maintain an alpha brainwave state (8–12 Hz) will demonstrate reduced emotional reactivity, improved technical execution, shorter learning curves, and greater consistency — compared to their own pre-study baseline.

Before You Begin

What You'll Need

You'll need to acquire these items before the preloading phase begins. All equipment remains your personal property regardless of study completion.

Muse S or Muse S Athena

Consumer EEG headband that reads your brainwave activity. Non-invasive — it reads only, doesn't emit anything into your brain.

MUSE App

Records and exports your raw EEG data as CSV files for Dr. Krigolson's analysis. Available on iOS and Android. Included in study.

Trading Account

A funded brokerage account with options trading capability. All participants start with the same position sizing: one contract.

Trick Trades Membership

Active membership for CORE ALPHA access, Size UP trade journal, educational content, and community support throughout the study.

Training Framework

The Three Pillars

The study is built on three daily training practices, each targeting a different aspect of brainwave optimization for trading performance.

Muse Neurofeedback

Daily MUSE Training

10–15 minute biofeedback sessions using the Muse app. MIND sessions train focused attention through audio feedback — calm mind produces beach sounds, wandering mind triggers storms. STRENGTH sessions (Phase 2+, Athena only) train prefrontal cortex engagement for executive function and impulse control.

Pre-Market Meditation

CORE ALPHA Session

15–30 minute Trick Trades proprietary binaural-beat meditation before market open, recorded via Mind Monitor. This trains your brain to enter an alpha state intentionally and establishes a calm, focused baseline before you trade. Think of it as a pre-flight checklist for your mind.

Live EEG Monitoring

Trading with Your Brain Visible

Wear your Muse headband during every live trading session. Mind Monitor records your brainwave activity in real-time, creating a second-by-second map of your brain state alongside your trades. This data reveals what's happening between your ears at the moment of every decision.

90-Day Structure

The Journey

The study progresses through four distinct phases, each building on the last. Think of it as learning to walk before you run — we establish a foundation, then layer complexity.

Days -7 to -1

Preloading Phase

Set up your equipment, complete practice sessions, establish your brain snapshot baseline (3 min eyes-open + 3 min eyes-closed EEG recording), and finish the intake questionnaire. This is about getting comfortable with the tools before anything is at stake.

Device setup and Mind Monitor configuration
2–3 practice meditation sessions
Baseline brain snapshot recording
Intake questionnaire and orientation

Days 1–30 — Foundation

Phase 1: Build the Baseline

Paper trade Days 1–5 to embed the feeling of calm, objective trading without financial fear. Live trading begins Day 6 with one contract. Daily CORE ALPHA + MUSE MIND training. Weekly EEG data submission to Dr. Krigolson.

Paper trading baseline (Days 1–5) — train your brain without financial pressure
Live trading begins Day 6 with strict one-contract sizing
Establish daily CORE + MUSE routine
Weekly data submissions begin

Days 31–60 — Integration

Phase 2: Layer the Tools

Add MUSE STRENGTH training for executive function. Mid-study brain snapshot at Day 45. Focus on recognizing alpha-to-high-beta transitions in real-time — learning to catch yourself before a bad decision, not after.

STRENGTH training added (Athena headband users)
Mid-study brain snapshot and evaluation at Day 45
Focus on real-time state awareness during trading
Mid-study questionnaire

Days 61–90 — Mastery

Phase 3: Prove the Pattern

Full protocol execution with all three pillars active. Consistency is the goal. Final brain snapshot at Day 90, comprehensive data submission, and the final offboarding questionnaire. This is where the hypothesis is tested.

Full protocol with all training components active
Focus on consistency and pattern reinforcement
Final brain snapshot and data submission
Final offboarding questionnaire

Your Day

The Daily Program

Here's what a typical study day looks like. The total added time commitment is approximately 45 minutes beyond the trading you'd already be doing.

Pre-Market — 60 min before open

Morning Preparation

5 minConnect headband, verify signal quality

15–30mCORE ALPHA Session (binaural beat meditation)

10–15mBreath-linked chart observation

5–10mReview trading plan and intentions

Market Hours

Live Trading Session

OngoingTrade with Muse headband on, Mind Monitor recording continuously

OngoingOne contract position sizing, follow your wheelhouse

OngoingLog exact trade times (to the minute) in Size UP

Post-Market

Debrief & Data

—Stop Mind Monitor recording, export session data

5–10mPost-market debrief meditation

5–10mComplete trade journal in Size UP

Evening

Training & Reflection

10–15mMUSE MIND biofeedback session

10–15mMUSE STRENGTH session (Phase 2+)

5 minJournal entry / personal reflection

WeeklySubmit all Mind Monitor CSV exports to Dr. Krigolson

Measuring Progress

Assessment Schedule

We measure your progress at three key points. Each assessment includes a brain snapshot and questionnaire, giving us quantitative and qualitative data to track your transformation.

Preloading (Day -7 to -1)

Baseline

Brain snapshot (eyes open + closed)
Intake questionnaire
Trading history review
Equipment verification

Day 45

Mid-Study Check

Brain snapshot comparison
Mid-study evaluation
Trading performance review
Protocol adjustment if needed

Day 90 + Day 180

Final & Follow-Up

Final brain snapshot
Offboarding questionnaire
Complete data submission
90-day follow-up assessment

Important

Things to Know

Financial Risk Disclosure

Day trading involves substantial risk of financial loss. This study does not guarantee improved performance or profitability. You are trading with your own money. The standardized $2,500 account and one-contract sizing are designed to limit exposure, but losses are possible and should be expected as part of the learning process.

Your Data Is Protected

All EEG and performance data is de-identified before analysis. Your name never appears in data files shared with the research team. Published research uses only anonymized, aggregated data. You will not be individually identifiable unless you give separate written consent.

You Can Leave Anytime

Participation is voluntary. You can withdraw at any time, for any reason, without consequence to your Trick Trades membership. If you withdraw, data already submitted and anonymized may be retained, but identifiable data will be removed at your request.

Compliance Matters

The quality of the research depends on consistent participation. We ask for a minimum 80% compliance rate across all daily protocol elements. If you're struggling to keep up, reach out — we'd rather help you stay on track than lose your data.