When Personal Method Becomes Academic Subject: GSR’s Pilot Study

For a long time, GSR remained within the realm of personal practices and training.

But in 2025, it was mentioned for the first time in the academic field: a pilot study conducted by HSE University and the Brainstart company (Skolkovo) demonstrated its impact on the psycho-emotional state of participants.

Author-developed psychological methods are often criticized for lacking an evidence base. They usually exist within the context of personal stories and subjective changes. But in the spring of 2025, GSR had a chance to change that perception.

The Center for Bioelectrical Neurointerfaces at HSE University, together with the company Brainstart, conducted a pilot study. Participants went through a course of sessions, while specialists recorded their physiological and psychological indicators.

“We observed a decrease in stress levels, an increase in emotional resilience, and an improvement in self-regulation strategies,” the report states. “Participants became more aware of their reactions and managed impulsive emotions more effectively.”

For Dmitry Ustinov, this was an important moment. “I had always seen results in working with people,” he says. “But for skeptics, personal stories aren’t enough. They need data. Now we have the first.”

The study is pilot in nature: the sample size is limited, and the conclusions are still preliminary.

Researchers emphasize the need for large-scale verification. Yet the very fact that an author-developed method has become the subject of academic analysis is already changing its status.

Skeptics remain cautious: universal systems often raise questions. But GSR has taken a step toward scientific legitimacy. “We will continue our collaboration with researchers,” Ustinov emphasizes. “It’s important to me that the method is studied within the scientific community.”