Who would have thunk it? Now, women can enlarge their breasts simply by letting their cellphones ring.

Hideto Tomabechi is now marketing a ringtone for cellphones that claims to increase breast size for women who listen to it. Tomabechi is best known for headline-grabbing "deprogramming" work with members of the AUM Shinrikyo doomsday cult that released deadly sarin gas on the Tokyo subway system.

The system is claimed to work as follows:

Most would think it’s a lie, but the techniques involved in the process have been known for some time and are the result of research I carried out in the ’80s and ’90s," Tomabechi tells Shukan Gendai. "I use sounds that make the brain and body move unconsciously. It’s a technique involving subliminal effects." Tomabechi claims that techniques exist to provoke movement in a certain part of the brain that reacts to sounds and light. "It’s a part of cognitive science. I suppose you could call it a kind of ‘positive brainwashing,’" he says. "Sound waves travel in patterns that can be properly re-played."

Tomabechi’s description of his system sounds like a very modified take on brainwave entrainment with some very radical monoaural twists. Entrainment works as a stereo listening system that is said to stimulate brainwave activity. Basically, there are certain levels of brainwaves that are equated to various waking and trance states (Beta = Waking, Alpha = Trance, Theta = Deep Trance, Delta = Sleep, etc.). Entrainment works at the idea that we can play sound frequencies to stimulate the mind to enter these states. Since the human ear cannot hear the sound frequencies equivalent to the target trance levels (they are too low on the register), the operator uses a stereo device that plays one audible frequency in the left ear and another frequency in the right ear with a difference between the frequencies that equals the desired frequency . . . the theory being that the brain can detect the differences and then is entrained to enter the desired state.

There is some evidence that this works to a degree . . . albeit, most studies are not double-blind and do not take into account the placebo effect (when folks expect something to happen, it is more likely to happen). A number of folks using brainwave entrainment, go further with it and make claims for effects that are non trance state but physical . . . such as DNA repair or psychic powers or healing . . . there are no studies I am aware of that backup any of these beyond anecdote or advertising . . . However, experiments with the Feraliminal Lycanthropizer (an experimental device used by Nazi scientists which also employs suggestions in the mix) show very stark and very extreme mental state changes accompanied by physical duress.

While Tomabechi seems to be using a monoaural system for his ringtone, the claims fall into the same category.

If you wish to listen to a sample of his tone, you can do so here.

His tone is very popular . . . with over 10,000 downloads within a couple days . . . but this popularity could be based more on wishful thinking than actual structural change. For instance, Chieri Nakayama, a 19-year-old pin-up model reports, "I listened to the tune for a week expecting all the time that I was being duped, but, incredibly, my 87-centimeter bust grew to 89 centimeters! It was awesome!" The thing is . . . this is not significant enough to warrant claiming a success . . . the breasts naturally change size over the course of a month. You have to see changes that are consistent and that have longevity. Besides . . . a number of studies have show that breasts can indeed get larger through positive visualization and expectation . . . more on that later.

I agree with Tomabechi that the key to non-invasive breast enhancement is in the mind . . . however, I disagree that it is a supect ringtone that is the best way to bring it about.

As readers of my blog know, I am a bit of a breast fan . . . big time . . . however, I also believe that the first course to working with women who feel they are lacking in that department is to realize that it’s OKAY to be who or what they are. Self-esteem and self-acceptance is more important than large breasts.

There are a lot of women out there getting breast implants for the wrong reasons. If they are doing it for some guy or for work or for umpteen other exterior reasons, then they’re doing it for the wrong reasons. If they feel good about themselves and also would like larger breasts or shapelier breasts, then that’s fine.

However, implants and supplements are not the way to go . . . as I’ve said before:

There are certainly better ways to go about this. First, self-image and self-esteem. Women need to know that they don’t have to have large breasts to be attractive. Second, imagery and trancework is non-invasive and shown to work with a good segment of the population. No, I’m not bullshitting you, there are a number of studies that show imagery and/or hypnosis does work for breast enhancement (size and shape). I’ve worked with women for this issue and seen very measurable results – one young woman had an increase of two inches and three cup sizes albeit she was highly motivated. Skip the surgery and skip so-called herbal remedies (those tend to cause liver function and kidney problems as well as water gain and fat). Third, if you still want to go with surgery – which is the surest and fastest way for larger breasts – understand that you are committing yourself to several painful procedures, not just once. The implants invariably have problems and need replacement later. Also, realize that a certain number of women die each year due to complications from this type of surgery and even more are left with deformities and scar tissue that is huge and very noticeable.

When I have worked with women for breast enhancement using hypnosis, the program has been very successful. There is definate growth – with real measurements – and the woman feels better about herself without the risks or side-effects that surgery or drugs might entail.

I would strongly encourage any woman considering breast enhancement to consider why she is wanting it . . . if her reasons are for anyone other than herself, then forget it. She should also first address those reasons and work up her self-esteem as needed (contrary to popular misconceptions among a number of feminist critics, not all women who seek breast enhancement do so because they feel unworthy, the body may be political sometimes but it is not always the case) . . . she should then consider the non-surgical and non-drug-based alternatives . . . as these have been very effective for a number of women and are completely safe.

The breasts are very very responsive to suggeston . . . in terms of enchancing structures . . . and . . . in terms of enhancing sensitivity and response (here is one such process, just for fun).