Our Lab

We base our speed reading method on the Japanese ‘Rakudoku’ technique, which has its effects researched at the Rakudoku Research Institute.

Revealed through Brain Imaging -
Easy Speedy Reading Dramatically Changes "How You Use Your Brain"

Dr. Yoshitaka Ito, MD

– Doctor of Medicine, Graduated from Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo

– Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery, Japan Orthopaedic Association

Rehabilitation Physician, Sports Physician, Rheumatologist

– Clinical Training Instructor, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

– Designated Physician for Physical Disabilities under Article 15 of the Act on Welfare of Physically Disabled Persons

– Designated Physician for Intractable Diseases

You can read incredibly fast and absorb the content of the book.

Many speed reading methods are being introduced globally, such as moving the eyeballs quickly, reading each page like a photograph, and displaying text rapidly on a computer screen. Despite many speed reading books being available, few people actually learn to speed read from them. Some methods even make exaggerated claims without scientific evidence, like “Read a book in 3 minutes.”

Existing methods often require willpower, such as “concentration” and “effort.” In contrast, Easy Speedy Reading needs neither. It requires “relaxation.” When you read in a relaxed state, like being in a hot spring, the book’s content effortlessly enters your brain.

Easy Speedy Reading changes “how you use your brain” compared to general reading and other speed reading methods. You can easily alter your brain’s usage without effort. After experiencing this myself, I hypothesized that Easy Speedy Reading might also change brain function.

When we examined the brain images using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), we obtained results beyond our imagination.

We had both Easy Speedy Reading instructors and novices read a book for 10 minutes inside the fMRI. Here are the cross-sectional brain images from that experiment. The areas where blood flow (oxygen) increased are highlighted (shown in light blue). Additionally, when the brain is imaged with fMRI, the left and right sides are reversed. The images are viewed from below the brain, so the left side corresponds to the right hemisphere, and the right side corresponds to the left hemisphere.

For both Instructor A and Instructor B, we can see that overall there is less signal (not illuminated). Also, it is the occipital lobe at the back of the brain that is illuminated, not the frontal lobe at the front. Furthermore, it is evident that the right hemisphere (left side of the image) is dominant (indicated by the white circle in the image).

On the other hand, the brain images of novices C and D show that their brains are illuminated overall. Unlike the instructors, it is evident that the frontal lobe at the front of their brains is prominently used.

From these images, it can be inferred that the way Easy Speedy Reading instructors read books involves:

-Using the right hemisphere of the brain
-Employing a simpler and more efficient way of using the brain

Looking at the brain images of Easy Speedy Reading instructors, we can see that, except for a part of the right hemisphere, the brain is not illuminated overall (it is calm).

On the other hand, the brains of those inexperienced in Easy Speedy Reading are illuminated overall. Novices are trying hard to “read properly” and “understand everything,” which leads to them intensely engaging in subvocalization, placing a burden on their entire brain. This might seem like the brain is being activated, but in reality, it is believed that thoughts like “read properly” and “understand everything” cause distractions, anxiety, and tension, leading to the brain spinning its wheels.

In other words, most people who do not practice Easy Speedy Reading have their brains filled with thought noise during reading, wasting unnecessary power, causing brain fatigue, and ultimately slowing down their reading speed.

I believe that the reason the brain calms down with Easy Speedy Reading is because it places the brain in a special environment. The brain can be roughly divided into four regions: the frontal lobe, the occipital lobe, the parietal lobe, and the temporal lobe. The frontal lobe is responsible for communication and memory, the occipital lobe is responsible for vision, the parietal lobe is responsible for spatial awareness, and the temporal lobe is responsible for hearing. In a stressful social environment, there is a tendency to use the frontal lobe (and the left hemisphere) excessively, leading to a biased and inefficient way of using the brain.

Easy Speedy Reading stimulates all parts of the brain

Easy Speedy Reading evenly stimulates the four parts of the brain: the frontal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, and temporal lobe. Practicing this method creates a sensation similar to Prince Shōtoku, who could listen to ten people at once. This balanced stimulation eliminates unnecessary brain activity, leading to a state of ultimate relaxation, which is why the brains of instructors appear calm overall. However, the right hemisphere, especially the occipital lobe responsible for vision, remains active.

Easy Speedy Reading might involve “motor learning,” the process of acquiring movement skills. Motor learning generally progresses through three stages: cognitive, associative, and automatic. This is similar to learning to ride a bicycle, where initial conscious effort eventually leads to automatic skill. The simple and efficient brain usage of Easy Speedy Reading instructors suggests that this automation might be occurring in the brain. Further research is needed to explore this possibility.

Expected Medical Benefits of Easy Speedy Reading

The benefits of reading for one’s life are immeasurable. In the field of medicine, the positive effects of reading are being reported one after another. For example:

● Reading for six minutes reduces stress by 88% (University of Sussex, UK)
● Increases IQ (Iowa State University, USA)
● May reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (Rush University, USA)
● Improves the ability to understand others’ emotions (empathy) (New School University, USA)

Additionally, benefits such as “living longer,” “improving sleep quality,” and “enhancing concentration” have been revealed through medical research. With Easy Speedy Reading, you can achieve these remarkable benefits at four times the speed.

Moreover, Easy Speedy Reading reduces mental overactivity and noise, transforming “how you use your brain” into a simpler and highly efficient manner. This enhances your information processing ability, memory, and thinking skills, potentially boosting your performance in business and learning.

Furthermore, it enables you to view matters and relationships from a broader perspective, aiding in communication and anger management. Many people report various benefits beyond faster reading speeds, such as:

“Improved email processing speed”
“Finishing work on time”
“Reduced unnecessary worries”
“Better organization of thoughts”
“Improved relationships with family”

Additionally, with Easy Speedy Reading, when the “left brain’s” brakes are released, many people discover hidden talents they were unaware of. It helps you realize your “true self” buried within the right brain, find dreams and goals, and support you in moving forward positively.