Historical Archive
Biocomp
Research
Biofeedback Institute of Los Angeles
"Since the inception of BILA, our treasure is the innovative process combined with curiosity about fundamental questions; We ask, how does it work? What are the limits? How fast is it? We seek objective tests showing where in the brain do the fundamentals reside?"
Interactive Timeline
01
Origins
02
Founders
03
Milestones
04
laboratory history
05
Clinical evolution
Founders
Hershel Toomim
June 19, 1916 — July 19, 2011
Electrical Engineering · Innovation
Marjorie Toomim
June 19, 1916 — July 19, 2011
Clinical Psychology · Applied Biofeedback
Historical Gallery
1969 Established Biofeedback Research Institute, Hershel and Marjorie Toomim
1970 Co-Founded first Biofeedback Society in America and later in the region; Biofeedback Society of California (BSC)
1971 Toomim Research Institute developed the Toomim ElectroMyometer - One of the first clinical instruments for EMG biofeedback
1972 First dynamic biofeedback instruments used in psychotherapy, published in 1974
1972 Developed Alpha Pacer Electroencephalography - instrument for EEG
1973 Established Biofeedback Institute of Los Angeles 501(c), Marjorie Toomim, Ph.D.
1973 Established Biocomp Research Institute, sole proprietorship, Hershel Toomim, Sc.D
1978 BIOCOMP 2001 developed - The first infrared biofeedback with programmable channels.
1988 BIOCOMP 2010 developed - The first biofeedback instrument with parallel port
1994 Hershel Toomim coined "Hemoencephalography" (HEG); Voluntary control of brain blood flow discovered
1997 Patent filed for the use of HEG (all radiation from the head used for feedback)
2010 Patent filed for the use of HEG with hyperbaric oxygen therapy
2011 Patent filed for the use of HEG neurofeedback training with cortical regulators
Legacy
01
Educational Contributions
Since 1973, the Biofeedback Institute of Los Angeles has trained practitioners, researchers, and clinicians in psychophysiology and biofeedback — producing a lasting body of educational material and training programs that continue to inform the field.
02
Charitable Work
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Institute has devoted itself to making biofeedback science publicly accessible — regardless of financial means — through subsidized training, open research, and community programming.
03
Community Outreach
The Institute has maintained a sustained commitment to public education, engaging communities throughout Los Angeles and beyond with accessible programming on nervous system health, stress regulation, and biofeedback self-care.
04
Research Milestones
Biocomp Research Institute produced foundational HEG neurofeedback publications spanning anxiety, TBI, autism, ADHD, migraine, and brain oxygenation — research that helped establish neurofeedback as a credible clinical modality worldwide.
Research and references pertaining to HEG neurofeedback, brain oxygenation and clinical application.