What is Buzzy?

Buzzy is a very cute vibrating bee with ice pack wings that decreases sharp pain when placed upstream.

What are Bee-Stractors?

Bee-Stractors (formerly known as "Flippits") are colorful cards with finding and counting tasks, providing natural pain relief by pulling attention away from procedures. Bee-Stractors can fit inside the slot in Buzzy's tummy, although if kids' coping mechanism is to watch, let them.

How do Kazoos help pain?

Breathing out is a form of natural pain relief, made famous by Lamaze techniques.  Kazoos ramp it up a notch by providing the fun distraction of irritating everyone in hearing distance.

I got a Buzzy Kazoo and it doesn't work.

Hum through it, don't blow.  You provide the sound, the Kazoo makes it silly.

Do you really need the ice pack?  Does it really need to be frozen?

Yes.  Vibration provides about 40% of the numbing via gate theory, ice provides about 60% via descending inhibitory controls, and there is some synergy.  If the ice is just cold, it dampens vibration and you don't get the inhibition effects.   If you're just using the vibration, we suggest adding a topical anesthetic too.

How does Buzzy work?

Three ways:  1)  gate theory, like running a burn under cold water.  2) descending inhibitory controls, If you put your hand in a cooler to get an icy drink, your brain tries to dampen sensations everywhere, so your pain threshold goes up: you're less sensitive to pain.  3) distraction, when you pay attention to other sensations, curiosity overcomes anxiety and your brain allocates less attention to pain.  Add the tasks involved with Bee-Stractors and you have FOUR ways!

Does Buzzy really eliminate pain?

Nope, at least not for everyone.  We say Buzzy reduces or blocks, which is true for almost everyone.  So far we have found about 3% of people for whom Buzzy does bupkis, nothing, nada, and about 15% where people don't feel a thing.  In our IV trial, on average Buzzy decreased pain by half.  Interestingly, in our adult trial we found that the more afraid of needles someone is, the better Buzzy works.  Check out Clinical Journal of Pain October 2009.

How do you use Buzzy at the dentist?

Press him on the face, or hold him in a hand and concentrate on the hand sensations!  More details here.

Does Buzzy work for adults?

Yes.  Check out Clinical Journal of Pain October 2009.

Is there any pain research on Buzzy?

Yes.  We have a randomized trial in children which was presented at the 2009 National Conference of the AAP, and the adult pilot.  An NIH trial for immunizations in multiple age groups is underway.

Does Buzzy work for fingersticks?

No data, but when we're at conferences we offer trying Buzzy on fingertips and get reactions between "Huh!  That definitely feels different" to "Oh, my!  Come here, Rita, you gotta try this!"  Again, I do find that the more sensitive people are to sharp pain, the better Buzzy blocks the sensations.  "Poking is believing".  It's interesting who takes us up on it, and who looks at us as if we're crazy.

Does Buzzy work for itching?

Itching is transmitted on the same Adelta nerves as sharp pain, so again, no data, but try it on your next mosquito bite.

Is Buzzy a superhero?

Why, thanks for asking!  We like to think so,  as do some of our fans.  Buzzy has enabled us to decrease medical waste, decrease pain, and fight the evil-doers such as impossible to open clamshells.

Does Buzzy go on vacation?

Yes!  Buzzy has been in Mali, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Mexico, Paris, and... uh... other places.  Send us your pictures, we'll put them up too!

Can I have a free sample for my clinic/hospital/office/friend/research/Christmas Tree?

No.  Buzzy is reusable, so many clinics won't need more than one.  For research, you really don't want to have to disclose a financial conflict of interest for just $35 bucks, do you?  Besides, you can return Buzzy if you or your child fall in the 3% of non-responders.  We give 100% refunds within one month for "I don't like it", and for one year if Buzzy malfunctions in normal use.

What kind of batteries does Buzzy take? Two AAA batteries.  Unscrew three screws on the back.