The Monroe Institute, founded by Robert A. Monroe, is a nonprofit educational and research organization devoted to the exploration of human consciousness and practical methods of accelerated learning through expanded forms of consciousness. The institute is internationally known for its work in the effect of sound wave forms on human behavior. The Monroe Institute is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia, USA. The institute offers residential programs in human development and does research on the effects of the Hemi-Sync technology on human behavior.