Latest Developments in Brainwave Entrainment
by Thomas Digges
Brainwave Entrainment Can Help You Dramatically Improve Your Mental States & Abilities!
Recently, professionals in the areas of psychology, neurology, medical health and self-help have begun utilizing the power of brainwave entrainment in their work with patients and clients. Advances in the effectiveness of brainwave entrainment have been significant.
It is a relatively young but rapidly growing field that involves the study of how altering brainwaves naturally can allow people to easily enter states of increased intelligence, creativity, relaxation, pure energy and more! Researchers and scientists have found that different bands of brainwaves are associated with different mental states. Scientific studies have shown that brainwaves not only provide insight into an individual's mind and body, but they can be stimulated to actually change that person's current state. By causing the brain to produce or decrease specific types of brainwave frequencies, it is possible to bring about a large variety of mental states and emotional reactions.
Below are the 4 most common brainwave classifications:
| Frequency range |
Name |
Usually associated with: |
| 13 to 40 Hz |
Beta waves |
Beta is identified with active, busy or anxious
thinking and active concentration. A healthy beta state allows you to think quickly and improve your focus. But too much time in the beta state can cause anxiety, stress, and paranoia, which can lead to muscle tension, depression, high blood pressure, and insomnia, among other sleep disturbances and health problems. While too much time in beta is obviously not good, a lack of sufficient beta activity can also cause mental or emotional disorders such as depression, ADD and insomnia. In such cases stimulating beta activity can improve emotional stability, energy levels, attentiveness and concentration. Click here to browse Beta recordings for Mental Enrichment.
|
| 8 to 12 Hz |
Alpha waves |
When we begin to relax or begin to get drowsy, but are still awake and conscious, we are at the alpha level. Alpha patterns vary from deep alpha, a state of deep relaxation, (often referred to as the twilight state between sleep and waking) to the higher end of alpha that is a more focused, yet still a very relaxed state. Alpha is a very receptive, absorbent mental state and can be used for effective self-hypnosis, reprogramming the sub conscious, accelerated learning and more. When you spend more time in Alpha state, you’ll find it easier to tap into your higher levels of creativity and expression.
|
| 4 to 8 Hz |
Theta waves |
When we are asleep and have dreams, and experience rapid eye movement (REM), and even when we experience deep meditation, we are at the theta level. Theta is a dream like stage, pre-sleep or pre-awaken stage (or deep meditation stage). Theta is associated with a number of beneficial states such as: sustained attention over time, enhanced creativity, boosted immune system, increased long term memory, opening the mind to suggestion and new ideas, advanced problem solving, deep meditation and deep relaxation etc., etc. In the slower theta brainwave pattern, the brain makes lots of relaxing endorphins that melt all your stress away.
|
| 0 to 4
Hz |
Delta waves |
Delta waves are usually associated with deep, slow brain activity found in deep sleep. Delta waves are experienced predominantly in newborn infants, as well as in healthy adults in deep rejuvenating sleep, or in very deep states of meditation. At the delta level the body replenishes its energy, releases anti-aging hormones like human growth hormone (HGH*), relieves stress, and boosts the immune system. The delta state rejuvenates your mind, body, and spirit. When your dominant brainwave is delta, your body is healing itself and "resetting" its internal clocks so to speak.
*HGH: As we get older, decreasing quantities of HGH results in many aging symptoms including loss of muscle tone, increased weight gain, loss of stamina, sagging skin and muscles, wrinkled skin that lacks good tone and texture and flagging memory and many diseases associated with aging. HGH is produced naturally by the pituitary gland in the center of our brain. When we are in deep, dreamless sleep at the delta level the pituitary is stimulated to produce more HGH which is why we feel refreshed and replensished when we get a good nights sleep. The anti-aging properties of deep meditation come from the release of HGH when reaching the delta level during meditation. A healthy lifestyle and diet, and a calm mental and emotional life also stimulate the production of HGH. Lack in any of this is at least one of the reasons for aging, mental imbalances, sickness and disease and so on. Delta level mp3 sessions help bring the body to a deeply relaxed state so that one can reach the delta level easier. It also helps to have a healthy diet and lifestyle, it all works together for the better.
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How does Brainwave Entrainment work?
Here's the science behind brainwave entrainment: The brain is made up of billions of brain cells called neurons, which communicate with each other using electrical signals. All of these neurons sending signals at once produce a large amount of electrical activity commonly called a Brainwave pattern, because of its "wave" or cyclic-like nature. "Entrainment" is a principle in physics, where two cycles synchronize naturally with each other in order to work more efficiently. Entrainment is applied to chemistry, astronomy, electrical systems and much more, but can also be applied to the brain.
When the brain is provided with a stimulus, through the ears, eyes or other senses, it emits an electrical charge in response. This is called a Cortical Evoked Response. These electrical responses travel throughout the brain to become what an individual sees and hears. When the brain is given a consistent, repeating stimulus, such as drum beats or flashes of light, the brain responds by synchronizing, or entraining, its electric cycles to the external rhythm. This is commonly called the Frequency Following Response (or FFR), and it can be used to effectively alter our brainwave patterns.
In the last 10 years, there have been great advancements in the field of brainwave entrainment as it relates to cognitive functioning. Studies have shown that the brains of many people are actually functioning at low capacity. By targeting the specific brainwave band that is related to states of intense concentration and strong focus, scientists have been able to help individuals improve their academic performance. Entrainment can also be used to induce states of relaxation and even deep states akin to deep meditation. This can have profound benefits for people who are seeking to perform certain types of work, art or even attain certain spiritual states.
Still Wondering Whether Brainwave Entrainment Really Works?
In 1999, the Journal of Neurotherapy published a case study conducted by Thomas Budzynski, Ph.D. In the study Dr. Budzynski used 8 college students who were struggling academically. After undergoing audio-visual brainwave stimulation, the students outperformed a control group and significantly increased their grade point average. The GPA for the 8 students continued to rise even after treatment was discontinued!
Drs. Siegfried and Susan Othmer found that neurofeedback brainwave training in the 15-18 Hz range can produce significant shifts in IQ score, particularly with people who are suffering from ADD/ADHD and other disorders. In cases where the starting IQ value is less than 100, the average IQ increase was 33 points! They also found significant improvements in memory, reading and arithmetic. In a one year follow-up, trainees showed major improvements in self-esteem, concentration and self-expression.
Binaural Beats and Isochronic Tones Are Two Ways to Alter Brainwaves
Binaural beats are the most recognized form of brainwave entrainment because it is the earliest. With binaural beats, a slightly different tone is presented into each ear. The tones then combine in the brain to form a pulse or "beat". The pulse heard by the listener is actually the difference between the two tones. For example, if the left ear is given a tone at 20 hertz and the right ear is given a tone of 30 hertz, then the listener will hear a beat of 10 hertz. And the brain will entrain to that rhythm.
While binaural beats are by far the most used form of brainwave entrainment, other more modern methods are quickly gaining popularity. The most promising of the new methods is Isochronic Tones. Isochronic tones are a somewhat less well known form of entrainment; however, they have proven to be much more effective. Isochronic entrainment uses a single tone that is manually spaced, turning on and off in a precise pattern. This actually enhances the effectiveness of audio entrainment.
Ultimately, the studies show that a new day has dawned. For those in persuit of any type of self development, brainwave entrainment can offer an excellent array of benefits.
About the Author:
Thomas S Digges is an author and life coach specializing in helping people break through their patterns and programs to live the life they really want.
Here's How Professionals Are Using Brainwave Entrainment:
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Psychologist use brainwave entrainment to augment traditional therapy |
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Doctors use brainwave entrainment to help patients relax and to speed up recovery |
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Athletes use brainwave entrainment to train their mind to focus and excel in competition |
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Massage therapists use brainwave entrainment to promote relaxation in their clients |
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Teachers use brainwave entrainment to help students learn, focus and reduce symptoms of ADD |
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Professional researchers in Brain Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder studies also use brainwave entrainment |
Decades of History Behind Brainwave Entrainment
by Jason Wentworth (Red Five Development, LLC)
Brainwave synchronization or entrainment is the process by which an external stimulus operating at a particular frequency can cause the human brain to increase brainwave activity at that particular frequency, thereby modifying cognitive functioning.
In 1934, photonic light stimulation ("Photic Driving") was shown to cause brainwave synchronization when researchers found that the strength of the Alpha brainwave, discovered by Hans Berger in 1929, could be driven beyond its normal frequency using flickering lights.
In 1942, tactile stimulation was shown to cause brainwave synchronization by Dempsey and Morison through repetitive tactile stimulus.
In 1959, auditory stimulation was shown to cause brainwave synchronization by Dr. Chatrian, where the brain waves responded to clicks at a frequency of 15 per second.
In the 1960's, brainwave entrainment (synchronization) was being used as a tool to entrain the brain for desired effects. The amount of anesthesia needed for surgery was reduced by photic stimulation by M.S. Sadove, MD. During dental procedures, less anesthesia, less gagging, less bleeding, and reduction in anxiety were reported by Bernard Margolis due to brainwave entrainment.
In the 1980's, brainwave entrainment was being studied as a tool for Serotonin and HGH release, headache relief, and general relaxation by Dr. Norman Shealy, Dr. Glen Solomon, and others.
In 1980, photic stimulation was shown to produce "cerebral synchronization" by Tsuyoshi Inouye and associates at the Department of Neuropsychiatry at Osaka University Medical School in Japan. These results were later confirmed by Dr. Norman Shealy.
In 1981, the book MegaBrain was written by Michael Hutchison, discussing the many uses of entrainment, from meditation to increased learning.
In 1984, audio-visual brain stimulation and in particular hemispheric synchronization were analyzed during EEG monitoring by Dr. Brockopp, who said "By inducing hemispheric coherence the machine can contribute to improved intellectual functioning of the brain."
In the 1990's, the potential for using entrainment with ADD and learning disorders was studied by researchers such as Dr. Russel, Dr. Carter, and others.
To the present day, brainwave entrainment continues to be studied. Steady research comes from the work of Dr. Thomas Budzynski, David Siever, Michael Joyce, and others. Research has been conducted into PMS, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Depression, Hypertension, and a number of other disorders.
Many modern clinical EEG units now come with entrainment devices due to the promising results of studies done in the field of brainwave synchronization.
Over 70 years of research back the use of brainwave entrainment. There are continually more professionals, psychologists, mental health clinics, trainers, teachers, and individuals who are finding brainwave entrainment to be a remarkably useful tool.
