Brainwaves

Induction | Theories | Results | Brain Links

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Induction

Imagine you are at the hospital.  You see one of those EEG machines (Electroencephalographs).  These are the machines that you sometimes see attached to a persons' forehead, head, and temple regions, it detects and measures the electrical pulses within a persons' brain, just as an ECG (which is attached to a persons' chest) detects and measures the pulses of the persons' heart.  Your brain resonates/pulses electrically (no.. I don't mean your brain throbs!) at various frequencies at any given time.  These frequencies are measured in Hertz(Hz).  One hertz can simply be defined as 1 pulse per second, 2 hertz as 2 pulses per second, and so on..  A simple concept. Common groupings have been implemented over the years to effectively classify these frequencies and what they entail.

For a more complete and detailed documentation of the frequencies with corresponding states, click here.

Many people are unaware of this area of science go about life from day to day letting their brain swing from level to level, which is not always bad, but can sometimes be "non-productive" in the sense that they could feel much more alert, relaxed, have increased memory potential, capacity for learning, stronger immune system etc etc...  Some people on the other hand, unknowingly have the ability to fall directly into the "mood" they wish.  Their neurorythms are not as erratic as others, thus, the natural ability.  It would only take some training for others without the natural ability to control their moods.  Understand that whan I say natural ability, I am speaking of those who've only by chance, found it.  Once a brain gets used to the distinctive and exact patterns that coincide with moods, you're all set. 

When you sleep at night, you enter different levels of sleep.  Most people know of REM(rapid eye movement) sleep, in which they dream.  There is a certain time during REM sleep that you approach, but not necessarily enter deep sleep, which is in the Theta/Delta range.  REM sleep serves as a substitute for Deep Sleep.  A half hour of sleep in "deep sleep" or properly defined "Delta" range can replace 4 hours of the normal 8 hour sleep that you would otherwise need.  Deep sleep in the Low Theta/High Delta range allows the body to truly rest, and heal itself by allowing the brain to reset it's sodium and potassium levels.

Getting your brain to the desired level.
There are devices on the market which vary in price, (most of which are $100+) that can aid you in reaching different brain states.  Some include(but are not limited to) light goggles, which work by flashing lights in the frequencies you set, or audio devices that resonate at frequencies which you set again.  There are computer programs which can do the same thing. There is a program called COOL EDIT '96 , which I've found most helpful.  The way in which this program works is by generating white, brown or pink noise, and then inserting a discernible wave pattern of the frequency you specify.  These noises such as white, brown and pink noise, are similar to the static noise you hear coming from your television set when you tune into a non-existent channel.  More specifically, the Television noise is white noise. These sounds, when generated by this program, tend to sound like a waterfall, or a rushing stream or river.  But that's just one way in which to use the program.  Another way would involve tones.  the program has a built-in tone generator. This comes in handy if you want to use the method of a frequency of 200 Hertz in the left ear and 208 Hertz in the right ear.  The difference of these frequencies is 8.  Therefore, your brain will discern the tone differences and synchronize to 8 Hertz .  There is another computer program called FLASHER, which utilizes the visual aspect of brainwave synchronization.   It simply flashes colors and patterns at the frequency you set.

However, if your computer is a dinosaur and cannot handle a simple program like cool edit, or if you are simply lazy, you can create a QBASIC file that will more or less serve the purpose.  The source code for the QBASIC program is as follows.

DO
t! = TIMER
DO
LOOP UNTIL TIMER > t! + 1
SOUND 75, 1
SCREEN 1
COLOR 14
CLS
COLOR 0
LOOP UNTIL INKEY$ <> ""

In line 4, you see the t! + 1
The number "1" is all that you need to change in order to change the frequency.  For example, if you wanted it to pulse 2 times per second, all you would have to do is change the "1" to "1/2", which is half.  All you're doing is dividing the timing.  If you wanted 4 pulses per second, you'd change the value to "1/4" and so on.

Applications of Brainwave entrainment

Delta 1-3 hz Deep sleep, lucid dreaming, increased immune functions.

Theta 4-7 hz Deep relaxation, meditation, increased memory and focus.

Alpha 8-12 hz Light relaxation, "superlearning", positive thinking.

Beta 13-25 hz Normal state of alertness, stress and anxiety.

Gamma 30 hz on up Hyper-awareness???

High Gamma 200+ hz Not sure exactly what these do...

Immediate Relaxation and Stress Relief - Choose between 5hz and 10 hz for different levels of relaxation.

Meditation - Choose between 4hz and 7hz, either cycle between a few, or stay at a particular frequency for different results.

Sleep Replacement - A 30 minute session at 5Hz replaces about 2-3 hours of sleep, allowing one to wake up in the morning more refreshed. Try listening 1/2 hour before waking up in the morning, or 1/2 hour before going to bed.

Improved Sleeping Patterns - Any of the Alpha and Theta frequencies (8Hz to 4Hz) for 30-45 minute sessions at the same time each day.

Treatment of Insomnia - Choose between 4hz and 6hz for starters (the first 10 minutes), then go into frequencies below 3.5hz (for 20-30 minutes), settling on about 2.5hz before fading out.

Improved and Lasting Sense of Well Being - Try Theta (4Hz to 7Hz) for 45 minutes, daily.

Creative Visualization - About 6hz for a while, then up to 10hz works well while using visualization techniques.

Alleviation of Migraines and Headaches - Experiment with Alpha and Theta combinations. Try and visualize the pain getting smaller and smaller until it disappears.

Reduction of Depression Symptoms - Again, Alpha and Theta combinations, mostly theta(?)

Self Hypnosis - Choose about 8hz to 10hz while playing any self-hypnosis tape, or guided meditation.

Accelerated Learning - Choose about 7hz to 9hz while playing any learning tapes, like foreign language tapes, etc. to increase comprehension. Also, while studying, take breaks every half hour and listen to 10 minutes of Alpha (10Hz) while reflecting on the material you just learned.

Subliminal Programming - Choose 5hz to 7hz while playing your favorite subliminal tapes, or make your own by recording some affirmations, and mix pasting (Edit:Paste Special) them from the clipboard at barely audible volumes.

Improve Intuition (or ESP?) - Theta frequencies help in this area, 4hz to 7hz.

Reaching Higher States of Consciousness - Theta again, with daily half hour minimum sessions. Give at least a month for results.

Quick Refresher on long days - Low Alpha 8hz to 10hz for about 15 minutes works well. Sort of induces a cat-nap.

Increased Immune System - Relaxing to Alpha and Theta combinations daily. Learning how to relax, and relaxing more often can lower blood pressure and increase the body’s natural defenses.

Theories

Preface:
Some of the ideas presented here may seem far fetched, some may, amazingly enough make sense!  Some things here are just questions, etc etc..

Theory #1:
None yet...

Results

Preface:  These are things that I've done, plan to do, and are currently doing.  I'm my very own gineau pig!

Trial  #1:  I listened to ALPHA waves before and during sleep a few nights in succession..  The following days I noticed that my moods were more elevated than usual.  I was generally happier.  If this is a placebo effect, I'm unsure since I have no real means for proper experimentation on people; control group, experimental group, placebo group....

FACT:  Use of brainwaves have been proven medically to increase the production/quantity of certain neurotransmitters. One of which is SEROTONIN, which is a natural anti-depressant.  Others are Beta-Endorphins and Norephenephrin.  Endorphins are pain relievers and Norephenephrin is a vaso-constrictor.

Brain Links

Hell's Oasis: Altered Consciousness