The following is a brief introduction
to Brainwave Synchronization, a more thorough explanation
can be found on the Forum
page, or simply follow the link at the foot of this
page.
The human brain, when involved in
activity of any description, produces brainwaves
of a certain frequency. When relaxing for example,
your brain produces a different frequency to times
when you are physically active. (Similar to heartbeat
rates). These frequencies are well understood by
neurologists, have been analyzed and mapped across
the full range, and are common to all people.
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MRI
scans show which areas of the brain are active
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Electroencephalographs
record brainwave activity
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Electroencephalographs, or 'EEG machines',
are used to study the electrical activity
produced within the brain. Brainwave activity
is measured by the number of waves, or electrical
frequencies that occur in a given unit of
time. These frequencies are measured in
"Hertz" (Hz) which means 'cycles
per second'. Therefore, if the brains activity
is 'firing' at a rate of 4 cycles per second,
the frequency would be known as 4 Hz.
There are four main stages
of brainwave activity: Alpha,
Beta, Theta, and Delta.
Each stage naturally has its own range of
frequencies, which in turn, relate to specific
aspects of mental functioning, (or disfunctioning).
As can be observed in the below image, these
cycles range from Beta, the most
active, down into Delta, the least
active.
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Beta waves range from 14Hz
to 27Hz, and are associated with our normal waking
state, and a concentrated, alert state of mind.
As you read this, you are in Beta. The higher Beta
states relate to anxiety and high mental activity
/ stimulation.
Alpha waves range from 8Hz
to 13Hz, and are associated with light to medium
relaxation, resting and unconcerned, mental focus,
awareness, meditation, super learning, daydreaming,
visualizing.
Theta waves range from 4Hz
to 7Hz and are associated with deeper states of
meditation, deep relaxation, increased immune functions,
increased memory, increased intuition, decreased
sensitivity to pain, found in the onset of light
sleep.
Delta waves range from 0.5Hz
to 4Hz, and are associated with very deep relaxation,
and the production of vital hormones, commonly experienced
during deep sleep or possibly during the day by
people experiencing depression or mental fatigue.
These frequencies are common in very deep trance
states.
Synchronization
Interestingly, it has been found that
our brainwave activity can 'synchronize itself '
to certain external audio or visual frequencies.
A broad example of how this naturally occurs could
be likened to the feelings that different types
of music create in us...eg: classical music is renowned
for its relaxing nature, while heavy rock tends
to excite, or annoy us! A softly flickering fire
on the other hand, has a certain light frequency
that can literally create a trance state within
the observer, and their are numerous other naturally
occurring examples. In short, external rhythms have
a direct effect on the psychology and physiology
of an individual.
With the advent of modern technology,
it was discovered that by sending two sounds, or
tones, to each ear through stereo headphones, (and
thus each brain hemisphere), with each tone played
at a slightly different frequency, the brain would
try to make sense of the difference that each ear
was hearing. To compensate for this subtle difference
in frequency, the brain creates a third tone in
order to balance what its hearing. This third tone
is only perceived in the brain, and
has been named a "binaural beat".
For example: If the left ear
is presented with a steady tone of 300Hz, and the
right ear a steady tone of 307Hz, then these two
tones combine in the brain. The difference between
the two tones is 7Hz. This 7Hz is formed entirely
by the brain, and because it is created by both
hemispheres of the brain working in unison,
then brainwave synchronization has been accomplished,
and can allowing one to create effortlessly any
specific state of mind.
So, by listening to binaural beats
played at certain frequencies, our brains begin
to produce the "brainwave activity" related
to that particular frequency. This means that if
we listen to binaural beats at a frequency that
is commonly found in states of high concentration,
then we'd develop a highly concentrated mind state.
Likewise, if we listen to binaural beats at a frequency
common to meditation, then we rapidly achieve a
meditative mind state.
The implications of this are simply
amazing, for in essence, all we need to do is choose
any mental (and therefore emotional state), then
listen to the frequencies that relate to those states,
and our brain rapidly creates the desired brainwave
activity!
The above is a very general guide
in order to keep this introduction brief! Because
each pattern of brainwave activity has its own 'range',
then finer distinctions between mental states within
each range, have been researched and documented.
I have included a "Brainwave Menu" on
the Forum
page, which greatly defines all the various mental
states found within each range of brainwave activity.
This concludes the "brief introduction".
Visit the Forum
for further info and a more scientific description
of Binaural beat technology.
Or...return to Brainwave
Synchronization products
