Brainwaves

Our brain produces four different brainwave states throughout the day and night. Hans Berger (1929) devised the EEG (electroencephalogram) which measures the electrical activity of our brains. Hans Berger and many other researchers have categorized our brainwave activity into four different states based on their frequencies. They are as follows:

Beta 14-40 Hz alert, focused

Alpha 8-13 Hz relaxed yet aware, meditative

Theta 4-8 Hz deep relaxation, “twilight state”

Delta 1-4 Hz Deep Sleep

Each brainwave state is required for different reasons. A healthy brain has the capacity to shift in and out of these states as the circumstances require. For example, when we need to focus and concentrate, our brainwave activity shifts into the beta range and when we want to relax and rejuvenate we need our brainwaves to slow down into the alpha or alpha/theta ranges. Having too much or too little of any of the brainwave activity for extended periods of time is not healthy.

Brainwave Entrainment

Brainwave entrainment is the process of synchronizing the left and right hemispheres of the brain to the desired brainwave activity. Gerald Oster (1973), biophysicist discovered that when two different frequencies are presented to your brain with the use of audio headphones, the left and right hemispheres begin to work together and we hear the difference between the two frequencies. This frequency differential is called a binaural beat. For example, if a frequency of 100 Hz was presented in one ear and a frequency of 108 Hz was presented in the other ear, the brain would hear an 8 Hz tone. This 8 Hz tone is in the alpha/theta range, so consequently your brain learns to slow down to this level.

Brainwave entrainment creates whole-brain integration or synchronization. The left logical brain can interface with the right emotional brain creating health and emotional stability. The e-brainsense audios also use other whole-brain integration techniques to stimulate and strengthen the positive aspects of individuals.

Scientific research has demonstrated that brainwave entrainment can train your brain activity to specific brainwave ranges for desired benefits (Bliss, C. A., Burns, W. J., & Montgomery, D. D., 1995; Rosenfeld, J.P., Reinhart, A. M., & Srivastava, S., 1997; Wise, A., 2004). For example, research encourages alpha entraining of higher than 10Hz when enhancing academic performance for students. When assisting ADHD children with focusing, beta entrainment is chosen with frequencies ranging between 12 and 20 Hz.

Benefits of Brainwaves Entrainment (BWE) and Meditation

Because of aging, stress and diet our brains do not produce all the hormones and neurotransmitters needed for memory, learning, positive moods, sleep etc. Neurotransmitters are essentially responsible for our emotions, such as happiness, excitement, fear and anxiety, and also for our health. As you lower your brainwave activity the more you increase the beneficial neurotransmitters and endorphins in the brain. For example, serotonin production increases when you are in alpha, theta and delta activity. Research has repeatedly shown that serotonin is linked to both mental and physical health. (see attached chart)

Stress

Unfortunately in this hectic society stress has become a world epidemic. Stress can be defined “when the overall mental, social and/or physical health of an organism is deteriorated due to over-arousal, or anxiety producing thoughts” (David Siever, 2000). Stress can very easily lead to distress and evolve into anxiety, depression, and illness. Dr. Andrew Weil, well know author and physician states that “all illness should be assumed to be stress-related until proven otherwise. Even if stress is not the primary cause of illness it is frequently an aggravating factor.”

Statistics Canada estimates stress-related disorders due to overwork cost Canadian businesses 12 billion dollars a year (2008). Unfortunately, taken to the extreme stress can cause death. In 1995 stress was an associated risk factor in three of the top ten causes of death in Americans (heart diseases, suicides and cerebrovascular diseases). Even with these statistics, unfortunately, only a small percentage of individuals seek assistance for stress and distress.

As previously mentioned, stress can lead to anxiety. Anxiety produces brainwaves high in beta (left hemisphere) and low in alpha brainwave activity, which indicates a lack of relaxation. Individuals become frozen in the “fight and flight” response, tense, on guard. When we are stressed and anxious our brains produce harmful stress hormones which are connected to many illnesses (Gabor Mate, 2003; Bernie Siegel, 1990).Brainwave training and meditation allows the mind to quiet, the body to relax, allowing the brain to become more malleable (brain plasticity) to new brainwave activity. Recent findings in brain neuroplasicity shows that our brain has the ability to change and learn new pathways, resulting in improvements in moods, behaviours and health.

It is notable that individuals with anxiety often resort to alcohol to help them relax. There are many research studies that support alpha/theta brainwave training with alcoholism. Eugene Penniston and Paul Kulkosky have been demonstrating positive results since 1989 with alpha/theta entraining. In their research studies with alcohol addictions they found significant decreases in their depression, cravings for alcohol and relapses.

A recent study conducted by Dr. David Cantor, demonstrated that brainwave entrainment significantly improved patients depression and also produced neurophysiological changes in the mood-regulating centers of the brain (2007). Cantor is cautious to say that not all types of depression may benefit from brainwave entrainment and certain frequencies are needed for different types of depression.

Decades of research have proven that meditation has a significant impact on stress, anxiety and depression. The intricate combination of brainwave entrainment, whole-brain integration and meditation makes the e-brainsense audios powerful, effective tools for emotional and physical health.

Pregnancy

The pre-natal and post-natal benefits of brainwave entrainment and mediation are vast. Not only does it improve hormonal balance, it increases women’s tolerance of pain, anxiety, mood disturbances, insomnia and lowers blood pressure. As well, lactation improves for breast-feeding.

ADHD/ADD

Brainwave entrainment for ADHD/ADD has been supported scientifically since the early 90’s. Research has demonstrated improvements in concentration, focusing, impulsivity and misbehaviour.

Aging

Tom Budzynski (1999) published a study showing improvements in seniors cognitive performance with alpha brainwave entrainment. As we age there is a drop in individual’s cerebral blood flow which affects our mental abilities such as memory (Hagstadius, S & Risberg, J., 1989)

Achieving Peak Performance

Many top athletes use brainwave entrainment in order to achieve "The Zone" state. This state consists of a total focus in the present moment, and the ability to shut-down distractions in order to produce a calm mind and body.

Copyright © 2009 Cathy Lumsden

REFERENCES

Bliss, C. A., Burns, W. J., & Montgomery, D. D. (1995). Electroencephalographic entrainment feedback for sensorimotor rhythm. Proceedings of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, USA, 26, 14-17.

Cohen, N. & Douglas, V. (1972) Characteristics of the Orienting response in Hyperactive and normal children. Psychophysiology, 9, 238-245.

Trudeau, DL., Moore J., Stockley, H. & Rubin, Y. (1999). A Pilot Study of the Effect of 18 Hz Audio Visual Stimulation (AVS) on Attention and Concentration Symptoms and on Quantitative EEG in Long Term Chronic Fatigue (CFS). Journal of Neurotherapy, 4:76.

Rider, M.S. (1985). Entrainment mechanisms are involved in pain reduction, muscle relaxation, and music-mediated imagery. Journal of Music Therapy, 22(1), 46-58.

Hagstadius, S., & Risberg, J. (1989) Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Characteristics and variations with Age in Resting Normal Subjects. Brain and Cognition, 10, 28-43.

Lubar, J., Bianchini, B., Calhoun, W., Lambert, E., Brody, M., & Shabsin, H. (1985) Spectral analysis of EEG differences between children with and without learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 18 (7), 403-408).

Oster, G. (1973). “Auditory beats in the brain.” Scientific American, 229, 94-102.

Russel, H.L. (1997). Intellectual, auditory and photic stimulation and changes in functioning in children and adults. Biofeedback, 25(1), 16-17, 23, 24.

Tansey, M.A. (1990) Righting the rhythms of reason, EEG biofeedback training as a therapeutic modality in a clinical office setting. Medical Psychotherapy, 3, 57-68.

Joyce, M., & Siever, D. (2000). Audio-visual entrainment program as a treatment for behaviour disorders in a school setting. Journal of Neurotherapy. 4 (2), 9-15.

Siever, Dave. (2000). The Rediscovery of Audio-Visual Entrainment Technology. Comptronic Devices Limited, Edmonton Alberta.

Weil, Andre, M.D. Spontaneous Healing. Random House, Inc., New York, 1995.

Doidge, Norman, MD. The Brain That Changes Itself. Penquin Books, New York, 2007.

Siegel, B.S., MD. Peace, Love and Healing. Harper & Row, Inc., New York, 1990.

Cantor, D. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society, 2007.

Penniston, E.G.& Kulkosky, P.J. Alpha-theta brainwave training and b-endorphin levels in alcoholics. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 13, 271-279, 1989.

Wise, A. The High Performance Mind: Mastering Brainwaves for Insight, Healing, and Creativity. Tarcher/Putnam, 2^nd edition,2004.

Rosenfeld, J. P., Reinhart, A. M., & Srivastava, S. (1997). The effects of alpha (10-hz) and beta (22-hz) “entrainment” stimulation on the alpha and beta EEG bands: Individual differences are critical to prediction effects. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 22(1), 3-20.

 

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Brain-Sense and Brainwave Therapy

In this hectic society, many of us are searching for ways to de-stress and rejuvenate. Brain-Sense helps us understand what is really going on behind the scenes, in our brains, minds and bodies and can then lead to changes in our lives. This article will give you a brief outline of our brainwave activity, brainwave entrainment and the benefits of this leading-edge therapy. 

Our brain produces four different brainwave states throughout the day and night.  Researchers have categorized our brainwave activity into four different states based on their frequencies. They are as follows:

Beta 14-40 Hz alert, focused

Alpha 8-13 Hz  relaxed yet aware, meditative

Theta 4-8 Hz  deep relaxation, “twilight state”

Delta 1-4 Hz  Deep Sleep 

Each brainwave state is required for different reasons. A healthy brain has the capacity to shift in and out of these states as the circumstances require. For example, when we need to focus and concentrate we need out brainwave activity to shift into the beta range and when we want to relax and rejuvenate we need our brainwaves to slow down into the alpha or alpha/theta ranges. Having too much or too little of any of the brainwave activity for extended periods of time is not healthy.

Brainwave Entrainment

Brainwave entrainment is the process of synchronizing the left and right hemispheres of the brain to the desired brainwave activity. Gerald Oster (1973), biophysicist discovered that when two different frequencies are presented to your brain with the use of audio headphones, the left and right hemispheres begin to work together and we hear the difference between the two frequencies. This frequency differential is called a binaural beat. For example, if a frequency of 100 Hz was presented in one ear and a frequency of 108 Hz was presented in the other ear, the brain would hear an 8 Hz tone. This frequency is in the alpha/theta range which consequently trains your brain to slow down to this level.

Because of aging, stress and diet our brains do not produce all the hormones and neurotransmitters needed for memory, learning, positive moods, sleep etc. As you lower your brainwave activity the more you increase the beneficial neurotransmitters and endorphins in the brain. For example, serotonin production increases when you are in alpha and theta activity. Research has repeatedly shown that serotonin is linked to both mental and physical health. Neurotransmitters are essentially responsible for our emotions, such as happiness, excitement, fear and anxiety, and our health.

Brainwave entrainment enhances the production of these chemicals, which slows aging, improves memory, sleep patterns and increases our overall mental and physical health. 

Benefits of Deep Relaxation Audio (Theta brainwave training)

• Sleep onset and enhancement

• Release beneficial hormones related to health and longevity

• Reduce mental fatigue

• Reduction of anxiety and stress

• Memory enhancement

• Enhance or accelerate meditative and spiritual growth practices

 

Benefits of Tapping Into Your Inner Wisdom Audio (Alpha and Theta brainwave training)

• Alleviating stress and anxiety

• Improving immune system

• Slowing the aging of the brain

• Boosting memory and learning

• Enhancing sleep patterns

• Enhancing meditative and spiritual growth

 

All you have to do is listen and you are guided into meditative states that experienced meditators achieve. Both your mind and body benefit and we are better prepared to deal with our hectic lives. Brainwave therapy is another tool to add to your toolbox of preventative medicine.

Copyright © 2009 Cathy Lumsden