Frequently Asked Questions About Audio Brainwave Entrainment

Q. Is brainwave entrainment completely safe?

A. Yes unless you have a medical condition that could be exacerbated by the beats. Consult your doctor if this applies. If you suffer from seizures of any kind you should not use it unless you get the OK from your doctor. The same applies if you have a pacemaker.

Q. Are there any subliminal messages in the programs?

A. No. Subliminal messages have been shown to be useless. Only those who have not read the research, or want to sell you their subliminal audios, will tell you it works.

Q. Is it OK to use brainwave entrainment when pregnant?

A. We are not aware of any evidence that brainwave entrainment can cause any problems to a pregnant woman or the baby. After all it is simply a form of sound just as music is and we have never seen a notice to pregnant women to avoid going to concerts. Nevertheless please consult your midwife or obstetrician to be sure it is safe for you.

Technical Questions Glossary

Q. What are: binaural beats, isochronic beats, and Harmonic Box X? 

A. Harmonic Box X

Harmonic Box X is a tone-based brainwave entrainment method described by James Mann in his book, Awakening Mind 1. It is a very effective method of brainwave entrainment. The method is unique in that it incorporates both monaural and binaural beats, in a harmonic formation. Because it uses binaural beats it requires headphones.

Binaural Beats

Binaural beats are a form of  brainwave entrainment using two separate sounds that combine to form one sound inside your brain. One benefit is that in order for the brain to create a binaural beat, it must use both hemispheres of the brain (right and left), which can result in what is called "hemispheric synchronization".  Binaural beat audios must be listened to with headphones.

Monaural Beats

Monaural beats are similar to binaural except that the  brainwave entrainment sound is formed outside your brain. This means you do not need to wear headphones.

Isochronic Beats

Isochronic beats do not rely on the interaction of two tones to form a beat. Instead, a beat is formed manually using audio modulations. They are very effective in inducing entrainment. You do not require headphones to listen to isochronic beats. It is used in our Sleep Induction  CD (that is sold on the Sleep Sound Site) since it can be uncomfortable to wear headphones in bed.

Q What is SMR and what is its use in brainwave entrainment?

A. SMR is a frequency that is used to reduce over activity in one side of the brain. It can be used to good effect to help those with ADHD and depression where either the right or left brain is overactive. The ADHD download uses SMR.

Q.What is Hemispheric Synchronization or hemi-sync?

A. Hemispheric Synchronization is a byproduct of nearly all types of brainwave entrainment.

"In 1980, Tsuyoshi Inouye and associates at the Department of Neuropsychiatry at Osaka University Medical School in Japan found that photic stimulation in the alpha range produced hemispheric synchronization.

Dr. Norman Shealy later confirmed the effect, finding that photic stimulation produced "cerebral synchronization" in more than 5,000 patients.

In 1984, Dr. Brockopp analyzed audio-visual brain stimulation and in particular hemispheric synchronization during EEG monitoring. He said "By inducing hemispheric coherence the machine can contribute to improved intellectual functioning of the brain." (source Transparent Corporation)

This can be useful in certain conditions such as depression where the right brain may be overactive or in depression where the left brain is often overactive.

The Help For Depression download is set up to correct this by stimulating the left brain and reducng the activity of the right brain to induce a more balanced brainwave output. ADDH Reduction is also set up to induce hemi sync by reducing activity in the left brain.

Q. What is the Schuman Resonance?

Schumann Resonance is said to be the frequency that electro-magnetic waves travel around the earth's ionosphere. Whether or not this is the case and I have seen some doubts cast on this, studies show that it can be useful in that:

PET scans show that cerebral blood flow in the back of the brain occurs most at this frequency (P. Fox, M. Raichle).

Studies of the most advanced meditators have repeatedly shown 7.8 to be a significant frequency (M. Cade).

• It is said to stimulate the release of growth hormones (N. Shealy).
• It is also referred to as the Hypnagogic (the mental state of an someone who is on the brink of sleep) state.
• More spiritual experiences have been reported using this frequency than any other.
• Out of body experiences have also been reported.

More information here: What Is Brainwave Entrainment?