What Is Brainwave Entrainment
The brain produces electrical activity as it communicates with all parts of the body. This electrical activity can be measured using an electroencephalograph (EEG) machine. Because the print out from an EEG looks like a series of waves we call the brain activity “brain waves”.
During various brain states the electrical activity in the brain varies. When a person is wide awake the activity is stronger and the brain waves closer together. During rest brain activity decreases in intensity and the wave pattern of the EEG has fewer peaks. It is at its slowest during sleep.
Brainwave entrainment is a way of using sound to change the rhythm or speed at which your brain produces electrical pules. By changing the speed or rhythm of your brainwaves you can change how you feel.
For example if the speed of the pulse or tone you are hearing is slow, you will begin to feel more relaxed because your brainwaves will follow the sound they are hearing and slow down.
Research has found that as this brain synchronization occurs other bodily processes controlled by the brain also began to change.
So, for example, if you listen to a slow relaxing tone you will begin to relax. Your brain waves move into a slower alpha rhythm and your body follows suit. Your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate and muscle tension all become slower and more relaxed.
Researchers have demonstrated this response in the brain by mapping the process using EEG. If you take a look at the image below you will see change happening over 6 minutes.
The best studied brainwave frequencies range from the slower delta frequencies (1-4 Hz), which are associated with deep sleep; to theta frequencies (4-8 Hz), which are associated with light sleep, creativity, and insight; to alpha frequencies (8-12 Hz), which reflect a calm and peaceful yet alert state; to beta frequencies (13-21 Hz), which are associated with a thinking, focusing state; to high beta frequencies (20-32 Hz), which are associated with intensity or anxiety.
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Brainwave Entrainment Audio Downloads
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From the late 70′s, I have been absolutely captivated by the discovered prospects of Accelerated Learning and Super Memory as documented by sisters Nancy & Sheila Ostrander and Ms. Lynn Schroeder. Much is written about the direct bearing that Baroque music has to influence the brainwave states of consciousness to effect what are described as super-human advances in learning languages, music, mathematics and the like; not to mention, rates of comprehensive memory retention in the 97% range.
For the life of me, however, I am failing miserably in making the connection between what is being advanced by the “Super-Learning” method of using/mentioning only Baroque music, and now some of the many other types of brainwave entrainment music being advanced these days. The name of particular note that comes to mind is that of Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, simply because his CDs were the most affordable to me for an introduction.
How is anyone supposed to know enough between the two schools of thought just to keep from bouncing back and forth, having no clue as to whether progress is being made for their primary goal, or if they’re just wasting time?