This is a question commonly asked by a great number of people, looking to find a solution to problems like anxiety, stress, migraines, or simply exploring various ways to take their meditation practice to a whole new level. Having been skeptical enough to fully research the subject myself, as well as gaining more than seven years of experiential knowledge with brainwave entrainment products, I have meant this article to serve as a starting point for anyone in need of a trustworthy resource in brainwave entrainment research and information.
What is Brainwave Entrainment? Brainwave entrainment is a deliberate process that synchronizes, or entrains natural brainwaves to that of an external stimulus frequency, that is usually auditory and/or visual in nature. When the brain entrains, it duplicates the frequency of the stimulus, causing a change in the electrical activity in the brain. Each different electrical response produces a different brain state or brainwave frequency. Each different brainwave frequency has a specific pattern and can be designed to induce a certain effect or state of consciousness.
In effect, brainwave entrainment is the manipulation of the brain's natural brainwave frequencies, through the use of touch, sound and/or visual stimulus, to deliberately alter the brain's state of mind, inducing it to entrain at a specific frequency, for a specific purpose.Entrainment can induce a desired psychological state corresponding with arousal or relaxation and all states in-between.How does the Brain Entrain? Entrainment is a physics principle that simply means, the process of where two cycles synchronize naturally with each other to work more efficiently. The principles of entrainment appear in chemistry, neurology, biology, pharmacology, medicine, astronomy and more.
Scientists have found out that all these states of the mind can be measured, as one emanates certain brainwave patterns, easily detected with an EEG (encephalograph). The alpha brainwave patterns are the ones associated with physical and mental relaxation, while beta brainwaves are emitted during our usual state of alertness throughout the day. Theta brainwaves occur in a state of meditation, while delta brainwave patterns are the ones emanated by our brains during deep sleep. All these have the corresponding frequency, measured in pulses per second; i.e. alpha ranges between eight and twelve pulses per second (Hz), beta ranges between twelve and thirty pulses per second, etc.
A Bit of Science.What brainwave entrainment claims to do is that it can, with the help of specifically designed audios (recently visual materials have been introduced, too) bring the brain to one of these specific states (alpha, beta, theta, etc.). Once the brain is brought to that state, the person reaps the benefits associated with it; to illustrate, it has been medically and scientifically proven that deep sleep triggers growth and body healing. It is quite logical, too, as otherwise our bodies would not have been 'constructed' with the natural need to fall into sleep for at least a couple of hours every single night. What this all means is that brainwave entrainment does not 'magically' make you more relaxed or more creative, or heal your migraine.
The brain rapidly entrains motor responses to auditory rhythms that are stable and steady, synchronizing states below and above conscious perception thresholds.Different Methods of Brainwave Entrainment.There are three main forms of entrainment used today to alter consciousness.BINAURAL BEATS-one frequency is played in one ear and a slightly different frequency is played in the other. Each ear is connected to the opposite side of the brain and when each half hears something different, it compensates by creating a third beat, that is not really there. The sound only exists in your brain and causes both hemispheres to entrain at a single frequency.
As for brainwave music being dull and monotonous it depends upon your mental state when listening to the music. When your mind is in a hurry and in a distracted, scattered condition more than likely brainwave music will seem very boring and monotonous, long and drawn-out. But if you get over these "withdrawal symptoms" of your day to day frenzied mindset your brain will start to adjust to the new audio energy and in time it will become relaxing, as well as something to look forward to listen to each day.Furthermore, when listening to some brainwave recordings for the first time some people may not only feel uncomfortable, but may even experience temporary headaches or tearing eyes. This is normal and not a danger. Some people are always very tensed-up and rarely ever experience a relaxed mental state. As a result they may feel some slight discomfort such as headaches when they physically relax and "let go". It's this sudden release and relief that causes a slight headache or tearing. These side-effects are only temporary and usually go away the next time you listen to brainwave entrainment recordings because your brain builds new neural pathways to accommodate the new incoming brainwave audio energy. For most other people, once your brain waves slow down to Alpha, you'll naturally feel very relaxed and peaceful, deep down inside. Ultimately, depending upon the musical tastes of each individual, one type of music may affect one person in one way, and affect another person in a different way. What may free one person mentally and emotionally, may depress someone else, or be completely meaningless and boring to another. While some music may free one person to the point of giving them an out of body experience, and/or to the point of enhancing their dreams at night and making them more lucid, and also transforming them into a more loving, gentle person; to another person certain music/beats may serve to stir up subconscious "junk" and previous bad memories which need to be dealt with and healed. Everyone's brain is wired differently so it is unpredictable exactly how certain music, sounds, beats or frequencies will affect each individual. Some may be led to astral heights after listening to just one recording. Whereas for another person listening to the same recording, nothing may happen until after they listen to the same recording for 25 minutes to an hour a day for a few weeks. It comes down to being patient, prepared and receptive in consciousness, not in a hurry, not in a rush, but in a relaxed, receptive, humble frame of heart and mind.
After several months of regular daily use of the same brainwave recording your mind gets accustomed to the stimuli and it becomes 2nd nature, giving the impression that the recording doesn't work anymore. The reason is your mind is strengthened in once neglected areas as new neural pathways are created and adjusted to the recording. Working your mind with brainwave recordings is similar to working your muscles. After a time a certain muscle, for example, no longer seems to be receiving any benefit from the same exercise which initially seemed very effective. The reason is the exercise served its purpose in bringing the muscle to its present much more healthy condition. The only way to add additional benefit to that muscle is to change the exercise around a little. This will produce long-term benefits. Likewise your mind gets stronger with time as you listen to brainwave recordings, but it reaches a point where a particular recording which once seemed so effective appears to be doing nothing anymore. However, if the recording is changed around a little it will produce additional, long-term results. And just as having a variety in your exercise routine, and even a variety in your diet, is better for your body. So likewise you will receive long-term benefit, and a more balanced mind, by listening to a variety of brainwave entrainment recordings.For this reason some companies sell several CD recordings contained in one program with specific instructions on when to listen to certain recordings, and for how long, before switching to the next level of recordings. They do it this way so you receive the optimal benefits the recordings offer. And just as it is not a good idea to stuff yourself with a variety of different foods at once, or to exercise too much all at once, so likewise it is good to start with one level of recordings, giving your mind time to adjust to that recording before moving to the next level.
What is Brainwave Entrainment? Brainwave entrainment is a deliberate process that synchronizes, or entrains natural brainwaves to that of an external stimulus frequency, that is usually auditory and/or visual in nature. When the brain entrains, it duplicates the frequency of the stimulus, causing a change in the electrical activity in the brain. Each different electrical response produces a different brain state or brainwave frequency. Each different brainwave frequency has a specific pattern and can be designed to induce a certain effect or state of consciousness.
In effect, brainwave entrainment is the manipulation of the brain's natural brainwave frequencies, through the use of touch, sound and/or visual stimulus, to deliberately alter the brain's state of mind, inducing it to entrain at a specific frequency, for a specific purpose.Entrainment can induce a desired psychological state corresponding with arousal or relaxation and all states in-between.How does the Brain Entrain? Entrainment is a physics principle that simply means, the process of where two cycles synchronize naturally with each other to work more efficiently. The principles of entrainment appear in chemistry, neurology, biology, pharmacology, medicine, astronomy and more.
Scientists have found out that all these states of the mind can be measured, as one emanates certain brainwave patterns, easily detected with an EEG (encephalograph). The alpha brainwave patterns are the ones associated with physical and mental relaxation, while beta brainwaves are emitted during our usual state of alertness throughout the day. Theta brainwaves occur in a state of meditation, while delta brainwave patterns are the ones emanated by our brains during deep sleep. All these have the corresponding frequency, measured in pulses per second; i.e. alpha ranges between eight and twelve pulses per second (Hz), beta ranges between twelve and thirty pulses per second, etc.
A Bit of Science.What brainwave entrainment claims to do is that it can, with the help of specifically designed audios (recently visual materials have been introduced, too) bring the brain to one of these specific states (alpha, beta, theta, etc.). Once the brain is brought to that state, the person reaps the benefits associated with it; to illustrate, it has been medically and scientifically proven that deep sleep triggers growth and body healing. It is quite logical, too, as otherwise our bodies would not have been 'constructed' with the natural need to fall into sleep for at least a couple of hours every single night. What this all means is that brainwave entrainment does not 'magically' make you more relaxed or more creative, or heal your migraine.
The brain rapidly entrains motor responses to auditory rhythms that are stable and steady, synchronizing states below and above conscious perception thresholds.Different Methods of Brainwave Entrainment.There are three main forms of entrainment used today to alter consciousness.BINAURAL BEATS-one frequency is played in one ear and a slightly different frequency is played in the other. Each ear is connected to the opposite side of the brain and when each half hears something different, it compensates by creating a third beat, that is not really there. The sound only exists in your brain and causes both hemispheres to entrain at a single frequency.
As for brainwave music being dull and monotonous it depends upon your mental state when listening to the music. When your mind is in a hurry and in a distracted, scattered condition more than likely brainwave music will seem very boring and monotonous, long and drawn-out. But if you get over these "withdrawal symptoms" of your day to day frenzied mindset your brain will start to adjust to the new audio energy and in time it will become relaxing, as well as something to look forward to listen to each day.Furthermore, when listening to some brainwave recordings for the first time some people may not only feel uncomfortable, but may even experience temporary headaches or tearing eyes. This is normal and not a danger. Some people are always very tensed-up and rarely ever experience a relaxed mental state. As a result they may feel some slight discomfort such as headaches when they physically relax and "let go". It's this sudden release and relief that causes a slight headache or tearing. These side-effects are only temporary and usually go away the next time you listen to brainwave entrainment recordings because your brain builds new neural pathways to accommodate the new incoming brainwave audio energy. For most other people, once your brain waves slow down to Alpha, you'll naturally feel very relaxed and peaceful, deep down inside. Ultimately, depending upon the musical tastes of each individual, one type of music may affect one person in one way, and affect another person in a different way. What may free one person mentally and emotionally, may depress someone else, or be completely meaningless and boring to another. While some music may free one person to the point of giving them an out of body experience, and/or to the point of enhancing their dreams at night and making them more lucid, and also transforming them into a more loving, gentle person; to another person certain music/beats may serve to stir up subconscious "junk" and previous bad memories which need to be dealt with and healed. Everyone's brain is wired differently so it is unpredictable exactly how certain music, sounds, beats or frequencies will affect each individual. Some may be led to astral heights after listening to just one recording. Whereas for another person listening to the same recording, nothing may happen until after they listen to the same recording for 25 minutes to an hour a day for a few weeks. It comes down to being patient, prepared and receptive in consciousness, not in a hurry, not in a rush, but in a relaxed, receptive, humble frame of heart and mind.
After several months of regular daily use of the same brainwave recording your mind gets accustomed to the stimuli and it becomes 2nd nature, giving the impression that the recording doesn't work anymore. The reason is your mind is strengthened in once neglected areas as new neural pathways are created and adjusted to the recording. Working your mind with brainwave recordings is similar to working your muscles. After a time a certain muscle, for example, no longer seems to be receiving any benefit from the same exercise which initially seemed very effective. The reason is the exercise served its purpose in bringing the muscle to its present much more healthy condition. The only way to add additional benefit to that muscle is to change the exercise around a little. This will produce long-term benefits. Likewise your mind gets stronger with time as you listen to brainwave recordings, but it reaches a point where a particular recording which once seemed so effective appears to be doing nothing anymore. However, if the recording is changed around a little it will produce additional, long-term results. And just as having a variety in your exercise routine, and even a variety in your diet, is better for your body. So likewise you will receive long-term benefit, and a more balanced mind, by listening to a variety of brainwave entrainment recordings.For this reason some companies sell several CD recordings contained in one program with specific instructions on when to listen to certain recordings, and for how long, before switching to the next level of recordings. They do it this way so you receive the optimal benefits the recordings offer. And just as it is not a good idea to stuff yourself with a variety of different foods at once, or to exercise too much all at once, so likewise it is good to start with one level of recordings, giving your mind time to adjust to that recording before moving to the next level.
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