| What are the four main brainwave patterns to which you often refer? |
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The human brain operates neuro-electrically.
Brain activity appears as a series of micro-voltage firings between
neurons (brain cells), or more precisely, through networks of neurons.
With the use of an electroencephalograph machine (EEG) these firings or
pulses can be detected and measured. These neuro-electrical impulses
are categorized in terms of a frequency range of four major brainwave
patterns (Hz = Hertz = cycles/pulses per second): Beta (13-30+Hz) Beta is the state of normal, wakeful consciousness. As we are working, driving, talking, etc., we are likely in Beta. On the higher extremes, Beta is sometimes associated with anxiety, panic or stress. Alpha (8-12.9 Hz) Alpha is a state of light relaxation. Not a sleep state, but usually reflective of a calm, focused mind. Alpha is sometimes called the "superlearning state" because the brain seems to be more receptive and open to new information. Alpha is also considered ideal for creative brain storming. Most meditation occurs in this state. Theta (4-7.9 Hz) Theta is a state of deep relaxation. Sometimes a sleep state, sometimes not, theta reflects a state of dreamlike awareness. Dreams and a deep, meditative state of consciousness are common characteristics of theta. Delta (0.1-3.9 Hz) Delta, the deepest of the brainwave patterns, is a state of deep sleep, or trance-like consciousness. Maintaining awareness into delta can result in opening access to the unconscious portion of our consciousness. In the course of an average day, most of us spend some amount of time in all of these states of consciousness. As you go from the higher frequency beta pattern, down through alpha, through theta, and into delta, the electrical fluctuations in the brain increase. Coupled with the creation of these increased fluctuations in such a way that they occur in a synchronous manner throughout the brain (as happens with Holosync), the brain is pushed to create new neural pathways, changing patterns of perception and information transfer in the brain, thereby creating new ways of experiencing yourself and your world. This same process happens in traditional meditation, which creates the same electric fluctuations through a process of focusing, whether on a mantra, the breath, a prayer, or some other point of focus. However, with traditional methods, even after twenty or more years of practice, it is only possible to create fluctuations in the alpha and theta range. This is one of the reasons for the tremendous acceleration of Holosync Solution program participants experience through their use of Holosync soundtracks for meditation. A Very, Very Brief History of Brainwave Entrainment Several scientists had noticed the effect of pulsating light and sound stimuli on brainwave patterns as early as 1910. But it wasn't until the early 1970's that neuroscientists confirmed that with the use of sound it is possible to stimulate the brain to move to or through any of the four main brainwave states. In 1973, Dr. Gerald Oster of Mt. Sinai Medical Center published a paper called "Auditory Beats in the Brain" identifying a characteristic of the brain in which the brain would resonate to the frequency difference between two tones presented to opposite ears. Because the hemispheres are not entirely separate, but connected, they actually respond to these two tones by producing a third tone representing the difference between the two original tones. Here's an example: Tone of 230 Hz played to right ear Tone of 240 Hz played to left ear Difference = 10 Hz. (Alpha State) So by using the above two tones a calm alpha brainwave state can be created for the listener. |