This page provides documentation on brainwave entrainment research and a description of what brainwave entrainment (BWE) is including research on the psychological effects of BWE. There are a lot of data on the multiple uses for BWE to enhance and improve psyhological functioning... One most promising study is on the use of brainwave entrainment for addiction recovery, including but not limited to it's reduction of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome.
Beta is generally the mental state most people are in during the day, and usually this state in itself is uneventful. However, beta brain wave activity is significant to proper mental functioning, and insufficient beta activity can cause mental or emotional disorders such as depression, ADD and insomnia. Generally speaking, beta brain waves are associated with alert attentiveness and concentration - intense focus and problem solving are linked to beta activity. Beta waves can also be related to strong, excited emotions such as when working out and "getting in the Zone". Medications that are designed to induce concentration and alertness, such as Ritalin or Adderall, actually produce a beta brain wave state in most subjects.
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Alpha brainwave activity is generally associated with relaxed wakefulness, and alpha states are commonly described as tranquil and pleasant- sometimes accompanied by a "floating" feeling. Alpha frequencies are also indicative of a creative state of mind where free association is prominent. Alpha waves appear immediately and spread throughout the cortex when you close your eyes, which is part of the relaxation process leading to sleep.
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Theta brain waves (3-8hz) have been connected via extensive study to many different phenomena in the brain. Research on subjects as diverse as memory, emotion, neural plasticity, sleep, meditation and hypnosis have all drawn links to theta activity. A theta state is associated with stage 1 sleep- very light sleep from which subjects can easily be awoken. Connections between meditation and theta activity have been researched and documented thoroughly, particularly in the case of both Zen and Transcendental Meditation. Meditative theta states are often associated with vivid mental imagery, peacefulness and generally pleasant experiences.
More recent brainwave entrainment research highlights the interesting role that theta may play in memory function. One theory proposed by Lisman and Idiart suggests that short term memories are constantly refreshed in order to retain their presence in the brain while they are being accessed. They suggest that individual memories are refreshed at the gamma rate, while the whole refresh cycle pulses at a theta rate. They believe that this may be why an average of 7 items can be held in short term memory by most people. - per each 6Hz theta cycle, the 40hz gamma can cycle an average of 7 times. (Lisman, J.E. and Idiart, M.A.P. (1995)
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Delta waves are the slowest of all brain waves, and are predominantly associated with Stage 3 and Stage 4 sleep. However, researchers have found functions for delta stimulation beyond those related to sleep, as you have seen in the studies above. Stimulating delta in people who are wide awake has been shown to have additional benefits such as increasing relaxation and relieving certain types of pain.
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Risk Factors of Brainwave Entrainment: If you have a pacemaker, are pregnant, are using drugs, or history of siezure please consult your Doctor before using brainwave entrainment programs. (Click here for more information)
Brainwave Entrainment Ecourse: How to Use Brainwave Entrainment for self-hypnosis and reprogramming your subconscious mind. Learn tips for reprogramming, the Art of Visualization, How to use Audios for reprogramming, and How to create and use Powerful Affirmations. Plus you get AmbientWaves and all BrainWave Rhythms tracks (Volumes I and II) to practice your new skills (about 30 minutes each.)