introduction to brainwave by morry zelcovitch
Much of what you will find written about brainwave entrainment, especially on the internet is just plain incorrect and after personally examining what is out there it became clear to me that there was a need for people to know the truth about Brainwave Entrainment and not the often-inaccurate hype. It’s quite amazing how so many so-called experts there are writing things on the net as if they knew what they were talking about. My intention is to give you an accurate look at what real BWE is and its real value to us all.
“Entrainment” is a term borrowed from physics that means “the tendency for two vibrating bodies to lock into phase so that they vibrate in harmony”. For example, one tuning fork when struck and placed next to another tuning fork will cause the second one to vibrate at the same frequency as the first.
This same phenomenon can be duplicated by training the brain to lock into the vibrations of an outside stimulus. In fact many scientific studies have shown that this is true. For centuries people have been using rhythmic stimulus in the form of drumbeats, chants and even singing to induce various feelings.
When the brain is stimulated with pulsed sounds (neuro-electrical activity via the nerves originating from the ears), the overall activity of the brain can respond to and align with these pulses. By selecting the desired rate, the brain via the “frequency following response” (entrainment) can be naturally led towards the presented brainwave state.
The applications for this technology are literally unlimited. Stimulation in the theta range seems to be a good approach to help initiate accelerated learning. Research also indicates that using brainwave entrainment in the alpha range can result in benefits that are similarly found with Zen or Transcendental Meditation. These benefits may extend throughout the body and can result in improved breathing patterns as well as increased physical energy levels, not to mention helping to improve one’s outlook, supercharge their performance in both sports and career, improve relationships and even help to increase workplace satisfaction.
Recently, many studies have shown that the use of guided imagery while in altered states of consciousness can be a very effective stimulant in psycho immunology, corporate performance and sports enhancement.
Included in the large list of valuable benefits that can come with the regular use of properly engineered brainwave entrainment is that we are increasingly able to recognize and even experience various states of consciousness. With practice, we can learn how to recreate these states at will. With each entrainment tone, the brain produces an electrical response.
The effects one may experience are the results of the brains reaction to these “tones”, what neurologists call the “cortical evoked response” (the electrical response of the top most cortical layer of the brain).
You see, the brain is a mass of neurons (brain cells), each cell takes part in storing, retrieving and transmitting electrochemical impulses (information, colors, images, sounds, smells and tastes). Considering the lives most of us lead, we are exposed to incredible amounts of information, daily.
With properly engineered brainwave entrainment, different areas of the brain can be stimulated, thus allowing for the awakening and subsequent release of various stored material.
This can then serve to quiet the mind leaving room for clearer thought and process. Deep relaxation is another major benefit that can result from the brain’s cortical “frequency following response”.
By selecting the desired rate, the brain via the “frequency following response” will tend to imitate the rate it is exposed to and thus “enter” that brainwave state.
This helps to explain why brainwave entrainment technology can produce benefits commonly found in deep meditation. Our brains produce “sweeping” electrical charges. These electrical charges create rhythms known as brainwave patterns.
You can see them with an electroencephalograph (EEG). EEG’s record and measure large amounts of neurons firing in unison. Brainwave patterns are commonly grouped into four different categories: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. Each of these brainwave patterns is associated with various states of mind.
In very general terms…
Beta waves are fast waves of 13 to 30 beats or pulses per second (Hz). Beta brainwave patterns are generated naturally when we are awake and alert. Alpha waves exist between 8 and 12 Hz. Alpha waves generally occur during rest (e.g. when the eyes are closed), intellectual relaxation, deep relaxation, meditation or when quieting the mind. Alpha waves tend to be the goal of experienced meditators. Theta waves exist between 4 and 7 Hz. This is commonly referred to as the dream or “twilight” state. Theta has been commonly associated with learning, memory, REM sleep and dreaming. Memory development can be enhanced while in this state. When in a theta brainwave state, memory is improved (especially long-term memory), and access to unconscious/repressed material, reveries, free association, insights and creative ideas are often increased.
