Monday, February 22, 2010

The Various Brainwave States

By Dan Murphy

Using binaural beats will allow you to obtain different states of mind rather easily. These differing frequencies allow your mind to tune into different states. These states can assist you with a varying number of items, including helping in positive thinking, focus, learning, relaxing, achieving a state of meditation and many more.

Over time, it has been studied by scientists that varying states of mind are related to different frequencies. As an example, if you tuned your brain to a frequency of about 9 to 14 Hz (Hertz is the number of changes per minute), this would be associated with a relaxed mental state, or a state where you may be reflecting on something. What binaural beats make it easy to do is to achieve this type of mental state. Not to mention, putting yourself into the brainwave state you want is easy with just a CD or MP3 player.

In order to get your brain to tune into one of the specific frequencies, different sounds can be delivered to each ear. In the case of binaural beats (there are also isochronic and monaural beats, but we'll use binaural as the example here), a tone is administered to in each ear. One tone may be 100 Hz, the other may be played at 108 Hz. This creates a binaural "beat" with the same frequency as the difference of the two (8 Hz). In this case, 8 Hz corresponds with the theta state of mind which is great for creating ideas.

There are four different categories that are used when discussing the various states. They are referred to as theta, delta, beta, and alpha. You may have heard some of these names before, and they are usually referenced when talking about binaural beats.

The first frequency range is between the 13 Hz to 25 Hz range and assists to achieve a state of alertness and also helps reduce anxiety and stress. This is the beta frequency range.

Within the range of 8 to 12 Hz, you will be able to increase learning ("superlearning"), have a more positive state of mind, and feel some light relaxation. This range is referred to as the alpha range.

Theta frequencies occur between 4 Hz to 7 Hz. Within this range, a different set of benefits can be discovered. These benefits will help with deeper relaxation (which makes them good for meditation), improving your memory, and bettering your focus.

Delta frequencies occur at lower than 4 Hz. Deep, dreamless sleep, increased immune functions, lucid dreaming and loss of body awareness can occur in this range.

It is clear to see that using binaural beats in the different ranges can trigger a huge number of mental states, resulting in a multitude of advantages for those who take advantage of them.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment