Posted by Ame Sans Vie on August 15, 2003, at 13:13:45
Anyone tried binaural beats as a form of therapy? I downloaded two very good (free) programs that allow you to program your own binaural beat sequences, and I've been using them for several days now with absolutely astounding results.
For those of you who don't know about binaural beats, they're a highly effective tool for expanding and altering consciousness. The way they work is this:
A certain frequency, let's say 400Hz, is played (through stereo headphones!!) into one ear, while a slightly higher or lower frequency, let's say 410Hz, is played into the opposite ear. The brain automatically begins to interpret these sounds not as the individual frequencies they are, but as the *difference* between the frequences (in this case, 10Hz). After a short period of time listening to these frequencies, the brain "entrains" itself to that frequency. Depending on the frequency, there are many varied effects which can occur. For example, the 10Hz frequency described in this example has been shown to enhance release of serotonin, and is a natural mood elevator. In addition, it can help with nicotine withdrawal, pain relief, hangover, and jet lag.
You may know about delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequencies. If not, here's a brief explanation:
Delta waves (1-4Hz): normally generated in deep sleep, or when unconscious; those experienced in deep trance states can generate these waves while remaining conscious.
Theta waves (4-8Hz): the region between sleep and wakefulness, in which dreaming and other dream-like (or "hypnagogic") experiences occur; theta waves dominate during that bit of time just before you actually fall asleep at night, and just before really waking in the morning; it is believed that the subconscious mind communicates with the conscious mind using this band; theta waves are dominant when, in problem-solving, we finally reach that "a-ha!"; theta waves are generally overactive in those with ADHD; theta also seems to be connected with psychic or ESP-type functioning
Alpha waves (8-13Hz): produced when you are awake and fully conscious, but with your awareness focused inside, such as when trying to remember something, or when your eyes are closed
Beta waves (13-30Hz): normally generated when you are awake, with attention focused outside, dealing with the outside world; beta is also generated when you are solving logical problems such as mental arithmetic
I found a lot of research on brainwaves and various bodily functions, internal organs, musical notes, planets, the orbits of planets, and other things that they correspond to. Here are some particular frequencies you all may be especially interested in:
Alcohol addiction -- 0.28-2.15Hz
Arthritis -- 0.28-10Hz
Depression -- 0.15-0.30Hz
Drug addiction -- 0.37-2.15Hz
Confusion -- 0.40-10Hz
Muscle pain -- 0.45-10Hz
Very relaxing; great for migraines and lower back pain -- 0.5Hz
Feeling of well-being; pituitary stimulation to release growth hormone; overall view of inter-relationships, harmony, and balance -- 1Hz
Tri-thalamic entrainment; creates entrainment between hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal; beneficial for dyslexics and people with Alzheimers -- 1.45Hz
Pain relief, relaxation; production of endogenous opiates -- 2.5Hz
Sound sleep -- 3.4Hz
Feeling of unity with everything; accelerated language retention; enhancement of receptivity -- 3.5Hz
Releases enkephalins; ESP -- 4Hz
Unusual problem solving -- 5Hz
Long-term memory stimulation -- 6Hz
Astral projection, accelerated learning, and increased memory retention -- 6.3Hz
Earth resonance (frequency the earth resonates at); grounding; Schumann resonance -- 7.83Hz
Past life regression -- 8Hz
Pick up visual images of mental objects -- 8.3Hz
Pyramid resonance -- 9.41Hz
Mean dominant frequency associated with the earth's magnetic field -- 9.6Hz
Enhanced release of serotonin and mood elevator; universally beneficial; acts as analgesic; safest frequency, especially for hangover and jet lag; nicotine withdrawal -- 10Hz
Catecholamine (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) release -- 10.2Hz
Relaxed and alert -- 10.6Hz
Centering; doorway to all other frequencies -- 12Hz
Awake and alert -- 14Hz
Chronic pain -- 15Hz
LSD resonance -- 20.215
Marijuana withdrawal -- 30Hz
Desensitizer; enhanced vigor and alertness -- 32Hz
Endorphin release -- 38Hz
Anxiolytic effects; stimulates release of beta-endorphins -- 40-60Hz
Slower cerebral rhythms -- 50Hz
Tantric yoga; stimulates the kundalini -- 55Hz
Involved in stimulating serotonin production (combine with 2.5Hz and 160Hz) -- 80Hz
Good feelings, security, well-being, balancing -- 90Hz
Overall view of complete situation -- 105Hz
Release of beta-endorphins; cell regeneration -- 111Hz
Stimulation -- 125Hz
Involved in stimulating serotonin production (combine with 2.5Hz and 80Hz) -- 160Hz
Mood elevation and revitalization -- 250Hz
Serotonin resonance -- 321.9Hz
Cerebral neurons -- 1,000HzThere are so many ways these binaural beats can be used -- insomnia, stress/anxiety, depression, pain, even mimicking the effects of drugs (I've created a binaural beat preset that approximates the feeling of opium, and also one that mimics the LSD experience). If you'd like some more information, just let me know.
poster:Ame Sans Vie
thread:251092
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/251092.html