Brainwave Entrainment with Binaural Beats

The definitive work on the discovery of the phenomenon of acoustic brainwave entrainment- the ability to change brainwaves and states of consciousness with sound-was done by a medical researcher (Oster) at Mount Sinai Hospital and published in the Oct 1973 issue of Scientific American entitled “Auditory Beats in the Brain”. In this article, he outlined the research he had conducted which showed a brainwave entrainment response to something he called “Binaural Beats”. These beats occurred when two separate tones were tuned slightly differently from one another – to be precise: within 18% of one another – a range called the “Critical Bandwidth”. The speed of the beats is governed by the difference in the frequency of the two notes: a left channel tone of 100 cycles per second (Hz) and a right channel tone of 105 Hz would cause a 5Hz pulse to arise as an interference pattern. The brain would entrain and slow its function to this 5Hz speed and therefore an altered state of consciousness would result. He also found, that listening to these two frequencies through headphone caused not only the brainwave entrainment phenomenon, but a synchronicity of the electrical activity of the right/left hemispheres as well.

Hemisphere Synchronicity

This phenomenon of hemisphere synchronicity is due a quirk in how the brain processes information and the physics phenomenon of the Critical bandwidth. When two tones are tuned within 18% of one another (or within the critical bandwidth) the brain cannot distinguish two separate tones, it hears one single tone with a pulse within it. The speed of the pulse it hears is the difference between the two tones. Through headphones, however, the opposite hemispheres, which process sound information from each opposite ear, have to compare information in order to hear the pulse. Actually, the brain is manufacturing the pulse of thin air, moment by moment. When the hemispheres compare information, they synchronize their activity: thus, hemisphere synchronicity.

We know from other research efforts that brainwave synchronicity does not happen often and when it does it is only for an instant. We know it is associated with the “aha” moment, the moment when the answer to a problem pops in the mind, in times of great inspiration, and certain high states of revelry and meditation. With this new technological method of entraining brainwaves with binaural beasts using headphones, however, it is possible to float the brain in this hemisphere synchronicity state for prolonged periods of time. Each time we do this, it is like exercising a new brain function – which makes the brain more able to engage this function as its normal repertoire of behavior. It is like going to a gym on the inside and working the “muscle” of your brain.

Using sound in these ways, it is possible to make profound changes in brainwave patters and states of consciousness, observable on brainwave mapping equipment (EEG), as well as positive changes in the body., measurable with blood tests, bio-feedback equipment and other sophisticated procedures. We are also able to influence the core balance and functioning of the brain and central nervous system as a whole.

In a series of recording based on these principles you can use sound frequency patterns built into the music that have been shown clinically to cause positive changes in consciousness, brainwave and body function.

This process involves the use of digital technology, electronic keyboards and computer programs which make it possible to take any recorded sound – instrument sounds, nature sounds, human voice sounds, etc. – and precisely alter the tuning of the right/left channels of these sounds which causes an interference patter of pulses to arise by the difference of tuning. If the speed of these pulses is calibrated to a brainwave speed (Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta), then the brainwaves will follow the speed of these pulses and brainwave entrainment will occur.

A good part of the stress we all experience in the twentieth century is due to the advancements of our own technology. This same technology, combined with our traditional techniques for healing and achieving balance, may help neutralize the stress we created.