Learn to Control Your Brainwaves

Brainwave fluctuation is dependant on many influences, including external influences and our own internal intentions (for instance, if we want to relax, we can meditate or use deep, conscious breathing to change our brain waves). It is possible to train the brain to move into desired brain wave states through what is called brainwave entrainment. Brainwave entrainment has been used in treating ADD, depression, and other conditions. Many who simply want to learn an effective relaxation method also use it.

Before I explain some entrainment methods, I will offer a quick, simplified, review of four basic brainwave states.

Beta: This is the awake and alert state. Beta waves are about 12-20+ Hz.

Alpha: This is a meditative and receptive state. Alpha waves range from about 8 - 12 HZ.

Theta: This is a deeply intuitive state. Theta waves have a frequency of about 4-8 Hz.

Delta: This is the deepest sleep state. Delta states have a frequency between 1-4 Hz.

The average person spends much of their alert time in Beta. Beta is the normal brainwave required for most daily tasks. Too much Beta, however, can cause anxiety, panic, and high blood pressure. Most stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, are believed to increase the production of beta waves.

There are several ways to move from an agitated Beta state to a calmer, lower-frequency, brain state.

Meditation and breathing techniques are common methods used to achieve alpha, theta, and other low frequency states. However, music that is specially created to encourage certain brainwave frequencies seems to greatly enhance brainwave entrainment and provide results more quickly. Pulses of sound at appropriate frequencies are subtly interwoven with relaxing music. The brain responds by matching the wave frequency of the pulses.

Listening to the music alone is no guarantee that you will achieve the desired state, though your brain will likely attempt to match the pulses as much as possible after a while. I have had the best results when I used the music accompanied with breathing techniques (namely, deep breathing). When I am trapped in Beta due to intense worry or other kinds of stress, the music alone will not pull me out of it. In those instances, I use relaxation methods along with the music. I use Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's program, but I know that others have also composed music for brainwave entrainment.

According to brainwave entrainment researchers, after the brain is exposed to a brainwave state frequently and intentionally, it becomes easier to slip into a desired brainwave frequency at will. This takes practice and desire, but the benefits are clear.