Brain States and How to Induce Them
Created | Updated Sep 25, 2002
Our brains our a network of cells that constantly exchange electrical and chemical signals with one another. Brainwaves are the electrical activity created when hundreds of cells fire1 at the same time in the same part of the brain. They usually give a good indicator of what 'mental state' a person is in, for example tired, relaxed, alert, etc. This is because brainwaves are a measurement of the processing rate of the brain, so if they are slower you would not be able to think as well as when they are faster. They can also be altered, using various means.
Brainwaves
As is stated above, brainwave patterns can be used to measure what mental state you are in. These patterns can be measured by electrodes on the scalp, which are hooked up to an amplifier, and then an electroencephalograph (EEG). Tests have been done on what brainwave patterns are linked to what mental state the person is in, and it has been found that by using 'binaural beat frequencies', or a visual stimulus, you can alter someones brainwave patterns, and therefore their mental state. But, it has also been found that this can be harmful to people with epilepy and some other mental conditions.
Binaural beat frequencies
Binaural beat frequencies are sounds that are at a, or encoded with, a certain frequency. If a sound is combined with another sound in the other ear that is a certain frequency lower, then the brain can hear the difference of the two frequencies. This happens because the patterns of the two different frequencies only meet up a certain number of times a second, so the brain can hear the difference between them. Why you need two different noises to create the frequency is because the human ear cannot hear the low frequencies associated with brainwave patterns. For example, if a brainwave frequency of 10 Hz is wanted to be obtained, a frequency of 500 Hz in one ear combined with 510 Hz the other can be used to get it. A frequency of 10 Hz is registered in the brain, because the amount of times the pulses in the frequenies match up is 10 times a second, 10 Hz. You can even try this yourself using a program called BrainWave Generator, from Noromaa solutions. Using this method, you can produce different brainwave patterns by having the same frequency repeated over and over again for 4-5 minutes. This is called 'following frequency response'.
Visual Stimulation
Visual stimuli can also be used to change brainwave patterns. It basically works on the same principal as the auditory method, where a stimulus is at a certain frequency and the brainwaves change to match this frequency. If you see a light flashing at 20 Hz, then your brainwaves will start to follow. But it is not only the rate that matters when using visual stimulus. Different effects can be achieved using different colours and patterns2, although this will not be expanded upon in this entry. It takes about the same amount of time as auditory stimulation, about 4-5 minutes.
Uses of Altering Brainwaves
You may be reading this, wondering what practical uses for altering brainwave patterns there are. Here is a short list of diseases and mental conditions it is supposed to relieve:
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Learning disabilities
- High blood pressure
- Drug addiction
- Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Distorder
- Schizophrenia
There are more that are said to be able to be treated, and you can find web sites about using brainwave altering techniques here, but this Researcher suggests that you would try to avoid those that try to tie in new-age stuff like magic crystals and channelling, because unlike those things, brainwave alteration does work, even if it is a bit 'out there'. Another, although a more untested3 function of brainwave patterns is mental programming, or brainwashing. This is thought to be possible, because inducing states of hypnosis and accelerated learning are possible.
State/Frequency table
| State | Frequency range | Amplitude | State of mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | 0.5 Hz - 4 Hz | High (up to 200uV) | Deep sleep |
| Theta | 4 Hz - 8 Hz | Low (5 uV - 20 uV) | Drowsiness (also first stage of sleep) |
| Alpha | 8 Hz - 14 Hz | High (up to 200uV) | Relaxed but alert |
| Beta | 14 Hz - 30 Hz | Low (less than 10uV) | Highly alert and focused |
These are not exact. There are different views on where one state stops and another starts, and it may vary from person to person, but these are good guidelines.
