The concept of brainwave entrainment sounds very technical, and indeed to be created for specific benefits, the techniques and protocols can be very complex. However, understanding what brainwave is doesn’t have to be difficult. Human beings have used the phenomenon of Frequency Following Response (FFR) for millennium, after all. Visualize a primitive human tribe gathered together and dancing or swaying hypnotically with the rhythm of a drum beat, imagine the hypnotic trance created by the repeating rhythms, and you have an understanding of the underlying principles of brainwave entrainment.

But let’s back up a little bit. Your brain produces brainwaves, and these brainwaves are measured in frequency (Hertz, or Hz), which is how speedy they are; and in amplitude, which is how strong they are. Your experience of your consciousness at any time depends on the brainwaves you are producing at that moment. This is a simplistic explanation, but say you are feeling anxious, even panicky-your brainwaves are very fast, a very high frequency. As you calm down, your brainwaves slow down, through the beta frequency range, which is your usual wide-awake functioning state, down into alpha, which is the brainwave of relaxation and hypnosis, down further into theta, which is a state of consciousness even though the brainwaves are too slow to support thought. Finally, you drift all the way down into delta, the brainwave of deep sleep. This explanation makes it sound like you only experience one type of brainwave at a time, but in fact, your brain produces all of these brainwave frequencies simultaneously, to a greater or lesser degree.

Frequency Following Response (FFR) is the phenomenon of the brain “synching up” with a frequency introduced from an external source, that falls within the range of frequencies produced by the brain naturally. Within a few minutes the brain will synchronize its primary brainwave frequency with the external source and a corresponding change in experience of consciousness will occur. It has been discovered by scientific experimentation and study that certain brainwave frequencies and patterns create specific effects on the mind and therefore on the body, and so protocols have been developed to help with all manner of illness and disease, from ADD/ADHD to migraines, and more. A very common use of brainwave entrainment, however, is as a form of passive meditation. Brainwave entrainment can occur through audio or visual input. In 200 AD, Ptolemy noted the effects on consciousness of watching sunlight flicker through a spinning wheel. People who are prone to epilepsy, however, should not use visual methods of brainwave entrainment.

By: Cindy Locher

The short answer is, yes, probably. Hypnosis has been used in psychotherapy for a long time and is proven very effective in changing behaviors and habits, and hypnosis mp3′s are just a way of using modern technology to make hypnosis more available.

Most people have an understanding of hypnosis to be a type of deep sleep or state of unconsciousness, where you are in a highly suggestible state and can be made to do almost anything. This is not an accurate description of hypnosis. According to the University of California San Diego, hypnosis is best described as a state of focused concentration in which a person is “more likely to accept suggestions”. A person can be hypnotized by a professional or trained to do self hypnosis from a book or from a hypnotherapist. In recent years, there is also a lot of good material available online, like hypnosis mp3′s. Also according to UCSD, hypnosis has been recognizes by the American Medical Association since 1958.

When under hypnosis, you are in a kind of trance that can make it more likely for you to accept suggestions. A hypnotherapist or a tape can not “fix” you, but it can help you help yourself. It seems that under hypnosis, people accept ideas more easily, and this can help them deal with their issues differently.

Contrary to popular belief, you can not be hypnotized against your will, and you can not be made to do something you don’t want when you are hypnotized. You are not unconscious when you are under hypnosis so you are still able to focus on external sensations and you are still aware of what is going on.

Some people prefer self-hypnosis or hypnosis mp3′s over working with another person because they are not comfortable with someone else controlling what suggestions are given to them. Self hypnosis usually includes learning to write a script for yourself and then recording it onto a tape to play back. Hypnosis mp3′s are usually ready made, and can cover almost any issue. In some cases you can also order hypnosis mp3′s custom made for your purposes.

Some of the most common issues that can be helped with hypnosis are pain, anxiety and depression, smoking and weight problems, but there are hypnosis mp3′s available online for hundreds of other topics. You can get hypnosis mp3′s to help with anything from tinnitus to picking at your zits.

Going to see a therapist specialized in hypnosis can be very expensive and is not always covered by your health insurance company. You usually need to come back several times and this can end up costing you thousands of dollars. You also need to start over with each new issue you want help with. In some areas you can also have difficulty finding a good therapist.

Buying hypnosis mp3′s online is much cheaper and easier than a therapist, and you can buy several mp3′s dealing with different needs at the same time. Using hypnosis mp3′s also allows you to deal with your problems without anyone else needing to know what you are dealing with.

By: Jon Mercer

WHAT ARE BRAINWAVES?

Every moment of your life your brain is active. It is pulsing
with electrical impulses; you heard that right, electricity! The
electricity or electrical current generated by the brain can be
measured with an electroencephalogram (EEG), which measures the
frequency of the electrical current. This frequency or speed of
the brainwave is measured in Hertz(HZ).

Now here is the really cool part. These frequencies can be
associated with your state of mind at any particular moment.
This means that your state of mind, for example being relaxed,
frightened, or sleepy…can be “seen” in your brainwave
frequencies. The speed of the frequency allows us to categorize
our brainwaves into four broad categories.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT BRAINWAVE PATTERNS?

There are four common brainwave patterns that have been well
researched and documented. They are:

BETA WAVES – 14Hz to 20Hz. Beta waves are associated with normal
waking consciousness. They are present when you are focused on
activities in the outside world.

ALPHA WAVES – 8Hz to 13Hz. Alpha waves are likened to a light
meditation. They are prevalent when you daydream. They will
become stronger when your eyes are closed.

THETA WAVES – 4Hz to 7Hz. Theta waves occur during heightened
states of creativity and are found with a deep meditative state.

DELTA WAVES – .5Hz to 3Hz. Delta waves are found in a deep sleep
state or unconsciousness. Also, Delta waves are common in very
deep meditation.

FOCUS, CREATIVITY AND CONCENTRATION – THE ALPHA CONNECTION

A predominance of Alpha waves in the brain is associated with
accelerated learning, focus and enhanced creativity. When you
are focus on something, there is a predominance of Alpha waves.
No matter what your profession or hobby, these attributes will
increase your productivity and enhance your experience.

FINDING THE HIGHER SELF – THE THETA CONNECTION

A deep meditative state is true bliss. Increase your Theta waves
and you are on your way to this state. In the Theta state you
can lose your attachment to the physical body. You will feel a
deep sense of physical relaxation. This disconnect of mind and
body allows you to focus on the inner you, the higher self. This
is the ideal state to begin your journey into meditation.

SLEEP AND MORE – THE DELTA CONNECTION

A Delta state has long been associated with sleep. If you have
trouble sleeping, the CDs targeting this range will help
immensely. Having a CD that targets the Delta brainwaves will
allow you to enter a deep sleep state easily. It will be time to
say goodbye to insomnia!

Recently there has also been some research that suggests that an
even deeper meditative state can occur during predominate Delta
wave activity. As you gain experience and comfort with
meditation, you may want to try reaching a Delta state during
meditation.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program.

By: Emily Clark