Brainwave Entrainment – A Glossary of Uncommon Terms
More people are turning to brainwave entrainment to alter their state of consciousness so as to enhance certain aspects of their life. This technology offers similar benefits to meditation yet it is not as commonly known as the former.
Like any technology, it comes with some technical terms which the layman may not be familiar with. Here are some of the more common terms used:
BRAINWAVE ENTRAINMENT Brainwave entrainment is also known as brainwave synchronization. It aims to cause brainwave frequency to move in step to a periodic stimulus that has a frequency corresponding to an intended brain-state. Such a stimulus may be aural, as in the case of binaural beats, monaural beats, and isochronic tones, or else visual, as with a dream-machine, a combination of the two with a mind machine, or even electromagnetic radiation.
FREQUENCY FOLLOWING RESPONSE: Brainwave entrainment is based on the frequency following response, the naturally occurring tendency of the human brain to synchronize its dominant EEG frequency with the frequency of a dominant external stimulus.
BRAIN WAVES: The brain is made up of billions of brain cells called neurons, which communicate with each other using electrical signals. All these neurons sending signals at once produce a large amount of electrical activity commonly called a brainwave pattern, because of its "wave" or cyclical nature.
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM (EEG): This machine measures the
frequency of the electrical current produced by the brain. This frequency or speed of the brainwave is measured in Hertz (Hz).
BETA WAVES: The most active brain wave pattern with frequencies of 14Hz to 20Hz. Associated with normal waking consciousness, beta waves are present when your brain is actively engaged and alert. You emit beta waves when you are angry or afraid or performing activities that require concentration.
ALPHA WAVES: With slower frequencies of 8Hz to 13Hz, alpha waves are present when you're in a relaxed state or light meditation. When you daydream and your mind drifts, you are probably in the alpha state which also is an important part of dreaming.
THETA WAVES: At frequencies between 4Hz to 7Hz, theta waves are found during a deeper level of relaxation often associated with deeper states of meditation. In this state, your mind can be filled with mental imagery because it is not engaged and is open, free and very relaxed.
DELTA WAVES: With the slowest frequencies of 5Hz to 3Hz, delta waves occur during deep sleep or unconsciousness. They are also common in very deep meditation.
BINAURAL BEATS: Also known as Binaural Music, Binaural Beats work by broadcasting two separate frequencies to each ear. For example, if you want to tune your brain to a 10 Hz frequency, you can play 200 Hz in your right ear, and 210 Hz in your left ear. The brain will compensate for the difference between the two and produce a third tone that will be exactly 8 Hz. This will result in your brain frequency being raised or lowered, and tuned to the desired operating stage.
Binaural Beats use the brain to first process the information and then 'hear' the tones; they are only made possible by the use of headphones. Binaural Beats also depend on an equal operation of both hemispheres (sides) of the brain, and may therefore not be effective for some.
MONAURAL BEATS: Monaural beats are created from two pure sine wave tones of specific frequencies. These tones are mixed in the air before reaching the ear, resulting in a single tone that pulses at a particular frequency. This makes it easier to produce the effect you're looking for quickly. There is no need to balance tones, and therefore no adjusting time required. Headphones are optional but recommended.
ISOCHRONIC TONES: Isochronic tones are well-defined tones that are manually spaced, turning on and off in an accurate pattern. These tones stop and start exceptionally fast allowing the brain to synchronize more easily and precisely. They target the exact frequency desired for entrainment and can provide the most effective way to stimulate the brain. Headphones are not required.
Like any technology, it comes with some technical terms which the layman may not be familiar with. Here are some of the more common terms used:
BRAINWAVE ENTRAINMENT Brainwave entrainment is also known as brainwave synchronization. It aims to cause brainwave frequency to move in step to a periodic stimulus that has a frequency corresponding to an intended brain-state. Such a stimulus may be aural, as in the case of binaural beats, monaural beats, and isochronic tones, or else visual, as with a dream-machine, a combination of the two with a mind machine, or even electromagnetic radiation.
FREQUENCY FOLLOWING RESPONSE: Brainwave entrainment is based on the frequency following response, the naturally occurring tendency of the human brain to synchronize its dominant EEG frequency with the frequency of a dominant external stimulus.
BRAIN WAVES: The brain is made up of billions of brain cells called neurons, which communicate with each other using electrical signals. All these neurons sending signals at once produce a large amount of electrical activity commonly called a brainwave pattern, because of its "wave" or cyclical nature.
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM (EEG): This machine measures the
frequency of the electrical current produced by the brain. This frequency or speed of the brainwave is measured in Hertz (Hz).
BETA WAVES: The most active brain wave pattern with frequencies of 14Hz to 20Hz. Associated with normal waking consciousness, beta waves are present when your brain is actively engaged and alert. You emit beta waves when you are angry or afraid or performing activities that require concentration.
ALPHA WAVES: With slower frequencies of 8Hz to 13Hz, alpha waves are present when you're in a relaxed state or light meditation. When you daydream and your mind drifts, you are probably in the alpha state which also is an important part of dreaming.
THETA WAVES: At frequencies between 4Hz to 7Hz, theta waves are found during a deeper level of relaxation often associated with deeper states of meditation. In this state, your mind can be filled with mental imagery because it is not engaged and is open, free and very relaxed.
DELTA WAVES: With the slowest frequencies of 5Hz to 3Hz, delta waves occur during deep sleep or unconsciousness. They are also common in very deep meditation.
BINAURAL BEATS: Also known as Binaural Music, Binaural Beats work by broadcasting two separate frequencies to each ear. For example, if you want to tune your brain to a 10 Hz frequency, you can play 200 Hz in your right ear, and 210 Hz in your left ear. The brain will compensate for the difference between the two and produce a third tone that will be exactly 8 Hz. This will result in your brain frequency being raised or lowered, and tuned to the desired operating stage.
Binaural Beats use the brain to first process the information and then 'hear' the tones; they are only made possible by the use of headphones. Binaural Beats also depend on an equal operation of both hemispheres (sides) of the brain, and may therefore not be effective for some.
MONAURAL BEATS: Monaural beats are created from two pure sine wave tones of specific frequencies. These tones are mixed in the air before reaching the ear, resulting in a single tone that pulses at a particular frequency. This makes it easier to produce the effect you're looking for quickly. There is no need to balance tones, and therefore no adjusting time required. Headphones are optional but recommended.
ISOCHRONIC TONES: Isochronic tones are well-defined tones that are manually spaced, turning on and off in an accurate pattern. These tones stop and start exceptionally fast allowing the brain to synchronize more easily and precisely. They target the exact frequency desired for entrainment and can provide the most effective way to stimulate the brain. Headphones are not required.
Source...