Brainwave entrainment (BWE) is the process by which our brainwave frequencies are altered using one or ore methods of Audio Visual Entrainment (AVE). BWE has been around for as long as man has walked the Earth - the flickering light from an open fire has been helping people into a trance state for thousands of years.

You may have heard of Shamanic drums... These were (and still are) used by Shamans to help induce a trance state and were a very early form of audio entrainment. In the present day, modern technology has taken over from the manual stimuli and we utilise the power of cutting-edge computer software and audio techniques to create even more powerful entrainmnent sessions.

Like the rest of our body, our brain is full of electricity constantly flowing and constantly sending signals. The main mechanism for this electrical flow in the brain are brain cells known as neurons. An average human child has approximately one hundred billion neurons by the age of two. The neurons are connected together through a network of dendrites and function to conduct the electrical impulses between the neurons. An average educated human adult has approximately one trillion dendrites that canbe almost 10,000 miles in length.

The following video shows an electrical flow through a neron and across the dendrites. In reality, a neuron only takes about 1milisecond to generate an electrical pulse.

The brainwaves are formed when clusters of neurons produce their electrical charge all together in a sort of sweeping pattern. This creates a rhythm called a "brainwave", and this is the pattern we see on neurofeedback and biofeedback devices such as EEG machines. It hgas been discovered that the brainwave rhythms are grouped into four main categories, although sub-categories are also present.

There are four main brainwave frequency categories are shown below:

Delta Brainwaves

Delta brainwaves are the slowest brainwaves and are between 1 Hz and 4 Hz . Delta waves are predominant when we are in deep sleep, and some people believe that Delta waves are present in healers when they are performing their healing.

Theta Brainwaves

Theta waves are between 1 Hz and 8 Hz, and are the dominant brainwaves when we are in a dream-like state such as REM sleep. Improvements in memory, sudden insight and creativity are all enhanced when in the Theta state. Until the invention of fairly recent EEG devices that measure brainwaves, the Theta state had eluded many researchers as it is quite difficult to enter Theta naturally. Of course, using the Audio Therapies sessions, entering Theta is now very easy to do.

Alpha Brainwaves

The Alpha state is when the dominant brainwave frequency is between 8 Hz and 13 Hz and a person is eyes-closed relaxed down to a deep relaxation and meditative state. These are the brainwaves that practised meditators are trying to stimulate as it results in peaceful feelings; a sense of well-being; reduced anxiety (in some people); improved academic performance. Low Alpha/high Theta is known as "Mu", and has been shown to be a very good state for dissolving anger and dealing with a troubled past.

Gamma Brainwaves

Gamma brainwaves are the highest frequency brainwaves and are between 33 Hz and 45 Hz . This is faster than the normal wide awake state and are associated with peak performance.

 

Even though one brainwave frequency (or range of frequencies) may be dominant, all of the brainwave states are present most of the time. The aim of Audio-Visual entrainment is to bring out the appropriate dominant state for the desired results. For example, to help someone simply relax and take some timeout, we would induce an Alpha state. To make someone feel really alive and stimulated, we would induce a high Beta or Gamma state. By carefully belnding the frequencies, we can achieve remarkable results that can deal with a wide range of conditions as well as bring about really fun expereinces.

Brainwave entrainment is now more useful and fun than ever with the introduction of high-tech computer technology to help engineer the audio sessions for maximum effect.