Written by Patrick S. (KIS'19)
Edited by Ava S. (TBS'19)
━━ April 6, 2018 ━━
Context
The dominating belief, for much of history, was that whatever it is, there is room for progress. With the discovery of brainwaves, and brainwave technology this idea has begun to extend to our own brains.
━━━━━━━━
Overview: Brainwaves
The brain’s billions of neurons communicate with electrical pulses. Measured and graphed, this neurological activity resembles a wavelike pattern. Although different parts of the brain will be showing different brainwave frequencies in different situations, the overall dominant frequency range of these electrical pulses can correlate with certain states of mind. Our brains are constantly producing brainwaves; a record of their frequencies in a full day can convey the subject’s general states of mind, or even their actions, throughout the day. Most people have imbalances in brainwave production in certain locations, and as a result, may face discomforts and emotional conditions such as migraines, inability to focus, anxiety, depression, impulsive behavior, and insomnia.
General brainwave frequencies are categorized into five ranges: alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and theta waves.
‣ Delta waves (0.5 - 3 Hertz)
◦ Delta waves occur mostly during deep, dreamless sleep, and are key contributors to
immune system functions.
‣ Theta waves (3 - 8 Hz)
◦ Theta waves are most prominent during vivid dreams, deep meditation, and are linked
with a state of focus on internal signals rather than outer stimuli.
‣ Alpha waves (8 - 12 Hz)
◦ Alpha waves are associated with calmness, quiet thoughts, relaxation, yet alertness to
surroundings as well. Alpha waves are dominant when the brain is in a stress-free
environment, and often during meditation as well.
‣ Beta waves (12 - 38 Hz)
◦ Beta waves are usually common when we are highly alert, fully awake, and engaged in
cognitively demanding actions such as problem solving, judgement, decision making, etc.
The higher the frequency, the more intensely the brain is working.
‣ Gamma waves (38 Hz and above)
◦ Gamma waves are brainwaves of the highest frequency, and are allegedly associated with
“peak performance,” “expanded consciousness,” and clear, rapid transfer of information
between neurons.
Technologies that utilize brainwaves include one of the recent self-development and “brain training” fads, Brainwave Entrainment. This allows the brain to enter a general state or brainwave frequency induced by auditory and/or visual stimulation, and can result in entering favorable neurological states depending on the objective.
Brainwave Entrainment
Now that we have a rough idea of what brainwaves are, we can observe how we can utilize certain frequencies to our advantage. Brainwave Entrainment is a method of forcefully controlling the dominance of certain favorable frequencies. Both auditory and visual means of regulating dominant frequencies are available, however, stimulation using sounds are deemed more safe and convenient. Isochronic tones and binaural beats are two audio-based technologies that can help regulate brainwaves.
Isochronic tones transmit short bursts of sound or beats according to the frequency of the subject recording or music. To provide a basic summary of how this works, when exposed to isochronic tones through signals from the the ears, the brain emits an electrical charge in response to each beat, in the form of ‘cortical evoked responses.’ During the first stages of exposure, there will be billions of neurons firing other signals and electrical responses, thus the effect of stimulation will hardly be noticeable. However, as the brain gradually recognizes the rhythmic pattern of the sound because of its tendency to recognize patterns, the dominant frequency of its brainwaves or its electrical cycles, start to synchronize with the frequency of the stimulation. This gradual synchronization is referred to as the Frequency Following Response.
Binaural beats involve exposure to sounds of two different frequencies, one on the left ear, and one on the right. Auditory sensors pick up the tone, or frequencies of the stimulatory music from the two sides, and the brain utilizes the transferred information to produce a third, general frequency out of the the difference between the two detected frequencies. Thus, binaural beats and isochronic tones work in similar manners, although the former has some drawbacks. The subject requires earphones or headphones. Entrainment is weaker in comparison to isochronic tones, because the frequencies are not directly followed as is the case with the latter, instead, they are perceived by the brain first. Isochronic Tones also utilize distinct sounds, resulting in stronger Cortical Evoked Responses.
Utilizing such methods of brainwave entrainment have in fact proven to be effective in helping subjects reach favorable states of mind or evade unfavorable states or conditions, whether they experience deep sleep, deep focus, high alertness, or drowsiness, impulsiveness, anxiety, ADHD and many others. Some users have claimed that they have been able to lucid dream more easily while using isochronic tones. Research and many contemporary sources support the effectiveness of such brainwave manipulation. Three published research papers(and most likely many more) conclude positively on the therapeutic, focus-enhancing, and other cognitive benefits of Brainwave Entrainment:
"People suffering from cognitive functioning deficits, stress, pain, headache/migraines, PMS, and behavioral problems benefited from BWE." Huang, T., Charyton, C., 2008. Alternative Therapies. Volume 14.1
"The eight students from the SPALDING reading program who received AVE [Audio and Visual Entrainment] improved their reading scores more than their classmates who served as controls...Parents and teachers reported the children were calmer and could focus better." Joyce, M, and Siever, D., 2000. Journal of Neurotherapy. Volume 4.2
"Results suggest that this technology could greatly enhance the quality of life for learning-disabled individuals who, absent appropriate intervention, are at risk for social, psychological, and a multitude of personal disappointments and life-long failures." Olmstead R. Use of auditory and visual stimulation to improve cognitive abilities in learning-disabled children. Journal of Neurotherapy. 2005;9(2):49-61
Ranging from arithmetic skills in children and memory in adults, to treatment of migraines, Brainwave Entrainment can be a powerful tool that can help many deal with their emotions and conditions, as well as to enhance their cognitive functions according to research.
Observations
It is quite clear that brainwave entrainment has the potential to bring a variety of notable benefits. But here is the caveat: the claim that one can effectively control his or her brain provides a massive incentive for advertisement, inadequately supported claims on the benefits, as well as the inevitable potential for extremely dangerous cases of entrainment.
Already, many brainwave entrainment websites are presenting insufficiently supported claims on benefits such as the increase of IQ, a more creative mind, and enhanced memory retainment. What many people fail to realize is that the mind in a more focused state can easily lead to scoring better on IQ tests, higher awareness on connections between ideas which form new ones, and again, better scores on memory games. Or perhaps the placebo effect has taken a partial role in helping subjects achieve the results they want, but did not necessarily “enhance” their brains. The increase of IQ is especially a hot debate across the web, and quite intriguingly, youtube videos of isochronic tones and binaural beats music that include “IQ Enhancement” and similarly ego-appealing descriptions in their title sport tens of millions of views.
Research on brainwave entrainment has not yet been completed, as is the case with many other areas of neurological research. Thus, quite obviously, users of such technologies would do well to learn about the potential dangers and side effects. Such unwanted cases are not as uncommon as one may perceive. A famous incident on December 16, 1997, Japan, where a now banned episode of pokemon featuring a scene with extremely bright alternating blue and red lights, has given many children seizures, can serve as a solemn warning to those who may unknowingly, and unsuspectingly disturb the delicate balances and intricate systems of their psych.
Besides, brainwave entrainment most likely has few permanent cognitive enhancement benefits, and one of the most important side effects which not many isochronic tones Youtube videos like to mention has to do with the psychology of habit-forming. For example, student users of brainwave entrainment who feel unmotivated after a long day of school, but still know that they have to be productive at home studying for exams the next day, might start listening to isochronic tones recordings that focus on their beta waves. There are three interesting points to consider in this situation:
The reason why the subjects in this case are feeling unmotivated in the first place is because they already spent half of their entire day at school, their brainwaves almost constantly in the beta range. Although entraining brainwaves back into the beta range may only have temporary stressful consequences if done once every now and then, a chronic, constant imbalance of brainwaves, dominated by the beta range during the waking hours, may lead to clinical conditions of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Without the Isochronic Tones recordings, these students will most likely not perform as well without them as they might have while using them. Using brainwave technology to forcefully push the brain to maintain high levels of focus may be beneficial at the time of usage, but without the technology available, for example, during an important exam, students who have not trained their brains to achieve such levels of focus by themselves will most likely find it difficult to perform as well. Furthermore, a long term habit that includes associating the feeling of lethargy to the trigger of listening to isochronic tones. This may be effective in motivating subjects when the technology is accessible, however, without the technology, and thus without the trigger, they will most likely find it difficult to motivate themselves. In fact, by constantly having a trigger that actively forces the brain to a desired state instead of making the brain do the work to reach that state, this habit may weaken students’ ability to motivate themselves to achieve a state of intense focus.
Because the brain is so susceptible to habits and very neuroplastic, or flexible in terms of the neuron’s formation of connections, there are many ways to teach the brain to achieve higher than normal levels of focus when necessary. Instead of forcibly imposing a dominant brainwave, habitualizing the laziness of the prefrontal cortex through lack of conscious self motivation, perhaps it is much more psychologically healthy to teach oneself purposeful control of his or her brain, and thus, a more firm sense of discipline, rather than relying on Brainwave Entrainment which is not always available.
Abrupt Conclusion
The discussion on brainwaves, how we can utilize our knowledge of them to our benefit, the side effects, and the psychological or habit-related effects of Brainwave Entrainment and similar technologies, can go on, forever. One thing I would like to let you off with, is the importance of caring for your brain like it’s your very own child, or adopting an equally effective viewpoint. If your child misbehaves, you better have strict discipline planned out. If your child needs some rest, you need to provide an environment in which he or she can truly rest. And if your child wants to get “smarter,” you better start by lecturing on the specifics of what “smart” even means.
Thanks for reading, and don’t forget, this child we’re talking about is as deceptive, sly, lazy, and intelligent as you.
━━━━━━━━
Bibliography:
- "Binaural Entrainment - The Science, Proof And Research ." Binauralbeatsgeek.com. N. p., 2018. Web. 3 Mar. 2018.
- "Brainwave Entrainment Software." Transparentcorp.com. N. p., 2018. Web. 3 Mar. 2018.
- "Can Brainwave Entrainment Increase IQ." Brainwave Love. N. p., 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2018.
- Daniel Bubnis, NASE Level II-CSS. "Binaural Beats Therapy: Benefits And How They Work." Medical News Today. N. p., 2017. Web. 3 Mar. 2018.
- "Isochronic Tones - What They Are: The Research And The Benefits." Transparentcorp.com. N. p., 2018. Web. 3 Mar. 2018.
- Kotaku.com. N. p., 2018. Web. 3 Mar. 2018.
- Lewis, Jason. "Are Isochronic Tones Safe, Do They Work Or Are They A Scam?." Mind Amend. N. p., 2016. Web. 4 Mar. 2018.
- "The Benefits Of Gamma Brainwaves." Brainwave Wizard. N. p., 2013. Web. 3 Mar. 2018.
- "What Are Brainwaves ? Types Of Brain Waves | EEG Sensor And Brain Wave – UK." Brainworksneurotherapy.com. N. p., 2018. Web. 3 Mar. 2018.
Pictures:
- Figure 1(title/cover): https://medium.com/@rahul.goyl/what-are-brainwaves-brainwave-entrainment-deeper-states-of-meditation-d753eed8e59c
- Figure 2: http://www.infiniteminds.info/Learning-2.0/Brainwave-Entrainment/Introduction-to-Brainwave-Entrainment.html
━━━━━━━━
Comments