If external stimulus is applied to the brain, it becomes possible to entrain the brain

frequency from one brain state to another. For example, if a person is in the beta state
(highly alert) and a stimulus of 10Hz is applied to his/her brain for some time, the
brain frequency is likely to change towards the applied stimulus. The effect will be
relaxing to the person. This phenomenon is also called frequency following response.
When the brain's state is close to the applied stimulus, entrainment works more
efficiently. Thus, when doing a sweep from one frequency to another, the starting
frequency should be as close to the current brain state as possible. The sweep speed
should be such that the brain's state changes steadily with it, so that the difference
never gets very large. In practice, it is difficult to determine the brain state without
complex EEG measurement equipment. However, you can quite safely assume that
during the day your brain is in the beta state (about 20Hz) and you can start a
frequency sweep from there. If you are already somewhat relaxed, you can use a start
frequency of 15Hz or a few Hz lower.

Stimulating the brain

The easiest way of applying stimulus to the brain is via ears and eyes. Since humans
cannot hear sounds low enough to be useful for brain stimulation, special techniques
must be used. One such special technique used is called binaural beats.
If the left ear is presented with a steady tone of 495Hz and the right ear a steady tone
of 505Hz, these two tones combine in the brain. The difference, 10Hz, is perceived by
the brain and is a very effective stimulus for brainwave entrainment. This 10Hz is
formed entirely by the brain. When using stereo headphones, the left and right sounds
do not mix together until in your brain. The frequency difference, when perceived by
brain this way, is called a binaural beat.

To get a stimulus of 10Hz, you may use tones of 495Hz and 505Hz, or 400Hz and
410Hz, or 862Hz and 872Hz, or so on. The only requirements are that the tone is
heard well enough and that it is below about 1000Hz. Below 1000Hz, the wavelength
of the sound is sufficiently small so that the sound waves curve around the skull.

Stimulating the brain with visual stimulus

Visual stimulation is easier than aural stimulation because low frequencies can readily
be used. A frequency of 10Hz, for example, is generated when a led is flashed on and
off 10 times a second in the front of your eyes.
When visual stimulus is in synch with aural stimulus, effects are highly increased over
using only visual or only aural stimulus.

Applying a stimulus to the brain will eventually bring the brain's state closer to the
stimulus frequency. This topic describes some possible effects achievable by this.

Note: Just passively listening to binaural beats does not necessarily alter your state
of consciousness. For example, willingness and ability to relax and focus attention
affects how effective the binaural beat stimulus is for inducing state changes.
Helping in meditation

Meditation is essentially about willingly being able to alter one's brain frequency to a
desired state. While meditators have traditionally used several years to learn the
techniques of meditation, you can now attain the same effect with brainwave
entrainment. No special training or great discipline is required. Good meditation
frequencies are in the alpha range, from 8Hz to 13Hz.

When a certain brainwave state is experienced and practiced over a period of time, the
brain will "learn" the state change and it will become easier to self-produce the
desired brainwave state at will. Thus, using brainwave entrainment, you can expect to
get some of its effects later even without any external stimulus.

Reducing learning time

The theta state (4Hz–7Hz) has been found to increase learning capabilities. In fact,
children spend more time in theta state than adults, which probably explains the
accelerated learning capabilities of children.

Alpha frequencies are also useful for learning purposes. You can play language
cassettes, subliminal tapes, etc. during an entrainment session for a maximum effect.

Reducing sleep needs

Some people have found that half an hour a day of the Theta state can replace up to 4
hours of sleep.

Treatment of certain mental diseases

Brainwave entrainment is used in treatment of depression, low self-esteem, attention

deficit disorder, drug and alcohol addiction and autism, to name a few. Brainwave
entrainment has also been found helpful in alleviating headaches and migraines.

EEG (electroencephalography) technology is used to measure brain's electrical

vibrations from the surface of the scalp. The resulting EEG pattern will contain
frequency elements mainly below 30Hz. The frequencies are categorized into four
states as follows.

State Frequency State of mind

Delta 0.5–4Hz Deep sleep
Theta 4–8Hz Drowsy (also first stage of sleep)
Alpha 8–14Hz Relaxed but alert
Beta 14–30Hz Highly alert and focused

The dominant frequency in the brain's EEG pattern determines what shall be called
the current state of the brain. If the amplitude of the alpha range frequencies is
highest, then the brain is said to be in the alpha state. The purpose of BrainWave
Generator is to affect the brain's state to achieve different results. For more
information on how this is achieved, click . For more information on the possible
results, click .
Note: Brain's EEG pattern always consists of a wide range of different frequencies.
The most dominant of them determines the current state of mind, but note that this is
not any "exact frequency the brain is operating on". There are always also other
frequency components present.

The Four Brain States: Choosing the Programs that are

Right for You
Beta Alpha Theta Delta
Vibrations from rhythmic sounds have a profound effect on our brain activity. In
shamanic traditions, drums have long been used to transport the shaman out of
his or her body into other realms of reality through the use of constant rhythmic
vibrations. Researcher Melinda Maxfield, studying the Shamanic State of
Consciousness, found that the steady rhythmic beat of the drum struck four and
one half times per second was the key to transporting a shaman into the
deepest part of his shamanic state of consciousness.
It is no coincidence that 4.5 beats, or cycles, per second corresponds to the
trance-like state of theta brain wave activity. In direct correlation, we see similar
effects brought on by the constant and rhythmic drone of Tibetan Buddhist
chants that transport the monks and even other listeners into realms of blissful
meditation.
The gentle pulsating rhythms of Brain Sync tapes act in a similar fashion, yet
because the frequencies are computer generated, they are precise, consistent
and can be targeted to induce highly specific and desired brain states. Just as
we can tune a radio to get a particular station, with Brain Sync technology we
can tune our consciousness to dial-in a wide variety of brain states.
You have your very own signature brain wave activity, unique to you. It has a
rhythm and pattern - and it incorporates Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta
frequencies at varying levels over the course of a day as your brain modulates
them to match your activities. Brain Sync audio programs amplify a single
frequency or a carefully balanced combination of frequencies to achieve a
specific purpose.
So how do you choose the programs that are right for you? Consider the
qualities each frequency promotes as we describe them below. Listen to the
audio samples we've provided, then select the audio programs that best support
your personal desires, preferences, and goals.

Beta
Alertness
Concentration
Cognition
You are wide-awake, alert. Your mind is sharp, focused. It makes connections
quickly, easily and you're primed to do work that requires your full attention. In
the Beta state, neurons fire abundantly, in rapid succession, helping you achieve
peak performance. New ideas and solutions to problems flash like lightning into
your mind. Beta training is one of the frequencies that biofeedback therapists
use to treat Attention Deficit Disorder.
Beta-centered programs help you prepare to take an exam, play sports, give a
presentation, analyze and organize information, and other activities where
mental alertness and high levels of concentration are key to your success.
Beta waves range between 13-40 HZ. The Beta state is associated with peak
concentration, heightened alertness, hand eye coordination and visual acuity.
Nobel Prize Winner, Sir Francis Crick and other scientists believe that the 40HZ
beta frequency used on many Brain Sync tapes may be key to the act of
cognition.

Alpha
Relaxation
Visualization
Creativity
When you are truly relaxed, your brain activity slows from the rapid patterns of
Beta into the more gentle waves of Alpha. Your awareness expands. Fresh
creative energy begins to flow. Fears vanish. You experience a liberating sense
of peace and well-being. In biofeedback, Alpha training is most commonly
recommended for the treatment of stress.
Alpha-centered programs help you tap your creativity and are excellent for
problem solving, finding new ideas and practicing creative visualization. Choose
Alpha programs when you want to attain deep levels of relaxation that are so
essential to your health and well-being.
Alpha waves range between 7-12 HZ. This is a place of deep relaxation, but not
quite meditation. In Alpha, we begin to access the wealth of creativity that lies
just below our conscious awareness - it is the gateway, the entry point that leads
into deeper states of consciousness. Alpha is also the home of the window
frequency known as the Schuman Resonance - the resonant frequency of the
earth's electromagnetic field.

Theta
Meditation
Intuition
Memory
Going deeper into relaxation, you enter the elusive and mysterious Theta state
where brain activity slows almost to the point of sleep, but not quite. Theta is the
brain state where magic happens in the crucible of your own neurological
activity. Theta brings forward heightened receptivity, flashes of dreamlike
imagery, inspiration, and your long-forgotten memories. Theta can bring you
deep states of meditation. A sensation of "floating." And, because it is an
expansive state, in Theta, you may feel your mind expand beyond the
boundaries of your body.
Theta rests directly on the threshold of your subconscious. In biofeedback, it is
most commonly associated with the deepest levels of meditation. Theta also
plays an important part in behavior modification programs and has been used in
the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Finally, Theta is an ideal state for
super-learning, re-programming your mind, dream recall, and self-hypnosis.
Theta waves range between 4-7 HZ. Theta is one of the more elusive and
extraordinary realms we can explore. It is also known as the twilight state which
we normally only experience fleetingly as we rise up out of the depths of delta
upon waking, or drifting off to sleep. In Theta, we are in a waking dream, vivid
imagery flashes before the mind's eye and we are receptive to information
beyond our normal conscious awareness. Theta has also been identified as the
gateway to learning and memory. Theta meditation increases creativity,
enhances learning, reduces stress and awakens intuition and other extrasensory
perception skills.

Delta
Detached Awareness
Healing
Sleep
Long, slow, undulating. Delta is the slowest of all four brain wave frequencies.
Most commonly associated with deep sleep, certain frequencies in the Delta
range also trigger the release of Human Growth Hormone so beneficial for
healing and regeneration. This is why sleep - deep restorative sleep - the kind
that Delta frequencies help induce is so essential to the healing process.
Delta is the brain wave signal of the subconscious, the seat from which intuition
arises. That means Delta-based programs are not only an ideal choice for their
sleep and deep regeneration potential, but also when you want to access your
unconscious activity and help that wellspring of information flow to your
conscious mind for clearing and for empowerment. Delta waves range between
0-4 HZ.