Brainwaves ~
The brain is made up of billions of brain cells called neurons, which use electricity to communicate with each other. The combination of millions of neurons sending signals at once produces an enormous amount of electrical activity in the brain, which can be detected using sensitive medical equipment (such as an EEG), measuring electricity levels over areas of the scalp.
The combination of electrical activity of the brain is commonly called a Brainwave pattern, because of its cyclic, “wave-like” nature.
Below is a modern EEG recording:
The discovery of brainwaves showed that electrical activity in the brain will change depending on a person’s activity. For example, the brainwaves of a sleeping person are very different than the brainwaves of someone who is awake. Modern science has brought us closer to figuring out what brainwaves represent and what they mean about a person’s health and state of mind.
It is possible to tell a lot about a person simply by observing their brainwave patterns. For example, people who are anxious produce an overabundance of high Beta waves while people with ADD/ADHD tend to produce an overabundance of slower Alpha/Theta brainwaves.
Researchers have found that brainwaves represent ones mental state and can be stimulated to change a person’s mental state, which can in turn can help with a variety of mental issues.
Brainwave Entrainment ~
Brainwave Entrainment is any process that causes one’s brainwave frequencies to synchronize with a periodic stimulus (sound, vibration or light) having a frequency corresponding to the intended brain-state (for example, to induce a trance, dreams, sleep or relaxation.) It is also called the Flicker-response because of how staring at a campfire or the flickering of a burning candle can lull you into a state of calmness and serenity. Audios from Tonal Meditation use a unique combination of powerful brainwave entrainment technologies.
Binaural Beats ~
The sensation of auditory binaural beats occurs when two sounds of similar frequencies are presented one to each ear with stereo headphones or speakers. Binaural beats influence the brain through a phenomenon called frequency following response; which is when brainwaves fall into step with a specific frequency similar to a tuning fork. The two different tones, close in pitch, are played in each ear resulting in a third wave-like sound. For example, if a frequency of 100 Hz is played in one ear and 110 Hz is played in the other ear, a binaural beat of 10 Hz is created by the brain. Brainwaves match or “follow” the binaural beat resulting in an increase of 10 Hz brainwaves.
Benefits of Binaural Beats:
Binaural beats work by playing separate frequencies to each ear, for this reason they are most effective with stereo headphones. The benefits of binaural beats are far reaching. Just 15 to 30 minutes of meditation a day with binaural beats can improves one happiness and overall well being. Other benefits include restful night’s sleep, increased energy, and relief from stress, anxiety and pain. Depending on the carrier frequencies binaural beats can be very soothing and relaxing to listen to.
Isochronic Tones ~
Isochronic tones work by emitting beats of a single tone at regular intervals either through stereo speakers or headphones to cause brainwave entrainment. The volume or intensity of the sound goes almost directly from 0 to 100 and back again in an evenly-spaced manner. This leaves a stronger impression on the brain, compared to binaural beats or other methods that use wave-like pulses.
Benefits of Isochronic Tones:
Isochronic tones differ from binaural beats in that they use a single tone, not two. The biggest advantage of Isochronic Tones is that headphones are no longer needed. When isochronic tones are utilized as a stimulus under specific circumstances, research has shown evidence of beneficial outcomes such as anxiety reduction and increased concentration. The audios from Tonal Meditation are natural relaxing and the Isochronic Tones allow the listener to reach a deep meditative state.
