From Stroboscope to Dream Machine: A History of Flicker-Induced Hallucinations, by Ter Meulen, B C; Tavy, D; Jacobs, B C. European Neurology62.

5 (Oct 2009): 316-20.

Healthcare Performance and the Effects of the Binaural Beats on Human Blood Pressure and Heart Rate. Authors: Carter, Calvin1 montisumo@yahoo.com Journal of Hospital Marketing & Public Relations; 2008, Vol. 18 Issue 2, p213-219, Source: 7p, 4 Graphs Document Article Type: *OLIVARY nucleus *BLOOD pressure *CEREBRAL hemispheres *BINAURAL hearing aids Subject *HEADPHONES Terms: *LISTENING *BRAIN *HEART beat HEART rate monitors Binaural beats Author- blood pressure Supplied frequencies Keywords: health care performance Binaural beats are the differences in two different frequencies (in the range of 301000 Hz). Binaural beats are played through headphones and are perceived by the superior olivary nucleus of each hemisphere of the brain. The brain perceives the binaural beat and resonates to its frequency (frequency following response). Once the brain is in tune with the binaural beat it produces brainwaves of that frequency altering the listener's state of mind. In this experiment, the effects of the beta and theta binaural beat on human blood pressure and pulse were studied. Using headphones, three sounds were played for 7 minutes each to 12 participants: the control, - the sound of a babbling brook (the background sound to the two binaural Abstract: beats), the beta binaural beat (20 Hz), and the theta binaural beat (7 Hz). Blood pressure and pulse were recorded before and after each sound was played. Each participant was given 2 minutes in-between each sound. The results showed that the control and the two binaural beats did not affect the 12 participant's blood pressure or pulse (p > 0.05). One reason for this may be that the sounds were not played long enough for the brain to either perceive and/or resonate to the frequency. Another reason why the sounds did not affect blood pressure and pulse may be due to the participant's age since older brains may not perceive the binaural beats as well as younger brains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Hospital Marketing & Public Relations is the property of Title:

Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) Author Affiliations 1Hofstra University : ISSN: 15390942 10.1080/15390940802234263 DOI: Accession 35170254 Number: Persistent link to this http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35170254&site= record ehost-live (Permalin k): <a Cut and href="http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35170254 Paste: &site=ehost-live">Healthcare Performance and the Effects of the Binaural Beats on Human Blood Pressure and Heart Rate.</a> Database: Academic Search Complete

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Brainwave entrainment
Brainwave entrainment or "brainwave synchronization," is any practice that aims to cause brainwave frequencies to fall into step with a periodic stimulus having a frequency corresponding to the intended brain-state (for example, to induce sleep), usually attempted with the use of specialized software. It purportedly depends upon a "frequency following" response on the assumption that the human brain has a tendency to change its dominant EEG frequency towards the frequency of a dominant external stimulus.[citation needed] Such a stimulus is often aural, as in the case of binaural or monaural beats and isochronic tones, or else visual, as with a dreamachine, a combination of the two with a mind machine, or even electromagnetic radiation.

History
Enthusiasts of brainwave entrainment claim that it has been noted or used in one form or another for centuries (long before the invention of EEG equipment), from shamanistic societies' use of drum beats to Ptolemy noting in 200 AD the effects of flickering sunlight generated by a spinning wheel. In the 1930s and '40s, with then-new EEG equipment and strobe lights, William Grey Walter performed some of the first scientific research on the subject.[1] Later, in the 1960s and '70s, interest in altered states led some artists to become interested in the subject, most notably Brion Gysin who, along with a Cambridge math student, invented the Dreamachine.[2] From the 1970s to date there have been numerous studies and various machines built that combine light and sound. These efforts were aided by continued development of micro-circuitry and other electronic breakthroughs which allowed for ever more sophisticated equipment. One of the more frequently noted scientific results claimed for brainwave entrainment was the discovery of binaural beats, published in Scientific American in 1973 by Gerald Oster.[3] However, Oster's research actually makes no mention of brainwaves. With the development of isochronic tones by Arturo Manns, combined with more sophisticated equipment, these discoveries led to many attempts to use claimed brainwave entrainment techniques in the treatment of numerous psychological and physiological conditions.

Aural entrainment
Binaural beats

Binaural beats Main article: Binaural beats Binaural beats deserve special mention because of the manner in which the desired frequencies are obtained. Brainwave entrainment may be achieved when audio signals are introduced to the brain causing a response directly related to the frequency of the signal introduced, called binaural beats. Two tones close in frequency generate a beat frequency at the difference of the frequencies, which is generally subsonic. For example, a 495 Hz tone and 505 Hz tone will produce a subsonic 10 Hz beat, roughly in the middle of the alpha range. The "carrier frequency" (e.g., the 500 Hz in the example above), is also said by some to affect the quality of the transformative experience.[citation needed] Note that this effect is achieved without either ear hearing the pulse when headphones are used. Instead, the brain produces the pulse by combining the two tones. Each ear hears only a steady tone. Although some have claimed that these frequencies do provide help in treating certain medical conditions,[4] there is not a wide acceptance by the medical community to adopt the practice of brainwave entrainment for emotional/mental disorders. A fixed, constant frequency of synchronization is less helpful than techniques such as

classical neurofeedback or learning meditation, which naturally generate brainwave frequencies that differ from person to person and may vary from minute to minute.[citation needed]

Monaural beats

Monaural beats Binaural beats were first discovered in 1839 by H. Dove, a German experimenter. At that time, binaural beats were considered to be a special case of monaural beats. Binaural beats are not the same as monaural beats. Binaural beats are perceived by presenting two different tones at slightly different pitches (or frequencies) separately into each ear. This effect is produced in the brain, not in the ears as with monaural beats. It is produced by the neural output from the ears and created within the olivary body within the brain, in its attempt to "locate" the direction of the sound based on phase.[5] Only monaural beats are the result of the arithmetic (vector) sum of the waveforms of the two tones as they add or subtract from one another, becoming louder and quieter and louder again.[5] Monaural and binaural beats are rarely encountered in nature, but in man-made objects, monaural beats occur frequently. For example, two large engines running at slightly different speeds will send "surges" of vibrations through the deck of a ship or jet plane. The lower pitched tone is called the carrier and the upper tone is called the offset.[5] Monaural beats occur in the open air and external to the ears. For example, when two guitar strings of slightly different frequencies are plucked simultaneously, monaural beats strike the ear as beats and therefore excite the thalamus, an action crucial for entrainment.[citation needed] Binaural beats played through loudspeakers become monaural beats.[5] To hear monaural beats, both tones must be of the same amplitude. However binaural beats can be heard when the tones have different amplitudes. They can even be heard if one of the tones is below the hearing threshold. Noise reduces the perceived volume of monaural beats whereas noise actually increases the loudness of binaural beats.[6]

Isochronic tones

Isochronic tones

"Isochronic tones are evenly spaced tones which turn on and off quickly."[7]

Audiovisual entrainment
Main article: Audiovisual entrainment Audiovisual entrainment (AVE), a subset of brainwave entrainment, uses flashes of lights and pulses of tones to guide the brain into various states of brainwave activity. AVE devices are often termed light and sound machines or mind machines. Altering brainwave activity may aid in the treatment of psychological and physiological disorders.

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"Hypnagogia" was coined by Dr Andreas Mavromatis in his 1983 thesis (Brunel University) which
was later published by Routledge (hardback 1987, paperback 1991) under the title "Hypnagogia" the Unique State of Consciousness Between Wakefulness and Sleep and reprinted in a new paperback edition in 2010 by Thyrsos Press. The term "hypnagogia" is employed by Dr Mavromatis to include both sleep onset and the transition from sleep to wakefulness; he retains, however, the adjectives "hypnagogic" and "hypnopompic" for the identification of specific experiences.

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Research into the neurological technology behind I-Doser is sparse. Peer-reviewed studies exist suggesting that some specific binaural beat mixes can affect aspects of mental performance and mood,[4][5] act as analgesic supplements[6] or affect perceptions,[7] but there have been no formal studies of any effects of mixes particular to I-Doser. Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University interviewed about I-Doser have expressed skepticism over its scientific basis, citing a four person controlled study of binaural beats that demonstrated no evidence of brainwave entrainment.[8] Other universities have also stated skepticism.[9] _____________________________________________________________________________________

Research by Dr Vincent Giampapa, MD, Former President of American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine

Dr Giampapa suggested that binaural beats "dramatically" affects the production of three hormones directly related to longevity of life and overall well-being; cortisol, DHEA and melatonin:

Cortisol is found in the adrenal glands and impacts learning and memory, as too much of it is bad for us and causes stress. DHEA is used as a "source ingredient" for virtually every "good hormone" the body needs, and helps our immune system.

Melatonin is the chemical produced during deep, natural sleep. Having lots of DHEA and melatonin is good for us.

In a separate binaural beat research study using Holosync branded binaural beats:

cortisol levels went down by an average of 46% DHEA increased by an average of 43% melatonin production increased by an average of 98%.

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Dr Margaret Patterson & Dr Ifor Capel, Marie Curie Cancer Foundation Research Department - Binaural beats which take the user into the Alpha brainwave state aids production of serotonin, a hormone which increases relaxation and eases pain. - Binaural beats which take users into the theta brainwave state help boost production of catecholamines, which are vital to memory and learning. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, Jan / Feb 2007, "Binaural Beat Technology in Humans: A Pilot Study to Assess the Psychological and Physiological Effects", by Helane Wahbeh, Carlo Calabrese, Heather Zwickey. - This binaural beat research study involved 8 healthy adults over a 60 day period. - The subjects who used binaural beats reported a "decrease in anxiety, and an increase in the quality of life".

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"EEG Disentrainment Feedback", Dr Ochs, 1993 This paper suggests that there is no need for subjects to be consciously trying to do anything when listening to Binaural Beats to get results

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"A Comprehensive Review of the Psychological Effects of Brainwave Entrainment", Tina L Huang, PHD, and Christine Charyton, PHD.
- summarises 20 previous peer-reviewed studies into the psychological effects of Brainwave Entrainment. - The overall conclusion was that brainwave entrainment is an "effective therapeutic tool". People suffering from cognitive functioning deficits, stress, pain, headaches & migraines, PMS and other behavioural problems all benefitted from using binaural beats. - "The immediate psychological effects on memory, attention, stress, pain, headaches and migraines were shown to benefit from even a single session of brainwave entrainment". - One study even found that improvements in intelligence and behaviour lasted after the binaural beats were withdrawn, and that previous users could now produce the brainwave frequencies induced by BWE on their own. This suggests that the results can be permanent, even after you stop using binaural beats.