Binaural Beat:

Binaural Beat is a method of directly influencing the state of consciousness of an individual, using the acoustic interference between sonic tones of different frequencies.

When two tones of different frequencies occur simultaneously in the air, they interfere with each other and produce a harmonic tone or beat frequency.  The reason for this is that at certain points in time, the two tones reinforce each other and are therefore louder.  At other points in time, they cancel each other and are therefore softer. The frequency at which the reinforcement and cancellation occurs is called the beat frequency or harmonic frequency.  That frequency is determined by the difference in frequency of the two original tones.  For example, if a violin plays a musical middle-A note (440 cycle tone) on one string and a 540 cycle note on another string at the same time, the resulting harmonic frequency will be a 100 cycle tone.

While that is how harmony occurs in the air, if the individual tones are isolated and played separately to each ear, through stereo headphones, the tones do not meet in the air to interfere with each other, so there would seem to be no harmonic tone produced.  However, since the brain does hear both tones -one through each ear- it does perceive the harmonic interference and soon lapses into a matching brain wave frequency or E.E.G. (electro-encephalogram).  Thus, if the two tones are different in frequency by 8 cycles, the brain will lapse into a matching EEG reading of 8 hertz (cycles per second).  Since an EEG of 6 to 8 hertz represents a deep meditative state of consciousness, as in deep hypnosis, that state of consciousness can be readily induced by listening to two tones, having a difference of 8 Hz., one in each ear, via stereo headphones.

What this means is that a state of consciousness, like that of deep hypnosis, can be created in only a few moments and without the usual induction methods (your eyes are getting heavy).  In fact, it is not only much quicker but far more reliable and easily managed.  This is especially helpful for individuals who experience difficulty reaching a state of hypnosis using the conventional methods.  Using Binaural Beat induction, almost everyone can achieve a very deep, relaxed state of consciousness, provided the proper frequencies are employed.

Synchronized Brain waves

Synchronized brain waves have long been associated with meditative and hypnogogic states, and audio with embedded binaural beats has the ability to induce and improve such states of consciousness. The reason for this is physiological. Each ear is hardwired (so to speak) to both hemispheres of the brain (Rosenzweig, 1961). Each hemisphere has its own olivary nucleus (sound-processing center) which receives signals from each ear. In keeping with this physiological structure, when a binaural beat is perceived there are actually two standing waves of equal amplitude and frequency present, one in each hemisphere. So, there are two separate standing waves entraining portions of each hemisphere to the same frequency. The binaural beats appear to contribute to the hemispheric synchronization evidenced in meditative and hypnogogic states of consciousness. Brain function is also enhanced through the increase of cross-collosal communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Resetting Your Brains Sodium/Potassium Ratio In Theta

Your brain cells reset their sodium & potassium ratios when the brain is in Theta state. The sodium & potassium levels are involved in osmosis which is the chemical process that transports chemicals into and out of your brain cells. After an extended period in the Beta state (normal consciousness), the ratio between potassium and sodium is out of balance. This is the main cause of what is known as mental fatigue. Only a brief period in Theta (about 5 - 15min) can restore the ratio to normal, resulting in mental refreshment.

An additional benefit of the binaural beat effect is the synchronization of the right and left hemispheres of the brain.  In fact, the two hemispheres of both the large brain (cerebrum) and the small brain (cerebellum) become completely synchronized, leading to some amazing effects.  It has been shown that children exposed to binaural beat, during regular classroom activities, learned up to thirty times as much as the other students.  In addition, hemispherical synchronization has been shown to manifest several health benefits, including increased production of seritonin, acetyl choline, and endorphins, increased immune system activity, reduced blood pressure, reduced depression & fatigue, improved thinking and a heightened sense of well-being.   It may, in fact, be one of the best brain exercises known.  Currently, studies are underway to investigate the possibility that binaural beat induced brain synchronization may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.