Re: [buildcheapeeg] Loose ends: Power

From: Doug Sutherland (wearable_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 2002-02-12 00:18:02


Hi Jim,

> Let me challenge the EEG/NF misconception that is prevalent
> in the New Age circles. Believe it or not, sound frequencies
> played to the ears, either direct frequencies or binaural
> beats, light flashing frequencies in the eyes, CES or
> electrical pulsed frequencies to the brain, do not show up as
> brain wave frequencies on the EEG FFT display. Entrainment by
> that definition does not work, neither can the frequency
> following response be verified!

A couple of comments ....

First I already suggested that you write a book! You have a ton
of interesting experience. Second, I haven't done much with
entrainment really, and I haven't measured my brain waves during,
but Dr Jeffery Thompson's Brainwave Suite (audio only) do have
an effect on me. They put me into deep relaxation, they seem to
facilitate visualization of moving color patterns, and they
also usually lead to very vivid dreaming. I won't argue why
they work but they are definitely doing something.

If it's true that "frequency following reponse" doesn't work,
then I have another suggestion: why don't you do some of your
own scientific/controlled studies and publish papers that
show evidence otherwise? If there is false info out there re
entrainment, then I really think it should be exposed.

But here's where I get really confused, if entrainment does
not work, then why are so many people buying L&S and binaural
beat CD and tapes? They must be doing something or people
wouldn't be too happy with their $300 or $400 units. So what
are they doing, if not entrainment?

> There are no good or bad frequencies
Agreed.

> there are many lists describing all sorts of magic frequencies.
I'm not interested at all in things like this.

> This does not say I don't believe in EEG/NF, but it does not
> work as promised. My Brain State Synchronizer uses direct sounds
> and binaural beats and produces great results, but is not an
> entrainment process using magic frequencies.

I don't see how you can lump EEG/NF together with entrainment,
and say they don't work. You hardly mentioned EEG/NF at all in
the above. The NF method requires YOU training YOURSELF to
change your brain activity, it is just a MIRROR. This is totally
different than everything else you mention. One is controlled
by human alone, the other is reponse to stimuli. The EEG is
just measurement, can't be compared to binaural beats. The EEG
protocols are just a set of rules/targets to help you know
when you're moving the way you want to. This is different than
entrainment and different than your brainwave synchronizer.

> How could Monroe Institute be wrong? Well, guess what?
> Their tapes really work and take "some" people to interesting
> out of body destinations.

So how do you explain that then? Placebo effect?
Are the Monroe papers that say entrainment does change brain
waves in error, false, or what?

Namaste,
Doug



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