How to Train Your Own Brain:

The problem with EEG biofeedback is that it is expensive and time-consuming. Not to mention the fact that very few people really need to undergo such a directed therapeutic regimen.

So now, science has come up with simpler brain entrainment technology that has more appeal for the general population, people like you and me. An inexpensive-to-produce and simple-to-use technology to help those of us who have a lot of stress in our lives, and to help those of us with occasional emotional issues and blocks to attain optimal mental and emotional health.

What they came up with is the discovery of the "binaural beat", which I will explain a bit later for those of you who are interested in the science behind these helpful technologies.

This binaural beat can be used to alter brain waves -- to actually alter the electrochemical environment of the brain -- in order to allow the mind-consciousness to have enhanced experiences that propel us to better overall health and well-being. Basically, it synchronizes the waves of your brain's hemispheres to improve the brain's function.

You're probably wondering why you would want to deal with trying to train your brain. Well, there are a number of positive reasons why I recommend you consider investing a small amount of time and effort on this easy-to-use technology.

What are the Benefits of Brain Entrainment Technologies Like Those Used in Holosync® or the Insight CD?

Brain entrainment methods like Holosync® or the considerably more affordable but in my experience equally effective Insight or Focus Audio CD Programs will assist you to dramatically improve your mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

You can:

• Create real and constant happiness in your life, regardless of your past or present circumstances ...

• Enhance your creativity, intelligence, and overall mental functioning ...

• Upgrade your overall sense of well-being and inner peace ...

• Clear yourself of any emotional roadblocks to health ...

• Improve your ability to relax and handles the stress in your life ...

• Promote a healthy sleeping pattern ...

• Create your own success in the world, along with the personal satisfaction and sense of fulfillment that comes with being successful ...

How Does Brain Entrainment Work?

If you are like me, you want to understand just how certain technologies works. Some of this information is complicated -- you may just have to take my word on it that the science is there to back it up. But, I know a lot of you like to get "the full story", so I include it here for you.

Let's start with a basic discussion about brain waves.

Brainwaves measured by EEG technology have been broken down into four main states:

Delta     0.5 Hz to 4 Hz      Deep Sleep
Theta     4 Hz to 8 Hz        Drowsiness (early sleep & deep meditation)
Alpha     8 Hz to 14 Hz       Alert but Relaxed (deeply relaxed or dreaming)
Beta      14 Hz to 40 Hz      Highly Focused & Alert (normal waking state)

Hz stands for Hertz, which is a frequency of the brain wave state in cycles per second. The dominant frequency in the EEG pattern measured indicates the current brain state. For example, if the alpha range frequencies are dominating, the brain is said to be in the alpha stage.

But, if an external stimulus is applied to the brain (like an audio recording such as Holosync® or the Insight or Focus Audio CD Programs), the brain frequency can be entrained to a different stage or state. Just as an example, if you are in a beta state of high alertness and a stimulus of 10 Hz is applied, your brain frequency is likely to change into the alpha state, which should increase relaxation. This is known in scientific lingo as the "frequency following response".

Simple and Effective Method of Using this Science

Researchers have found that the easiest way of applying stimulus to the brain is through the ears, although other senses like vision are sometimes used as well. But, since humans do not have a sense of hearing acute enough to hear the low sounds necessary for brain stimulation, a special technique called "binaural beats" was developed.

The landmark research for this theory of "binaural beats" was first presented in a 1973 issue of Scientific American by Gerald Oster, M.D. Dr. Oster, a biophysicist, found that when different sound frequencies are delivered to the brain through each ear separately (such as by using stereo headphones), the two hemispheres of the brain start working together to perceive not the external audio signals, but a third "phantom" signal -- the binaural beat.

Here is a simple explanation of how binaural beats work:

If one ear is presented with a sound frequency of 200 Hz and the other ear receives a tone of 210 Hz, these two tones combine in the brain. Each hemisphere of the brain has its own sound-processing center to receive the signals from each ear.

The difference between these two different frequencies (10 Hz) is perceived and generated by the brain as a binaural beat. Each binaural beat generates what are termed two "standing waves", one from each hemisphere. These two separate standing waves entrain the hemispheres toward the same frequency, which is 10 Hz: the mathematical difference between the auditory inputs.

In this way, the brain waves are said to be "synchronized". Instead of hearing the two different tones (at 200 and 210 Hz), you would hear one rhythmic beat of 10 Hz. This type of training is said to enhance brain function through the increase of communication circuits between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Additionally, the brain can be trained into specific brain states such as alpha (for relaxation and visualization), beta (for peak concentration and cognitive processes), theta (for meditation, memory and learning), and delta (for restorative sleep and healing).

Synchronization of the brain has been reported to affect states of consciousness since the discovery of binaural beats, following a number of experiments on both humans and animals. One human study conducted at Duke University Medical Center and reported in the journal Physiology & Behavior found that presenting binaural auditory beats could enhance psychomotor performance and mood.

Other research reported in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine in 2001 stated that listening to binaural beat tapes in the delta and theta EEG ranges may be beneficial in reducing mild anxiety. A 2005 British study reported in the medical journal Anaesthesia also indicated that binaural beat audio has the potential to significantly decrease acute pre-operative anxiety.

What Kind of Brain Entrainment Program Should I Get?

As long-time readers of my free Mercola.com e-newsletter know, as a physician committed to the highest level of integrity I am ashighly selective as it gets when it comes to making recommendations any particular products or services. I never stop searching for the best available health-promoting products.

So, let me tell you that, while I have personally experienced good benefits from the Holosync Solution® brainwave entrainment products, I have since found a far more affordable option that has helped me achieve the very same benefits -- the Insight Audio CD and the Focus 2-CD Set.

In addition to the cost factor, I found that the Holosync Solution® product took too long to achieve the benefits I wanted. With the Insight and Focus Audio CD Sets, all you have to do is listen to short sessions of brainwave enhanced audio recordings. That's it!

Now that you see all the benefits you can get with just a few minutes of relaxed listening, you can understand why I recommend these products so highly.