The science behind Mind Machines
How do Mind Machines work?
A lot of research has gone into the making of Mind Machines over the years. From the first discoveries in the early 1900’s to the latest developments of today, a lot of thought goes into making one of these devices.
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.” — Nikola Tesla
Our brain processes the input coming in from all our senses. Light and sound play a key role in how we perceive the world and modulated at certain frequencies can affect the mind in a positive manner.
Do you prefer listening to this article? Click the video above.
We are all moved by the beautiful sounds of nature – the roar of ocean waves, the rumble of thunder, and the constant flow of a river, as well as the majesty of a symphony orchestra. These rhythmical and sometimes melodic wave-forms constantly move us into the conscious awareness of the relationship of body and mind.
Brainwave entrainment is a method of stimulating the brain into entering a specific state by using a pulsing sound, light, or electromagnetic field. These pulses elicit the brain’s “frequency following” response¹, encouraging the brainwaves to align to the frequency of a given beat.
The Frequency Following Response
It’s the tendency for our mind and body to be affected and synchronized by an external source – such as sounds and rhythms.
For most people, the frequency following response manifests as producing a trance, enhanced concentration, relaxation, meditation, or sleepiness.
On the downside, a small percentage of the population may have seizures or other problematic side effects. If you are aware that you’re prone to seizures, it’s best not to use brainwave entrainment. If you have epilepsy then you must avoid flashing lights or risk triggering seizures.
Brainwave entrainment works for almost everyone.² It is a great way to lead your mind into states that you might usually have difficulty reaching, allowing you to experience what those states feel like.
The brain does not operate in just one single frequency; the full spectrum of brainwave frequencies are always running, all the time. The dominant frequency determines our mental state – and entrainment temporarily shifts our mental state by boosting one frequency to be louder than the others.
Since half the useful brainwave frequencies (0.3-40Hz) are below the hearing range of the human ear (20Hz-20,000Hz), several techniques have been developed to overcome this physical limitation.
Therefore, in addition to sounds, light modulation also plays a major role in training your brain to align to certain brainwaves.
Music Modulation
Most audio brainwave entrainment is ‘embedded’ into musical soundtracks to enhance the listening experience. Any full spectrum soundtrack can be used, from a symphony to nature sounds to simple background noise.
Music modulation allows for higher intensity levels than with beats alone.
Audio Stimulation
Several forms of audio stimulation have been used to entrain brain waves through the vestibulocochlear nerve, the pathway that directly connects your ears to your brain. This is the most accessible type of brainwave entrainment because all it requires is sound. If you want to try it out for yourself, just do a quick YouTube search.
Audio stimulation can utilize three types of sounds: isochronic tones, binaural beats, and monaural beats. Read more about these types of sounds here.
Sound and Light Entrainment
With so much of the human brain dedicated to vision, sound and light brainwave entrainment (aka. audio-visual entrainment (AVE), light and sound machines, photic entrainment, or mind machines) is far more powerful and much faster acting than audio beats alone. It can elicit a brain response in seconds.
Sound and light brainwave entrainment use monaural, binaural, or isochronic beats, along with glasses fitted with diodes (or a computer screen) that flash in time with the audio beats.
Sound and light entrainment can be dangerous to those suffering from epilepsy or light sensitivity. We recommend you start slow with the light settings at a low intensity and work your way up. Don’t overuse it and always be mindful of straining your eyes.
Brainwave Entrainment vs. Neurofeedback
For those of you who have a background in brain training, you may be thinking this sounds a little bit like neurofeedback. There are some key differences, though.
While brainwave entrainment pushes your brain into a specific state, neurofeedback training aims to teach you to reach that state on your own.
But it takes time to master, while Light and Sound Brainwave Entrainment is a quick, easy and sure way to get the results you want.
Conclusion
We hoped you enjoyed reading a little about how Mind Machines work. You can find out more about other Brainwave Entrainment Methods here.
Comments (2)
[…] Machines are a modern way to use the brain’s natural frequency following response to modulate our […]
[…] Using any type of Sound Entrainment mentioned above and light modulation, dubbed audio-visual entrainment (AVE), is far more powerful and much faster acting than audio beats alone. It can elicit a brain response in seconds. We’ve already discussed strobe light devices that use light and sound modulation technologies in this article. […]