MEASURING BRAIN WAVES BY EEG

 

The resonant cavity formed between the ionosphere and the Earth produces rhythmic waves capable of entraining and phase-locking with brain waves.

 

The brain itself is a massive source of ELF signals that get transmitted throughout the body through the nervous system, which is sensitive to magnetic fields. Brain waves and natural biorhythms can be entrained by strong external ELF signals, such as stationary waves at Schumann's resonances. Entrainment, synchronization and amplification promote coherent large-scale activity rather than typical flurries of transient brain waves. Thus, resonant standing waves emerge from the brain, which under the right conditions facilitates internal and external bio-information transfer via ELF electromagnetic waves. These SR waves exhibit non-local character and nearly instant communication capability

.

The EEG (electroencephalograph) measures brain waves of different frequencies within the brain. Electrodes are placed on specific sites on the scalp to detect and record the electrical impulses within the brain. Frequency is the number of times a wave repeats itself within a second. It can be compared to the frequencies on a radio. Amplitude represents the power of electrical impulses generated by the brain. Volume or intensity of brain-wave activity is measured in microvolts.

 

Raw EEG frequency bands include gamma (25-60 Hz); beta (12-25 Hz); alpha (7-12 Hz); theta (4-7 Hz); and delta (less than 4 Hz). Their ranges overlap one another along the frequency spectrum by 0.5 Hz or more. These frequencies are linked to behaviors, subjective feeling states, physiological correlates, etc. Clinical improvement with EEG biofeedback is traceable to improved neuroregulation in basic functions by appeal to their underlying rhythmic mechanisms.

 

Schumann Waves form a natural feedback loop with the human mind/body. The human brain and body developed in the biosphere, the EM environment conditioned by this cyclic pulse. Conversely, this pulse acts as a "driver" of our brains and can also potentially carry information. Functional processes may be altered and new patterns of behavior facilitated through the brain's web of inhibitory and excitatory feedback networks. Functional processes may be altered and new patterns of behavior facilitated through the brain's web of inhibitory and excitatory feedback networks.

 

The brain has its own set of vibrations it uses to communicate with itself and the rest of the body. EEG equipment distinguishes these waves by measuring the speed with which neurons fire in cycles per second. At their boundaries these waves can overlap somewhat, merging seamlessly into one another--so different researchers may give slightly different readings for the range of cycles per second (Hz). The rate of cycling determines the type of activity, kindling wave after wave over the whole surface of the brain by igniting more neurons.

 

The frequency bands and wave characteristics are described as follows:

 

• Gamma waves (25-60 Hz) appear to relate to simultaneous processing of information from different brain areas, e.g., involving memory, learning abilities, integrated thoughts or information-rich task processing. Gamma rhythms modulate perception and consciousness, which disappear with anesthesia. Synchronous activity at about 40 Hz appears involved in binding sensory inputs into the single, unitary objects we perceive.
• Beta waves (12-25 Hz) dominate our normal waking state of consciousness when attention is directed towards cognitive tasks and the outside world. Beta is a "fast" activity, present when we are alert or even anxious, or when engaged in problem solving, judgment, decision making, information processing, mental activity and focus. Nobel Prize winner Sir Francis Crick and other scientists believe the 40 Hz beta frequency may be key to the act of cognition.
• Alpha waves (7-12 Hz) are present during dreaming and light meditation when the eyes are closed. As more and more neurons are recruited to this frequency, alpha waves cycle globally across the whole cortex. This induces deep relaxation, but not quite meditation. In alpha, we begin to access the wealth of creativity that lies just below our conscious awareness. It is the gateway, the entry point that leads into deeper states of consciousness. Alpha waves aid overall mental coordination, calmness, alertness, inner awareness, mind/body integration and learning.

 

Alpha is also the home of the window frequency known as the Schumann Waves, which propagates with little attenuation around the planet. When we intentionally generate alpha waves and go into resonance with that Earth frequency, we naturally feel better, refreshed, in tune, in synch. It is, in fact, environmental synchronization.

 

• Theta waves (4-7 Hz) occur most often in sleep but are also dominant in the deepest states of meditation (body asleep/mind awake) and thought (gateway to learning, memory). In theta, our senses are withdrawn from the external world and focused on the mindscape--internally originating signals. Theta waves are associated with mystery, an elusive and extraordinary realm we can explore. It is that twilight state which we normally only experience fleetingly as we rise from the depths of delta upon waking or drifting off to sleep. In theta, we are in a waking dream; vivid imagery flashes before the mind's eye and we are receptive to information beyond our normal conscious awareness. Theta meditation increases creativity, enhances learning, reduces stress and awakens intuition and other extrasensory perception skills.
• Delta waves (0-4 Hz) are the slowest but highest in amplitude. They are generated in deepest meditation and dreamless sleep. Delta waves confer a suspension of external existence and provide the most profound feelings of peace. In addition, certain frequencies within the delta range trigger the release of a growth hormone which is beneficial for healing and regeneration. This is why sleep, deep restorative sleep, is so essential to the healing process.

 

Rhythm & Harmonic Resonance

 

There is a harmonic relationship between the Earth and our mind/body. Earth's low-frequency iso-electric field, the magnetic field of the Earth and the electrostatic field which emerges from our body are closely interwoven. Our internal rhythms interact with external rhythms, affecting our balance, REM patterns, health, and mental focus. Schumann Waves probably help regulate our bodies' internal clocks, affecting sleep/dream patterns, arousal patterns and hormonal secretion (such as melatonin).

 

The rhythms and pulsations of the human brain mirror those of the resonant properties of the terrestrial cavity, which functions as a waveguide. This natural frequency pulsation is not a fixed number, but an average of global readings, much like the EEG gives an average of brain-wave readings. Schumann Waves actually fluctuate, like brain waves, due to geographical location, lightning, solar flares, atmospheric ionization and daily cycles.

 

The most important slow rhythm is the daily rhythm sensed directly as the change in light. Rhythms connected with the daily rhythm are called circadian (an example is pineal gland melatonin secretion). Some experiments in the absence of natural light have shown that the basic human "clock" is actually slightly longer than one day (24 hours), and closer to one lunar day (24 hours 50 minutes).

 

Brain waves indicate the arousal dimension, and arousal mediates a number of conditions. Changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic arousal "tune" the nervous system. Under arousal leads towards unipolar or reactive depression, attention deficit disorder, chronic pain and insomnia. Over arousal is linked with anxiety disorders, sleep onset problems, nightmares, hyper vigilance, impulsive behavior, anger/aggression, agitated depression, chronic nerve pain and spasticity. A combination of under arousal and over arousal causes anxiety and depression as well as ADHD.

 

Instabilities in certain rhythms can be correlated with tics, obsessive-compulsive disorder, aggressive behavior, rage, bruxism, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, migraines, narcolepsy, epilepsy, sleep apnea, vertigo, tinnitus, anorexia/bulimia, suicidal ideation and behavior, PMS, multiple chemical sensitivities, diabetes, hypoglycemia and explosive behavior.

 

So what happens when the mind is entrained with a sound or vibration that reflects the thought patterns? When the mind responds to certain frequencies and behaves as a resonator, is there a harmonic frequency that the mind vibrates to or can attune to? What does the study of harmonic resonance, sound or vibration have to do with the brain's frequency waves?

 

Sound waves are examples of periodicity, of rhythm. Sound is measured in cycles per second (hertz or Hz). Each cycle of a wave is, in reality, a single pulse of sound. The average range of hearing for the human ear is somewhere between 16 Hz and 20,000 Hz. We cannot hear extremely low frequencies, but we can perceive them as rhythmic.

Entrainment is the process of synchronization, where vibrations of one object will cause the vibrations of another object to oscillate at the same rate. External rhythms can have a direct effect on the psychology and physiology of the listener. Slower tempos from 48 to 70 BPMs have been proven to decrease heart and respiratory rates, thereby altering the predominant brain-wave patterns.

 

Binaural beats are continuous tones of subtly different frequencies, delivered to each ear independently in stereo via headphones. If the left channel's pitch is 100 cycles per second and the right channel's pitch is 108 cycles per second, the difference between the two equals 8 cycles per second. When these sounds are combined, they produce a pulsing tone that waxes and wanes in a "wah-wah" rhythm.

 

Binaural beats are not an external sound; rather, they are subsonic frequencies heard within the brain itself. These frequencies are created as both hemispheres work simultaneously to hear sounds that are pitch-differed by key mathematical intervals (window frequencies). The brain waves respond to these oscillating tones by following them (entrainment), and both hemispheres begin to work together. Communication between the two sides of the brain is associated with flashes of creativity, insight and wisdom.

 

Alpha-wave biofeedback is considered a consciousness self-regulation technique, while alpha-frequency binaural beat stimulation (frequency-following response) is a passive management technique where cortical potentials entrain to or resonate at the frequency of an external stimulus. Through the self-regulation of specific cortical rhythms, we begin to control those aspects of consciousness associated with that rhythm. When the goal is alpha, either in meditation or in biofeedback, it means entraining with the primary SR.

 

MEASURING CHANGES IN SCHUMANN WAVES

 

Earth's background base frequency, or heartbeat" (Schumann Waves) varies between geographical regions. For decades the overall measurement was 7.8 cycles per second. This was once thought to be a constant. Global military communications were developed using this frequency. However, recent reports set the rate at over 11 cycles and climbing. Science doesn't know why, what to make of it or even if these reports are credible.

 

There is a vertical current flow between the ground and the ionosphere of 1 - 3 x 10-12 amperes per square meter. The resistance of the atmosphere is 200 ohms. The voltage potential is 200,000 volts. There are about 2,000 lightning storms at any given moment worldwide. Each produces 0.5 to 1 ampere, and these collectively account for the measured current flow in the Earth's "electromagnetic" cavity.

Schumann  Waves are quasi standing-wave electromagnetic waves that exist in this cavity. Like waves on a string, they must be potentiated or "excited" in order to be observed. They are not caused by internal terrestrial factors or Earth's crustal movements or the core, which does produce magnetic fields. They seem to be related to electrical activity in the atmosphere, particularly during times of intense lightning activity. So long as the properties of Earth's electromagnetic cavity remain about the same, these frequencies remain the same. Presumably there is some change due to the solar sunspot cycle, as the Earth's ionosphere changes in response to flares and mass ejections during the 11-year cycle of solar activity. High-energy charges coming off the Sun brush across the upper atmosphere, ionizing there.

 

Current findings suggest:

1. Schumann Waves are actually observed by experiment to emerge at several frequencies related to brain waves. They range between 6 and 50 cycles per second, specifically 7.8 (alpha), 14 (low beta), 20 (mid beta), 26 (high beta), 33 (low gamma), 39 (gamma) and 45 Hz (gamma), with daily variation of about ±0.5 Hz.
2. The strongest of the seven resonances is 7.83 Hz, in the alpha brain-wave range. If the rise in resonance continues, this primary resonance, the Earth pulse, changes from sub-band low alpha (7-10 Hz) to sub-band high alpha (10-12 Hz), perhaps influencing our ability to relax deeply, balance and integrate our mind/body connection. It could influence REM sleep and dreaming. If it continues to rise, it will breach the threshold into "fast" beta activity. Low beta (12-15 Hz) is associated with lack of focused attention, and can even indicate attention deficit disorder.
3. The amplitude (i.e., intensity) of the Schumann's resonances is not constant, and appears to be extremely dependent upon tropical (and hence global) temperature. Indeed, preliminary results seem to indicate that a mere one-degree increase in temperature correlates with a doubling of the Schumann Resonance. This could not be more significant, as it is unknown what psychobiological effect these fluctuations could have on humans.

 

FACILITATING OUR POTENTIAL

 

In conclusion, we postulate that: (1) we are complex electrodynamic, rather than merely chemical beings, sensitive to natural and artificial EM fields; (2) SR frequencies coincide with human brain waves, affecting subtle and gross brain-wave generation, regulating homoeostasis, healing and psi; (3) there is strong correlation between human behavioral disturbance and geomagnetic field turbulence or isolation from Schumann Wave frequencies.

 

As human beings we have extraordinary potentials we have hardly begun to study, much less understand. Creative gifts, intuitions and talents that are unpredictable or emergent may become stabilized in generations to come. Hopefully, we can learn to understand both our emergence from an essentially electromagnetic environment and facilitate our potential for healing, growth and non-local communication.

About the Authors:

• Richard Alan Miller started his professional career as a physicist, biophysicist and instrumentation specialist. In late 1972 he began his foray into paraphysics with experiments in Kirlian photography and developed a field theory to explain the phenomenon..
• Iona Miller is a multimedia artist, hypnotherapist, web author and researcher who works through the Asklepia Foundation, Chaosophy Journal and JNLRMI on the relationship between experiential journeys, physics, healing, creativity, dreams, consciousness and chaos theory. She has been collaborating with Richard Alan Miller since the mid-1970s; although they divorced in 1994, they continue to work together on leading-edge studies into consciousness, neurotheology, Qabalah, alchemy and the nature of reality.

                                  Back to Top