Brainwave frequencies and learning/productivity

[RandomJohn]

Over in the intention forum, we've brought up the idea of using music (e.g. Baroque music or brainwave entrainment music) to put ourselves in a state of mind to be receptive to intentions and let them "sink in." And since most of my experience with manipulating brainwave frequencies has been to increase productivity, I thought I'd bring the topic up here as well.

One day about three years ago I had a specially difficult problem to solve at work with required a balance of creativity, programming, and critical thinking. I had an mp3 of Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's theta wave-inducing music (from the Brainwave suite) -- see Center for Neuroacoustic Research for his site. One of the tracks was supposed to induce "Insight & Intuition." I was skeptical but curious and figured that if I put it on at worst I'll have to cut the garbage off and put on some other music. I ended up listening to the track on repeat for 3 hours while solving the problem in a state of "effortless effort" (my way of thinking about "in the zone" or "in flow"). Of course, I tried this again with similar success, and use these ideas in meditation, relaxation, and working.

So, what are your experiences with brainwave entrainment as it relates to productivity?

[dsmoke]

I haven't tried it - I've only used BWGEN to get into various meditative states (it does help). Thanks for this idea. So you recommend Jeffrey Thompson's CDs? I was always curious.

[RandomJohn]

You might also look at Kelly Howell's CDs (BrainSync). I know some people here (including Steve) have used those, and you might want to hear from them as well. But yeah I've used Jeffrey Thompson with pretty good success.

[benza]

I've just started learning about brainwaves. I've downloaded brainwave gen. but haven't tested it yet. Could this be dangerous??

[jpfieber]

I've wondered about that myself. I've tried the Brain Wave Generator a tiny bit just to see what it was all about, but had a little worry over possible side effects, so I didn't continue using it.

[thef0x]

I've been using Brain Wave Generator for my insomnia for years.

Wonders

[Steve Roh]

I've been listening to Monroe Institute Hemi-Sync and Brainwave Generator programs a great deal ever since getting an iPod nano and I think my mind operates very differently than it used to. Of course it's hard to be sure if there's a causal relationship between the programs and some great changes I've made in my life since listening intensively, but I can't think of any other catalyst.

For me, the combination of brainwave entrainment with the iPod is the greatest tool ever. Listening to the synchronization programs really seems to help while doing technical work with databases and coding, but also with creative work (same thing i guess). I developed some marketing ideas for new products while continuously listening to the BWGEN Creativity program, and the feedback from the proposals included "these ideas are so creative that they're scary!". Also impractical and borderline unethical but oh well .

I think the programs that come included with the BWGEN program are safe, but there are some user-submitted tracks that seem to be designed to mess up your mind. It's pretty clear which tracks are intended to do this however, so you don't have to download them. In particular there's a track called "A Trip thru Time" that sometimes causes a reaction in me thats similar to a mild "Scanners" episode (vibrating skull and chest palpitations).

[Scott]

As a Linux user, I'm morally obligated to chime in with an open source alternative to BWGEN : SBaGen

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Scott

As a Linux user, I'm morally obligated to chime in with an open source alternative to BWGEN : SBaGen

I've also just discovered this one: Welcome to Linux Labs. High Performance Computing & High Performance Networks

Haven't tried it out yet, but looks promising...

[Erki]

How do you listen to those BWGEN programs? How do you put them into an MP3 format and listen through iPod/mp3 player?

[Brutha]

Abou safety it always depends on how you use something.
If you hear every waking hour some Theta sound track that could make problems.
The brain isn't supposed to be at the same frequency 24/7.

[theaznfunk]

I took a look at the BWGEN program and I'm kind of wary of it. Which presets do you recommend using? Do you listen to it while you're doing work or right before? Any negative side effects noticed?

[Nikos Sokin]

Just a quick note to say I was just on their website after Googling around a bit, and I downloaded a Focus mp3 for $10. I have at least one psychologist who will vouch that I have ADHD, and this has been the bane of my existence for a while, if y'all will allow for some melodrama.

I have just been listening to this, and oddly enough, call it the placebo effect, I feel remarkably awake. The webpage theory was that ADHD people don't produce enough beta waves, and these recordings help on that front. Whatever, if anything changes, will post again, but so far, I'm intrigued.

N

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14-Jan-07 addendum: I still use this especially when feeling sleeping in the office. Slip on the headphones, often with the intention of resorting to a nap or coffee if it doesn't help, but as far as I can tell, it has so far

[alsy]

I will only relate to the theme of productivity you requested in relation to brainwave entrainment.
I used Steven Halpern when I was studying about 2 years ago “Accelerated Learning”, and some other of his CD’s. My whole field of being was clearer and kind of receptive or open. More relaxed. I experienced a lot of stress from going back to school after nearly 2 decades, and I found it easier to study when I used it. An improved “whole” focus was experienced. I also listened while doing extensive development in an Excel worksheet with tables and formulas. This particular spreadsheet has been evolving over many years so I noticed the difference when used. I can’t define differences in terms of percentages, but there was a definite improvement. A greater consistency and flow of Creativity.
Since then i have tried some other Entrainment products but not in relation to productivity. (Although it indirectly plays a role when it changes you)

[placebo]

About month ago friend came to me and suggested that we make a short movie for some contest. He has equipment and everything except story. And stoy was my part. So i turned on some alpa waves for inducing creative thinking and that experinece was amazing. Story was writing itself. Although i had a demo version of Neuro programer 2 and it expired so i'm not using that anymore.

If anyone knows some qualiity software or free mp3 for download please let me know.

[Steve Roh]

Erki-
BWGEN lets you export the track into .WAV format, and from there I just import into iTunes AAC format. I think (not sure) that this can only be done with registered version, though.

theaznfunk -
BWGEN has been around for almost 10 years; I think that if it was at all dangerous then it would have been sued out of existence by now, considering how this society uses lawyers.

The BWGEN presets that I like the most are "the awakened mind", "creativity increase", "attention focusing" and "sleep induction". I listen to most of them while working, no negative side effects that I can tell. It's definitely more productive than listening to talk radio, music or your co-workers conversations when you're trying to get stuff done.

[LivingWarrior]

here's some interesting reading for those interested in biofeedback and brainwave entrainment.

http://sica.stanford.edu/events/brai...ndandlight.pdf

[Keith]

Originally Posted by RandomJohn

I ended up listening to the track on repeat for 3 hours while solving the problem in a state of "effortless effort" (my way of thinking about "in the zone" or "in flow").

<slaps head> Would you believe that, until you mentioned it, I never made the connection between 'wu wei' and 'flow'. How about that.

Thanks.

[Hilary]

I use NeuroProgrammer 2. It has a sufficiently long free trial that you can find out for yourself whether it works well before having to invest your $45.

It's an excellently designed program, both easy to use and loaded with features, and the support before and after buying is superb. It comes with an extensive range of presets, a help file that's practically a book on the subject, and extensive customisation options that include using any background sound or music you wish, and adding affirmations, pre-recorded or recorded in your own voice.

You can export any session, and have your own infinite series of customised entrainment recordings. It beats me why people buy individual CDs.

Anyway. I bought NeuroProgrammer to help me overcome persistent mild depression, and it worked. And that, of course, makes a huge difference to productivity. Other presets I haven't yet tried include 'study helper', 'creative focus', 'creativity and brainstorming' and 'IQ increase'. I'm going to clear space on my mp3 player and load them on.