Help understanding brainwaves

[Urza9814]

Ok, so I know a bit about brainwave entrainment, I've done some playing with it, but now I need to know how exactly it works.

So here's what I'm trying to do: I was attempting to write a computer program that, based on various inputs, will determine the likely effects of certain sources of electromagnetic radiation on the brain. Now, what I was originally doing using simple wave interference, but I realized there were two major flaws in that. First, I was treating brainwaves as originating in the center of the brain and being received over it's entirety...while it seems to me it most likely would originate and be received everywhere. Or worse, at some point that I can't easily determine the location of. Second problem is, I'm assuming that the brain is constantly producing waves of all frequencies, and the incoming waves will simply interfere with those to strengthen or weaken them...when I realized that the whole idea of brainwave entrainment is that the brain will change it's patterns to mirror the incoming waves.

So, really my question comes down to this: Am I making this harder than it needs to be or easier? Can I just assume that, if my cell phone is giving off 800MHz waves, any brainwaves which 800MHz is a harmonic of will be reinforced? Or are there a bunch of other variables that I need to add in to my calculations? Or, option three, is this stupid (well, I know that) and impossible?

[Mato Kinze]

Hi Urza. Welcome to the forum.

I don't mean to sound condescending, but I recognize the possibility that I will anyway - so sorry in advance if I come across that way. The science behind what you are talking about is called Neurophysiology and there are a lot of very highly trained, highly skilled scientists and physicians exploring what you are talking about and have been since the late '60s.

Most of the research was started as a way to treat or cure epilepsy. EEG, Brain Mapping, Cortical Scanning, etc. all started out in epilepsy research. Much of the data was co-opted by other scientists and psychological researchers and turned into elements that made their way into pop psych. circles which were then re-co-opted by the New Age movement.

I take it you are NOT a Neurophysiologist - if you were, you'd be publishing papers on your studies in peer-reviewed AMA Journals rather than asking questions in public chat forums.

That being said, certainly the brain responds to wave energy - most effectively through sound or vision. That's why folks with epilepsy have to be careful about flashing lights and certain tones, lest they face inducing seizures. However, the mechanism behind this is extremely complex and doesn't fit into a "whole-brain/part-brain" kind of scenario you're envisioning.

If you are truly interested in this, take some time to do some research in some of the Medical Journals.

[Urza9814]

Thanks. Didn't sound condescending at all. I was somewhat expecting that to be the answer, but I figured I'd ask anyways. lol.

[Mato Kinze]

Originally Posted by Urza9814

Thanks. Didn't sound condescending at all. I was somewhat expecting that to be the answer, but I figured I'd ask anyways. lol.

Cool. Good luck!