Brain Wave Alpha/delta/theta?

[olaja]

Hi everyone -

Has anyone tried using a machine or recording that helps the brain enter different states using delta, alpha, or theta wave sounds? I am not too familiar with this, but I saw a clock online that has this function. I would love to hear about anyone's experiences with this type of sound recording. Is it much different sounding than a box fan or other white noise on in the background? Has anyone had improvement in sleep using something like this?

Earlier this year I bought a hypnosis recording that was to help me feel safe. After a month using it I experienced so many flashbacks I thought I would lose my grip on reality. But, it did help me address some of my trauma. It was just painful as hell.

I know hypnosis and sound waves overlap somehow, and I just was trying to get information to know if this simple wave therapy would be slightly different from the directed hypnosis. I am betting it is, but I am not sure.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Phoenix_Rising]

Oh yes, they do work. I have not used any for sleep, or delta (though I do have them) but I have used alpha, theta and gamma. Nothing like white noise, or CDs simply for "relaxation".

Theta is just above delta and I can attest to the fact that I was able to keep myself in that state for several days once when I was having a particularly bad time. The gamma one was effective but strange as it started some mild type of body memories (I think that is what it was). Which may be just me. Alpha (in my experience) is less dramatic but does have a calming effect. It also apparently supposed to be good for concentration and focus.

Jeffrey Thompson is the one whose CDs I have, and he is very effective. I have also done neurofeedback, which is like biofeedback except using your brain and you train it in very much the same way (that you have to see a practitioner for and can be fairly pricey) and that has been very effective for me for a variety of issues--depression, epilepsy, PTSD and so on. My practitioner also had CDs which were effective. And it can be used to treat a wide variety of issues, including sleep.

Also good for sleep is a CES unit. I've never used it for that purpose. That stands for cranial electrotherapy stimulation unit, and no, it is not at all like electroshock therapy, doesn't hurt, and doesn't cause brain damage. You can feel a mild sensation but you have control over how much of that you feel (or not much at all). There are a lot of studies that have been done showing it is effective for sleep, if you look it up, if you are looking for that. I have found it helpful myself.

Oh, and yes, I've also done hypnosis. Theta feels a lot like a very deep state of hypnosis. Just without all the work, lol. And you can do it by yourself. But unlike hypnosis, you aren't being directed to do anything in particular. It's more a deep state of relaxation, but you can definitely feel you are in an altered state, so it isn't exactly the same, but they do have similarities. You can, apparently, get insights that way, I haven't, but then I have never used it on a regular and on-going basis.

There is also visualization CDs--Belleruth Naparstek is very good, and I have one of hers for sleep, among many other things. It doesn't put you to sleep, but it is relaxing and calming, and I have used it before bed to help me get relaxed enough to sleep.

 

[olaja]

Phoenix - This is great. Thank you so much. That's exactly what I was wondering.

After reading your reply, it occurred to me what I originally was hoping for was a way to affect change in my neural pathways that was passive. LOL. "Here, put on these headphones and it will all go away; you will have repaired limbic function!" I'm not sure why I thought that yesterday. :oops: Just looking for a quick fix option. Titrating the toddler's damage is not easy.

I am going to look into Naparstek's visualization cds. Much appreciated!

 

[Phoenix_Rising]

Hi Olaja,

I am very glad I could help :)

If you go to Health Journeys, they sell her CDs there, you can download most of them in MP3 format right away, and they are cheaper too, only $11.98. There is also this one, follow the link, which contains quite a few of her CDs all bundled together, specifically for trauma. It is $40 but you get around 8 of her titles for that price, the only thing missing that I can recall (I have it) is the affirmations on each individual CD. She usually does one track which is the visualization and the 2nd is affirmations. But you do get some affirmations, I believe they are the ones from the PTSD CD. If you find yourself interested in that one, I can try to look up what titles are included in there for you.

I tried to post a link for you but it will not let me, because I do not have enough posts to the forum. So just type in "trauma" into the Health Journeys store search engine and click on

Guided Imagery for theThree Stages of Healing Trauma: Nine Meditations for Posttraumatic Stress
by Belleruth Naparstek


to find it.

Good luck :)

Phoenix_Rising

 

[Phoenix_Rising]

P.S. For anyone who might be concerned about this, no, I am not attempting to sell anything. I just am sharing something I found helpful, so I hope that is OK.

 

[olaja]

You know, I tried a few recordings of sublimial positive affirmation a long time ago. My response was very strange - I got very, very uncomfortable, even angry, listening to the tapes. It's so counter-intuitive. The messages were exactly what I needed to hear, but it felt like exposure therapy.

I am trying to add new modalities to my current therapy work. It's just a feeling that I am experiencing that I need something else added to the mix. It is possible that I don't, and this is another way I am finding around re-experiencing hell on earth.

Thanks for the luck! I need it!

 

[PuppyLove]

I think I'm gonna love this site, I have used binaural tones in addition to light/sound machines in my work on myself and others, here are a couple of items that may be of interest to you. gnaural is a great program to generate binaural tones, it is free and easy to use. For light stimulation I use Proteus or Sirius light sound machines. a combination of both can really have a rapid effect on ones state of mind.