Brains have the reputation for out performing the most expensive computers, and yet they accomplish even their most spectacular feats at a most leisurely pace. Most computers are restricted to performing one or a few calculations at a time, which then repeat billions of times every second to get their results. Brains, on the other hand, perform millions of calculations at the same time, but only step forward through those calculations twenty or so times a second. These steps are synchronized and consequently show up as the pulses of electrical activity which we call brain waves.
Brain waves are clustered into four primary groups; Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. There is much information available on what these groups indicate for brain function, here it will suffice to say that they range from peak concentration (Beta) to deep sleep (Delta). Brain function can be easily entrained by an external source of these frequencies. There are many audio and some visual products available that do just this for purposes ranging from helping insomnia to guiding meditation practice to focusing concentration and work flow. They all follow the same basic principal of imposing a rhythm that the brain quickly drops into lock step with, thereby affecting brain function. For a brain that is dysregulated, brain wave rhythms can help focus attention appropriately, from sleeping at night to lessening hyperactivity.
The configuration of our brains was established in an environment that had very little rhythmic activity, especially above several cycles per second. It is very unusual for a natural system to cycle more quickly than this. Therefore our brains were quite safe evolving to operate at frequencies above this rate. Our modern environment is just the opposite and is filled with rhythms which are auditory, visual, kinesthetic, electromagnetic or otherwise. Many toys are designed to operate is this frequency range, and it is not surprising that children find them captivating. It is therefore quite handy to recognize these rhythms, and what they represent in terms of entraining and influencing brain function.
An effective method for becoming more aware of these rhythms combines two audio frequencies that are offset by a specific amount. The offset causes the two frequencies to "beat" against each other at a frequency which is their difference. For example if you have two tones, one at 440 hz. and one at 444 hz. they will beat at 4 hz. or 4 cycles per second, a deep delta pattern. If you again take the 440 hz (A) and combine it with a 465 hz tone, you get a much higher pitch beat of 25 hz which is in mid Beta, useful for concentration. I have included links to four 30 second audio files which demonstrate these rhythms. The files are based on pure Sine waves and are therefore a little hard on the ear, however they accurately represent the frequencies of interest. If you listen to them several times you should begin to recognize the same patterns in your environment.
Once you become familiar with these frequencies, you will recognize them all around you, and even where and how they are used to intentionally direct our attention. Think of Las Vegas. More importantly, you may begin to see them influencing your child or even yourself unexpectedly. I have seen hyperactive children staring mindlessly into blinking lights in the mid theta region. These rhythms are not bad, however it is helpful to remember that they are not natural and to recognize the influence they may be exerting on brain function.
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