Hemi-Sync® Journal 1990-4 (Fall)

implying that sounds influence animal physiology and behavior: farmers play certain music in chicken coops to increase egg laying, or in barns to stimulate milk production. Currently there is much interest in noninvasive methods for enriching the environments of research animals. The use of animals in research is a controversial subject. As the ethical debate continues, researcher Helene Guttman is committed to identifying and implementing methods that support the well- being of animals in the research environment. During her GATE- WAY VOY? in 1989 she was struck by the applicability of Hemi- Sync as a noninvasive system that can be introduced to animals with relative ease. For the past year she has been working to select the animal population, solicit collaboration, and develop a research design for controlled experiments to study Hemi-Syne with an- imals. Dr. Guttman spoke about the process and status of her in- vestigations. Animal models are frequently used as surrogates for human subjects in drug testing. Although no animal can be a complete model for humans, certain species are more appropriate for biochemical studies than others. Ninety percent of animals used for research, said Dr. Guttman, are rats and mice, especially for pharmacological testing. In certain areas of biochemical research it is considered critical to use nonhuman primates (NHPs). NHPs began to be imported for research about thirty years ago and are raised in specially designed primate centers. Previously, prisoners and mental patients were often used both as voluntary and involuntary subjects. This practice ceased with the initiation of human-subject review boards in each institution doing studies on people. The boards scrupulously review experimental protocol and insure that informed consent is obtained from each human subject. Although NHPs are not protected by informed consent, animal care and use committees are assigned to review and determine whether or not specific testing requires nonhuman primates and to insure the quality of the experimental protocol, The burden of proof rests on the researchers, The animals’ physical and psychological comfort are also a fo- cus of attention. If the experiment requires restricting a naturally 10 --- PAGE 11 (OCR) --- Fall 1990 social animal to an isolated, separate environment because of a po- tential health hazard, the animal's social needs must be fulfilled by the researchers in another way. Responses to these needs may in- clude supplying interesting toys for play and grooming. “Individual stereotypic behavior,” explained Dr. Guttman, “tells you when an animal is happy or unhappy. It will express its likes and dislikes.” Careful observation will reveal whether an animal is unhappy sim- ply by virtue of its particular environment. For instance, she said, “... some will exhibit behavior similar to [Dr. Morris’s sensorially overloaded] kids.” It was in this arena of environmental enrichment for NHPs that Dr. Guttman identified the opportunity for Hemi-Sync inter- vention. A successful study would serve the animals and provide an- other means for the primate center to satisfy animal care and use committee requirements. Hemi-Sync could be a cost-effective, non- invasive, mood-changing modality supporting both the NHPs and their caretakers. The challenge she faced at that point was how to set up an experiment which would not interfere with studies already in progress. Hoping to establish an experiment on the East Coast by the fall of 1989, Dr. Guttman began networking among colleagues. A promising contact was made with a primate animal behaviorist investigating individual animal responses. The primate facility contained videotaping and stereo sound delivery capabilities, ideal for implementation of the experiment. Dr. Guttman and the behaviorist began planning a methodology. At that time a young veterinarian who developed some of the toys for the animals asked to be involved in the program. Then, as the project group was gearing up, new budgetary re- strictions put the experiment on hold for at least a year. After in- vestigating other avenues for NHP studies, Dr. Guttman concluded that farm animals would be the best alternative. She selected in- dividually owned horses as the test group. Currently there is much interest in noninvasive methods for enriching the environments of research animals. Horse owners are generally quite aware of behavioral patterns and changes in their animals. Further, the horse racing and show industries have a vested interest in behavior enhancement tech- niques and may therefore be willing to sponsor a study. Employing an A-B-A research model of: A) establishing a baseline (non-Hemi- Sync); B) introducing Hemi-Sync; and C) returning to baseline (non-Hemi-Sync), monitoring physiological changes can be ac- complished with a special electrode cap designed for horses to record EEG changes. Limited blood samples will be taken to test for behavioral peptides. Additionally, observed behavioral changes can be noted and recorded. Portable instrumentation is being designed that will allow simultaneous Hemi-Sync and brain-mapping data to be collected. Survey instruments can be designed to allow the re- searcher to remain unaware of whether or not an animal is re- ceiving Hemi-Sync, thereby preserving the double-blind nature of the study, With her design prototype prepared, Dr. Guttman expressed frustration about the delay in beginning an experiment. If responses to the horse study are favorable, the likelihood of support for an NHP experiment should increase dramatically. “Hemi-Sync as an NHP environment-enrichment tool,” she reiterated, “would be cost- effective, important, and would serve the research community.” (Ed. note: Since the Professional Seminar, Dr. Guttman has re- cruited the participation of at least one individual horse owner with five animals who has begun to collect preliminary behavioral data.] OPEN FORUM Complementing the feature presentations, open forum sessions provided opportunities for members to initiate discussion, offer lectures, and lead group exercises on an informal basis. Mary Ellen Visconti, M.S.; and Patricia Leva Michael, R.N.; were unable to attend the seminar and submitted videotapes. Ms. Vis- conti, entrepreneur and creator of Visconti 2000: A Resource Center for Mind/Brain Fitness, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provided a walking tour of her facility. "The Monroe Institute training and Hemi-Sync tapes were vital to the launching of Visconti 2000," she explained. The opening in October of 1989 was based on bringing together sound, light, and language, as they can be applied to the learning process. Ms. Michael's videotape, entitled "Do You Think I Can See Like Normal People See? Hemi-Sync and Blindness," was specially pro- duced for viewing at the seminar. Sally, a client of Ms. Michael's, blind from infancy, chronicles her use of Hemi-Sync to develop her "real sight," improve her physical health, and regain her eagerness for living. This sixty-four-minute video interview is available through Natural Learning Systems, 5745 SOM Center Road, Cleveland, OH 44139-2330, or (216) 349-1148, James R. Greene, of Arlington, Virginia, reported on the de- velopment of a positive immunity pilot program utilizing Hemi- Sync tapes and techniques. "The target group for participation in the program," he explained, "is HIV-infected people who want to maintain and improve their immune system functions.” Based on the response to his preliminary program, Mr. Greene plans to con- tinue refining and offering "Positive Immunity," and has been asked to make a presentation at Georgetown University Hospital. Susan Cord, director of South Bay Mind-Body Connection in Redondo Beach, California, guided the group through "Journey into Cellular Memory," a visualization exercise she designed. Using Inner Journey from the METAMUSIC ARTIST SERIES to facilitate deep relaxation, Ms. Cord led participants through an age-regression experience to prebirth and back to the present. [For more information, see "Results of Use of Hemi-Sync Tapes and Synthesizer as Support for Personal Counseling and Therapy," by Susan Cord, HEMI-SYNC JOURNAL, SUMMER 1990, Vol. VIII, No.3] Pauline Johnson, M.S., presented an update on her work as a vi- sion therapist in private practice using Hemi-Sync and other sys- tems to treat dyslexia and vision problems. Ms. Johnson develops custom-tailored programs for each client. During her session, she shared many of the techniques she has found effective. [For more information, see "Beyond 20/20," by Pauline Johnson, BREAK- THROUGH, WINTER 1989, Vol. VII, No. 1.) ChowChow Imamoto, R.N., P.H.N., who offered a lecture on the "Radiance of Self-Healing," has been a holistic health nurse in pri- vate practice for fourteen years. Demonstrating Jin Shin Jyutsu, a system of subtle body energy balancing, she provided noninvasive techniques which can be self-administered to stimulate balancing and healing. {Also see "Jin Shin Jyutsu and Hemi-Sync in the Treat- ment of Quadriplegia," by ChowChow Imamoto, HEMI-SYNC JOUR- NAL, SPRING 1990, Vol. VIII, No. 2.] Group discussions were initiated on the topics of accelerated learning, and Hemi-Sync in prison, led by Raymond Waldkoetter, Ph.D., and global economic crisis, led by Al Dahlberg, M.D., Ph.D. --- PAGE 12 (OCR) --- HEMI-SYNC JOURNAL. SPECIAL PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Because the Professional Seminar brings members together from around the world, it offers a rare opportunity for face-to-face collaboration. Several members took advantage of this opportunity to propose, report on, and solicit participation for special projects. Russ Russell, M.A., from Cambridge, England, described plans to develop a book compiling information on Hemi-Sync applica- tions. This book, he said, will be for the lay person, and will define and promote Hemi-Sync as a tool in its own right. It will provide in- formation on the uses of Hemi-Sync to a greater population than that addressed by the literature distributed by TMI. Mr. Russell in- tends to include an interesting, comprehensive overview of the technology, a reference list, anecdotal information, and "how-to' struction relative to some application areas. Much of the material published in the HEMI-SYNC JOURNAL can be used as a basis for further development. Contributions are being solicited from sci- entists, philosophers, physicians, lawyers, meditators, educators, psychotherapists, and others, Mr. Russell will edit the contributions for readability in both the UK and the United States, as well as in- clude chapters on his and Jill Russell's work. Member response to the project was positive and several people expressed interest in contributing to the book. The Russells are also involved in: testing the efficacy of trans- lating TMI tapes into the East Indian dialect of Gujarati; spear- heading the use of the EMERGENCY SERIES in a hospital in Scot- land; pilot testing the Teen Tapes in England; and, coordinating a speaking engagement for Iris Martin at the Cambridge British and Scientific Community. Susan Cord broached several project areas, including a series of Pregnancy tapes. In collaboration with a pregnancy series pre- viously initiated through TMI, she discussed the potential of Hemi- Sync as a tool for beginning life, and making the birth experience more comfortable and expansive. The Rebirthing process, a therapy aiding individuals to reconstruct their own birth experiences, can also be enhanced by Hemi-Sync. Ms. Cord proposed the develop- ment of special tape projects for both of these areas, as well as a program for hospice work, already commenced by members Jill and Russ Russell and Ruth Domin (deceased), which will address and support the needs of terminally ill patients and their families. Ms. Cord also declared her interest in participating in the Teen Tapes project and the pain management project (see below).