TMI Journal 2009-1&2 (Winter/Spring)

olivary nuclei, the first site of contralateral integration in the auditory system (Oster 1973), to the ERTAS (Swann et al. 1982). Perhaps the reticular sees the intervening rhythmic stimuli (including binaural beating) as phantom cortical activity and, in an attempt to maintain homeostasis, alters arousal levels accordingly. Next Page xiii TMI JOURNAL Winter/Spring 2009 Data on an assortment of subject variables were also and consequently results in changes in arousal states. These studied. There were no significant performance differences suppositions are compatible with current knowledge of the in either the experimental or placebo groups based on reticular formation and suggest a neural mechanism, an sex, experience with binaural beats, or temperament type instrument for the voluntary regulation of cortical levels of (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). In the placebo group delta arousal using audio stimuli. levels were significantly (p < .05) higher during afternoon The implications in the enhancement of human sessions than during morning sessions. Interestingly, in the performance as it relates to the control of generalized arousal experimental group delta levels were significantly higher levels such as the basic rest/activity cycle, sleep cycles, mood during the morning sessions. and motivational states, orienting and vigilance, etc., are Although this paper is concerned primarily with the intriguing. This paper encourages further research and the voluntary regulation of arousal levels through the use of responsible application of existing technologies providing persistent rhythmic sound stimuli, the incidental regulation access to propitious states of consciousness. of brainwave states by means of prevailing sounds in the workplace or home environment cannot be overlooked. The rhythmic mechanical sounds of machinery or electronic devices may enhance or impair task vigilance or work performance (see Lane et al. 1998). Background sounds may affect mood and sense of wellness. The Extended Reticular-Thalamic Activating System Conclusion The two studies reported provide statistical observations The reticular formation of the brain in support of the notion that rhythmic sound patterns stimulating the thalamus and cortex (the (binaural beats, in this case) appear to engender changes in ERTAS) governs cortical brainwave patterns. cortical arousal, which can be objectively monitored with the free-running EEG. As the reticular is responsible for In the ERTAS model, the reticular furnishes regulating cortical arousal (Swann et al. 1982; Empson the neurotransmitter acetylcholine via the 1986; Newman and Baars 1993; Newman 1997a,b; Petty thalamus to the cortex. Lower portions of the 1998), it is possible that the reticular formation serves as reticular formation (the locus coeruleus and the mechanism of change in arousal levels engendered by the raphe nuclei) provide the neurotransmitters externally initiated (e.g., music, rhythmic drumming, or noradrenaline and serotonin via “fountains” that binaural beats) coherent oscillations within the superior largely bypass the thalamus on their way to the olivary nuclei and the cholinergic neurons within the nucleus reticularis. cortex (Newman 1997a). It is the balance of these Additionally, four decades of investigation have shown neurotransmitters at the cortex that changes that exposure to such stimuli under appropriate circumstances (or maintains) arousal levels, as measured by can provide access to expanded states of consciousness rhythmic EEG patterns, and the ERTAS plays (Atwater 1997). Several free-running EEG studies (Foster an active role in regulating this balance. 1990; Sadigh 1990; Hiew 1995, Brady and Stevens 2000, The reticulothalamic core mediates cortical among others) suggest that binaural beats induce alterations activity through the action of the cholinergic in cortical arousal states. These cited studies also document measurable changes in the ERTAS during exposure to neurons, which propagate the neurotransmitter binaural beats because the reticular formation is responsible acetylcholine. The “gating” ability of the nucleus for the regulation of cortical arousal (see Swann et al. reticularis appears to be the arousal control 1982; Empson 1986; Newman and Baars 1993; Newman mechanism of the ERTAS. This “gating” activity (1997a,b); and Petty 1998). regulates cortical interplay of inhibition and It would appear that the rhythmic frequencies of an excitation between noradrenaline and serotonin auditory stimulus (when objectively demonstrated by an EEG from extrathalamic activation systems and frequency-following response) affect cholinergic neurons within the nucleus reticularis. Such an intercourse modifies acetylcholine via corticothalamic projections. the membrane transport and production of acetylcholine Next Page xiv TMI JOURNAL Winter/Spring 2009 References Kennerly, R. C. 1994. An empirical investigation into the effect of beta frequency binaural beat audio signals Akenhead, J. 1993. Hemi-Sync in support of a conflict- on four measures of human memory. Carrolton, GA: management workshop. Hemi-Sync Journal 11 (4): 2–4. Department of Psychology, West Georgia College. http:// www.monroeinstitute.org/research/. Atwater, F. H. 1997. Accessing anomalous states of consciousness. 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Hemi-Sync Journal 8 (2): 1–2. Morris, S. E. 1990. Hemi-Sync and the facilitation of Groenewengen, H. J., and H. W. Berendse. 1994. The sensory integration. Hemi-Sync Journal 8 (4): 5-6. specificity of the “nonspecific” midline and intralaminar thalamic nuclei. Trends in Neuroscience 4 (2): 52–58. Morris, S. E. 1996. A study of twenty developmentally disabled children. Open Ear 2:14–17. Guilfoyle, G., and D. Carbone. 1996. The facilitation of attention utilizing therapeutic sounds. Presented at the New Newman, J. 1997a. Putting the puzzle together, York State Association of Day Service Providers Symposium, part I: Toward a general theory of the neural correlates of October 18, 1996, Albany, NY. http://www.monroeinstitute. consciousness. Journal of Consciousness Studies 4 (1): 47–66. org/research/. Newman, J. 1997b. Putting the puzzle together, part Hiew, C. C. 1995. Hemi-Sync into creativity. 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Hemi-Sync Journal 11 (4): invitation to be the keynote speaker 4–5. for Consciousness: The Endless Frontier, The Monroe Institute’s Sadigh, M. 1990. Effects of Hemi-Sync on electrocortical Twenty-second Professional activity. http://www.monroeinstitute.org/research/. Seminar, which will be held March 20–24, 2010. Scheibel, A. B. 1980. Anatomical and physiological Tom holds a Bachelor of substrates of arousal: A view from the bridge. In J. A. Science in physics and math from Hobson and M. A. B. Brazier, eds., The reticular formation Bethany College and a Master of Science in physics from revisited. New York: Raven Press. Purdue University, as well as having done doctoral-level work at the University of Virginia. He is the physicist Smith, J. C., J. T. Marsh, and W. S. Brown. 1975. Far- described as “TC” in Bob Monroe’s Far Journeys. Tom field recorded frequency-following responses: Evidence for began researching altered states of consciousness with Bob the locus of brainstem sources. Electroencephalography and in the early 1970s. He and a few others helped to design Clinical Neurophysiology 39:465–72. experiments and develop the technology for creating spe- cific altered states, and they were also the main subjects of Smith, J. C., J. T. Marsh, S. Greenberg, and W. S. Brown. Bob’s investigations at that time. For the past thirty years, 1978. Human auditory frequency-following responses to a Campbell has been focused on scientifically exploring the missing fundamental. Science 201:639–41. properties, boundaries, and abilities of consciousness. During that same time period, he excelled as a working scientist—a Steriade, M., D. A. McCormick, and T. J. Sejnowski. professional physicist dedicated to pushing back the frontiers 1993. Thalamocortical oscillations in the sleeping and of cutting-edge technology. aroused brain. Science 262:679–85. Using his mastery of the out-of-body experience as a springboard, he dedicated his research to discovering the Swann, R., S. Bosanko, R. Cohen, R. Midgley, and K. outer boundaries, inner workings, and causal dynamics of M. Seed. 1982. P. 92 in The brain—A user’s manual. New the larger reality system. In February of 2003, Tom pub- York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. lished the My Big TOE trilogy, which represents the results and conclusions of his scientific exploration of the nature Waldkoetter, R. O., and G. O. Sanders. 1997. Auditory of existence. This overarching model of reality, mind, and brain wave stimulation in treating alcoholic depression. consciousness merges physics with metaphysics, explains the Perceptual and Motor Skills 84:226. paranormal as well as the normal, places spirituality within a scientific context, and provides direction for those wishing to Wilson, E. S. 1990. Preliminary study of the personally experience an expanded awareness of All That Is.