Hemi-Sync® Journal 1993-1 (Winter)

ciative state and later into a transcendent state is accompa response of 1 Hz-64 Hz, a frequency resolution of 1 Hz, and nied by higher-amplitude slow-wave activity, the formula for a temporal resolution of one second. Subjective reports of a Hemi-Sync index is frequency equality plus phase-angle experiential content are obtained both during stimulation, equality multiplied by the amplitude in microvolts of slow- when appropriate, and at a debriefing session at the end of wave activity. The NRS-24 BioLex V200 software enables each experiment. All EEG data is recorded and saved on an determination of this derived parameter through simple IBM-compatible 386 AT computer in raw form accessible user programming. By entering the derived parameter, only by LEXICOR's proprietary software and hardware. "synch(band)*band," the software will compute and display the Hemi-Sync index. The index can be measured from the Volunteers bipolar C3-C4 electrode. The volunteer pool includes adult males and females, aged twenty to eighty. Familiarity with Hemi-Sync ranges Alpha Suppression from naive to adept. Hemi-Sync (the mixing of a number of binaural beat fre quencies) generates an audioencephalographic-interferome- Data Analysis try effect which can be used to transform or suppress innate All data is screened for movement artifacts; those epochs resting-state-alpha [Ed.: Also see HEMI-SYNC™ JOURNAL, demonstrating artifact levels exceeding 30 microvolts of Summer 1992, Vol. X, No. 3]. Some "Focus level" Hemi- delta at bipolar site C3-C4 are discarded from analysis. Sync frequencies used do not interfere with resting-state- For each volunteer's data, each ninety-second recording alpha and allow the listener to integrate and relate to "tape period is then subjected to an FFT analysis of the EEG activ experiences" in his or her everyday, familiar life. Other ity at bipolar site C3-C4 to determine the fluctuations of Hemi-Sync frequencies endeavor to alter or suppress individual frequency bands over time and across varied stim resting-state-alpha to provide listeners with high-fidelity, uli. The analysis is computed by taking the FFT of a single rich "Focus level" dissociative states and transcendent expe epoch of data (one second), then summing the values within riences. This alpha suppression can be seen in NRS-24 the range of frequencies corresponding to each band. topographs and, with the advent of the new BioLex V200 Average amplitude in microvolts of delta (0 Hz-4 Hz), theta software, can be quantified and graphed. (4 Hz-^ Hz), alpha (8 Hz-13 Hz), and beta (13 Hz-20 Hz) is computed. Ongoing Research Two designated derived parameters are computed simul Introduction taneously with the above FFT analysis. The first of these is It was stated earlier that well-intentioned researchers the Hemi-Sync index, "synch(delta)*delta." The second is an failed in their efforts to observe a so-called direct brain-wave alpha-suppression algorithm, "% alpha^" A graph of these response to Hemi-Sync. Simply stated, a 4 Hz binaural beat two derived parameters is then constructed, extending signal did not present a classic evoked-potential 4 Hz EEC from baseline across varied stimuli to postbaseline. This response. This evoked-potential hypothesis, however, was graph is examined to substantiate the hypothesis that Hemi- flawed from the onset. The lower auditory centers of the Sync binaural beat stimuli engender elevated-amplitude brain provide the neural pathways for the generation of slow-wave EEG synchrony and that this effect may be binaural beats. It is there, in each hemisphere's olivary inversely proportional to the suppression of resting-state- nucleus, deep inside the brain, that beat-frequency oscilla tions can be measured directly. At the cortex, the site of EEC electrodes, these original binaural frequencies can only be observed as having been integrated with prevailing elec- troneural activity. It is the entrainment that occurs during this integration process that accounts for the effectiveness of Hemi-Sync sound patterns. Applying a more sophisticated investigative paradigm than that of simple evoked-potential protocols, objective EEG evidence of the effect of Hemi-Sync binaural beats has been established. Procedure and Method A series of volunteer subjects is being studied. All volun teers are being examined while listening to the same series Hat kao* kUxia kWeto kCMa kMm klUita Btoolar Bectrode Site COCA B^r Electrode Site C3«4 of sounds through piezoelectric stereo headphones, lying □ Hemi^ync Index+ % Alpha* □ Hemi-Sync Index+ % Alpha* supine on a waterbed in an isolated, shielded environment. Volunteers are instructed to attend to sounds over a period of approximately forty-five minutes. Volunteers are connect alpha. Individual ninety-second recording periods can ed to a 20-channel, computerized EEG (Neurosearch-24, also be graphed and scrutinized to substantiate the same LEXICOR, Boulder, Colorado), using V151 software. The hypothesis. entire 10/20 International system of electrodes is being used (Electro-Cap), with linked ears serving as reference and the Results midline vertex as a ground. An AB'^A experimental protocol Significant alterations in EEG frequency, amplitude, and is being used. Ninety seconds of EEG data are being collect synchrony at bipolar site C3-C4 are being observed. When ed at baseline (without sound), during stimulation of a compared to baseline, postbaseline, and a control trial, the series of experimental Hemi-Sync tones, and postbziseline Hemi-Sync index indicates elevated-amplitude slow-wave (without sound). The NRS-24 sampling rate of 256 Hz is EEG synchrony during periods of Hemi-Sync stimulus. HEMI-SYNC™ JOURNAL Alpha suppression appears related to Hemi-Sync stimulus as effect is often inversely proportional to the suppression of well. Individual ninety-second recording periods provide a resting-state-alpha. closer look at the relationship between elevated-amplitude, synchronous slow-wave EEC activity and alpha suppression. Summary Figure 3 shows the Hemi-Sync index and related alpha A brief history of Hemi-Sync EEG research showed that suppression from baseline, across varied Hemi-Sync stimuli, classic evoked-potential protocols were inappropriate. Definitions of the dissociative state and the transcendent Haml^Sync Sllmuljs Hemi-Sync Stimulus Stibject-S.A. Subrect-E.W. state were presented. A Hemi-Sync index was proposed. The role of alpha brain-wave suppression was also considered. Evidence was presented that supported the hypothesis set forth that Hemi-Sync stimuli induce elevated-amplitude slow-wave EEG synchrony and that this effect may be inversely proportional to the suppression of resting-state- alpha. Bipolar Electrode Site C3-C4 Bipolar Electrode Site CS-C4 □ Hemi-Sync Index % Alpha' □ Heml-SytK Irtdex * % Alpha' Figures Figures to postbaseline. This subject appears to have regressed slightly into resting-state-alpha during Hemi-Sync stimulus BF4. The Hemi-Sync index is at its highest point during stimulus BFIO. Before illustrating more AB'^'A protocol sub jects, examining a control trial is valuable. In Figure 4, the subject is not provided with any Hemi-Sync stimulus. As you can see, there is no significant increase in the Hemi-Sync index and there is no alpha suppression. In Figure 5, this same subject, on another day, was exposed to the experi mental Hemi-Sync stimulus. This subject appears to have awakened somewhat during BF8. With the next subject THE MONROE INSTITUTE (Figure 6), a now familiar pattern of inversely proportional BOARD OF ADVISORS I HEMI-SYNC'" indexes demonstrates objective EEC evidence of Hemi-Sync influence once again. After a slight regression during BF6, James Beal Wilson Bullard, PhD Journa the subject moves deeply into the Hemi-Sync environment. The next subject's record shows a similar pattern (Figure 7). Thomas Campbell, MS There is an awakening during BFIO and the deepest state Gregory D. Carroll, PhD occurs during BF6. To get an overall impression of how Albert Dahlberg, MD, PhD Arthur Ellison, DSc (Eng) Hemi-Sync affects the total volunteer subject population to Eleanor Friede date, it is possible to average all subject data and plot a Arthur Gladman, MD graph. Figure 8 illustrates that Hemi-Sync stimulus induces William E. Herrmann elevated-amplitude slow-wave EEG synchrony and that this Fowler Jones, EdD Paul F. King