Hemi-Sync® Journal 1992-2 (Spring)

--- PAGE 1 (OCR) --- Journal Vol. X Spring 1992 A Publication of The Monroe Institute Professional Division by Mohammad R. Sadigh, Ph.D. IN THIS ISSUE THE HEMI-SYNC PHENOMENON: IN SEARCH OF EMPIRICAL THEORIES . Mohammad R. Sadigh presents two theories of Hemi-Syne effectiveness based on his independent research: The State Enhancement Theory and The Hemispheric Communication Theory. COPING WITH SURGERY ...........--- iii Mary Lou Ballweg relates the story of her success in using the EMERGENCY SERIES to decrease pain and anxiety relative to endometriosis surgery. © 1992 The Monroe Institute Route 1, Box 175, Faber, VA 22938-9749 THE HEMI-SYNC PHENOMENON IN SEARCH OF EMPIRICAL THEORIES Mohammad Sadigh is director of psychology and psychophysio- logical services at The Gateway Institute, a center for pain and stress ‘management in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He practices psychother- apy and biofeedback and is in charge of the center's neuropsychologi- cal laboratory. Computer-assisted brain mapping is his primary area of research. Here Dr. Sadigh offers two theories based on his observa- tions and ongoing independent research with Hemi-Sync. Three years ago, with much “healthy” scientific doubt, | began studying the effects of Hemi-Sync on the electrocortical activity of human subjects. In study after study, I have been impressed by the effectiveness and the versatility of this audio technology to guide and entrain the brain to enter a variety of states of consciousness. These days, brain entrainment modalities are in vogue. Unfortunately, however, entrepre- neurs and business people selling gadgets and tapes seem to benefit more than the consumer. Therefore, it is quite re- freshing to know that there is a brain-entrainment modality that actually works. In fact, | am convinced that Hemi-Sync goes beyond “blind” entrainment and consequently avoids some of the dangers of underdeveloped technologies that clearly have the potential to harm those using them. Although there is a wealth of clinical data with regard to the beneficial effects of Hemi-Sync, there is a lack of empirical theories explaining the phenomenon. And yet, without sound, testable theories, we are liable to lose momentum in our research and clinical work, and something that we know has Sreat value is likely to be considered a fad, a gimmick, some- thing “unscientific.” As Louis Pasteur, the great scientist, once stated to a group of medical students: “Without theory, practice is but routine born of habit. Theory alone can bring forth and develop the spirit of invention. It is you especially who are obliged not to share the opinion of those narrow minds who reject everything in science which has no immedi- ate application” (Reik 1948, ix). Hemi-Sync has many applica- tions, and there are even more applications ready to be unveiled as we attempt to construct new theories. Based on my empirical research, | wish to propose two theories of Hemi-Sync in this paper. Before introducing these theories, by merely reflecting on the obtained data and obser- vations in our laboratory, I wish to address a few questions raised in the scientific community with regard to the effective- ness of Hemi-Sync. Dr. Lester Fehmi, one of the foremost authorities in the field of applied psychophysiology and brain 804/361-1252 --- PAGE 2 (OCR) --- HEMI-SYNC™ JOURNAL research, once stated that he believed that Hemi-Sync could drive the brain to enter certain states. At the same time he emphasized, “. but it doesn’t teach you how to get there. It’s like a pill; in a way you don’t know how the pill works . . . and you may end up somewhat refreshed but if you had the option to get on a device that would allow you to learn to create the permissive conditions for the creation of this synchrony, then you’d be in much better shape, because then you could apply that anywhere without the tools and begin to learn how to function in everyday activity while doing that” (Hutchison 1986, 222). Another prominent scientist, Dr. Elmer Green, remarked that we should not try to drive the brain but to help people learn to achieve hemispheric synchro- nization without external sources of brain entrainment (Hutchison 1986). . . it is quite clear that after a brief period of exposure to Hemi-Sync frequencies, subjects can summon the beneficial effects of this technology at will... These are indeed legitimate and important questions that require scientific and databased answers. Is Hemi-Sync a pill? Are we promoting dependency ona tape and a tape recorder for the rest of one’s life? From solid electroencephalographic data that we have collected in our neuropsychological laboratory, it is quite clear that after a brief period of exposure to Hemi-Sync frequencies, subjects can summon the beneficial effects of this technology at will without the use of any external ‘sources of entrainment. In several studies it was clearly demonstrated that subjects, by merely counting from one to eleven and saying “Access Channel open,” were able to achieve full bilat- eral synchrony (Sadigh 1990, 1991a). Furthermore, unlike EEG biofeedback training, which is limited to training in a specific state of consciousness (i.e., cognitive or somatic relaxation), Hemi-Sync can promote training in a variety of states ranging from active concentration to sleep. To those who have understandably questioned the effectiveness of Hemi-Sync and its potential to be more than an external driver, we offer our data and findings—let them speak for themselves. Theories of Hemi-Sync Based on the findings of several studies presented in the HEMI-SYNC™ JOURNAL (Sadigh 1990, 1991a, 1991b), I wish to propose two theories of Hemi-Sync, namely the State Enhancement Theory (SET), and the Hemispheric Communi- cation Theory (Hemi. Com.). The State Enhancement Theory (SET) One important observation that we made in a number of Hemi-Sync studies was that subjects exposed to the same Hemi-Sync signals achieved bilateral synchronization at dif- ferent frequencies. One explanation for this phenomenon is that Hemi-Sync goes beyond “blind” entrainment. That is to say, unlike other brain-entrainment modalities which force the brain to produce certain frequencies, Hemi-Sync actually collaborates with the brain to enhance its naturally dominant state. In summary, according to this theory : Within a relatively defined frequency range, Hemi- Sync guides the brain to enhance and synchronize itself at its own dominant and naturally occurring frequency and state. Should we be able to continue to support this theory with further research, we may conclude that Hemi-Sync is indeed a technology beyond entrainment and, for that matter, one of the safest modalities for health improvement and enhance- ment. The Hemispheric Communication Theory (Hemi. Com.) Based on studies observing the electrocortical activity of patients undergoing psychotherapy, it appears that moments of insight and “clarity” are preceded by moments of bilateral synchrony (Sadigh 1991b). This is an important observation, since in psychotherapy insight denotes an integration of cog- nition (left brain) and affect (right brain). In summary, this theory may be stated as follows: Certain Hemi-Sync frequencies allow various uncon- scious ego-defense mechanisms to be transcended, which will in turn facilitate communication between the two hemispheres. This therapeutic communica- tion is likely to allow physical and psychological healing to follow. [Also see Sadigh 1991b.] Again, further research is required to support and expand this theory. Should this theory withstand the test of time, it will provide us with a new way of understanding the human mind and how we may promote its healing. Conclusion The purpose of this paper was twofold. First, a number of questions have been raised in the scientific community with regard to the effectiveness and the potentials of Hemi-Sync. I believe it is time for us to address some of these questions by reflecting on empirical data that has already been collected and analyzed. Secondly, two theories of Hemi-Sync were presented in this paper. In my view, based on these theories, it is imprudent to think of Hemi-Sync as a mere entrainment audio technology. It is a phenomenon worthy of thorough scientific research since it may provide us with many answers about the functioning of the human mind. References Hutchison, M. 1986. Megabrain. New York: Beech Tree Books, Morrow. Reik, T. 1948. Listening with the third ear. New York: Farrar, Straus Co. Sadigh, M.R. 1990. Hemi-Sync and brain entrainment: Myth or reality? HEMI-SYNC™ JOURNAL 11: 2-3. Sadigh, M.R. 1991a. Mysteries of Hemi-Sync: Beyond entrain- ment. HEMI-SYNC™ JOURNAL 8: 3-4. Sadigh, M.R. 1991b. Hemi-Sync and insight-oriented psy- chotherapy: A theoretical model. HEMI-SYNC™ JOURNAL 9: 1-2. @ --- PAGE 3 (OCR) --- Spring 1992 COPING WITH SURGERY by Mary Lou Ballweg = Endometriosis is a frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood disease process in which tissue normally lining the uterus is also found in the abdomen, and on the ovaries, bowel, and bladder. The resulting internal bleeding, scar tissue, and inflammation produce a host of debilitating symptoms which encompass, but are not limited to, chronic pelvic pain and painful menstrual periods, painful inter- course, infertility, bowel and bladder problems, chronic fatigue, and low resistance to infections. The cause is unknown and no cure is available. Treatment choices include a spectrum of pain medications and a variety of traditional surgeries and new laser techniques to remove the growths. Unfortunately, these frequently recur, necessi- lating repeated surgeries or hysterectomy as a last recourse. En- dometriosis affects an estimated five million women in the United States and another one-half million in Canada. Sufferers range from eleven to fifty years of age and may be of any race. Diagnosed with endometriosis in 1978, Mary Lou Ballweg co- founded the Endometriosis Association with Carolyn Keith in 1980. The organization offers assistance and support to those directly affected, educates the public and medical community, and promotes research related to endometriosis. The following article on Ms. Ballweg’s use of the EMERGENCY SERIES fo decrease pain and anxiety relative to surgery is excerpted and reprinted from the Endometriosis Association Newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 6, with its permission. The Association has recently acquired 100 EMERGENCY SERIES sets for the benefit of their members, support groups, and chapters across the U.S. and Canada. For more informa- tion, write to Endometriosis Association, Inc., International Head- quarters, 8585 North 76th Place, Milwaukee, WI 53223. You may also telephone (800) 992-3636 in the United States or (800) 426-2363 in Canada, Facing surgery is hard! Fortunately, there’s a new develop- ment in this area that can make a major difference. It’s hard to put into words the anxiety that occurs for most of us when facing surgery, even when we're well-prepared and feel confident in our surgeon. It seems that every day before surgery a certain anxious gloom pervades the mind at least part of the time and grows in the days just before the proce- dure. Last year, when I was facing surgery again (my fifth for endo) I was fortunate to find an aid that made this surgery far more emotionally manageable than my earlier surgeries. At the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscop- ists’ annual meeting in November 1990, Dr. Ronald Burke of the University of Massachusetts Medical School presented the results of a study by Suzanne Jonas, Ed.D.; the Fertility Institute of Western Massachusetts; and himself, using special relaxation audiotapes. In the study, one group of patients used the tapes before coming to the hospital, while under anesthe- sia, and in the recovery room, while another group of patients