--- 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
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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