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THETA BRAIN STATE
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THE THETA BRAIN STATE
THE BASICS
- The human brain exhibits various general brain states at different times called: Alpha, Beta, Theta and Delta.
- We pass through the Theta Brain State (TBS) as we fall asleep and as we awaken.
- Usually we do not realise this. But sometimes, as we awaken, the solution to a problem that has been worrying us flashes in our conscious mind.
- It seems that thoughts introduced and recalled in this state are helpful for healing and personal development.
- These benefits have been known over the centuries by various names and access to the TBS uses a variety of techniques.
- Today we can use audio frequencies to easily and reliably access this TBS.
COMMENTARY.
Introduction.
The human brain shows various ranges of electrical patterns when measured on EEG equipment. Various parts of the brain show differing frequencies but there are times that it seems as if there are major areas that have common frequencies, when we are asleep, for instance. So when we say, in the following note, in the Theta brain state, we are not saying the whole brain is in that state, but that many parts are tending to these general frequencies.
The Theta Brain State (TBS), in practice, is an elusive brain state to achieve intentionally. We naturally pass through it as we fall asleep (Hypnogogic) and as we awaken (Hypnopompic). The analysis of EEG graphs of the sleep cycle show that the two hemispheres of the brain seem to exhibit similar frequencies as they pass through the Theta state, i.e. between 4 Hertz and 8 Hertz. Actually, it appears that the “Balanced Brain State” or the Theta Brain State (TBS) is between 7 Hertz and 9 Hertz, i.e. on the border of lower Alpha and upper Theta. Some say it is exactly 7.5 Hertz the Schumann Frequency of the earth.
TBS known about for millennia.
Our readings indicate that this TBS has been a “magical state” aspired to by many mentally developed people over the ages. It has been called many different names, some quite esoteric, and always connoting the balancing aspect. Phrases like “balancing the sun and the moon” and “the marriage of the king and the queen” are all veiled references to this state. Usually those who had mastered the technique aimed to keep it secret by writing about it in code, or drawing pictures with hidden meanings. They did this because they knew of its power – first hand.
We are much better placed than those ancient seers. Firstly the knowledge is no longer secret and secondly there are ways of being assisted to that state with electronic technology. (Audio CDs in the AHATA TACTICS set, for example.) But we still have to apply ourselves; we still have to practice to get it right.
What is so useful about the TBS?
So why is this brain state so special? Simply put, it seems that when we are in this specific brain state, our “conscious” left-brain is able to talk to our “subconscious” right brain. Of course, this is just a metaphor and it is surely much more complex than this. For example, we know from the neurologists that every second millions of neural messages pass from one brain hemisphere to the other through our Corpus Callossum. And that even though there is specialisation of sorts in the two hemispheres; there is considerable natural communication between them.
However, we all have known the following circumstance. Sometimes, as we wake up in the morning (Hypnopompic state), the solution to a problem we have been working on flashes into our consciousness. It is in this brief TBS that ideas become available. Some creative artists deliberately try and hold this dreamy “as-we-wake up” or “as-we-fall-asleep” state to look for fruitful ideas.
We are told that Thomas Edison, when searching for a solution to a problem, sat in a chair in a room with a wooden floor. In his hands he held a heavy wooden ball. He then relaxed and proceeded to fall asleep. As he dropped off, his brain went through Alpha and then Theta on its way to the Delta State. But he passed through the Theta State, his hands relaxed and the ball dropped to the floor with a bang. This jolted him awake, and in that split second, he tried to recall the ideas that popped into his mind. This was a most ingenious, if elaborate, method of deliberately accessing the Theta State.
The other significant observation of this state has come from those involved with what could loosely be called “Mental Healing”. In the USA, a whole discipline called “Guided Imagery Therapy” has been researched and therapists are now registered to teach people how to use their mind to assist their healing process rather than work against it. Dr Carl Simonton and his wife developed this technique and later others followed including Dr Bernie Segal. He used “mind-body” techniques with cancer patients and others with life-threatening chronic diseases.
Dr Martin Rossman, Director of the USA Academy of Guided Imagery, acknowledges the importance of the Theta Brain State. He says,
“It is only in the Theta brain state that changes can be programmed for eventual expression in the body. “
Dr Penniston, Chief Psychologist, Sam Rayburn Centre, Texas, who has been very active in this field, says,
“Alpha is the bridge to Theta. It only takes being in that deeper state of consciousness for about 10% of the time during a session for the true change to take place. During that state the hypothalamus region of the brain is activated, and this is where the reprogramming can occur.”
But there are warnings. Not all images and thoughts and messages received in the Theta Brain State should be construed as useful. We should be clear that while we are moving in the borders of the various states, we are also combining sensory input with memory storage. Dr Calvin, a neuro-physiologist, says,
“The usual difficulty with the TBS is that it is so fleeting. We either fall asleep and do not remember what we were thinking at the time, or we awaken, our conscious mind takes over and our day begins.”
Techniques to access the Theta Brain State
Over the centuries many and various techniques have been used to achieve this state, some easier than others. Here are a few:
Meditation. All the techniques aim to bring about a slowing of the brain either by using “mantras” which are sounds or words repeated over and over in the brain, or visualising specific settings or pictures. Those who have tried one or another of the systems soon realise how exceptionally difficult it is to “quieten the chattering monkeys” of the brain. Once achieved, however, the regular practice of meditation enables the practitioner to access the Alpha Brain State fairly regularly and occasionally the Theta Brain State.
Practitioners derive physiological benefits in terms of reduced stress, lowered blood pressure and increased energy. (The research reports compiled by the TM movement attest to this.)
Going to the mountain top. Oxygen deprivation, even in small amounts, changes the brain chemistry and so changes the speed at which the brain synapses respond. This in turn affects the way we put images together. Other exercises that alter the rate and depth of breathing also lead to changes in consciousness. Hyperventilation, used in one technique, is an example.
Fasting. Changes in the body’s sugar balance also change the way the brain responds. But it takes time before the hallucinations become clear and are not all food-focused.
Hallucinatory Drugs. The wide variety of drugs from the ancient, but still used, sacred mushrooms (psilocybin) and peyote, to today‘s Ecstasy, remain a quick but extremely unreliable way of reaching other states. Usually the drugs carry with them a dependency factor not found in the purely mental techniques.
The Zone. This term, often used in athletics, usually in long distance running, describes a state where your body just keeps on going very sweetly. There is no pain, the crowd or road around you fades away and you feel good. This state is related to various endorphins, produced in the brain to mask the pain coming from the muscles and lungs. In the old days they referred to it as “getting one’s second wind”.
AHATA (Beta Brain) Programs. These programs which are available in CD format, have the advantage of being subtle and so allow the user to frame much of their own experience rather than being specifically directed to a predetermined program. The use of only sound input means that the visual cortex is free to embellish the images that the user projects. This has marked advantages in a program aimed at using the TBS to “reframe” the body’s functions, such as for Guided Imagery Therapy, or Goal Achievement.
Extra benefits from using Audio Techniques.
The other considerable advantage of offset sound harmonics is that more than one frequency can be incorporated in the program. In simple terms, this means that the brain can be assisted to the Theta Brain State, just as if the user were falling asleep, but it is when the brain is in the Theta state that other harmonic signals are incorporated which “hold” the brain from moving down to the Delta sleep state.
Exactly how the brain does this we are not sure. What is known is that we all have an active Reticular Activating system (RAS), which ensures that input to our total system is acceptable (think of it as a sophisticated fuse box). We postulate that the brain, finding the incoming signals benign, enables those parts of the brain most suitable for “cross-fertilisation” of ideas between the two hemispheres to be highly active and this is what the EEG machines show as the TBS. At the same time, the harmonics keep the conscious prefrontal cortex of the left brain active, so helping us to remain conscious and able to remember and so report on our experience.
Uses for the Theta Brain State.
We note that many people on first processing an AHATA program, of the type designed to bring them to a Theta brain state, usually fall asleep. Or, as we prefer to call it, “click out”. It takes a number of sessions to become familiar with the experience and begin to use this wonderful state to our advantage.
We know we only use a very small portion of our brain’s capacity to “keep going and make a living”. So increasing our capacity to think clearly and relax when we need to is a great advantage, especially in these days of increasing stress. In addition, if we can access our own inner images, images that we have stored away for a lifetime, and use them for increased creativity, we will begin to hone, and become skilled users of our personal Tool for Life – our brain.
So, while a relaxed Beta brain state is ideal for study and conscious reasoning, and the Alpha state for pulling forth new ideas and solutions to problems, and the Delta state for a deep recuperating sleep, it is the Theta brain state which is, as it were, the Master Key.
Regular short periods in the TBS will:
• Improve the inter-relationships around you,
• Set up psycho-physiological sequences to achieve your goals,
• Tap your inner creativity,
• Increase your capacity to be resourceful,
• Allow you to run through events to come in such a way that you build your self-confidence. This enables your psycho-neurological system to “pre-plan” as it were, how you will behave — positively.
• Some authors maintain that 10 minutes in the Theta brain state rebalances the potassium/calcium ions in the brain. It is said that too much mental concentration and stress causes an imbalance of the ions which in turn which makes us feel “brain fatigued”. This fatigue feeling prompts us to do something else and relax.
TV SET or TOOLBOX
We maintain that one can use states of consciousness, particularly the Theta Brain State, as either a fun thing or as a useful experience. You can go inside and make images and hear voices (like a TV program) and really enjoy yourself. And why not? It’s free and its fun and it should not harm anyone.
But the same brain state can also be used as a tool to achieve predetermined objectives; as a means to an end; as an integral part of our humanity.
You can choose which you want to do in a particular session. Or even in one session spend some time watching your personal TV set and some time using your Toolbox. You can choose. But, be assured, the ancient seers, who did not know about TV sets, most certainly knew about their Toolboxes even if they didn’t call them that. (Toolbags, maybe?)
It is our built-in inheritance – let’s use it wisely.
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