Posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 1, 2003, at 0:37:47
In reply to Ame Sans Vie: Binaural Beats?, posted by DSCH on September 30, 2003, at 10:06:05
You know, I've completely forgot to update on this at all -- thanks for reminding me! And yes, I'm seeing some very noticeable results, though I've still got quite a bit of experimentation to do.
I'm still perfecting the alpha and delta wave induction, but I'm doing pretty well with my studies on beta wave entrainment for the purpose of hyper-concentration and increased learning capacity. Just two days ago I began to study organic chemistry on my own (**geek alert**, lol) and I notice a *vast* difference between studying with and without the beta entrainment. Newly acquired knowledge just sticks effortlessly, like peanut butter to the roof of your mouth, lol.
Theta wave induction has also proven to be all it's purported to be -- my creativity level rises dramatically (I'm a musician) when my brain is in a theta state. In a beta state, the motivation is there, but the creativity is quite lacking. Of course, the two *can* be combined.
On a more... well... recreational note (though possibly therapeutic as well, as I'll get into shortly), I've found certain settings on my SBaGen software (available as freeware at http://uazu.net/sbagen/#download) to induce closed-eye visuals (CEVs) quite similar to those caused by tryptamine psychedelics (i.e. LSD, psilocybe mushrooms, DMT). They're primarily geometry/fractal-oriented, though some of that "organic" mushroom effect seems to seep through and bring about an extremely rapid succession of some quite intriguing surrealistic images. Open eyed visuals (OEVs) seem completely absent, though an aural flanging for several minutes following the experience has been a consistent effect in everyone who's tried the program. A friend of mine used a 1.5 hour preset under the observation of myself and a few others -- the headphone volume was low (as it should be) so he was describing every detail of his experience to us in real time. He wound up providing extremely vivid recollection of childhood memories that he otherwise could visualize only in the most vague sense. It was quite shocking to me was that he was able to describe even the clothing he and others were wearing in these memories. And strangely enough, the memories that surfaced were of extremely mundane, uneventful experiences... I would think that no one in a non-hypnotic state would recall every minute detail of something so bland as the 3rd grade history lesson that he seemed to relive while "under the influence". This leads me to believe that binaural beat therapy could be a wonderful method for retrieving repressed memories as well. It is very important to note that this individual was also very susceptible to hypnotism -- I've put him under many times to stimulate creativity in our songwriting. Unfortunately, of six people, only he has found the experience to be any more than deeply relaxing (which certainly wasn't a bad thing for the rest of us who tried).
Phenethylamine stimulants/psychedelics (i.e. amphetamines, mescaline, 2C-B) are also fairly easily mimicked (well, certain effects anyway), though it requires a ton of time and patience. I'm currently working on an MDMA preset -- I don't expect to recreate the experience, though I *do* believe it's absolutely possible... but I'm primarily focusing on empatho- and entactogenic effects. I am pretty convinced that binaural beats can be used to simulate the effects of any drug you can imagine (therapeutic or otherwise) if applied correctly. I know of quite a few people who claim to have had success mimicking cannabis, GHB, CNS depressants, etc. using binaural beats, and others who've tried these folks' presets often report quite similar effects. Unfortunately though, peoples' reactions vary just about as much with brain entrainment as they do with prescription meds. For example, there are many LSD simulation presets, but only a quite limited number of people seem to respond (though those who do repond tend to do so quite dramatically). I have to wonder if the "trip" isn't a simple psychosis induced in those predisposed to such problems or who have HPPD. Also important, though not quite as often employed as the other brainwaves, super-beta frequencies (gamma especially) offer yet another extensive list of possibilities. The key to it all is basically just tinker, test, take notes, tinker, test, notes, tinker, test, notes -- eventually you're bound to stumble upon something to use as a starting point at the very least. It can be quite time-consuming, but luckily SBaGen comes with some presets that seem to exert effect on a majority of people.
Anyway, it's a subject that requires quite a bit more in-depth explanation, and I don't know whether you'd like any more info on it, but if you do, feel free to ask! :-) I'll be happy to provide you with some references (once I dig them up again, lol), suggestions, guidance, or what-have-you.
poster:Ame Sans Vie
thread:264462
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/264624.html