Thread: Brainwave entrainment and lucid dreaming

Originally Posted by DrTechnical

Since I've learned about lucid dreaming, I have also developed an interest in brainwave entrainment. For those unfamiliar with entrainment, it's simply the introduction of an external stimuli to drive the brain to a particular state. For example, listening to a CD with binuaral beats at 4Hz coaxes the brain to lower its electro chemical activity down into that range.

It's always seemed quite intuitive to me, that there would be applications for entrainment in the area of lucid dreaming.

On researching the topic of brainwave activity and associated characteristics, I hit upon a frequency range that seems of interest to LDing. I've just begun experimenting with this with excellent results. The method I was using was cranial electro stimulation (passing a light electric current from ear lobe to ear lobe at a certain envelope and modulation).

Does anyone know of scientific results in this area which fall in this realm? I did a US patent search and found nothing. Claims from makers of CES machines claim it can aid in LDing but offer no specifics as to how this could be done. The vendor I bought my CES machine from did offer some ideas over the phone, but his approach was radically different.

Sorry for the vague explaination - but what I would do with this info is indeterrminate right now. Read this as I would love to build a $100.00 or so devices that could be used by the average person to experience LDing!

I'm with you on entrainment. I'm part of the research team and have done test with field deprivation and using entrainment htz. Although I never saw a spike in lucids using entrainment I can say it certainly didnt hurt. It's funny some dr.s and scientist deny the affects of brainwave entrainment which I'm not quite sure how they can say that. They have graphs of the brain on before and after entrainment. My 2 cents!

I think the open question here is what are the magical frequencies we're looking for? A CES machine for example can provide carrier frequencies over 100's of Hz and envelopes encompassing the predominent range of brainstates (up to 60Hz). That leaves a heck of a lot of permutations to try.

Originally Posted by DrTechnical

I think the open question here is what are the magical frequencies we're looking for? A CES machine for example can provide carrier frequencies over 100's of Hz and envelopes encompassing the predominent range of brainstates (up to 60Hz). That leaves a heck of a lot of permutations to try.

Well my best results were usually in the Theta range. Delta was too deep and typically wouldnt be recognized if in deep sleep. Theta is 4-7 Hz is typically used for dreams, deep meditation, and hypnosis. I think if your below 4 hz it would be in a deeper state of sleep therefore missing the opportunity to jump on the dreamwave of conciousness. I think WILD could successfully test with Alpha state (7-13hz)((relaxation)) but I think you would need someone with advanced lucid skills and who could WILD with ease. I would avoid Delta but who knows, individuals respond differently and each users skills greatly helps. You should read my ganzfeld research, it might assit, not sure.

Thanks, I'll search for "Ganzfeld". Doesn't he do some work related to PSI phenomenon?

I agree, that inducing a theta state is the intuitive swipe at the problem, along the lines of what my CES vendor suggested. What I've been experimenting with leverages a very different approach.

Originally Posted by DrTechnical

Thanks, I'll search for "Ganzfeld". Doesn't he do some work related to PSI phenomenon?

I agree, that inducing a theta state is the intuitive swipe at the problem, along the lines of what my CES vendor suggested. What I've been experimenting with leverages a very different approach.

Yes, the Gaznfeld research was really geared toward Psychic research but I used that state to enter a lucid. Blocking all light (sight deprevation, and sound (pink noise). Yes I would say at the Hz you were using, that's completely a different approach (above Gammma). Ironically if you were using a light and sound machine the light flicker (above 40hz) would produce a Ganzfeld effect.