What is a light and sound machine?
Utilizing light and sound pulses at a specified frequency, these machines stimulate the mental activity in various ways, essentially
leading perception from the waking state to a variety of altered states of consciousness. Essentially it is a tiny low spec computer
that controls signals to your light glasses and your headphones. Simply select a session
(depending on what you want to achieve) and then put on the glasses and headphones.
There are many names for this technology:
- Audio-visual stimulation devices
- Light and sound entrainment devices (SLEDs)
- Mind machines
History of light and sound mind machines
The first concepts were born in the late 1940s by Gray Walter. He noticed that flashing lights caused the human brain to follow the
frequencies of these flashing lights.
Following from this discovery, numerous machines were developed for brainwave entrainment. A majority included tiny lights mounted
in a pair of spectacles.
As time went by, audio began to be introduced in much the same. Usually achieved by using the 'binaural beat' phenomenon. Binaural beats are where one beat is played in one ear, and a second, very slightly later, in the second ear. Simultaneously, the two beats would cause the brain to interpret just the difference in timing between the tow, and would then follow that frequency. The combined effects of having both the photic and the auditory portions of the brain stimulated in synchrony was found to be profound.
Today, SLEDs are used by psychologists and hypnotherapists in their practices and now also by non-professionals for helping achieve
relaxation, stress management, Insomnia, mind expansion, accelerated learning and retention, breaking limiting beliefs, phobias, anxiety,
sports training, and promoting physical wellness.
What are some examples of "altered states of consciousness" and how do they differ from normal states?
Waking state: attention directed to surroundings. Includes agitated, restless/"monkey mind" states which are especially amenable to
treatment with light and sound stimulation.
"Alpha" state: Relaxed, tranquil, daydreaming, "inward awareness" state. Light meditation here, too.
Hypnagogic, or "twilight" state: Borderline sleep; deep meditation state; hypnotic state; access to the unconscious mind and enhanced
retrieval of memories; creativity, accelerated or "superlearning", inspiration. Associated with increased theta brainwave activity
Trance state: Deep, dreamless sleep; deep rest. Often associated with increased delta brainwave activity
Who can benefit from this technology?
Light and sound is an effective tool for anyone who wishes to explore altered states of consciousness, awareness expansion and sensory
stimulation, psychedelic-like visual imagery, and those seeking an entertaining path to relaxation.
Is there anyone who should not use this technology?
Nearly everyone who uses light and sound stimulation report enjoying it. However, if you have a family history of epilepsy, are taking
psychoactive medication or have ever had a seizure of any sort, we recommend consulting your physician before using light and sound.
Likewise, if bright light bothers you (i.e., can give you a headache), then light and sound may not be for you.
What happens during a session?
With special light-bearing sunglasses over your closed eyes and headphones over your ears, you are immersed in colorful dancing geometric
patterns and entrancing sounds. The light and sound pulse rate shifts from state to state as the session progresses; mental activity will
follow the pulse rate of the machine.
What is achieved by experiencing these states of consciousness?
The following are some of the areas being explored by users of these machines: psychological stress relief, deep relaxation, assistance
in falling asleep, memory improvement, increased learning, stabilizing emotions, increased intellectual focus, lucid dreaming, sensory
stimulation, and increased physical energy. While some of these benefits have been substantiated by research studies, these machines are
experimental and results will vary from person to person.
How important is sound to the overall experience?
Sound and music have been used for centuries in many cultures to alter consciousness. Drums, chants, and environmental sounds like wind
and rain all provide strong mental pictures and associations. Pleasant sounds are much more enjoyable and relaxing than one-note beeps
or tones, such as those used by other machines. Synetic Systems incorporates the most sophisticated sound generation circuitry of any
light/sound device, employing digital wavetable synthesis to generate complex wave forms, rich two- and three-note harmonies, and moving
audio sculptures. Use of special AudioStrobe® CD's can fully synchronize the lights with the audio program. However, because a much
larger portion of the brain is involved in vision as compared to audio processing, we can state that sound is less important than the
lights as a means for achieving the desired states.
What are "binaural beats"?
Binaural beats occur when two sine (pure) waves of slightly differing frequency are presented to the left and right sound channels:
the difference between the left and right is synthesized by the brain and perceived as a slowly modulated frequency. This is known as
a binaural beat frequency. This beat frequency is typically modulated at the same frequency as the lights.
Why are LEDs used instead of incandescent lights?
Light emitting diodes–LED's–are state of the art solid state devices that convert small amounts of electrical energy into light.
They can be switched on and off much faster than incandescent lights, producing the crisp strobe-like pulses which have been shown to
be most effective at inducing desired patterns of activity. They also create very pure colors–again an important factor in the alteration
of consciousness, as demonstrated by several published studies.
Friday, July 03, 2009
What is a light and sound machine?
