Brainwave entrainment is a method to stimulate the brain into entering a specific state by using a pulsing sound, light, or electromagnetic field. The pulses elicit the brain’s ‘frequency following’ response, encouraging the brainwaves to align to the frequency of a given beat.
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The aim of this article is to discuss some misconceptions about acupuncture theory. These misconceptions have added mystery and quandary to the legitimacy of acupuncture as a treatment practice. Please continue reading this article to clear your doubts on acupuncture treatment which has healed many people since it began in China two thousand years ago.
Acupuncture is modern.
Acupuncture is an ancient healing treatment that began in China two thousand years ago. It has healed many people who were afflicted of body illnesses. Acupuncture has proven itself as one of the tried and tested methods of relieving body pains and ailments.
Acupuncture uses regular needles such as the ones used in hospitals.
The needles used in acupuncture treatment are different compared to the ones used in the hospitals or in the sewing industry. They are designed to be thinner than regular needles.
Meridians are not important.
Meridians plays a valuable role in acupuncture treatment. They serve as map or graph to guide acupuncturists in controlling the flow of qi in the body. Meridians will help you determine the locations where qi flow is inefficient.
Qi is not true.
Though qi is invisible, it is present in your body. Just like brainwaves, qi is an internal energy that flows in your body.
There is no ideal pressure.
Acupuncturists are trained on how to exert enough pressure during acupuncture treatment. This is important to avoid damage in your body during treatment and to protect the patient from pain when the needles are being inserted.
Please remember the misconceptions discussed above. You can share the information to others to clear their doubts on acupuncture theory and for them to consider the merits of undergoing acupuncture treatment.
Brainwave entrainment is a method to stimulate the brain into entering a specific state by using a pulsing sound, light, or electromagnetic field. The pulses elicit the brain’s ‘frequency following’ response, encouraging the brainwaves to align to the frequency of a given beat.
This ‘frequency following’ response of brainwave entrainment can be seen in action with those prone to epilepsy. If a strobe flashes at their seizure frequency, the brain will ‘entrain’ to the flashing light, resulting in a seizure.
On the positive side, this same mechanism is commonly used to induce many brainwave states; such as a trance, enhanced focus, relaxation, meditation or sleep induction. The brainwave entrainment effectively pushes the entire brain into a certain state.
Brainwave entrainment works for almost everyone. It is a great way to lead your mind into states that you might usually have difficulty reaching, allowing you to experience what those states feel like.
THE HYPE
There is a lot of marketing hype around brainwave entrainment. It is sold with promises of increasing IQ, promoting weight loss, ‘mind-tripping’, enhancing creativity, concentration, inducing spiritual states and more.
While these claims are not entirely true, they are not altogether false either. In practice, the claims are based on an overly-simplistic view of how the brain and the brainwaves function.
THE RUB
People are very seldom deficient in a certain brainwave type in all areas of their brain. Usually the distribution is much spottier, with an excess in one area and a deficiency in another.
We are all different, especially when it comes to the distribution of our brainwaves. Boosting a certain brainwave state may be beneficial for one person, and emotionally uncomfortable for another. Without knowing each person’s starting position, entrainment can be rather ‘hit and miss’.
If brainwave entrainment leaves you with unwanted side-effects (see below) or discomfort, you’re probably encouraging a range of brainwaves that are already excessive in some area of your brain. The way around this is to get a brain map to see what your brain’s strengths and weaknesses are, and see what (if any) brainwaves could use some encouragement.