Light and Sound Stimulation (AVS)

What are Brainwaves?

Your brain is made up of billions of brain cells called neurons, which use electricity to communicate with each other. The combination of millions of neurons sending signals at once produces an enormous amount of electrical activity in the brain, which can be detected using sensitive medical equipment (such as an EEG), measuring electricity levels over areas of the scalp.

The combination of electrical activity of the brain is commonly called a BrainWave pattern, because of its cyclic, "wave-like" nature.

Below is one of the first recordings of brain activity.

Brain research took a big step forward when "brain waves" were discovered in 1929 by the German doctor Hans Berger. Brain waves are measured via an electroenzephalogram (EEG) at the scalp. Each of the countless electrochemical discharges of the nerve cells inside the brain produce a minute electromagnetic field with a frequency between 1 and 30 hz (oscillations per second). The sum of these electrical activities results in so-called brain waves.

Here is a more modern EEG recording:

Brainwave Frequencies

With the discovery of brainwaves came the discovery that electrical activity in the brain will change depending on what the person is doing. For instance, the brainwaves of a sleeping person are vastly different than the brainwaves of someone wide awake. Over the years, more sensitive equipment has brought us closer to figuring out exactly what brainwaves represent and with that, what they mean about a person's health and state of mind.

One differentiates between four groups of brain waves, the Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta waves. Different brain waves may occur in different brain areas simultaneously, thus changing the wave pattern second by second.

Here is a list showing the known brainwave types and their associated mental states:

Beta (30-12 Hz)
Attentive and alert state of mind. A high concentration of Beta waves is related to an increased production of stress hormones. Attention is focused outwardly. In extreme cases they mark anxiety, worry and sudden fear.

Many people lack sufficient Beta activity, which can cause mental or emotional disorders such as depression, ADD and insomnia. Stimulating Beta activity can improve emotional stability, energy levels, attentiveness and concentration.

Alpha (12-8 Hz)
These waves are dominant during relaxation, quietly flowing thoughts, a positive attitude (Alpha state). It is the preferred state for "Superlearning".

Awake but relaxed and not processing much information. When you get up in the morning and just before sleep, you are naturally in this state. When you close your eyes your brain automatically starts producing more Alpha waves.

Alpha is usually the goal of experienced meditators, but to enter it using AVS is incredibly easy. Since Alpha is a very receptive, absorbent mental state, you can also use it for effective self-hypnosis, mental re-programming and more.

Theta (8-4 Hz)
These waves occur during sleep and deep meditation. They mark the ability for vivid visual imagination, sudden creativity, as well as an increased ability to learn and memorize.

Theta can also be used for hypnosis and self-programming using pre-recorded suggestions.

Delta (0.2-4 Hz)
They accompany a dreamless, deep sleep. These waves are of great importance for the healing process and the functioning of the immune system.

The Significance of Brainwaves

You can tell a lot about a person simply by observing their brainwave patterns. For example, anxious people tend to produce an overabundance of high Beta waves while people with ADD/ADHD tend to produce an overabundance of slower Alpha/Theta brainwaves.

Researchers have found that not only are brainwaves representative of of mental state, but they can be stimulated to change a person's mental state, and this in turn can help with a variety of mental issues.

How does the Audio Strobe function?

The AudioStrobe converts control signals from a CD into light impulses. Glasses and headphones are connected to an interface and a commercial CD player. Glasses and headphones are part of the audio-visual stimulation with the goal to effectively increase the brain´s performance and learning abilities. This enhances grasp and memorization of study material. The most important part of the AudioStrobe is a CD with music and/or spoken language. These CDs are coded with inaudible signals, which are transferred via the interface to the luminous glasses. Of course one can also play and enjoy these CDs on their own.

How to make the best use of your AudioStrobe?

Find a quiet place and make sure you will be undisturbed for the next half an hour or however long your session will last. Sit in a comfortable chair or lie down.
For relaxation exercises and superlearning, etc. we recommend tha you lie down.

Loosen your cloths such as belt, tie or tight buttons. Take off your glasses or contact lenses. Close your eyes - the light impulses will penetrate your closed eyelids. Choose a pleasant sound volume and light intensity. A slow fading out of the session is as important as its preparation. Do not immediately resume your daily activites. Take some time to reorient yourself.

Please consider the following points:

As of today, no damages caused by equipment, which employs the optiacoustic method of stimulation has become known. Yet, the use of such equipment requires a certain sense of responsibility by the user. All dealings with the psyche may cause turbulence. You should remain aware that exploring the consciousness is always ones own responsibility.

Following persons should not use AVS systems:

Epileptics
Approximately one quarter of all epileptics suffer from photosensitivity. This means that seizures may be triggered by the rhythmical light impulses.

Persons with psychosis or brain damage
or other patients under steady psychological or medical care or, who use prescription medicine on a regular basis. We also advise against its use in combination with drugs of any kind.

During pregnancy
even though there are no definite medical reasons, we advise against its use as a precautionary measure.

Any and all techniques that effect the psyche, such as phantasy journeys, psychoactive tapes, breathing therapy, meditation, etc., as well as optiacoustic stimulation may cause unresolved emotional experiences to surface. This equipment is not a therapy substitute. It is for people, who feel emotionally and psychologically strong and stable.


Make sure that during your first session with the AudioStrobe you are in a safe environment and in the company of a trustworthy person. The AudioStrobe is an experimental stimulation system. The responsibility for its application lies solely with the user.Neither manufacturer nor sales or trade agents can be held liable for any problems or damages related to the use of this equipment. If you have any questions about its application or doubts, if you should use this equipment, please first contact the Tamas laboratory or our sales offices.
We offer a 6 months warranty, presupposing that the equipment has not been opened or damaged in any way. The use of other power packs may damage the system and will lead to loss of warranty. In addition the purchase is based on our business conditions.

Literature

Smythies, J. R. (1959). "The Stroboscopic Patterns." Brit. J. Psychol., (1959), 50, 106-116 (a) 305-324 (b) und Brit. J. Psychol. (1960), 51, 3, 247-255 (c)

Oster, G. (1973) "Auditory beats in the brain." Scientific American, 229, 94-102

Atwater, F. H. (1988): "The Monroe Institute´s Hemisync process: A Theoretical Perspective." Faber, Va: Monroe Institute

Hobson, J. A. (1990) "Schlaf: Gehirnaktivität im Ruhezustand" Spektrum der Wissenschaft" Heidelberg S. 90-91; Eine Aktivierungstheorie der Hirnentwicklung

Brauchli, Peter (1993). "Vergleichsuntersuhung der psychophysiologischen Entspannungseffekte einer optisch-akustischen Mind Machine mit einer Entspannungsmusik" In Zeitschrift für experimentelle und angewandte Psychologie 1993, Band XL, Heft 2, S. 179-193

Brauchli, Peter (1994). "Electrocortical, autonomic, and subjective responses to rhytmic audio-visual stimulation" In International Journal of Psychophysiology 19 (1995) 53-66

Landeck, Klaus-Jürgen (1994). "Einschalten zum Abschalten" In RAABE Fachverlag für Wissenschaftsinformation (Hrsg.): Handbuch Hochschullehre, Bonn 1996

Schenk, Christoph (1989) "Biofeedback. Grundlagen zum Verständnis, zur Indikation, Durchfürung und Wirkungsweise der Biofeedbacktherapie" Perimed Band 12

Zeier, Hans (1997) "Biofeedback. Physiologishe Grundlagen - Anwendungen in der Psychotherapie" Verlag Hans-Huber