At the most basic level, the human brain operates in two states of consciousness. The first is the conscious mind, which is the normal state of mind when we are fully awake. The conscious mind is the logic used to deal with the real world, critical thinking, including decision-making, thinking, problem solving, walking, running and other activities. A conscious mind is someone who chooses to believe or not to believe in something.

The second of the two states of consciousness is the subconscious, which controls most of our reactions, emotions, beliefs, habits, and ways of thinking. The subconscious is controlled by emotions and tends to believe everything it sees, hears or experiences. This is why you say [or think] about yourself. If you think – this will never work – your subconscious will treat it as truth and let you take action to make the prediction come true.

The brain also operates in four different frequency ranges, called brain waves. The frequency range is very similar to tuning the radio to the FM or AM band. With this analogy, you can think of the FM band as a set of brain waves and the AM band as another set of brain waves. The TV band may be the third group of brain waves.

Each frequency range is associated with a different activity level and type of the human brain. The most active [and highest operating frequency range] is called the beta brain wave. Beta brain waves actually operate in the range of 15 to 40 Hz [ie, cycles per second]. When fully awake, the brain runs within beta and participates in positive thinking, such as problem solving, teaching, singing, etc. Beta brainwaves are often characterized as alerts and work.

The next lower level brainwave is an alpha state covering the frequency range of 9 to 14 Hz [cycles per second]. When people are awake but relax or calmly reflect or think, brainwave activity usually slows down to this range. The alpha state is characterized by relaxation and reflection.

When someone is hypnotized or involved in self-hypnosis, the alpha state is the relaxation phase that the hypnotist tries to establish by letting the subject close his eyes, take a deep breath, and relax. In this state, the subject is preparing for hypnosis but is not yet in hypnosis.

The third-order brain wave is a θ state covering a frequency range of 5 to 8 Hz. When the subject is very relaxed, drowsy or daydreaming, the human brain operates at these frequencies. The state of theta is usually accompanied by a high degree of creativity and the free flow of new ideas, which is a subconscious feature.

If you have been driving and suddenly realize that you don't remember what you saw in the last 5 minutes, then you are most likely to be in theta state. When you reach the theta state during self-hypnosis, you are hypnotized.

The lowest frequency brainwave state is the delta state, covering a frequency range of 1.5 to 4 Hz. Dream sleep [characterized by rapid eye movement – REM] usually occurs in the range of 3 to 4 Hz, while the range of 2 to 3 Hz is the range of dreamless sleep. Usually, when the brain reaches this frequency range, it will fall asleep. During self-hypnosis, when the brain reaches this frequency range, the brain is completely hypnotized.

As the brain enters theta and delta brainwave range, the subconscious becomes the primary state of consciousness, and the hypnotist [or recorded self-hypnotic script] can communicate directly with the subconscious mind, bypassing the critical nature of the conscious mind. Assuming that the hypnotist or self-hypnotic script follows the rules of successful self-hypnosis, the subconscious will accept what it calls truth, and will change the subject's behavior, beliefs, and subconscious behaviors to make the hypnotic advice come true.

One of the seven key factors in a successful self-hypnosis script is the use of binaural beat technology. The basic concept is to enter an audible frequency in one ear and a second audible frequency in the other. The brain accepts the difference between the two frequencies, the difference between these two frequencies is called the third frequency of the beat frequency.

By implanting a beat frequency that matches one of the alpha, theta or delta brainwave frequencies [below the human hearing range], the hypnotist can more easily induce hypnosis and communicate directly with the subconscious.

Brainwave concept and state of consciousness – enhance self-hypnosis through brainwave technology was originally published on Spring