Our brains are wonderfully complex things, but what if there was some way we could get them under control...
Almost 400 years ago, in 1665, a Dutch physicist, Christiaan Huygens, has made a discovery that can be classified as revolutionary. When he left his laboratory one night, after a long day, filled with hard work and a lot of thinking, he left two pendulum clocks next to one another.
These two clocks had been set in motion by Huygens, and of course, they were not synchronized.
When he came back to the office the next morning, he observed that the two clocks had harmonized movements. They were swinging perfectly synchronized, back and forth, following the very same movement pattern.
This phenomenon is known as entrainment, and it seems very strange at first sight. This phenomenon is the process by which two nearby entities exchange tiny amounts of energy, to reach a balance and synchronization state. When two entities are un-synced, some kind of “negative feedback” is created, and this feedback will correct each entity’s dissonance until they become aligned on an energetical level.
When entrainment happens between two inorganic entities, like clocks or other mechanical systems (including electrical ones), this type of entrainment is called mechanical entrainment.
This process can also take place between two or more organic entities, and in this form, it is known as biological entrainment.
To better understand it in the organic life, let’s take a look at fireflies’ dance, a well-known ritual. Besides the beauty of this evening ritual, fireflies behavior holds important information about human brain potential.
If you spend some time observing fireflies, especially early in the evening, their lights turning on and off will seem a chaotic process.
After a while, this on and on switching process will take the shape of a pattern or a sequence. And afterwards, the longer you spend watching them, the more synchronized these fireflies’ bursts of light will become, and more and more fireflies will light up at the same time.
But how do fireflies and clocks relate to human happiness?
First of all, let’s take a look at how the brain works, especially to brainwaves. Each human state of mind has a specific brainwave pattern associated.
When we are happy, our brain has a particular brainwaves pattern; when we are focused, there is another pattern activated, when relaxed, another one, and so on for each of the human mental states.
Brainwave research allowed identification and duplication of most of these human brainwave patterns, using sound waves instead of electrical pulses.
How does entrainment exactly work for the human brain? If you are feeling, for example, unfocused, tired, foggy, the best solution to change this state of mind, would be to use biological entrainment.
This means that if you listen to soundwave patterns that resemble the mental clarity state, your brainwaves will sync with those you listen to and your mental state will change and also become clear.
For example, if you have to get your post written for Steemit and need focus and mind clarity, just listening to sound waves corresponding to these states of mind, will switch your current state to the desired one.
Just like fireflies synchronizing their light bursts, and the two clocks syncing their swinging movements, the human brain will also sync with the soundwaves you are listening to.
If you want to experience this for yourself, here is a selection of five brainwave shots, you can choose from for free, just to see how it works for you.
If you want them all, sign up with a different email for each ;)
Euphoria
Relaxation
Confidence
Power Nap
Learning
I just picked Euphoria and it sounds weird because it is a lot of white noise, as its essentially binaural beats, atmospheric music and bells in the background (for Euphoria, I've not listened to the other ones yet).
Although after listening, I can't claim to be in a completely euphoric state, however, my mood has significantly improved.
@hopehuggs <3
Note: Thumbnail picture and last picture from inspire3.com
Other pictures: Pixabay.com
Get More Upvotes: SteemFollower
Free daily crypto: Swift Coins
Please do take a moment to check out some of the awesome writers on the @ecotrain...
interesting about the synchronicity of brain waves. This could also mean that someone who is happy can entrain someone who is sad based on the exchange of energy between them. But someone has to take the lead with anything man does; we certainly do not see ourselves as equals.
This idea is quite interesting in relation to music. I know that some songs encourage the mood that I am in at a certain time. So for instance, if I want to write and I want the mood to be sad, depressing, stark, there are songs I can play that will take me to that place. What do you think?
If I may pitch in, Yes, listening to sad and depressing songs will definitely help you if you want to write some kind of sad scene in your novel etc. Just as listening to happy songs will help lift your mood up! Cheers! :)
Yeah. Because I tend to pick certain songs to play while I write poetry and ths songs infect the words and emotions I put into it.
You know what, I have never actually thought of doing this when I write creatively. I will factor this in. Have to get some more creative stuff flowing. Drawing it out at the moment seems to be a slow and painful process, although I am being inspired reading and helping out on the 100 Day Poetry Challenge by D-pend.
This is really cool, I had no idea about the science behind this. Thanks to you I can say I learned something new today. I love reading self improvement books and learning new things in an effort to constantly become a better person. One more thing I can add to the repertoire. Thanks Helen, hope you had a great weekend
That is how I roll too. Always looking to improve in some way. There will always be something to get better at and improve in.
I love watching fireflies - natural lights. But for this piece, I have to try as I am not one who can do focus with entertaining music. On the contrary, I can work through thoroughly and focus with maintenance (hammering, welding etc) noise, noisy neighbours, children playing...
And that is what makes the world so amazing, we are all different and have our own ways to deal with things. I always think of it as a toolbox and finding the right tools for each individual - no-one's toolbox will be the same.
This is an interesting post. I can’t help wondering how much experimenting with sound waves has been used to help people suffering from mental illness. Some of the recent science has focused on the chemicals in our brains and how they govern mood. Many kinds of depression are treated by trying to change or enhance the chemistry in our brains. I wonder if sound waves could change these chemicals and how they interact.
I have stopped taking antidepressants and for the most part can manage with determination and meditation, there are some days I should stay in one place and not talk to anyone, but for the most part, it can be managed naturally. I seriously felt like a zombie on one set of them and just couldn't operate normally.
I love binaural beats! They work best if you use headphones. The theory is that each ear hears a different sound and your brain synchronizes them.
They do help you focus and I am in dire need of that some days.
we are all so incredibly interconnected! many women who work in close proximity with each other sync up their menstrual cycles. the act of smiling, whether you're actually happy or not, can get your brain to believe that you're feeling happy.
we are amazing, complex creatures - and the brain/mind is a beautiful thing <3
Yes, I forgot the menstrual cycles that is a prime example too.
Smiling, especially when I'm out and about and wishing people who don't smile back some happiness, instead of thinking miserable whatever.
Wow this is very cool! I have heard of the clocks synchronizing and to think of our mental states doing the same is very inspiring! It makes sense and I have experienced this for sure- the way we synch with things in our environment, especially other people. We aren’t as separate as we appear ;) and welcome (back?) to #ecotrain!! 💙 happy to have you with us 😊
Yes, I have been very quiet on the @ecotrain, but I'm back and getting my feet wet again. I read your re-introduction post and you two are amazing, in synch with nature for sure.
I heard of this topic before but didn't take serious. By the way, I had been to brainwaveshots site. It has wonderful waves for various moods and situations. I will buy some.
And I found that you didn't mention source of the images you used here. Is it fine for Steemit?
You are right, I should reference them. Not quite sure what to put for them, but will add a source a little later, especially as images with no sources are being cracked down upon at the moment. Thank you for timely reminder.
Actually, Pexels clearly tells that its users need not to mention, that is completely optional. Do you know Pexels?
I haven't used Pexels. I usually use pixabay, but I will try to remember to add a note at the end to say where pictures are from, just to be safe from the steemcleaners.
I try to understand the brain works very complicated, even the brain is very much related to how to manage the emotional self. Thanks for sharing information @hopehuggs
Anything that helps control emotions a little more, gets my thumbs up, especially if it not chemical.
very interesting article! I will check out these sounds. Good way to complement a meditation session.
They work pretty well. Going to grab a couple more myself.
this is great thing you came up with today thanks for sharing :)
amazing blog post,thanks a lot for sharing,you always comes with such niches,glad to be here.
Thanks a lot mam for sharing such a wonderful content.
Cool. I can always go for Euphoria. The power nap is definitely not a prob. :)
I'l try to give all of it a try.. Thanks for the write up
appreciated, really inspiring and motivated article.
Thank you for sharing knowledge 👍😊