Brainwave Entertainment: Current Theories

The placement of sensors on the scalp allows for the measurement of brainwave patterns that reflect the current state of an individual.  The best studied brainwave frequencies range from the delta frequencies (1-4 Hertz), which is used to induce deep sleep; to theta frequencies (4-8 Hertz) which is used to induce light sleep, creativity, and insight; to alpha frequencies (8-12 Hertz) used to create a calm and peaceful yet alert state; to beta frequencies (13-21 Hertz) that are associated with a thinking, focusing state; to high beta frequencies (20-32 Hertz), which are associated with intensity and anxiety. 

Research has shown that a consistent rhythmic pulsating light or a tone, within the 8 - 10 Hertz range will cause brainwaves in the occipital lobe (this is where your vision is located), parietal lobe (this part of the brain is where the bodily sensations are held) to exhibit a frequency-following response that either repeated in a series of reflected sound waves with the existing stimulus (stimulus means something that causes you to take action) or shows a frequency balance of a stimulus. 

There are many researchers who believe that the same process or technique can apply to other frequencies, but this has been harder to substantiate.  Although, recent research suggests the the baseline electroencrephalogram or EEG, or emotional unstability may have an influence on the post-stimulus EEG changes.  Most researchers do agree that the emotional or cognitive changes do correlate with the changes in the EEG but how or whether the EEG changes are likely to be dependent on the individual's current state.

An Introduction To Brainwave Entertainment (BWE)

I have tried to replace the scientific language with more understandable language and include definitions of the terms used where I could without taking away from the meaning of the sentence or paragraph.

Brainwave entertainment (BWE), which is the use of rhythmic stimuli to alter the brainwave frequency and thus the brain state, has been investigated and used since the late 1800's but yet there are many scientist and others in the medical field that have not heard of it. This article is to raise awareness and to inform you of it's existence and the benefits it offers for those who suffer with pain, depression, anxiety and a variety of other health issues.

I have been using brainwave entertainment for over 5 months now and I've noticed a remarkable difference in my fibromyalgia and arthritis pain, the fibromyalgia fog has lifted and my concentration levels have risen as well. I am able to do many of the things, like walking my dog and mowing all in the same day, that I haven't been able to do since I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia in 1999. I have passed my experiences on to others who have fibromyalgia and chronic pain but it's been met with fear, anxiety and just plain resistance of the unknown. Hopefully, this article will eliminate those fears, anxieties, and resistance and others will be able to experience the same results as I have.

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5 Ways To Regain Intamacy When You Have Arthritis

My husband and I had only been married for two years before I had knee surgery that set off a barrage of problems for me. During the surgery they found arthritis under the knee cap but decided not to remove it because they felt it would interfere with my recovery from the knee surgery. After the surgery I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue, and a few other problems that come up when you have these conditions.

My husband had also had back surgery and was in pain on most days. Our sex life before my knee surgery and after my husbands surgery was great. After my knee surgery, not so. It was difficult at best to get any pleasure out of any intimacy when my pain levels overshadowed the pleasure. Unfortunately, it hasn't improved in the 14 years since my surgery.

The effects of arthritis, the pain, stiffness, fatigue, lack of mobility, and the twisted, enlarged joints, can make sex difficult and at best down right unappealing. When arthritis affects your back, knees,hips, hands, wrist, feet or ankles it can be especially difficult. Not to mention the medications the doctor's prescribe that can diminish any sexual desire. They can have side effects, including vaginal dryness, and fatigue that can lessen your interest in sex. You may even perceive yourself as not very sexually attractive and this doesn't help you to relax and enjoy the experience of sex, it also brings anxiety into the bedroom adding to the issues above.

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Study Found Fish Oil Doesn't Prevent Arrhythmia

Ever since scientists found out that Greenland Eskimos, who eat a diet rich in fish, have a low risk of dying from heart attacks, they've been studying the substances in fish oils called omega-3 fatty acids. Some research has shown that omega-3s do actually reduce the risk of heart problems. There's been several small studies that showed that they can also help to slightly, lower the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientists have theorized though, that at least part of the reason why omega-3s protect against death from heart attack is that they prevent irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmia. To test this theory, researchers did a study of omega-3s in people who had recently gone through an episode of arrhythmia that affected the parts of the heart called the ventricles. Every one of the people who participated used an implanted cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, to detect irregular heart rhythms and correct them by delivering a small electric shock. The study was published in the June 15 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, where researchers randomly assigned the 200 people who signed up for the study, to get either 1,800 mg a day of a fish oil supplement or a placebo. The researchers followed up with the participants after 6, 12, and 24 months. What they found was that the fish oil supplements didn't prevent any episodes of arrhythmia and in fact, some of the people had more episodes.

The researchers concluded that omega-3s may not prevent ventricular arrhythmia, and that people with an ICD and repeated episodes of ventricular arrhythmia shouldn't take fish oil supplements. If you have heart rhythm irregularities, talk to your doctor before you try fish oil supplements.

Another thing that you will want to be wary of, is that over-the-counter fish oils may not be pure. The manufacturers will add fillers to the fish oils, so be sure to read the label on the bottles and you should be able to get a prescription from your doctor for a more pure form of the fish oil.

Study Shows No Difference In Knee When Using Glucosamin/Chondrotin

In the 2009 Glucosamine/chondrotin Arthritis Intervention Trial or GAIT, found that people with knee osteoarthritis who took supplements with glucosamine and chondrotin sulfate showed no difference in the loss of  cartilage in their knees than those taking a placebo. In the study, published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, researchers tracked 572 people with moderate or severe OA in one or both knees.

Those who took part in this study took either glucosamine, chondrotin, glucosamine plus chondrotin, the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib or Celebrex, or placebo for two years. The x-rays of the affected knee joint were examined before and after treatment and the width of the space between the bones in the knee were measured.

A narrower joint space means that the cartilage of the bone ends has worn away, which is a clear sign of OA. The study found no significant difference in joint space narrowing among the groups, but researchers did note that the results were complicated because the joint space narrowing among people taking placebo was much less than expected.

But, overall, the results were inconclusive, like an earlier GAIT result about the supplements being used as a pain reliever.

Sited from January/Feburary 2009 Arthritis Management