| United States Patent |
5,586,967
|
|
Davis
|
December 24, 1996
|
Method and recording for producing sounds and messages to achieve alpha
and theta brainwave states and positive emotional states in humans
Abstract
A method and recording for the use in achieving alpha and theta brainwave
states and effecting positive emotional states in humans, is provided
which includes a medium having a musical composition thereon with an
initial tempo decreasing to a final tempo and verbal phrases recorded in
synchrony with the decreasing tempo.
| Inventors:
|
Davis; Mark E. (21711 Wesley, Apartment D, Laguna Beach, CA 92677)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
267149 |
| Filed:
|
June 27, 1994 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
600/28 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A61M 021/00 |
| Field of Search: |
600/26-28
128/731,732,897,898
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4141344 | Feb., 1979 | Barbara | 600/28.
|
| 4227516 | Oct., 1980 | Meland et al. | 600/26.
|
| 4834701 | May., 1989 | Masaki | 600/28.
|
| 5123899 | Jun., 1992 | Gall | 600/28.
|
| 5135468 | Aug., 1992 | Meissner | 600/28.
|
| 5151080 | Sep., 1992 | Bick | 600/26.
|
Other References
Ostrander & Schroeder, Super-Learning, Feb. 1981, pp. 49,64,68-69, 114-115,
312-315.
Prevention Magazine, Healthy Pleasures, Jun. 1989, pp. 97-101.
|
Primary Examiner: Sykes; Angela
Assistant Examiner: Huane; Stephen D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hackler; Walter A.
Parent Case Text
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
07/939,088, filed on Sep. 2, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,181.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for producing an audio tape for use in achieving alpha and
theta brainwave states and effecting positive emotional states in humans
to enhance learning and self-improvement, said method comprising:
recording on an audio tape, a musical composition having an initial tempo;
during recording of the musical composition, reducing the initial tempo
over a length of the musical composition until a final tempo is reached at
an end of the musical composition; and
recording on an audio tape, in synchrony with the reducing initial tempo of
the musical composition, a plurality of verbal phrases, said verbal
phrases being recorded with between one and approximately eight words per
phrase, and with pauses between verbal phrases having a duration of
between approximately four and approximately eight seconds.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the initial tempo is between
approximately 60 and approximately 120 beats per minute, and the final
tempo is between approximately 40 and approximately 60 beats per minute.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the initial tempo is
approximately 100 beats per minute, and is reduced at least about one beat
per minute, until a final tempo of approximately 40 beats per minute is
reached.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the initial tempo is
approximately 100 beats per minute, and is reduced up to about ten beats
per minute, until a final tempo of approximately 40 beats per minute is
reached.
5. A recorded audio tape made in accordance with the method of claim 1.
Description
The present invention is generally related to a method for producing an
audio tape for use in achieving alpha and theta brainwave states and
effecting positive emotional states in humans.
It is now known that a human brain operates at various brainwave
frequencies. When operating at its highest normal frequencies, between 13
and 25 cycles per minute, the brain is considered to be in the beta state.
In the beta state, the brain is excited and active. When operating at 8 to
12 cycles per minute, the brain is considered to be in a relaxed and alert
alpha state. Between 4 and 7 cycles per minute, the brain is in the theta
state, which is characterized by a restful, meditative condition. Finally,
the brain operating at a frequency of 1 to 4 cycles per minute is in the
delta state, which is the sleep state.
When an individual's brainwave state is operating in the alpha and theta
range, the individual is relaxed and calm. Importantly, an individual's
mind is most receptive to learning while in the alpha and theta range.
Consequently, the alpha and theta brainwave states are the most conducive
to accepting and processing positive messages from an external source.
Human beings often lead stressful lives and it is well known that stress is
considered to be a leading contributor to poor health and general
unhappiness and in individuals. There is a clearly a need for a system
that can safely reduce stress while increasing confidence and enhancing
learning ability.
Numerous attempts have been made to influence the emotions of individuals
through the use of audiostimuli. Subliminal message systems have been used
to implant certain messages and emotions in the mind of a listener. These
systems focus on subliminal messages, sometimes combined with a low
frequency signal, to create a signal message that is audible only to the
subconscious brain. Such a subliminal message system relies on the ability
of the subconscious mind to absorb and retain inaudible messages.
Furthermore, because the listener is not consciously aware of the
particular messages he is receiving, the mysterious nature of subliminal
message systems may deter some people from purposefully using the system.
In addition to subliminal message systems, there are numerous
self-improvement audio tapes that teach a listener, on a conscious level,
how to achieve a positive attitude. However, if the listener's brainwave
state is not at its most receptive frequency, the information conveyed may
not be remembered or absorbed by the listener.
Attempts have been made to utilize audiosignals for the purpose of directly
altering a person's brainwave state. These attempts have employed the use
of audiosignals of differing frequencies applied to the ears of a
listener. The desired result is that the listener's brain will change its
own frequency to match that of the audiosignal. For instance, a low
frequency signal will generally cause a listener's initially excited
brainwave state to decrease to a lower frequency, more relaxed state.
However, a need still remains for a pleasurable, easy to use method of
specifically achieving alpha and theta brainwave states and positive
emotional states in individuals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method
for achieving alpha and theta brainwave states and positive emotional
states in individuals. More specifically, the present invention provides a
method for producing audio recordings that instill positive emotions in
the listener.
As a more specific aspect of the present invention, an original musical
composition is developed and instrumentalized, preferably using soft, low
dynamic range instruments such as bells, strings or voices. The musical
instrumentation is then recorded at specific tempos that purposefully
decrease from an initial tempo to a final tempo. The decrease in tempo
allows a listener's brainwave state to decrease from a higher to a lower
frequency state.
More specifically, the tempo of the music is decreased gradually to achieve
the alpha and theta states and the decrease in tempo is virtually
imperceptible to the listener. For example, the rate of decrease in tempo
will depend on three possible variables: the initial tempo of the music,
the length of the musical composition, and the final tempo of the music.
Thus, if the initial tempo of the music is at a frequency of about 100
beats per minute and the musical composition is approximately sixty
minutes in duration, the rate of tempo reduction may be approximately one
beat per minute if a final tempo of about 40 beats per minute is desired.
For a shorter musical composition with initial tempo of about 100 beats
per minute and final tempo of about 40 beats per minute, the rate of
reduction may be as high as approximately 10 beats per minute. Thus, the
present invention allows for a variable initial tempo, length of musical
composition and rate of reduction of tempo. The desired final tempo is
preferably between about 40 and about 60 beats per minute, as this tempo
induces the brain to transcend to the alpha and theta states. The effect
is that the listener's brain achieves a state that is highly conducive to
learning.
A more specific feature of the present invention uses a message system. A
script is developed which consists of numerous verbal phrases. The verbal
phrases may relate to a central theme, such as learning, self esteem,
appreciation of health and feelings of well-being. Each verbal phrase
consists of between approximately one and approximately eight words per
phrase. The verbal phrases are recorded in synchrony with the musical
composition. Preferably, pauses of at least one second in duration are
inserted between the phrases. The phrases and pauses are paced to the
descending tempo of the musical instrumentation. The object of pacing the
verbal phrases and the pauses therebetween is to allow the listener's
brainwave state to synchronize with the music and the verbal phrases and
thus the brain will be receptive to learning the messages generated by the
verbal phrases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to
the following description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram of the development of the musical instrumentation
system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of the development of the message system of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in
which the musical instrumentation and the message system are combined.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A method and recording for achieving alpha and theta brainwave states and
effecting positive emotional states in humans includes, generally, a
musical instrumentation system and a message system which are recorded in
synchrony with one another.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention an
original musical composition 12 is developed and instrumentalized in soft,
low dynamic range instruments such as strings, bells or voices. The
composition is the performed on a standard, 16-track, digitized keyboard
14 with a sampler and sequencer. The resulting instrumentation is then fed
into an 8-track recorder 16, on one or more of its eight tracks. The
initial tempo is recorded at approximately 60 to approximately 120 beats
per minute and then, by manual adjustment, it is reduced to a final tempo
of approximately 40 to approximately 60 beats per minute. The tempo is
preferably decreased smoothly or at regular intervals over the length of
the composition 12. The instrumentation is preferably recorded on two
tracks of the 8-track recorder 16.
The rate of decrease in tempo depends essentially upon three variables: the
length of the composition 12, the initial tempo and the final tempo. The
initial tempo is preferably between about 60 and about 120 beats per
minute. For example, the listener may desire to listen to the recording
when he is in a particularly anxious state of mind. Such a listener may
benefit from an initial tempo in the upper range of approximately 120
beats per minute so that his initial brainwave state is matched to the
initial tempo of the music. Furthermore, he may require a longer, rather
than shorter musical composition in order to gradually reach the desired
alpha and theta brainwave states. The purposeful gradual reduction in
tempo of the music allows the listener's brainwave state to "lock-in" to
the decreasing tempo until a final desired tempo, of between approximately
40 and approximately 60 beats per minute, is reached. The resulting
descent in beats per minute is virtually imperceptible and the listener
gradually and effectively achieves the desired alpha and theta brainwave
states.
FIG. 2 illustrates the message system of the present invention in which a
script 22 is developed and recorded on two other tracks of the 8-track
recorder. The script 22 is developed around a central theme such as
learning, self-esteem or healthy growth. The script is comprised of a
plurality of verbal phrases relating to said central theme. More
specifically, each verbal phrase is one to approximately eight words in
length.
Preferably, the script 22 is read by human readers into an open microphone
(not shown) and recorded onto 8-track recorder 16, using two or more of
its eight tracks. The script 22 is recorded with pauses between the verbal
phrases. Specifically, the pauses have a duration of at least one second
in length, and preferably between approximately four and approximately
eight seconds in length.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 3, the
instrumentation system and the message system are combined. For the
purpose of example only, the 8-track recorder 16 contains two tracks of
musical instrumentation and two tracks of recorded verbal phrases. The
recorded script 22, consisting of verbal phrases and pauses therebetween,
has a tempo that matches the decreasing tempo of the musical
instrumentation. For example, if the musical instrumentation has an
initial tempo of about 120 beats per minute and a final tempo of about 40
beats per minute, the verbal phrases and pauses therebetween also have
initial and final tempos of about 120 and about 40 beats per minute
respectively. Preferably, the final tracks of the 8-track recorder contain
instrumentation that eliminates all harsh tones and imbalances. The
8-track recorder's tracks, containing instrumentation and script, are then
synchronized and adjusted with volume and stereo adjustments 26. The
volume and stereo adjustments preferably emphasize the music while
allowing the verbal messages to be audible to the listener. A master tape
is then produced.
Although there has been hereinabove described a method and recording for
achieving alpha and theta brainwave states and positive emotional states
in humans, in accordance with the present invention, for the purpose of
illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage,
it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto.
Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations, or equivalent
arrangement which may occur to those skilled in the art should be
considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *