TLDR
According to Dr. Bruce Lipton, PhD, an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit and stem cell biologist, childrens’ brains are in a theta (imagination or hypnosis in adults) state until about the age of 7. This state is what allows children to learn by just watching, they download everything that is going on around them. This develops their subconscious mind. After the age of 7, 95% of your life will be what was programmed.
After this state, we must learn through repetition and hypnosis.
Or, If you want to watch a fun 15 minute animated After Skool video, click here.
The Science about Brain States
https://nhahealth.com/brainwaves-the-language/
The different brains states
GAMMA (above 30Hz)
Processing of information from different brain areas, and researchers have discovered them active in higher states of consciousness like altruism and love
BETA (13-30Hz)
Waking state for decisions and activities
ALPHA (8-12 Hz)
Awake, but quietly flowing thoughts where you lose track of time
THETA (4-8 Hz)
Occurs between wakefulness and sleep and relates to the subconscious mind, a gateway to learning and memory
DELTA(less than 4 Hz)
Generated in deep meditation and dreamless sleep
Gamma
Gamma is measured between 30 and 44 (Hz) and is the only frequency group found in every part of the brain. When the brain needs to simultaneously process information from different areas, its hypothesized that the 40Hz activity consolidates the required areas for simultaneous processing. A good memory is associated with well-regulated and efficient 40Hz activity, whereas a 40Hz deficiency creates learning disabilities.
Subjective feeling states: thinking; integrated thoughts
Associated tasks & behaviors: high-level information processing, “binding”
Physiological correlates: associated with information-rich task processing
Effects of Training: not known
Beta
Beta activity is ‘fast’ activity. It reflects desynchronized active brain tissue. It is usually seen on both sides in symmetrical distribution and is most evident frontally. It may be absent or reduced in areas of cortical damage.
It is generally regarded as a normal rhythm and is the dominant rhythm in those who are alert or anxious or who have their eyes open.
It is the state that most of the brain is in when we have our eyes open and are listening and thinking during analytical problem solving, judgment, decision making, processing information about the world around us.
The beta band has a relatively large range, and has been divided into low, midrange and high.
Low Beta (12-15HZ)
Subjective feeling states: relaxed yet focused, integrated
Associated tasks & behaviors: low SMR can reflect “ADD”, lack of focused attention
Physiological correlates: is inhibited by motion; restraining body may increase SMR
Effects of Training: increasing SMR can produce relaxed focus, improved attentive abilities.
Mid Beta (15-18HZ)
Subjective feeling states: thinking, aware of self & surroundings
Associated tasks & behaviors: mental activity
Physiological correlates: alert, active, but not agitated
Effects of Training: can increase mental ability, focus, alertness
High Beta (18-30HZ)
Subjective feeling states: alertness, agitation
Associated tasks & behaviors: mental activity, e.g. math, planning
Physiological correlates: general activation of mind & body functions.
Effects of Training: can induce alertness, but may also produce agitation
Alpha
Good healthy alpha production promotes mental resourcefulness, aids in the ability to mentally coordinate, enhances overall sense of relaxation and fatigue. In this state you can move quickly and efficiently to accomplish whatever task is at hand. When Alpha predominates most people feel at ease and calm. Alpha appears to bridge the conscious to the subconscious. It is the major rhythm seen in normal relaxed adults – it is present during most of life especially beyond the thirteenth year when it dominates the resting tracing. Alpha rhythms are reported to be derived from the white matter of the brain. The white matter can be considered the part of the brain that connects all parts with each other. Alpha is a common state for the brain and occurs whenever a person is alert (it is a marker for alertness and sleep), but not actively processing information. They are strongest over the occipital (back of the head) cortex and also over the frontal cortex. Alpha has been linked to extroversion (introverts show less), creativity (creative subjects show alpha when listening and coming to a solution for creative problems), and mental work. When your alpha is within normal ranges we tend to also experience good moods, see the world truthfully, and have a sense of calmness. Alpha is one of the brain’s most important frequencies to learn and use information taught in the classroom and on the job. You can increase alpha by closing your eyes or deep breathing or decrease alpha by thinking or calculating. Alpha-Theta training can create an increase in sensation, abstract thinking and self-control. In our car scenario, Alpha would represent neutral or idle. Alpha allows us to shift easily from one task to another.
Subjective feeling states: relaxed, not agitated, but not drowsy; tranquil, conscious
Associated tasks & behaviors: meditation, no action
Physiological correlates: relaxed, healing
Effects of Training: can produce relaxation
Sub band low alpha: 8-10: inner-awareness of self, mind/body integration, balance
Sub band high alpha: 10-12: centering, healing, mind/body connection
Theta
It is seen in connection with creativity, intuition, daydreaming, and fantasizing and is a repository for memories, emotions, sensations. Theta waves are strong during internal focus, meditation, prayer, and spiritual awareness.
It is abnormal in awake adults but is perfectly normal in children up to 13 years old.
It is also normal during sleep. Theta is believed to reflect activity from the limbic system and hippocampal regions. Theta is observed in anxiety, behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition. When the theta rhythm appears to function normally it mediates and/or promotes adaptive, complex behaviors such as learning and memory. Under unusual emotional circumstances, such as stress or disease states, there may be an imbalance of three major transmitter systems, which results in aberrant behavior.
Subjective feeling states: intuitive, creative, recall, fantasy, imagery, creative, dreamlike, switching thoughts, drowsy; “oneness”, “knowing”
Associated tasks & behaviors: creative, intuitive; but may also be distracted, unfocused
Physiological correlates: healing, integration of mind/body
Effects of Training: if enhanced, can induce drifting, trance-like state. If suppressed, can improve concentration, ability to focus attention
Delta
This is the predominant state of infants in their first year.
We increase Delta waves in order to decrease our awareness of the physical world. We also access information in our unconscious mind through Delta. Peak performers decrease Delta waves when high focus and peak performance are required. However, most individuals diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, naturally increase rather than decrease Delta activity when trying to focus. The inappropriate Delta response often severely restricts the ability to focus and maintain attention. It is as if the brain is locked into a perpetual drowsy state.
Subjective feeling states: deep, dreamless sleep, non-REM sleep, trance, unconscious
Associated tasks & behaviors: lethargic, not moving, not attentive
Physiological correlates: not moving, low-level of arousal
Effects of training: can induce drowsiness, trance, deeply relaxed states
So how does energy healing relate to Brain States?
Reiki and Sound Healing can help to put the body into a meditative state during which time a variety of activities can occur.
Since, the human body has electrical and magnetic energies that flow through it and around living tissues, researcher Bernadette Doran describes describes a theory that says the brain waves of energy therapists are synchronized with the earth’s magnetic field, about 7.83 Hz, which is just at the top of the Theta range, above (dreaming) and slightly below Alpha (being in the ‘present’): ‘Some scientists call it the “tuning fork” of the planet, claiming that it generates natural healing properties when living things are entrained to its rhythm.’
Another researcher, Pennington, clarifies that while healing energy travels from 0 to 30 Hz, it tends to be concentrated at 7.8 Hz, where ‘peak meditation and healing take place in the human body, mind and spirit.’
Both Doran and Pennington describe research that says that different techniques used by reiki practitioners, such as intention, compassion and visualizing symbols, can amplify the magnetic fields found in and around the human body.
- During this state, the recipient can train themselves to meditate. I was never able to meditate prior to my energy healing sessions but I learned that I actually could during my energy healing sessions and after much practice with guided meditation, I can now meditate where I have no thoughts as well.
- The practitioner can provide affirmations and recite them for the seeker or together or the seeker can recite them to themselves out loud or silently. I’ve witnessed a seeker say an affirmation that made their entire body tense, and with Reiki treatment, by the third time they said it, they could believe the affirmation.
- The practitioner can provide a guided meditation that helps dispel old beliefs and lock in new ways of thinking. These can be printed out from another talented meditative guide or just play a prerecorded version of a meditation. I don’t recommend using prerecorded versions as it takes away the spontaneity of a session.
- With creativity, the practitioner can help the seeker recreate a stressful worry, dissolve it with energy healing and fill it with a new, positive scenario.
In summary, Reiki and Sound Healing can put you in a deep meditative state which helps you to reprogram your brain to get more of what you want out of life.