Photic stimulation

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Oct, 2004 by Jule Klotter

Photic stimulation--whether from a strobe lamp or a device like the Biolight or Little Calm Machine--affects brain wave frequency and can be used to reduce anxiety and pain. Electromagnetic brain waves are influenced through entrainment; they follow compatible frequencies in the environment much like a tuning fork will vibrate, without being struck, if a compatible pitch sounds. When people watch a light that pulses at 10 cycles (Hz) per second, their brain waves take on the calm, but alert, alpha frequencies (8 to 12 Hz). If the pulse declines to 5 or 6 cycles per second, theta brain waves arise bringing a deeply relaxed, dream-like state.

An Australian website (www.lifetools.com.au) lists several studies involving photic stimulation devices and their ability to calm anxiety, reduce pain, and relieve headaches. Dr. Norman Shealy and Dr. Richard Cox used photic stimulation devices on more than 5,000 patients suffering from chronic pain and stress symptoms during the 1980s. Their studies found that 88 out of 92 patients responded to 30-minute sessions at 10 Hz with significant relaxation. Thirty patients responded to 5 Hz after 5 minutes, reporting relaxation and pain relief. Relaxation increased when photic stimulation was used in combination with relaxation audio tapes. Dr. Thomas Budzynski programmed a device between 3 and 7 Hz and found that it induced a hypnotic state within 10 to 15 minutes. Patients report feeling relaxed and having a sense of well-being at the end of the session--an effect that lasts for 3-4 days for the majority. Dr. Norman Thomas and David Siever found that stress and nervousness indicators (index skin temperature and muscular tension measured with an EMG) showed greater levels of relaxation in people using a photic stimulation device at 10 Hz for 15 minutes than those using autosuggestion relaxation exercises.

What I find so interesting about this research is that we are so responsive to environmental frequencies--light and sound. If we can use pulsing light and Baroque music to calm brain waves intentionally, what frequencies in our home and work environments are affecting us unintentionally, perhaps even promoting stress and anxiety?

Budzynski, Thomas, PhD, et al. Academic Performance Enhancement with Photic Stimulation and EDR Feedback. J of Neurotherapy (3-3)2. www.snr-jnt.org/JournalNT

Photic Stimulation Research. www.lifetools.com.au/littlecalmmachine/Research.html