Tutorial Randomise - Brain Brightening

Compliments of the Season to all.

I have been reading the Tutorial: Using the Ramdomization feature of Proteus Editor. This is very interesting, but I was disapointed to find that there appears to be no example of the promised topic:

"Creating broadband stimulation protocols for overall activation (this approach is called 'Brain Brightening' by Dr Thomas Budzynski)"

This is a group of procedures I would really like to use. Is there a possibillity that you could expand this tutorial to cover this topic?

Thank you Allan

I will pass your suggestion on to Robert! :)

Thank you Marisa

Further to my original posting on the subject of:

"Creating broadband stimulation protocols for overall activation (this approach is called 'Brain Brightening' by Dr Thomas Budzynski)"

I realise that extending the tutorial to include this topic is a long term exercise. I would however like to use a procedure to assist me in minimising mind deterioration due to age. I am of course using various standard procedures such as 33 to 37 on a daily basis. Can you give me some pointers on how to write such a procedure?

What are the requirements for a 'Brain Brightening' procedure? I have a feeling that it should concentrate on the alpha to high beta range. What is the advantage of using random segments - can you assist at all?
Thanks Allan.

Hi Allan,

Where did you find the writing "Brain Brightening" by Budzynski? I'd like to read more about what he's talking about before I attempt to answer your questions on that subject.

Were you looking for some information on keeping your brain in shape in addition to recommended L&S programs?

A quick answer regarding target frequencies: For cognitive improvement SMR and Alpha are actually your best bet. SMR is low Beta (12 - 15 Hz).

If you are wanting to write a program of your own and want to know which frequencies to target, let me know. If you just want to know which Proteus programs to use then I recommend programs 17 - 22.

Short bursts of high beta can be helpful. Too much high beta will make you feel anxious or hyper. You can try P3 and see how you feel afterward. It's only a 15 minute program and covers the range from 16 - 30 Hz.

Habitation occurs when a person is exposed to the same frequency over time. We want to avoid habitation and do so in the programs by mixing things up a bit (spending a bit of time in the range of Alpha and then Beta etc. as opposed to spending time focusing on one frequency). I hope that makes sense.

M.

Hello Marisa
The first LSI I bought was the Voyager Galaxy. The Voyager Galaxy site had some very good articles available, three of them were by Thomas Budzynski they are available at the following URL:

http://www.thetavoyager.com/Articles.htm

I have looked for other articles by him on the web because he did not give exact details of frequencies and time etc. There was a "Brain Brightening" session on the Galaxy but I have lent the Galaxy to my son in law. So yes I do want to write my own session to use on the Proteus to suppliment the existing L&S programs.

When I read the "Using the Randomise Function" Tutorial at:

http://www.proteus-support.org/Proteus.htm

This tutorial mentioned under the third option that it will cover:

"Creating broadband stimulation protocols for overall activation (this approach is called 'Brain Brightening' by Dr. Thomas Budzynski)"

I realised that this may be the information that I was looking for and I felt that the randomised aspect would tend to negate the effects of habitisation. However there was no obvious detail presented. It may have been inferred as a simple modification of the procedures offered - but if so I did not understand.

Regarding your suggestions as to the standard programs to use, I will use them in rotation with programs 33-37 that I have been using for this job.
Thank you for your input. Allan

Hello Marisa

I wonder if you have any more information on the "Brain Brightening" randomise programs?

I would like to write one or two for my personal use. I find that the ramdom program on P00 is quite dramatic and always gives me good visuals, I also enjoy P48 and P49.

I have been using 22 and 37 but find that sometimes the visuals are much less dramatic especially when the green LEDs are running by themselves. The visuals become monochrome with very little noticable pulsing. I think that a ramdom session using suitable "Brain Brightening" frequencies may assist me to get past this block.
Thank you for your interest.
Allan

Hi Allen,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by agodney

Hello Marisa

I wonder if you have any more information on the "Brain Brightening" randomise programs?

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I do not. Hmmm what in particular are you looking for? An idea of what frequencies to target or is it something more on how to use the randomise program?

Quote:

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I would like to write one or two for my personal use. I find that the random program on P00 is quite dramatic and always gives me good visuals, I also enjoy P48 and P49.

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I think program 00 just chooses one of the 49 programs to play randomly. So you'll get a different program every time. P 48 and 49 are just for entertainment and do not target any specific brain frequency, at least long enough to have any therapeutic effect.

From what I can tell "brain brightening" targets frequencies 12 to 15 Hz (which are SMR). SMR is associated with improved cognitive ability and focus. Increased cognitive ability. No other set of frequencies will do this, at least as well.

Quote:

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I have been using 22 and 37 but find that sometimes the visuals are much less dramatic especially when the green LEDs are running by themselves. The visuals become monochrome with very little noticeable pulsing. I think that a random session using suitable "Brain Brightening" frequencies may assist me to get past this block.

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P 22 is an Alpha Beta program and 37 targets waves from Theta to Alpha to Beta. Those two programs are pretty encompassing. Hmmm well ... uh the good news is that you don't need to find the programs entertaining for them to work though it does make for a more pleasant experience. The green LEDs are going to be on more especially when you are targeting a theta or alpha state. The red LEDs will be more stimulating.

The bad news is that if you create a program that changes dramatically every 30 seconds or so, you may be more entertained but you won't get any therapeutic value out of it. You need to be able to spend at least 10 (preferably 15 to 20) minutes in a range of frequencies (Beta, SMR, Alpha, Theta or Delta) for it to have an entrainment effect. Keeping in mind that each range of frequencies is associated with different states of mind.

The best programs for a brain brightening effect are: P17 - 22 & 38 - 42. You may also like programs 33 - 37. 33 & 34 are mostly alpha. 35 & 36 are mostly Theta and Beta (an interesting combination that may get you results). and P 37 targets Theta, Alpha and Beta - though it's a bit longer of a program and because of the Theta frequencies, you may not find it as interesting ... however, you may find it beneficial to just trance out. :)

M.

Hello Marisa

Thank you for your input, much appreciated.

Regards Allan

Tom's an old friend of mine, and has described "brain brightening" using light and sound as, hopping between a range of frequencies every few seconds. The goal is to increase overall activation within the frequency range, which as you suggest could be in the alpha and beta range. I'll try to post an expanded tutorial and/or session(s) in the near future. My original version had 1,000 segments and lasted 15 minutes, but died in an unfortunate computer crash before I could back it up or post it. That session didn't leave much room for others, though!

Procyon's looping feature will enable much more compact sessions.

Hello Robert

Thank you for your interest and information. You have wetted my appetite with the lost procedure using 1000 sectors! The size would not be a problem as you have made it simple to upload into the user section as required.

I wonder if you could expand on:

'Tom's an old friend of mine, and has described "brain brightening" using light and sound as, hopping between a range of frequencies every few seconds. The goal is to increase overall activation within the frequency range, which as you suggest could be in the alpha and beta range.'

I am keen to recover some of my youthful mental agility which I appear to be losing in my late sixties! :o) At the moment I am using the Brain Brightening session No 27 copied from my Galaxy. It has 8 sectors:

1 Starting at 8hz increasing to 16hz over 8 min.
2. From 16hz decreasing to 9hz over 4 min.
3. From 9hz increasing to 16hz over 3 min.
4. From 16hz decreasing to 10hz over 2 min.
5. From 10hz increasing to 16hz over 2 min.
6. Finally 1 min at 16hz.

I find that if I change the audio frequency for each sector I have a good idea where I am in the session without peeping at the digital readout. I am also interested to know more about the advantages of ramdomisation.

Regarding your proposed extension of the tutorial and extra sessions, I for one will be very grateful!

Thank you.

Regards Allan

Hello, Allan--

As I recall, the Galaxy "Brain Brightening" session was set up in that manner--scanning slowly through various ranges of frequencies--in order to activate that entire range of frequencies, but taking into account the limited memory included in that model. When Tom was working for us for a year in ca. 1997-98, we had developed the ability to jump from frequency to frequency, and used that to evaluate an individual's response to a range of EEG frequecies; in that case, I think we dwelt on a specific frequency for roughly five seconds. Tom thought that would be useful for "brain brightening", and although as little as one or two seconds stimulation can evoke activity, a longer period would help ensure activation. But keeping the period relatively short also reduces the possibility of habituation, and lessens the chance that someone will simply fall asleep (which is not uncommon). So, a session which covers SMR and low beta could be ideal; I'm not sure the 9-12 Hz range would be necessary since it is attention we are trying to tune-up. I'll try to free up some time in the next couple of weeks to make both Proteus and Procyon versions which function in this manner, and post them to this site.

Hope this helps!

Robert

Hello Robert

Thank you for your interesting reply. Some questions arise from it however and I would appreciate illumination on these:

You confirmed that there is a variation of response on the EEG from stimulation of a range of frequencies, say 13hz to 15hz, from the Proteus, depending on say the age of the person tested as well as other possible variables.
If a session is devised and made for the Proteus with short sectors using the frequencies, which gave a relatively low response on the EEG test, periods of approximately one or two seconds will evoke activity at that frequency. If the period time is extended to about five seconds they will tend to activate or ?switch on? that frequency. Over a period of some weeks of daily exposure to this session the switch on of these frequencies will be more positive and of greater amplitude. Is this called entrainment? Or is entrainment the assimilation of the skill to attain a specific brain wave frequency corresponding to a required state of mind at will?
I am also a little unsure of the term Habituation or Habitation; I am not sure of the correct spelling. Is this when a brain wave frequency is ?burnt in? and becomes a permanent part of our brain waves? If so does it fade quickly with time or does it fade slowly?
What is the consequence of falling asleep when listening to the SMR range 13 Hz to 15 Hz? Does it indicate that Habituation has taken place? Or is it an indication that the session at that moment was not dynamic or interesting enough to hold the attention? If one does fall asleep has the entrainment ended while one is asleep?

Thank you for planning to make ?Brain Brightening? sessions for the Proteus and Procyon.

Regards Allan

It seems people are more active on the Transparent corp's forum with this.

http://www.transparentcorp.com/commu...=0&#entry10458

Thanks for your input. I will check it out.

Regards agodney

Hello Robert

I have written a "Brain Brightening" session and would appreciate it if you would have a look at it and advise me if I am on the right track.

1. I started with a 2 minute attention grabbing sector starting at 8Hz and ending at 12Hz.
2. I then used 50 by 5 second sectors from 12 Hz to 17Hz at 0.1 Hz intervals.
3. I wanted to add more 5 second sectors at 0.01 Hz intervals but since this was not possible, I then added 50 by 25 second sectors bridging the 0.1 Hz steps, the thought being that it would stimulate these frequencies as well.

This used 102 sectors to complete the session.
I have a feeling however that I could have used the supplemental commands to add 5 second sectors covering the 0.01 Hz frequency gaps in the 12Hz to 16Hz range, giving a total of about 500 sectors in the session, and I will experiment to see if this is possible.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Regards Allan Godney

Hello Marisa

I am not sure how the team members attention is drawn to messages addressed to them, I asked for information from Robert in the posting above about three weeks ago, I realise that he is busy and maybe he missed this posting, could you jog his memory for me.

Thank you Allan Godney.

Hi Allen,

He probably missed it, I will send him a note.

In circumstances such as this you can send the person a PM or email. This form has an email function that will forward them an email.

M.

Hello, Allan--

I'm not sure you really need such fine resolution for this application. Did you randomize the stimulation blocks, or are they sequential? Tom Budzynski thought that randomizing them within a range would be the most effective approach, as this is more akin to "broad band" stimulation. The frequency range looks OK to me as well. I'd tend to suggest shorter stimulation blocks, perhaps in the 2-5 second range.

The machine called Roshi uses a somewhat similar approach (though at a much higher price), and in some instances changes frequency very quickly. Because of the lack of published literature on this approach, there is still considerable lattitude for experimentation.

Hope this helps!

Robert

Quote:

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Originally Posted by agodney

Hello Robert

I have written a ?Brain Brightening? session and would appreciate it if you would have a look at it and advise me if I am on the right track.

1. I started with a 2 minute attention grabbing sector starting at 8Hz and ending at 12Hz.
2. I then used 50 by 5 second sectors from 12 Hz to 17Hz at 0.1 Hz intervals.
3. I wanted to add more 5 second sectors at 0.01 Hz intervals but since this was not possible, I then added 50 by 25 second sectors bridging the 0.1 Hz steps, the thought being that it would stimulate these frequencies as well.

This used 102 sectors to complete the session.
I have a feeling however that I could have used the supplemental commands to add 5 second sectors covering the 0.01 Hz frequency gaps in the 12Hz to 16Hz range, giving a total of about 500 sectors in the session, and I will experiment to see if this is possible.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Regards Allan Godney

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Hello Robert

Thank you for the information.

The current program uses sequential ramping of the frequencies.

I will modify the program to incorporate your suggestion to make the frequency selection random in the required range, and also randomise the lengths of the segments from the current fixed 5 seconds per frequency to vary between 2 and 5 seconds.
You also suggest that jumping between different frequencies may be an advantage so I will remove smoothing sectors between the stimulation/activation sectors.

Thank you.

Allan Godney

Hello Marisa

Thank you for your assistance.

Regards Allan Godney

Hello Robert

I have been experimenting with the randomise function in the editor. I set up a new session of 100 sectors. I set up my randomise options as:

Max frequency left 17Hz, Min Frequency left 12Hz
Max frequency right 16.9Hz, Min Frequency right 11.9Hz
Max brightness left 15, Min brightness left 4
Max brightness right 15, Min brightness right 4
Max segment time 5 sec, Min segment time 2 sec

I left the sound at default.
I started a new sheet with 500 segments, selected all segments and requested randomise all selected segments. It was about 27 minutes long which is acceptable.
Everything appeared to be fine except for one thing, although all the segments were between 2 and 5 seconds and the frequencies were between 12Hz and 17Hz the starting and ending frequency of each segment were not the same.
It appears that I must go through 500 lines of the session changing the final frequency of each segment to that of the starting frequency of the segment.
I have already started to do this but it will take me a couple of days. So I will take a breather to see if you can recommend a simpler way.
I have used debug on the .pr2 file to see if I could see a pattern in the file that I could modify with a programming language to change the file in an automated way - In a simple short file I can see a pattern but not when the file is randomised.

It appears that this is the answer to my ?Brain Brightening? requirement however and I will just have to change the final frequency figs by hand.

Regards Allan Godney

Hello Robert

A simple way to fix this would be to add an extra check box to the editor with the checkbox label offering "Start / End Frequency the same?" or "One frequency per sector?" If the checkbox is not checked the program would default to normal operation. If is is checked then the sectors would have one frequency for the range of sectors selected.

Regards Allan Godney

Hello All

I have virtually finished the Brain Brightening session and it is really nice to use mainly because of the use of the randomising option in the Session Editor this ensures that one is interested the whole time and the range of visual colours and paterns are very varied. It has 500 segments and lasts for 27 minutes, it took quite a long time to do, mainly because a lot of manual changes were necessary. The frequencies randomised were between 12 and 17 Hz (it maybe an idea to limit that to 13 to 16 in later version). The sector times were also randomised between 2 and 5 seconds (Roberts suggestion)and the frequency used in the time slot was the same. Thus for instance a 3 sec burst of 13.1Hz could be followed by a 4.5 sec burst of 15.8 Hz followed by a 2.1 sec burst of 14.2Hz etc. I will attach a copy of this version and would appreciate any feedback. I only wish I had an EEG to monitor the results of using this session.
Looking back on this thread - I maybe writing to myself her and I wonder if long threads are a mistake - unless they are very controversial.
Regards Allan

This is a zipped version of the Brighten2 file.

Thanks Agodney,

I have placed a copy of your sessions in the "Library" so that everyone can easily find it. Thank you so much for your contribution! I know that many people will enjoy that which you have created.

Here is where it is: http://www.mindplacesupport.com/foru...=1598#post1598

:headbang:

M.

Hello Marisa

Thank you for moving the file and also thanks for answering my thread.

Regards Allan

Thanks for writing the session Agodney. And thanks Marissa and Robert for the input.

Am going to give this a go. I now understand the similarities between the 'biolight paper' http://mindplacesupport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200 and this. Both target specific waves to increase the prominence of that wave in our brains. Doesn't matter if one is slightly better than the other, just that we get benefit!

Hello me0w

I am interested in your results and will follow your posts with interest. I am using the Brain Brightening session virtually every day. Some times I think I notice a memory improvement, but it may be a "Rose Tinted" thought :)
It would be useful to be able to save a session file as a text document as this would allow quick and easy analysis of a session in a database program such as Foxpro or basic. I would be interested to know for instance how many 5 second pulses there were in a session and at what frequency. In fact a chart of how many hits at each frequency in the range at 0.1 resolution would be very interesting.
I requested two modifications for the editor:
1. To give the option of saving a file in text format.
2. To give a checkbox to allow the frequency of a sector to be at one frequency or a range of frequencies in a ramdom environment.
Unfortunately the pressure on the programmer appears to negate the possibility of these mods.
However it will be exciting when the economical EEG is available, as this will enable us to monitor the effect on a realtime basis of any program we write. agodney