In recent years it has become apparent that the brain is the single most powerful acting force upon the body.

The body and mind are inseparable.

The most obvious example of this principle can be found in what the scientific community calls the "placebo effect", which is a broad term used to describe a huge range of unexplained phenomena such as so-called miracle cures. In essence, the placebo effect is a response to a stimulus one believes will work. Simply believing something will work is often enough to make it work. In fact, Psychologist Ernest Lawrence Rossi wrote in his book, The Psychobiology of Mind-Body Healing, that the placebo effect accounts for nearly 56% of the effectiveness of analgesics, like Morphine. This means that when you take a pain killer, more than half of the effect is the direct result of your belief in the pill. And the effect is not in any way limited to pain killers.

Your brain cells reset their sodium & potassium ratios when the brain is in Theta state. The sodium & potassium levels are involved in osmosis which is the chemical process that transports chemicals into and out of your brain cells. After an extended period in the Beta state the ratio between potassium and sodium is out of balance. This the main cause of what is known as "mental fatigue". A brief period in Theta (about 5 - 15min) can restore the ratio to normal resulting in mental refreshment.

Brain Waves and Consciousness

Controversies concerning the brain, mind, and consciousness have existed since the early Greek philosophers argued about the nature of the mind-body relationship, and none of these disputes has been resolved. Modern neurologists have located the mind in the brain and have said that consciousness is the result of electrochemical neurological activity.

There are, however, growing observations to the contrary. There is no neurophysiological research which conclusively shows that the higher levels of mind (intuition, insight, creativity, imagination, understanding, thought, reasoning, intent, decision, knowing, will, spirit, or soul) are located in brain tissue (Hunt, 1995).

A resolution to the controversies surrounding the higher mind and consciousness and the mind-body problem in general may need to involve an epistemological shift to include extra-rational ways of knowing (de Quincey, 1994) and cannot be comprehended by neurochemical brain studies alone.

We are in the midst of a revolution focusing on the study of consciousness (Owens, 1995). Penfield, an eminent contemporary neurophysiologist, found that the human mind continued to work in spite of the brain’s reduced activity under anesthesia.

Brain waves were nearly absent while the mind was just as active as in the waking state. The only difference was in the content of the conscious experience. Following Penfield’s work, other researchers have reported awareness in comatose patients (Hunt, 1995) and there is a growing body of evidence which suggests that reduced cortical arousal while maintaining conscious awareness is possible (Fischer, 1971;West 1980; Delmonte, 1984; Goleman 1988; Jevning, Wallace, & Beidenbach, 1992; Wallace, 1986; Mavromatis, 1991).

These states are variously referred to as meditative, trance, altered, hypnogogic, hypnotic, and twilight-learning states (Budzynski, 1986). Broadly defined, the various forms of altered states rest on the maintenance of conscious awareness in a physiologically reduced state of arousal marked by parasympathetic dominance (Mavromatis, 1991). Recent physiological studies of highly hypnotizable subjects and adept meditators indicate that maintaining awareness with reduced cortical arousal is indeed possible in selected individuals as a natural ability or as an acquired skill (Sabourin, Cutcomb, Crawford, & Pribram, 1993).

More and more scientists are expressing doubts about the neurologists’ brain-mind model because it fails to answer so many questions about our ordinary experiences, as well as evading our mystical and spiritual ones. The scientific evidence supporting the phenomenon of remote viewing alone is sufficient to show that mind-consciousness is not a local phenomenon (McMoneagle, 1993).

If mind-consciousness is not the brain, why then does science relate states of consciousness and mental functioning to brain-wave frequencies? And how is it that audio with embedded binaural beats alters brain waves? The first question can be answered in terms of instrumentation. There is no objective way to measure mind or consciousness with an instrument. Mind-consciousness appears to be a field phenomenon which interfaces with the body and the neurological structures of the brain (Hunt, 1995). One cannot measure this field directly with current instrumentation. On the other hand, the electrical potentials of brain waves can be measured and easily quantified. Contemporary science likes things that can be measured and quantified. The problem here lies in oversimplification of the observations. EEG patterns measured on the cortex are the result of electroneurological activity of the brain. But the brain’s electroneurological activity is not mind-consciousness.

EEG measurements then are only an indirect means of assessing the mind-consciousness interface with the neurological structures of the brain. As crude as this may seem, the EEG has been a reliable way for researchers to estimate states of consciousness based on the relative proportions of EEG frequencies. Stated another way, certain EEG patterns have been historically associated with specific states of consciousness. It is reasonable to assume, given the current EEG literature, that if a specific EEG pattern emerges it is probably accompanied by a particular state of consciousness.

As to the second question raised in the above paragraph, audio with embedded binaural beats alters the electrochemical environment of the brain. This allows mind-consciousness to have different experiences. When the brain is entrained to lower frequencies and awareness is maintained, a unique state of consciousness emerges. This state is often referred to as hypnogogia "mind awake/body asleep." Slightly higher-frequency entrainment can lead to hyper suggestive states of consciousness. Still higher-frequency EEG states are associated with alert and focused mental activity needed for the optimal performance of many tasks. Perceived reality changes depending on the state of consciousness of the perceiver (Tart, 1975). Some states of consciousness provide limited views of reality, while others provide an expanded awareness of reality. For the most part, states of consciousness change in response to the ever-changing internal environment and surrounding stimulation. For example, states of consciousness are subject to influences like drugs and circadian and ultradian rhythms (Rossi, 1986; Shannahoff-Khalsa, 1991; Webb & Dube, 1981). Specific states of consciousness can also be learned as adaptive behaviors to demanding circumstances (Green and Green, 1986).

How It Works On The Brain

When signals of two different frequencies are presented, one to each ear, the brain detects phase differences between these signals. "Under natural circumstances a detected phase difference would provide directional information. The brain processes this anomalous information differently when these phase differences are heard with stereo headphones or speakers. A perceptual integration of the two signals takes place, producing the sensation of a third "beat" frequency. The difference between the signals waxes and wanes as the two different input frequencies mesh in and out of phase. As a result of these constantly increasing and decreasing differences, an amplitude-modulated standing wave -the binaural beat- is heard. The binaural beat is perceived as a fluctuating rhythm at the frequency of the difference between the two auditory inputs. Evidence suggests that the binaural beats are generated in the brainstem’s superior olivary nucleus, the first site of contralateral integration in the auditory system (Oster, 1973). Studies also suggest that the frequency-following response originates from the inferior colliculus (Smith, Marsh, & Brown, 1975)" (Owens & Atwater, 1995). This activity is conducted to the cortex where it can be recorded by scalp electrodes.

The Discovery Of Binaural Beats

Binaural beats were discovered in 1839 by a German experimenter, H. W. Dove. The human ability to "hear" binaural beats appears to be the result of evolutionary adaptation. Many evolved species can detect binaural beats because of their brain structure. The frequencies at which binaural beats can be detected change depending upon the size of the species’ cranium.

In the human, binaural beats can be detected when carrier waves are below approximately 1000 Hz (Oster, 1973). Below 1000 Hz the wave length of the signal is longer than the diameter of the human skull. Thus, signals below 1000 Hz curve around the skull by diffraction.

The same effect can be observed with radio wave propagation. Lower-frequency (longer wave length) radio waves (such as AM radio) travel around the earth over and in between mountains and structures. Higher-frequency (shorter wave length) radio waves (such as FM radio, TV, and microwaves) travel in a straight line and can’t curve around the earth. Mountains and structures block these high-frequency signals. Because frequencies below 1000 Hz curve around the skull, incoming signals below 1000 Hz are heard by both ears.

But due to the distance between the ears, the brain "hears" the inputs from the ears as out of phase with each other. As the sound wave passes around the skull, each ear gets a different portion of the wave. It is this waveform phase difference that allows for accurate location of sounds below 1000 Hz(9).

Audio direction finding at higher frequencies is less accurate than it is for frequencies below 1000 Hz. At 8000 Hz the pinna (external ear) becomes effective as an aid to localization. In summary it’s the ability of the brain to detect a waveform phase difference is what enables it to perceive binaural beats.

Resonant entrainment of oscillating systems

Resonant entrainment of oscillating systems is a well-understood principle within the physical sciences. If a tuning fork designed to produce a frequency of 440 Hz is struck (causing it to oscillate) and then brought into the vicinity of another 440 Hz tuning fork, the second tuning fork will begin to oscillate. The first tuning fork is said to have entrained the second or caused it to resonate. The physics of entrainment apply to biosystems as well. Of interest here are the electromagnetic brain waves.

The electrochemical activity of the brain results in the production of electromagnetic wave forms which can be objectively measured with sensitive equipment. Brain waves change frequencies based on neural activity within the brain. Because neural activity is electrochemical, brain function can be modified through the introduction of specific chemicals (drugs), by altering the brain’s electromagnetic environment through induction, or through resonant entrainment techniques.

Various Uses Of Audio With Embedded Binaural Beats

Uses of audio with embedded binaural beats that are mixed with music or various pink or background sound are diverse. They range from relaxation, meditation, stress reduction, pain management, improved sleep quality, decrease in sleep requirements, super learning, enhanced creativity and intuition, remote viewing, telepathy, and out-of-body experience and lucid dreaming. Audio embedded with binaural beats is often combined with various meditation techniques, as well as positive affirmations and visualization.

The "frequency-following response" effect.

The binaural-beat appears to be associated with an electroencephalographic (EEG) frequency-following response in the brain(3). Many studies have demonstrated the presence of a frequency-following response to auditory stimuli, recorded at the vertex of the human brain (top of the head). This EEG activity was termed "frequency-following response" because its period corresponds to the fundamental frequency of the stimulus (Smith, Marsh, & Brown, 1975). Binaural-beat stimulation appears to encourage access to altered states of consciousness.

The Myth of Subliminal Messages

This topic was written to help dispel many of the myths regarding Subliminal Messages and similar products, since we are asked about them often.

We researched subliminal messages quite extensively before producing NP, and even conducted many of our own tests. If, during our research, we had found even the slightest trace of effectiveness, we would have integrated them into the application.

What are Subliminal Messages?

By definition, subliminal refers to that which is below perception. "Sub" meaning below and "Liminal" meaning the threshold for sensory perception.

Subliminal messages have also been called Subliminal Affirmations, Silent Sounds, Ultrasonic, Subsonic, SupraSonic Sounds/Messages and various other names. Although the methods may differ, the lack of impact of these methods on behavior is the largely the same.

Subliminal Messages: Fact or Fiction?

The effectiveness of subliminal messages is one of the most wide spread myths of all time. It all seems to have started with a 1957 marketing agent named James Vicary, who claimed to have increased popcorn sales by 58% and Coke sales by 18% in a New Jersey movie theater by flashing the messages "Drink Coca-Cola" and "Hungry - Eat Popcorn." Although it was later admitted by Vicary that he fabricated the results, this hoax is, to this day, still mentioned as proof of the effectiveness of subliminal messages. You can find it mentioned in subliminal message products all over the world, including numerous computer applications, even though nobody has ever reproduced the results claimed by Mr. Vicary.

The belief in subliminal messages probably reached its peak in 1974 when the FCC banned subliminal messages from advertising, probably more as a response to public paranoia than anything else. One survey showed that 68% of the public believed in subliminal messages. Surprisingly, this number may be even higher today.

The January 1991 issue of the University of California, Berkeley, Wellness Letter noted that double blind tests have consistently shown that subliminal tapes fail to produce their claimed effects. There is also no evidence that subliminal messages actually affect behavior. Interestingly enough, "One research team noted a 'nonspecific placebo effect' ... tapes without subliminal messages produced a greater effect that those with them"!

In a separate study, Timothy E. Moore showed that subliminal tapes didn't even meet the minimal criteria for perception. This means that if subliminal messages are perceived at all, it isn't by the brain. He concluded that it is highly unlikely that they have any effect at all, much less a significant effect on behavior or thought patterns. [Glendon College, York University. Subliminal Self-help Auditory Tapes: An Empirical Test of Perceptual Consequences.].

Doesn't MindSets use subliminal messages?

Many people have asked us if the suggestions or hypnosis scripts that NP uses are the equivalent of Subliminal Messages. The answer is no, because the they are loud enough to be easily heard during a session. In fact affirmations and hypnosis are meant to be heard clearly in order to have the desired effect. It is the wording of the suggestions and the state YOU are in that makes self-programming work.

What about subliminal advertising?

Clever advertising is too often referred to as "subliminal". For example, an ad that integrates sexual themes without overtly showing intimacy, may be referred to as being subliminal. Although many people may notnotice subtle advertising methods, they are still well within sensory perception, and are not really related to subliminal messages that cannot be perceived, which is what this article refers to.

Conclusion

There may be subliminal phenomena, and there is certainly a lot our conscious mind does not perceive, but flashing messages that cannot be seen or playing affirmations below the limit of human hearing, has not been

proven to have a significant effect on behavior. A simple online search of "Subliminal Messages" reveals the above information, so be sure to keep a skeptical mind when dealing with subliminal message programs.

Hypnosis, affirmations, visualization - these are proven, time-tested, NON-subliminal methods used by therapists, clinicians and professionals all around the world. For this reason, NP2 is focused on providing these methods as opposed to anything subliminal.

The Human Identity

What are you? Are you your brain? Are you your body? Are you a combination of the two? When most people use the word "I" they tend to mean it in reference a whole person, made up of many different pieces. "I" usually refers to the personality, the body and the brain. That is deceiving, though, because one could still be called "I" even after losing most of the above. And if we are made up of only our personality, body and brain, why is it we can observe our own emotions, our own thoughts?

What is doing the observing? Seasoned meditators have learned to clear their mind and watch as their thoughts flow by, as a psychotherapist would observe a patient. What is watching your thoughts? If common knowledge is true (that "I" is made up of our thoughts and feelings), observing our thoughts without intervention should not be possible, because we should be our thoughts. But that is not true. In order for a thought to be observed there must be something doing the observing.

There is a part of the brain that is inherently different than any other part. Its purpose is to observe your brain and interact with your will. It is the consciousness. It is self-awareness. John C. Lilly, M.D., calls it the Self-

Metaprogram, or a mental structure that observes, controls, organizes and governs other mental structures. It might not even be a specific part of the brain, it might be made up of hundreds of little pieces from all other parts of the brain, but this observing, conscious mechanism exists in all humans. It is more base than intelligence, thought or emotion. It is the only part of you that hasn't changed since you were born. If you were to take away everything but it, you would be left without any motion, emotions, sensations or thoughts. You would desire nothing. You would not even fear death.

Try this little experiment. Think of something that makes you embarrassed or angry. Observe as your stomach tenses up and your mood changes from calm to angry. The part of you that is observing this brainbody reaction has no bias, no filters, and no anger. Anger and embarrassment are simple mechanisms of the brain. They can be turned on and off at will, like light switches. You just turned one of them on. After a little knowledge and practice, it becomes just as easy to turn them off.

So, in effect, your brain is a computer. The brain consists of all of your emotions, all your pain, all your thoughts, memories, beliefs, judgments and personality quirks. You, the user and the observer of this computer, can control all of it via Mind Programming.

Mind Over Body

In recent years it has become apparent that the brain is the single most powerful acting force upon the body.

The body and mind are inseparable.

The most obvious example of this principle can be found in what the scientific community calls the "placebo effect", which is a broad term used to describe a huge range of unexplained phenomena such as so-called miracle cures. In essence, the placebo effect is a response to a stimulus one believes will work. Simply believing something will work is often enough to make it work. In fact, Psychologist Ernest Lawrence Rossi wrote in his book, The Psychobiology of Mind-Body Healing, that the placebo effect accounts for nearly 56% of the effectiveness of analgesics, like Morphine. This means that when you take a pain killer, more than half of the effect is the direct result of your belief in the pill. And the effect is not in any way limited to pain killers.

The placebo response shows up in nearly every therapeutic agent!

Rossi also wrote that the Limbic System works to convert words, feelings and visualizations into a language that the body can understand, the language of neuro-chemical messenger molecules called neuropeptides,

which flow through the entire body. He concludes that Mental Programs become hard-wired into not only our brain, but into individual cells as well.

There are more studies that directly link the mind and body. Dr. Candace Pert wrote of these links in her book Molecules Of Emotion. Her pioneering work into the brain-body connection has led to the discovery of a complex network of chemicals, stimulated by the brain, directly affecting the health of the body on the cellular level. She discovered a number of cellular receptors and preferential chemical bindings that act as information pathways from the brain to all cells in the body. It has been shown that all events, from sex with a preferred partner to a traumatic event, affect the body directly, positively or negatively.

It has been also shown that generally happy people are three times less likely to get the common cold (and other ailments) than unhappy people (Journal Of Psychosomatic Medicine, July 11, 2002). This could be linked to the infamous stress hormone, Cortisol, which has numerous adverse effects on the human body (cancer, heart disease, etc).

Studies done by the famous Cleve Backster indicate an even more direct connection from the brain to individual cells. He allegedly separated cells from the body and measured cellular reactions to emotional changes in the mind of the patient. This particular study is intriguing but should probably be regarded with skepticism until follow up studies are done. Still, it is very clear that as goes the mind, so goes the body.

Therefore, two assumptions can be made.

1) The mind is able to change the body if properly programmed to do so.

2) In order for the body to be kept in peak physical condition, the mind must also be kept in a peak mental condition.

Further Reading
Programming and Metaprogramming in the Human Biocomputer, John C. Lilly, M.D.Software For The Mind, Emmett E. Miller, M.D.NLP, The New Technology Of Achievement, The NLP Comprehensive Training TeamMolecules Of Emotion, Dr. Candace PertImagery and Healing, Jeanne AchtenbergThe Psychobiology of Mind-Body Healing, Ernest Lawrence RossiHypnosis in Anesthesiology. Sadove, M.S., Illinois Medical JournalMeditations from the Tantras, Swami Satyananda SaraswatiAwakening The Mind, Anna Wise

Willpower, Imagination and Belief

Imagination VS Willpower

Willpower is meant to fail. Have you ever tried to relax in a nervous situation? The more you try, the more you fail. Some lucky people have learned to take deep breaths and picture something relaxing or humorous, like a naked audience.

Nevertheless, most people will go through their entire lives without being able to relax on command.

Willpower is a mechanism that was built to give your brain an easy way to disobey your orders. Most of the time, it is doing this for your own good, or the good of the human race. For instance, if a man, during sex, starts willing himself not to have an orgasm it will probably make it happen two times faster. But a commonly known method of delaying orgasm is to think of baseball or some other non-sexual subject. The mind responds to what you believe, not what you want. If you believe something, your mind will go to

whatever lengths necessary to make that belief true, including changing you and your perception, or even changing the world around you if it can.

Belief and Imagination - "I'll believe it when I see it!"

What is more convincing than actually experiencing something? Not even a testimonial from a very reputable source can replace actually witnessing an event. Your subconscious mind works this way too, if you experience something, your subconscious mind lets down its guard and accepts it as true.

Belief and Imagination both trigger the same mental mechanism. In fact, it could be said that belief and imagination are the same mechanism, because they have the same effect. Many studies have been done on the result of imagination vs. belief. A basketball player who believes he can shoot and score is much more likely to make a shot than one who doesn't believe. However, if the person who doesn't believe imagines himself shooting and scoring, it is almost as likely to happen.

Try a little experiment. Get a rubber band and shoot it at a spot on the wall 10 times. Now sit back and take 5 minutes to imagine the rubber band hitting the exact spot on the wall every time you shoot it. It never misses in your mind. Every time you shoot it hits. In your mind, shoot 10 times and make it hit every time. After 5 minutes of visualization, shoot at the same spot another 10 times. The vast majority of people will find theirshots are much more accurate than before. If you are already good at shooting rubber bands, try something else, like flipping a quarter and catching it with your eyes closed.

The Mind can't tell the difference

The subconscious mind can not tell the difference between imagination and real experience. Don't believe us? If you imagine food, you will become hungry and start to salivate. If you imagine an attractive person, youwill start to get excited. You, of course, know it is not real, but your subconscious mind does not and itsmental reaction is the same.

Using sensitive medical equipment, scientists can spot which parts of the brain "light up" when a person hasan experience. What is amazing is that the exact same areas light up when the person is asked to simplyimagine the same experience. The neural, electrical response to a real experience is almost identical to thatof imagination! So identical, in fact, that the subconscious mind has trouble telling the difference.

The quirk of imagination is something that can be leveraged with Mental Programming. If you imagineyourself strong, thin and healthy, your mind, thinking it is real, will act to make the visualization a reality.

The remarkable effects of imagination increase with the clarity of the experience inside your head. Visualizingwhile in deep Alpha, near Theta, is enormously powerful because you are near a dream state, which is asvivid as mental imagery gets.

Further Reading
Software For The Mind, Emmett E. Miller, M.D.The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Dr. Joseph Murphy, Ph.D.Introducing NLP, Joseph O'Connor & John SeymourPeak performance: Mental training techniques of the world's greatest athletes, Charles GarfieldThe Mental Edge, Kenneth BaumMegabrain, Michael HutchisonNLP, The New Technology Of Achievement, The NLP Comprehensive Training Team.

Synchronized brain waves

Synchronized brain waves have long been associated with meditative and hypnogogic states, and audio with embedded binaural beats has the ability to induce and improve such states of consciousness. The reason for this is physiological. Each ear is "hardwired" (so to speak) to both hemispheres of the brain (Rosenzweig, 1961). Each hemisphere has its own olivary nucleus (sound-processing center) which receives signals from each ear. In keeping with this physiological structure, when a binaural beat is perceived there are actually two standing waves of equal amplitude and frequency present, one in each hemisphere. So, there are two separate standing waves entraining portions of each hemisphere to the same frequency. The binaural beats appear to contribute to the hemispheric synchronization evidenced in meditative and hypnogogic states of consciousness. Brain function is also enhanced through the increase of cross-collosal communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

This session will guide your mind to a state that is optimal for learning. When your mind is nearing that state, the recorded material you provide will start to fade in. Don't worry if you can't hear it at first - the fade in is part of the process. Just relax and let the session do its work.

After starting the session, close your eyes and try to relax (your eyes should be closed, even if you are using screen flashing or light goggles). During the session you should remain as calm and relaxed as possible. Fidgeting constantly could act to bring you out of the target brainwave pattern. Refer to the Relaxation Guide in the documentation for more information.