Memoirs of a Novice – Meditation pt 4

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What I would like to talk about in this article is more about what I learnt during my time at university. As I got closer to finishing my degree (with better than distinction average might I boast!?) I wanted to pursue a career in neuroscience research. I already knew what my first project was going to be. I wanted to investigate this binaural beat technology for myself, scientifically, in a professional laboratory.

So I set about reading academic journals for articles that spoke about the theories I wanted to investigate. At that point in time there weren’t many studies conducted on meditation, and even less on binaural beats, but they all appeared to agree that it did in fact create changes in brainwave states. They also seemed to agree that the effect was evident throughout the entire brain, a process known as hemispheric synchronisation. As I looked further into that terminology I discovered something that would change my focus completely.

As you probably already know, the brain is divided into two halves, or hemispheres. Each side has its individual roles to play, and they operate somewhat independently from each other. They are connected by a thin sheath of nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. What you probably didn’t know is that each side seems to generate separate brain wave states. As a matter of fact, the various regions of the brain can each have different level of arousal, as indicated by the power of the differing brainwave frequencies.

Something else that you probably don’t know, and I most definitely didn’t, was that this asynchrony in brainwave patterns is said to have possible implications in mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. I was STUNNED!! My mind starting spinning. I started considering that if meditation, in any form, can produce this hemispheric synchronisation, then it may be able to help treat depression and anxiety. This is what I wanted to look at.

Unfortunately, as there were few studies conducted on this, and due to the ethical concerns of experimenting on human subjects, my project idea was not accepted. But I was able to further investigate the relationship between depression and anxiety, and hemispheric synchronisation. Now I was unable to complete that research, but with the few subjects that I did test, there certainly seemed to be some relationship between peoples levels of anxiety or depression, and the level of hemispheric asynchrony. I also happened to make a very exciting discovery whilst testing one of my subjects.

I was testing this lady, a staff member of UTS, and I was keenly watching the tracings appearing on the computer screen. I noticed something quite strange, something I had not seen on any of my previous volunteers. I could see that certain corresponding regions from the left and right hemispheres were oscillating in almost perfect symmetry! I was stunned as I continued to watch the screen. When the test was over I asked her whether or not she meditated. She told me that she had been meditating for a number of years. That just about confirmed everything I had studied and believed to be true..

My question to you is have you tried meditation? If not why not? Any form of relaxation would be extremely beneficial to everyone. If you can learn how to meditate, the benefits would be even greater. Combining that with the powerful Holosync soundtracks that Centerpointe produce could help to increase those benefits even further.

My name is Eric Whalley and I am a graduate medical scientist. I have an interest in medicine, especially neuroscience, and a particular interest in the mind and how it works. For many years I have also searched for ways of improving the mind and body.

I began studying with the dream of starting a career in neuroscience research. I got my degree and began post graduate research into stress and anxiety and its effects on the brain.

Unfortunately mid way through that project my mother, who was already quite ill, deteriorated, and I was forced to leave university to take care of her. I have been doing that now for over a year.
I would like to eventually return to complete my PhD, but that may not be possible for a number of years yet.. Please take a look at my website for further information. www.mindstorming.com.au

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