Alpha Binaural Beats - Relaxation

Posted on September 25, 2007
Filed Under Meditation, Dreaming, Consciousness |

Alpha Binaural Beats.mp3 - Download MP3 file - 41mb

As part of the Brainwave Entrainment Collection, I am going to write a bit about Binaural Beats and the Alpha frequency. Alpha is a pretty noteworthy frequency of the brain; it is generally the state we experience during relaxation. That is when our mind and thoughts are least active. Alpha Binaural Beats help to induce this state, and when you consciously enter the alpha frequency with awareness, it can be a very pleasant experience.

Alpha is very much about relaxation, not just of the mind, but also of the body. Many people are very familiar with the alpha state, because it is the frequency that TV induces. This is why coming in after a hard days work and sitting in front of the TV helps to calm frayed nerves. The problem with this though, is that whilst our mind has been relaxed by the hypnotic flickering of the TV, we are constantly being bombarded with images and sound. Naturally, being relaxed means we are more open to suggestibility – and that’s where the adverts and news come into play.

So whist TV is often relaxing – due to the induction of the alpha frequency – it generally doesn’t help us sleep better. And our stress levels can switch back on once the TV goes off.

With alpha binaural beats it is somewhat different, because as the audio induces the alpha state, we are not consequently hit with streams of visual information.

Alpha Binaural Beats Relaxation

As always with entries in the Brainwave Entrainment Collection I have included a free alpha beat mp3 for you to download and try out. Alpha doesn’t usually bring out much in the way of visions or lucid dreaming, but it is good for other experiences. I always listen to binaural beats whilst laying in bed whilst it is dark. But sitting down quietly will also work, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be dark. Once you have your earphones or headphones on and are listening to the audio, simply go with the flow of where it wants to take you.

Alpha binaural beats may make you feel a little ‘spaced out’. But don’t worry too much about this – how many times have you felt dissociated from your body whilst engrossed in something on TV? We tend not to notice too much whilst watching the box, because our attention is elsewhere, so the feeling is a little more pronounced when listening to the alpha audio in a silent environment.

Depending on your mood, you may find that the audio causes you to drift off to sleep. I have also experienced heightened thought processes as my mind moves rapidly of its own will without me giving it much attention. Another aspect of this frequency I have discovered, is that it can help with dream recall. Perhaps this is because whilst in the alpha state, your sub-conscious gets the rare opportunity to process all its junk whilst you are awake. This would mean that when you dream there is less fragmented nonsense for you sub-conscious to throw into your dreamscape.

Although the alpha frequency could be considered to be one of the “weaker” of the binaural beat ranges…I have found that it is often the most instantly rewarding. This maybe because the alpha range is that bit closer to our waking mind than say theta (dream state) or delta (deep-sleep). This seems to make it easier to get into, so would certainly be a good place to start if you are new to brainwave entrainment – or haven’t had much result from other types.

As with all binaural beats, give it a go everyday for a week or two, sometimes it takes a while to get any decisive results.

All in all alpha is one of my favourite forms of audio meditation.