AS WE HAVE SEEN EARLIER, THERE IS NOW EVIDENCE THAT neurons function cooperatively, with various subpopulations linked together in networks of millions of cells, each sub- population responding to vibrations in a certain frequency, much the way a spider's web will vibrate throughout its entire structure when a single strand of it is touched, or the way a crystal goblet will resonate to a specific pure tone. Memory, thought, consciousness itself are products of a complex, intri- cate arrangement of all these neurons and neuron subpopula- tions firing together in a sort of orchestral harmony. The various neuron groupings and centers are like different musi- cal instruments in the orchestra, each vibrating within its own characteristic frequency range, together producing the tune we hear as consciousness, the rich, subtle, infinitely expressive symphony that is the whole brain in operation. And by stimu- lating specific brain centers or neural subpopulations with electrical current of the proper frequency and waveform, it is possible to act as conductor of the orchestra, causing, for ex- ample, the trumpets of norepinephrine to dominate with their brassy fortissimo, or the strings of acetylcholine to come to the front.
Many investigators of electrical stimulation believe that in addition to the specific effect certain waveforms and frequen- cies have on individual neurotransmitters, some electrical cur- rents, such as the very slow 0.5-Hz wave of the Alpha Stim, can act as a "toner," resonating and stimulating all the brain's cells and bringing them into balance. As with the instruments of a symphony orchestra, there is evidence that neurotransmit- ters function best when their quantity is within a certain range.
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WE SING THE M I N D ELECTRIC, PART TWO: THE ALPHA STIM
For example, too much NE can lead to anxiety, tension, and hyperactivity, while too little can impair memory and cause depression. Too much acetylcholine leads to lethargy, too little to weakness and hallucination. Too much serotonin causes hallucinations and sleep, too little brings depression, aggres- sion, and insomnia. That is, our brains function at their best when the various neurotransmitters are within their optimal range, just as the orchestra sounds best when no instrument plays so loud its sound is distorted and the other instruments drowned out.
However, many students of the human brain now believe that large areas of the brain are not functioning within their optimal range, not producing sufficient quantities of neuro- transmitters. In one sense, this is what the scientists are talk- ing about when they throw out the cliche that humans use only 5 percent or less of their brains. Rather than having a huge orchestra playing a grand symphony within our skulls, most of us have allowed the majority of the orchestra members to take a break, leaving rows of empty seats, while the few re- maining musicians play with out-of-tune instruments. But there is increasing evidence that electrical stimulation of the b r a i n tune up or activate malfunctioning or underfunction- ing neurons, causing them to begin operating at peak or opti- mal levels. This would in turn cause an overall increase in the amount of various neurotransmitters in the brain, while no neuron or neural network was producing more than the opti- mal amount. One of the foremost experts in the field of electromedicine, Dr. William Bauer, has noticed this tuning or balancing effect. When asked about the influence of electrical stimulation on neurotransmitters, he replied, "What I think is happening... is that by sending out the proper frequency, proper waveform and proper current... we tend to change the configuration of the cell membrane.... Cells that are at sub- optimal levels are stimulated to 'turn on' and produce what they're supposed to produce, probably through DNA, which is stimulated through the cell membrane. I believe that normal tissue simply resonates with the electrical impulses we send in because there is nothing to turn on. .. they're already doing
MEGABRAIN
cal energy at, say, 10 hertz, certain cells in the lower brain stem will respond because they normally fire within that fre- quency range. As a result, particular mood-altering chemicals associated with that region will be released."215
THE MUSIC OF THE HEMISPHERES
AS WE HAVE SEEN EARLIER, THERE IS NOW EVIDENCE THAT neurons function cooperatively, with various subpopulations linked together in networks of millions of cells, each sub- population responding to vibrations in a certain frequency, much the way a spider's web will vibrate throughout its entire structure when a single strand of it is touched, or the way a crystal goblet will resonate to a specific pure tone. Memory, thought, consciousness itself are products of a complex, intri- cate arrangement of all these neurons and neuron subpopula- tions firing together in a sort of orchestral harmony. The various neuron groupings and centers are like different musi- cal instruments in the orchestra, each vibrating within its own characteristic frequency range, together producing the tune we hear as consciousness, the rich, subtle, infinitely expressive symphony that is the whole brain in operation. And by stimu- lating specific brain centers or neural subpopulations with electrical current of the proper frequency and waveform, it is possible to act as conductor of the orchestra, causing, for ex- ample, the trumpets of norepinephrine to dominate with their brassy fortissimo, or the strings of acetylcholine to come to the front.
Many investigators of electrical stimulation believe that in addition to the specific effect certain waveforms and frequen- cies have on individual neurotransmitters, some electrical cur- rents, such as the very slow 0.5-Hz wave of the Alpha Stim, can act as a "toner," resonating and stimulating all the brain's cells and bringing them into balance. As with the instruments of a symphony orchestra, there is evidence that neurotransmit- ters function best when their quantity is within a certain range.
140
WE SING THE M I N D ELECTRIC, PART TWO: THE ALPHA STIM
For example, too much NE can lead to anxiety, tension, and hyperactivity, while too little can impair memory and cause depression. Too much acetylcholine leads to lethargy, too little to weakness and hallucination. Too much serotonin causes hallucinations and sleep, too little brings depression, aggres- sion, and insomnia. That is, our brains function at their best when the various neurotransmitters are within their optimal range, just as the orchestra sounds best when no instrument plays so loud its sound is distorted and the other instruments drowned out.
However, many students of the human brain now believe that large areas of the brain are not functioning within their optimal range, not producing sufficient quantities of neuro- transmitters. In one sense, this is what the scientists are talk- ing about when they throw out the cliche that humans use only 5 percent or less of their brains. Rather than having a huge orchestra playing a grand symphony within our skulls, most of us have allowed the majority of the orchestra members to take a break, leaving rows of empty seats, while the few re- maining musicians play with out-of-tune instruments. But there is increasing evidence that electrical stimulation of the b r a i n tune up or activate malfunctioning or underfunction- ing neurons, causing them to begin operating at peak or opti- mal levels. This would in turn cause an overall increase in the amount of various neurotransmitters in the brain, while no neuron or neural network was producing more than the opti- mal amount. One of the foremost experts in the field of electromedicine, Dr. William Bauer, has noticed this tuning or balancing effect. When asked about the influence of electrical stimulation on neurotransmitters, he replied, "What I think is happening... is that by sending out the proper frequency, proper waveform and proper current... we tend to change the configuration of the cell membrane.... Cells that are at sub- optimal levels are stimulated to 'turn on' and produce what they're supposed to produce, probably through DNA, which is stimulated through the cell membrane. I believe that normal tissue simply resonates with the electrical impulses we send in because there is nothing to turn on. .. they're already doing
MEGABRA1N
their job. But diseased cells will take up this energy and liter- ally be turned on. You're 'charging' the cells through a bio- chemical process that can possibly balance the acetylcholine or whatever neurotransmitter needs to be turned o n . . . . You're literally getting the body back into balance."140