Alphamusic = Healing Music
by John Levine
Listening to any kind of music produces an emotional effect; it can be soothing or enervating, induce melancholy or euphoria. But these effects are not predictable and can vary according to the listener’s mood or the context in which they are listening. What Alphamusic aims to do is achieve a calming effect whenever and wherever it is needed. To do this, John Levine explains, it “induces alpha brain waves to achieve deep relaxation and concentration.”
(for the full article and multimedia experience, click here: OM-Times June 2010 Edition)
When we are consciously alert or feel agitated, tense or afraid our brains emit beta waves. When we are in a state of physical and mental relaxation, although aware of what is happening around us, our brains emit alpha waves. Alpha waves are responsible for the feelings of deep relaxation during a massage, for example, or in meditation, and for the peaceful glide into unconsciousness as we fall asleep.
Certain sounds trigger the brain to produce alpha waves and John Levine’s research has shown that his music can induce alpha waves within minutes. As he explains: “When the mind is in an alpha state the body can function properly. This can significantly improve, for example, healing,digestion, the immune system, concentration and emotional well-being.”
SUCCESS STORIES The many case stories on the Alphamusic website (www.silenceofmusic.com) illustrate the wide range of people, and conditions, that have benefited from this music. These stories chronicle how it has helped individuals to deal with problems such as depression, anxiety, emotional issues, insomnia, bereavement, post-traumatic stress, and fear.
It has also been used successfully to calm fretful babies and restless toddlers, enhance study performance, assist pain management, stimulate people coping with chronic fatigue syndrome, calm schizophrenia patients, encourage cancer patients to feel more positive, and to help resolve behavioural issues. At a Cambridge secondary school, a study to discover whether Alphamusic could improve the behaviour and academic performance of adolescent boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties found that this music:
- affects mood, leading to increased productivity
- masks extraneous auditory stimuli, allowing participants to concentrate
- provides further stimulation
- affects the subjects physiologically, reducing stress levels and increasing concentration
In classes where Alphamusic was played there was a significant reduction in ‘distracting’ behaviour (hyperactivity, talking, impulsive behaviour). According to the study report these results suggest that Alphamusic may have had sufficient effect on pupils’ concentration to help them return to their allotted tasks instead of disrupting each other,and thus has the potential to be of assistance to classroom teachers.
At the Cotswold Care Hospice in Gloucestershire Olga, a resident diagnosed with life-limiting illness, had severe sleeping problems. Unable to rest properly she found it difficult to fall asleep either at night or during the day. Linda Woodman, who has worked at the hospice for seven years and co-ordinates and develops complementary therapy and Creative art therapies, said: “For Olga, relaxation and good sleep was a huge problem for a long time. We had tried to find a CD of relaxing music that would help her sleep and we had tried many other things to help her but without success.” When John Levine visited the hospice Olga finally managed to sleep during a meditation session with his music. “After 15 minutes of John’s music” she said, “I received the rest that I was desperate for!”
