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What is brainwave entrainment in sound therapy?
In sound therapy training, brainwave entrainment is one of the basic aspects that needs a close focus and full understanding. When discussing what brainwave entrainment is, we should remember that this is not a new modality known to humanity. Although working with sound as a medicinal tool was not always called sound therapy, ancient shamans and yogis understood the relationship between the rhythmic entrainment of music and altered states of mind. Drumming, rhythmic movements, and rhythmic breathwork were practiced to heal and to enter the realm of spirits.
Stable, periodic patterns are observed everywhere in nature, so we can use these observations when studying sound healing. Erratic rhythms offset the consistency necessary for entrainment to occur, hence they usually present problems for brainwave entrainment. However, the intentional use of erratic rhythms for a short period of time can help to unblock stagnant energy.
Communication between neurons within our brains is the root of all our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Brainwaves are the result of the synchronization of electrical impulses from neurons communicating with each other.
What are brainwaves and why do they matter?
Brainwaves are a continuous spectrum of consciousness. They change according to our physical, mental, and emotional activity, and are divided into bandwidths, assigning to each wave specific characteristics from low mental activity to high. Any process that changes your perception, changes your brainwaves.
The brain operates in the full spectrum of brainwave frequencies all the time. The dominant frequency determines our mental state.
The dominance of slow brainwaves could be observed when we are tired, sluggish, or dreamy. The waves of higher frequencies are dominant when we feel hyper-alert.
How to measure your brainwave frequency?
The measuring unit to define brainwave frequency is Hertz. Brainwaves are commonly divided into bands describing slow, moderate, and fast modulations.
The following description is very broad – in real-life situations when brainwaves occur in different locations of the brain, they reflect various brain activities. Also, our brains show the presence of various brainwaves at the same time, however, you can learn about the activity of the brain by a pattern (wave) that is currently dominant.
Brainwaves can be measured with the help of the electroencephalogram (EEG). The EEG shows electrical activity at the brain surface. This activity appears on the screen of the EEG machine as waveforms of varying frequencies and amplitudes.
For more information about the topic, please consider visiting Sound Healing Certification Training.
FAQs
What is brainwave entrainment in sound therapy?
Brainwave entrainment is the process of using rhythmic auditory stimuli—like drumming, singing bowls, or binaural beats—to synchronize brainwave frequencies. This synchronization can guide the brain into desired mental states such as deep relaxation, focus, or meditation.
Is brainwave entrainment a new concept?
No. Although the term is modern, the practice is ancient. Shamans, yogis, and indigenous healers have long used rhythmic drumming, breathwork, and chanting to alter states of consciousness and support healing.
How does rhythm influence the brain?
The brain naturally aligns with stable, periodic rhythms—a phenomenon called entrainment. Consistent rhythms support brainwave synchronization, while erratic rhythms can disrupt it. However, intentional use of disordered rhythm can briefly stimulate change and help unblock stagnant emotional or energetic patterns.
What are brainwaves and why do they matter?
Brainwaves are patterns of electrical activity produced by neurons communicating in the brain. These patterns reflect our mental, emotional, and physical states. By influencing these waves, we can affect how we feel, think, and perceive.
What are the different brainwave frequencies?
Brainwaves are typically divided into five frequency ranges:
Delta (0.5–4 Hz): Deep sleep, healing
Theta (4–8 Hz): Meditation, creativity
Alpha (8–12 Hz): Calm, alert relaxation
Beta (12–30 Hz): Focused thinking, active concentration
Gamma (30–50 Hz): Higher consciousness, information processing
What determines our current mental state?
The dominant brainwave at any given time defines your mental state. For example, when Delta waves dominate, you're likely in deep sleep. When Beta waves dominate, you're alert and focused. All wave types are present simultaneously, but one usually dominates depending on activity.
Can sound therapy change your brainwaves?
Yes. Sound therapy uses rhythmic sound patterns—like binaural beats, monaural beats, and isochronic tones—to influence dominant brainwave activity. This allows practitioners to guide clients toward relaxation, healing, or heightened awareness.
What tools are used to measure brainwaves?
Brainwave activity is measured using electroencephalography (EEG). EEG devices detect electrical activity on the brain's surface and display it as waveforms showing frequency (in Hertz) and amplitude.
Can sound therapy be used to treat emotional or mental imbalances?
Yes. Because brainwaves correlate with mood, perception, and cognition, entraining them through sound can support mental clarity, emotional regulation, and even trauma release—when used safely and intentionally by a trained facilitator.
Where can I learn more about brainwave entrainment and sound therapy?
You can dive deep into this subject through the Sound Healing Certification Training at Sound Medicine Academy, which includes modules on psychoacoustics, rhythmic entrainment, frequency following response, and brainwave science.