In the first experiment, the subjects had to try to remember 200 words in a short time. Between learning and the subsequent memory test there was a period of 36 minutes of exposure to light and tones. “The experimental group received light and sound that enhanced theta waves (5 Hz). The control group received a random pattern of flickering lights and sounds (white noise), and this group was used as a comparison.”
In the second experiment, one group received theta entrainment (5 Hz) and the other group received beta entrainment (14 Hz). This was done to ensure that memory enhancement was specific to theta wave enhancement.
Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure electrical brain activity. The article of the study “Stimulating brain waves improves memory” says: “Our previous studies showed that theta waves in the front part of the brain predicted successful memory. So in these experiments we also looked for theta activity in the front of the brain during the experiments, when people were remembering something.”
Now let’s move on to the results of the study.
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The results of the first experiment showed that theta entrainment leads to improved memory.
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The results of the second experiment showed that only the group receiving theta stimulation showed memory improvement and not the group receiving beta stimulation.
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“The EEG results showed that people’s brain waves were amplified in the same patterns they received from the entrainment devices.”
Yet the article emphasizes that not everything is clear yet. Such as the required duration of entrainment so that the enhanced theta waves can lead to better memory or recall. It is also not clear how long the memory improvement lasts and how it all works in children.
As you can see, the research gives hope that sound will find more and more applications in different areas in the future. If theta wave entrainment can lead to better memory, this could be very interesting for people who have problems with memory and recall. Likewise, it is also very exciting for healthy people as it can lead to better memory performance in learning, work and exercise.
If you want more details on the above experiments, feel free to check out the study:
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