Audio/Visual Stimulation and Brain Growth
by Thomas H. Budzynski, Ph.D.
This article first appeared in The Voyager XL ( aka The Mind's Eye ) User Guide
© Copyright 1993 Theta Technologies.
The aging brain
As the brain ages it may lose some of its neural circuitry. Specifically, we experience a
shrinkage and reduction in the number of dendrites, the filament-like extensions of the
axons or main nerve fibers. In normal circumstances the dendrites of a given axon connect
with the dendrites of many other axons, thus fostering full communication of information.
As these connections shrivel with age, the communicating ability decreases. We find
ourselves forgetting names of people, and then names of things and facts. Short-term
memory begins to fail, e.g., going into the next room to get something and then forgetting
what you are there for. We find it more difficult to follow instructions or to memorize
material. These symptoms can start in our 40s. That's discouraging news; the good news,
however, is that the more we can stimulate our brains, the more we can slow down this
process and even reverse it.
Dr. Diamond's amazing old rats
At UCLA Dr. Marion Diamond examined the maze learning ability of aged rats and found the
usual deficits in keeping with their advanced age. However, when she took half the rats
and increased the stimulation in their environment, their learning ability and other
aspects of their functioning improved significantly. When the brains of both groups were
later examined, Dr. Diamond was amazed to find that the brains of the stimulated group
actually weighed more and had more dendrites than the control group who received no more
than the usual stimulation. Dr. Diamond concluded that the unusual stimulation promoted
the dendritic growth that contributed to the extra density and weight of these brains.
Does this happen in humans?
Large scale studies have not yet been done in this area of interest; however, Dr. Harold
Russell, a Texas researcher and clinician, has completed a number of individual case
studies on brain injured and aged individuals. Dr. Russell and his colleagues Drs. Carter
and Ochs are exploring the use of audio/visual stimulation with such clients. Although
their results are anecdotal (not part of a controlled study), preliminary indications are
still impressive: in almost all of the case studies of stroke or other brain damaged
victims, whose conditions had "plateaued" a number of years earlier, significant
progress was made after using the stimulation daily over a period of months. Again, this
research is still preliminary and firm conclusions cannot be rendered at this time. In
other words, there is no research yet available with humans that conclusively proves (or
disproves) that audio/visual stimulation is useful for damaged or aging brains.
It is noteworthy that Diamond and her former graduate student Allison McKenzie, Ph.D.,
found that brain damaged rats (stimulated strokes) recovered more quickly and more fully
if stimulated regularly than the control group which received no special stimulation.
Finally, Dr. Diamond also discovered that the stimulated rats developed a stronger immune
response than those not stimulated.
The power of visualization
In regard to the immune system, almost everyone has heard that it can be strengthened by
any number of alternative medicine procedures, most of which involve visualization. If
even half of what we have heard is true, then something remarkable is happening. Why
should certain images we hold in our minds affect how strongly our immune system reacts to
antigens?
Experts still argue about whether or not this effect actually exists and if it does,
why. However, a number of these experts believe that visualized images are processed
primarily in the nondominant (usually the right) hemisphere. This hemisphere does have a
stronger link to lower subcortical emotional centers than does the dominant (left)
hemisphere. The final link between the emotions and the immune system has already been
established, i.e., negative, hopeless, despondent types of feelings seem to weaken immune
functioning. Conversely, does it make sense that if we feed in positive, affirming
thoughts and images we can activate or strengthen the immune system?
Getting inside your brain
You may know that a new and successful neurotherapy procedure for addiction involves the
carrying of a structured image into a theta state. This process requires that 1) a theta
state is available and 2) that the image is kept in the mind until the theta state is
obtained. This combination of a particular EEG state, plus the precursor of the desired
goal in imagery form, appears to have resulted in perhaps the most successful addictions
program yet devised. The clients in this unusual program first receive training in
relaxation and then get alpha/theta EEG neurofeedback in order to acquire the skill of
self-generation of the theta state. If one can overcome a difficult addiction problem with
imagery held in a theta state, could one use such a sequence for changing physical
structures?
There is some precedence to suggest that this is true. It is well known in the field of
hypnosis that clients in this deep trance-like state can, for example, use a suggestion
for the skin to blister which will result in just that sort of physical change. Years of
anecdotal data and possibly a few controlled studies have provided evidence that imaging
in a deeply relaxing state does seem to affect bodily structures. What then could happen
if one imaged that one could take a walk through one's own brain and look closely for
signs of trouble such as partially blocked blood vessels or aneurysms (weakened blood
vessel walls). Moreover, if any problems are discovered, imagine the great variety of
scenarios that could be devised to repair the damage. You can even get the advice of a
brilliant scientist or brain surgeon, living or dead (the imagination knows no bounds).
Remember that whatever is fun for us is something we want to do again, so make your brain
excursions fun. Take the experts along on the trip through the brain. Have them discuss it
in a beautiful meeting room with impressive multi-media presentations.
These brain examinations and repair trips can be visualized whenever you take time out
to relax. The imagery can be accompanied by any of the Voyager's Relax programs, as well
as The Brain Brightener tape, specifically designed for this purpose.
Thomas H. Budzynski, Ph.D.
Dr. Budzynski graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of
Detroit and served as an aerospace engineer for seven years. During part of this time he
was crew chief of the inertial navigation team on the top secret SR-71
"Blackbird" project. He later left engineering to earn an M.A.. and Ph.D. in
psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
A biofeedback pioneer, Dr. Budzynski developed several of the early biofeedback devices
including the first digitally-quantifying EMG, and the Twilight Learner which was featured
in an article in psychology: Today (Aug. 1977).
Dr.. Budzynski and his noted colleague, Dr. Johann Stoyva, established new standards in
biofeedback and behavioral medicine research with their landmark studies at the University
of Colorado Medical Center. Dr. Budzynski served as President of the Biofeedback Research
Society in 1974-75.
A noted lecturer and workshop leader, Dr. Budzynski has traveled to a number of
European, Australian and Canadian cities to speak on behavioral medicine, stress, pain,
biofeedback and neurotherapy. He has been published numerous times in his areas of
expertise. His Relaxation training Program has been a best selling stress management audio
cassette program for over twenty years. With Denis Waitley he developed the top selling
The Subliminal Winner album for Nightingale-Conant. A new Pain Control program for Thought
technology combines hypnotic inductions with effective imagery. The REVITALIZER and
CYBORIUM 2010 are two exciting new products.
A frequent consultant in the areas of brain mapping, stress management, biofeedback,
self-help audio tapes, pain management, priming process and neurotechnology, Dr. Budzynski
carries out research in these areas. He is presently the Director of Research and Training
at Anabasis of Sarasota, Florida.
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