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The Schumann Resonances and

Human Psychobiology

Our brain waves share and are attuned to certain frequencies of the

Schumann's resonances, the ELF signals that pulsate between the Earth's

crust and ionosphere.

 

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Extracted from Nexus Magazine, Volume 10, Number 3 (April-May 2003)

PO Box 30, Mapleton Qld 4560 Australia. editor

Telephone: +61 (0)7 5442 9280; Fax: +61 (0)7 5442 9381

>From our web page at: www.nexusmagazine.com

 

© 2002, 2003 by Richard Alan Miller and Iona Miller

 

 

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PLANETARY RHYTHMS AND HUMAN HEALTH

Lewis B. Hainsworth of Western Australia seems to be the first researcher to

recognise the relationship of brain-wave frequencies to the naturally

circulating rhythmic signals, known as Schumann's resonances (SR), in the

space between the surface of the Earth and the ionosphere. Hainsworth

imparted this awareness to Dr Robert O. Becker, noted electromagnetics

pollution expert, and to Harvard neurologists as early as 1975.

 

In 1977, this phenomenon--the relationship between brain-wave rhythms and

the spectrum of the natural Earth ELF (extremely low frequency)

signals--became the basis for Itzhak Bentov's Stalking the Wild Pendulum

(Dutton, 1977). Later research confirmed a relationship to human health and

well-being and even to ESP or psi phenomena.

 

Hainsworth sent up a clarion cry against hazardous EM (electromagnetic)

pollution, whose dangers pale in comparison to the threat of technologies

such as HAARP [High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program], which sends

violent pulsations into the Earth's ionosphere, potentially disrupting the

entire electromagnetic shield of the planet and certainly affecting the

whole biosphere and thus human welfare in general.

 

Some research has suggested that the frequency of the basic Schumann's

resonance has recently been rising in value, possibly threatening the whole

biosphere, human welfare and our evolutionary future. All biological

processes are a function of electromagnetic field interactions. EM fields

are the connecting link between the world of form and resonant patterns.

They store gestalts or patterns of information. The bridge connecting solar

system resonances and brain frequencies resides in our human DNA helix,

which co-evolved in the Earth's environment.

 

Electrical engineer Lewis B. Hainsworth, MA, was among the first to suggest

that human health is linked with geophysical parameters by way of the

naturally occurring Schumann's ELF. His hypothesis identified naturally

occurring features which determine the frequency spectrum of human

brain-wave rhythms:

The frequencies of naturally occurring electromagnetic signals, circulating

in the electrically resonant cavity bounded by the Earth and the ionosphere,

have governed or determined the 'evolution' or development of the

frequencies of operation of the principal human brain-wave signals. In

particular, the alpha rhythm is so placed that it can in no circumstances

suffer an extensive interference from naturally occurring signals.

 

Hainsworth concluded that the frequencies of human brain-waves evolved in

response to these signals. If his hypothesis is correct, conditions for

evolutionary changes in human brain-wave patterns have now been established.

Furthermore, variations in these patterns can produce mild to disastrous

health and behavioural changes.

 

The nature of the applied stimulus makes it difficult to identify the

responses directly, as they are most likely to occur in the form of

stress-related conditions. They will therefore show up as drastic increases

in mental disturbance, antisocial behaviour, psychosomatic conditions and

neurological disturbances. Some electrical field phenomena have already been

linked with abnormal cell growth and a decrease in immunocompetency.

 

All these factors could be expected to lead to the appearance of " new "

diseases, probably accompanied by a decline in resistance to many minor

infections, an increase in conditions related to abnormal cell development,

including cancer, birth defects and infertility, and an increase in

psychological disturbance problems, e.g., drug addiction and suicide. These

existing psychobiological problems could be expected to increase in scale,

but could be studied for deviations from " normal " alpha cycles of 10.4 Hz,

with detectable changes in psychological characteristics and mental

abilities.

 

Hainsworth therefore strongly urged that research into widespread

measurements of the natural SR signals' frequency variations and field

strengths be carried out and compared with statistics for the incidence of

heart attacks, suicide attempts, road accidents, social violence, domestic

accidents, crimes, etc. Studies are often conducted in this inferential way

(such as those by Krippner and Persinger), searching correlations between

the phenomena of Earth lights and tectonic strain and reports of UFO

sightings, abduction reports and other anomalous psychophysical experiences

for an electromagnetic connection to temporal lobe seizures.

 

We strongly suggest that correlations of broad changes in the modulations of

SR be studied in relationship to microwave radiation, ELF signals and HAARP

for both immediate and long-term consequences. We have discussed elsewhere

the obvious ramifications of such EM pollution and 10-50 Hz modulations on

the human system (Miller & Miller, " Synthetic Telepathy " , 2001).

 

We have also discussed the benefits for human well-being and relaxation from

entraining with these natural rhythms (The Diamond Body, 1981). When a

person is deeply relaxed, slow rhythmic sine-wave patterns can be detected

in both the EEG and the heart/aorta resonating oscillator in the 7-8 Hz

range. Resonance occurs when the natural vibration frequency of a body is

greatly amplified by vibrations at the same frequency from another body.

 

Oscillators alter the environment in a periodic manner. Thus, standing waves

in the body, whether during meditation/relaxation or not, can be driven by a

larger signal. Progressively amplified wave-forms, created by resonance,

result in large oscillations entraining other circuits in the body tuned to

those frequencies. A hierarchy of frequencies thus couples our

psychophysical selves to the harmonic frequency of the electrical charge of

the Earth, which naturally pulses at the same frequencies. This is hardly a

coincidence, as we are adaptive products of our environment.

 

Our planet is surrounded by a layer of electrically charged particles called

the ionosphere. The lower layer of the ionosphere is roughly 60-80

kilometres (40-50 miles) from the crust, and this charged layer is known to

reflect radio waves. Bombardment by HAARP signals " pushes " out this boundary

layer, thus altering the natural, pulsating rhythm. Natural fluctuations in

frequency occur daily, by the lunar month, and in response to solar flares.

 

Since the ionosphere is a highly charged layer, it forms a so-called

capacitor with the Earth. This means that there is a difference in

electrical potential between the two, the Earth being negatively charged and

the ionosphere being positively charged. This potential varies somewhat, but

is around 200 volts per metre. This is a fundamental type of electrical

generator. The solar winds, interacting with the upper atmosphere rotation,

act as the collector and brushes of a generator. The lower atmosphere can be

seen as a storage battery for this gradient potential.

 

This electromagnetic field around the Earth can be viewed as a stiff jelly.

When our bodies move and vibrate, these movements are transmitted to the

environment, and vice versa. These fields not only impinge on our bodies,

they also affect the charges inside our bodies. When we are standing on the

ground, under normal conditions, we are grounded. Our body then acts as a

sink for the electrostatic field and actually distorts the force-lines

somewhat. The human body also has its own electrostatic field about itself.

 

These field lines are the result of the various biochemical reactions in the

body. This resultant bio-field couples us to the iso-electric field of the

planet (Miller & Miller, 1981).

 

In 1957, German physicist Dr W. O. Schumann calculated the Earth/ionosphere

cavity resonance frequencies (which were named after him). He fixed the most

predominant standing wave at about 7.83 Hz.

 

A " tuned system " consists of at least two oscillators of identical resonant

frequencies. If one oscillator starts emitting, the other will be activated

by the signal very shortly, in the process of resonance, entrainment or

kindling (igniting the resonance phenomenon among the neurons). It becomes

obvious that in deep meditation, when waves of alpha and theta rhythms

cascade across the entire brain, a resonance is possible between the human

being and the planet. Energy and information which are embedded in a field

are transferred. Perhaps the planet communicates with us in this primal

language of frequencies.

 

According to Hainsworth, the influence of naturally occurring Schumann's

resonance signals on brain-wave pattern evolution is formally stated to show

that low-power electrical fields could produce evolutionary change. The

electrical fields produced by modern electro-technology are then possible

sources of evolutionary change. The characteristics of some forms which

might result should be considered. Some fields might inhibit survival of

existing forms. Because of lack of available data, precise measurements are

lacking and must therefore be quantitatively valueless. Technology not only

will change, but is changing, human evolution. Only extensive investigation

of the naturally occurring signals will give any lead in showing what

results might occur.

 

The possibility exists that human health is linked with geophysical

parameters by way of the naturally occurring Schumann's resonances. A number

of attempts have been made to discover the correlation through geomagnetic

and ionospheric storms. The correlation comes through the biological fact

that the human system is apparently sensitive to such low-power ELF signals.

We don't know what the range of such a correlation might be.

 

The frequency values of the SR signals are determined by the effective

dimensions of the cavity between the Earth and ionosphere. Thus, any events

which change these dimensions will change the resonant frequencies. As

Hainsworth warned, " such events could be ionospheric storms, and could even

result from a man-made ionospheric disturbance " (emphasis added).

 

Geomagnetic storms are the magnetic changes produced by ionospheric storms,

and are thus associated with conditions capable of changing the SR signals.

However, although such storms can produce these changes, measurement of

these parameters cannot give any indication of whether the resonance signals

have changed to a value outside their normal range or not. Since the

undisturbed state of the ionosphere corresponds to the normal SR patterns,

then ionospheric disturbances are likely to produce abnormal patterns, but

will not necessarily do so in all cases. If biological response is linked to

Schumann's resonance signals, this will reduce any apparent link with

geomagnetic or ionospheric data.

 

Trying to determine the relationships between geophysical and biological

conditions can become extremely complex. The frequencies of the SR signals

change with ionospheric conditions. These conditions change diurnally,

seasonally and with variations in solar activity, which, in turn, varies

with the 11-year sunspot cycle and also with the 27-29-day lunar cycle,

mainly during sunspot minimum periods. Lunar tidal changes in the height and

thickness of the layers could also sometimes affect the cavity dimensions

and hence the Schumann's frequencies. So can powerful ELF signals from

HAARP.

 

It should be borne in mind that if some signal conditions are harmful, then

other conditions might be beneficial. This means that if, for example,

seasonal and tidal conditions have resulted in the signals being in a

biologically disturbing state, then the advent of a solar flare could result

in changes in the signals, bringing them into a biologically beneficial

state. The converse could also occur.

 

If we are sensitive to ELF signals, then when these factors are considered

we would expect to get confusion if we try to link any effect with

geophysical changes. For instance, there could be incidences of classic

states of " lunacy " in some years if damaging signals coincided with full

moons, then in other years the observations and analyses would show that the

effects were not lunar.

 

An analysis of the correlation between the incidence of ionospheric

disturbance and rate of admission to Heathcote Hospital (Perth, Western

Australia) for about a three-year total indicated that when a disturbance

occurred then the admission rate changed. The probability of the association

being random was of the order of 2000:1 against. However, the fact that

sometimes the rate went up and sometimes down showed that ionospheric storms

changed the rate of incidence of mental disturbance in a way that is

consistent with that change being dependent on the actual causes being

linked to variations in the Schumann's resonance signals. At that point,

Hainsworth decided to concentrate on trying to get some observational work

going on measuring the SR signals.

 

Hainsworth's set-up used a 2,000-turn, 1-metre-square antenna, and another

of 1/3-metre square, plus amplifiers to handle signals from 0 to 30 Hz. His

amplified Schumann's signals were analysed in a laboratory. On one occasion

the signal dropped to zero amplitude when a solar flare occurred, and did

not start recovering for about an hour and a half afterwards. It was

originally just under 7 Hz and came back at only just over 6 Hz. His next

step would have been to develop a wave analyser to try to pick out

individual signals. But the failing health of both himself and his wife

prevented this.

 

The value of proceeding with his seminal work has now increased many-fold

due to the threat from the proposed US Missile Defense Shield. This is the

offspring of the United States' HAARP program in Alaska, whose raison

d'être, or mission statement, allegedly dealing with national security, is

vague if not purposefully misleading.

 

EM FREQUENCIES AND HUMAN RESPONSE

Hainsworth posed a series of questions, all of which are answered with a

resounding " yes " . This should lead us in the direction of extreme caution

towards introducing new EM or ELF sources and ionospheric changes in our

environment. He presented his data in two papers (referenced at the end of

this article and posted on the website http://www.nwbotanicals.org). His

questions are as follows:

 

1. Does the human biological system contain, use or generate any forms of

electrical signal?

2. Does it respond to any of these signals?

3. Does it respond to audible signals at these frequencies?

4. Does it respond to optical signals at these frequencies?

5. Do human signals change with psychological or mental states, such as

stress or problem solving?

6. Does the human system respond to any very, very low-power electromagnetic

signals?

 

Brain waves have only been studied since about the mid-1920s, and the signal

form that is apparently most widely known and identified is the alpha

rhythm. The frequency of this signal varies from individual to individual,

but it lies between about 7-8 Hz and 12 Hz, with an average value of 10.5

Hz. Theta and beta rhythm signals also occur, and are identifiable by EEG

below the 8 Hz and above the 12 Hz frequencies. Since the discovery and

measurement of these signals, a great deal of effort has been devoted to

trying to work out how they originated in the first place and what

determines their frequencies of operation.

 

In the early to mid-1950s, Schumann (a geophysicist almost certainly

uninterested in neurology) suggested that electromagnetic signals might

circulate at extremely low frequencies in the electrically resonant cavity

between the Earth and the ionosphere. He was right. The signals came to be

called " Schumann's resonances " . One major component was originally

predicated at a frequency of about 10 Hz. In 1959 it was measured to be

slightly different. Meanwhile, the military co-opted the discovery for using

ELF signals for submarine communications.

 

In fact, the first mode of these circulating signals has an average value of

7.8 Hz, with a typical diurnal range of from 7.2 to 8.8 Hz, and the second

mode has an average value of 14.1 Hz and a range of from 13.2 to 15.8 Hz.

These match the brain-wave theta rhythm and beta rhythm nicely. The blank

range between the two modes is a very reasonable match with the normal

frequency range of the human alpha rhythm, between 8 to 12 Hz or cycles.

 

Additionally, it was found that there is minimum (zero) power circulating in

the Earth/ionosphere cavity at 10.4 Hz--which is virtually an exact match

for the average value of the alpha rhythm. Hainsworth points out that the

existence of these natural signals and the close relationship of their

frequencies of oscillation were facts unknown to senior neurologists and

mental health specialists as late as 1975.

 

Hainsworth argued that up to the end of 1979, no long-term systematic

measurements of any great value were being made of the Schumann's resonance

signals. Measurements were being made only intermittently for the purpose of

obtaining research data for use by post-graduate geophysicists in

constructing esoteric mathematical models of the ionosphere. It follows from

this that, until long after the end of 1979, no figures on these signals

were available. Consequently, no " expert " can produce numerical evidence to

support an objection to Hainsworth's original hypothesis, since the only

numerical values available are those favouring it.

 

However, Hainsworth left us with some open-ended questions:

 

7. Has any evidence ever been obtained to indicate that the human system is

totally unaffected by externally applied electromagnetic fields?

8. Have any measurement programs ever been attempted to show whether the

human system is (a) totally unaffected, (b) always affected, or ©

sometimes affected by naturally [or artificially] occurring electromagnetic

signals?

9. Has the existence of such signals, having a close relationship with human

biological signal frequencies, been known for many years?

10. Have those relationships been studied with adequate protocols in any

detail?

 

Schumann's resonances are actually observed, by experiment, occurring at

several harmonic frequencies between 6 and 50 cycles per second (one cycle

equals one hertz). Specifically they are found at 7.8, 14, 20, 26, 33, 39

and 45 Hz, with a daily variation of around ±0.5 Hz.

 

Only as long as the properties of Earth's electromagnetic cavity remain

about the same do these frequencies remain the same. Cycles may vary

somewhat due to ionospheric response to solar cycle activity and properties

of the atmosphere and magnetosphere. Projects, such as HAARP, which heat up

or blast out the ionosphere pose a potential threat of catastrophic

proportions to this interactive system.

 

MEASURING BRAIN WAVES BY EEG

The resonant cavity formed between the ionosphere and the Earth produces

rhythmic waves capable of entraining and phase-locking with brain waves.

 

Even at the turn of this millennium, Hainsworth (now deceased) seems to have

been unfamiliar with extensive work in brain-wave research in neurology,

hypnotherapy, biofeedback and neural feedback. This research includes

extensive experiments in frequency-following response (FFR) and relating

brain waves and brain-wave deficiencies to psychobiological states.

 

The brain is a massive source of ELF signals that get transmitted throughout

the body through the nervous system, which is sensitive to magnetic fields.

Brain waves and natural biorhythms can be entrained by strong external ELF

signals, such as stationary waves at Schumann's resonances. Entrainment,

synchronisation and amplification promote coherent large-scale activity

rather than typical flurries of transient brain waves. Thus, resonant

standing waves emerge from the brain, which under the right conditions

facilitates internal and external bio-information transfer via ELF

electromagnetic waves. These SR waves exhibit non-local character and nearly

instant communication capability.

 

The EEG (electroencephalograph) measures brain waves of different

frequencies within the brain. Rhythmicity in the EEG is a key variable in

the coordination of cortical activity. Electrodes are placed on specific

sites on the scalp to detect and record the electrical impulses within the

brain. Frequency is the number of times a wave repeats itself within a

second. It can be compared to the frequencies on a radio. Amplitude

represents the power of electrical impulses generated by the brain. Volume

or intensity of brain-wave activity is measured in microvolts.

 

Raw EEG frequency bands include gamma (25-60 Hz); beta (12-25 Hz); alpha

(7-12 Hz); theta (4-7 Hz); and delta (less than 4 Hz). Their ranges overlap

one another along the frequency spectrum by 0.5 Hz or more. These

frequencies are linked to behaviours, subjective feeling states,

physiological correlates, etc. Clinical improvement with EEG biofeedback is

traceable to improved neuroregulation in basic functions by appeal to their

underlying rhythmic mechanisms.

 

Schumann's resonance forms a natural feedback loop with the human mind/body.

The human brain and body developed in the biosphere, the EM environment

conditioned by this cyclic pulse. Conversely, this pulse acts as a " driver "

of our brains and can also potentially carry information. Functional

processes may be altered and new patterns of behaviour facilitated through

the brain's web of inhibitory and excitatory feedback networks. Functional

processes may be altered and new patterns of behaviour facilitated through

the brain's web of inhibitory and excitatory feedback networks.

 

The brain has its own set of vibrations it uses to communicate with itself

and the rest of the body. EEG equipment distinguishes these waves by

measuring the speed with which neurons fire in cycles per second. At their

boundaries these waves can overlap somewhat, merging seamlessly into one

another--so different researchers may give slightly different readings for

the range of cycles per second (Hz). The rate of cycling determines the type

of activity, kindling wave after wave over the whole surface of the brain by

igniting more neurons.

 

The frequency bands and wave characteristics are described as follows:

 

a.. Gamma waves (25-60 Hz) appear to relate to simultaneous processing of

information from different brain areas, e.g., involving memory, learning

abilities, integrated thoughts or information-rich task processing. Gamma

rhythms modulate perception and consciousness, which disappear with

anaesthesia. Synchronous activity at about 40 Hz appears involved in binding

sensory inputs into the single, unitary objects we perceive.

b.. Beta waves (12-25 Hz) dominate our normal waking state of

consciousness when attention is directed towards cognitive tasks and the

outside world. Beta is a " fast " activity, present when we are alert or even

anxious, or when engaged in problem solving, judgement, decision making,

information processing, mental activity and focus. Nobel Prize winner Sir

Francis Crick and other scientists believe the 40 Hz beta frequency may be

key to the act of cognition.

c.. Alpha waves (7-12 Hz) are present during dreaming and light meditation

when the eyes are closed. As more and more neurons are recruited to this

frequency, alpha waves cycle globally across the whole cortex. This induces

deep relaxation, but not quite meditation. In alpha, we begin to access the

wealth of creativity that lies just below our conscious awareness. It is the

gateway, the entry point that leads into deeper states of consciousness.

Alpha waves aid overall mental coordination, calmness, alertness, inner

awareness, mind/body integration and learning.

Alpha is also the home of the window frequency known as the SR, which

propagates with little attenuation around the planet. When we intentionally

generate alpha waves and go into resonance with that Earth frequency, we

naturally feel better, refreshed, in tune, in synch. It is, in fact,

environmental synchronisation.

 

a.. Theta waves (4-7 Hz) occur most often in sleep but are also dominant

in the deepest states of meditation (body asleep/mind awake) and thought

(gateway to learning, memory). In theta, our senses are withdrawn from the

external world and focused on the mindscape--internally originating signals.

Theta waves are associated with mystery, an elusive and extraordinary realm

we can explore. It is that twilight state which we normally only experience

fleetingly as we rise from the depths of delta upon waking or drifting off

to sleep. In theta, we are in a waking dream; vivid imagery flashes before

the mind's eye and we are receptive to information beyond our normal

conscious awareness. Theta meditation increases creativity, enhances

learning, reduces stress and awakens intuition and other extrasensory

perception skills.

b.. Delta waves (0-4 Hz) are the slowest but highest in amplitude. They

are generated in deepest meditation and dreamless sleep. Delta waves confer

a suspension of external existence and provide the most profound feelings of

peace. In addition, certain frequencies within the delta range trigger the

release of a growth hormone which is beneficial for healing and

regeneration. This is why sleep, deep restorative sleep, is so essential to

the healing process.

Rhythm & Harmonic Resonance

There is a harmonic relationship between the Earth and our mind/body.

Earth's low-frequency iso-electric field, the magnetic field of the Earth

and the electrostatic field which emerges from our body are closely

interwoven. Our internal rhythms interact with external rhythms, affecting

our balance, REM patterns, health, and mental focus. SR waves probably help

regulate our bodies' internal clocks, affecting sleep/dream patterns,

arousal patterns and hormonal secretion (such as melatonin).

 

The rhythms and pulsations of the human brain mirror those of the resonant

properties of the terrestrial cavity, which functions as a waveguide. This

natural frequency pulsation is not a fixed number, but an average of global

readings, much like the EEG gives an average of brain-wave readings. SR

actually fluctuates, like brain waves, due to geographical location,

lightning, solar flares, atmospheric ionisation and daily cycles.

 

The most important slow rhythm is the daily rhythm sensed directly as the

change in light. Rhythms connected with the daily rhythm are called

circadian (an example is pineal gland melatonin secretion). Some experiments

in the absence of natural light have shown that the basic human " clock " is

actually slightly longer than one day (24 hours), and closer to one lunar

day (24 hours 50 minutes).

 

On a slower scale, a strong influence on the Earth is its geomagnetic field,

which is influenced by the following periods: the Moon's rotation (29.5

days); the Earth's rotation (365.25 days); sunspot cycles (11 or 22 years);

the nutation cycle (18.6 years); the rotation of the planets (88 days to

247.7 years); and the galaxy's rotation cycle (250 million years). Very

important rhythms, like hormone secretion and dominant nostril exchange, are

in the order of 1-2 hours. In the range of human EEG, we have the Sun's

electromagnetic oscillation of 10 Hz, while the Earth/ionosphere system is

resonant at frequencies in the theta, alpha, beta-1 (low or slow) and beta-2

(high or fast) bands.

 

Different species often have internal generators of environmental rhythms,

which can be extremely precise, up to 10-4. The frequency of these

oscillators is then phase-locked-loop (PLL) synchronised with the natural

rhythms. Environmental synchronisation sources are often called zeitgebers.

The mechanism of optical synchronisation can be shown. The presented rhythms

should inspire a better understanding of the interaction of internal and

external rhythms during specific states of consciousness.

 

The bioelectrical domain is geared to thalamocortical generation of rhythmic

activity. In neurofeedback, what is being trained is the degree of

rhythmicity of the thalamocortical regulatory circuitry. Rhythmicity manages

the entire range of activation and arousal in the bio-electrical domain. One

role advocated for rhythmic activity is that of time binding: the need for

harnessing brain electrical activity, which is spatially distributed, while

maintaining it as a single entity.

 

Brain waves indicate the arousal dimension, and arousal mediates a number of

conditions. Changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic arousal " tune " the

nervous system. Underarousal leads towards unipolar or reactive depression,

attention deficit disorder, chronic pain and insomnia. Overarousal is linked

with anxiety disorders, sleep onset problems, nightmares, hypervigilance,

impulsive behaviour, anger/aggression, agitated depression, chronic nerve

pain and spasticity. A combination of underarousal and overarousal causes

anxiety and depression as well as ADHD.

 

Instabilities in certain rhythms can be correlated with tics,

obsessive-compulsive disorder, aggressive behaviour, rage, bruxism, panic

attacks, bipolar disorder, migraines, narcolepsy, epilepsy, sleep apnoea,

vertigo, tinnitus, norexia/bulimia, suicidal ideation and behaviour, PMS,

multiple chemical sensitivities, diabetes, hypoglycaemia and explosive

behaviour.

 

The brain responds to inputs at a certain frequency or frequencies. The

computer can create wave-form patterns or certain frequencies that compare

with the mind's neural signals in terms of mind patterns. If people can

control their mind patterns, they can enter different states of being

(mental relaxation, study, etc.).

 

So what happens when the mind is entrained with a sound or vibration that

reflects the thought patterns? When the mind responds to certain frequencies

and behaves as a resonator, is there a harmonic frequency that the mind

vibrates to or can attune to? What does the study of harmonic resonance,

sound or vibration have to do with the brain's frequency waves?

 

Sound waves are examples of periodicity, of rhythm. Sound is measured in

cycles per second (hertz or Hz). Each cycle of a wave is, in reality, a

single pulse of sound. The average range of hearing for the human ear is

somewhere between 16 Hz and 20,000 Hz. We cannot hear extremely low

frequencies, but we can perceive them as rhythmic.

 

Entrainment is the process of synchronisation, where vibrations of one

object will cause the vibrations of another object to oscillate at the same

rate. External rhythms can have a direct effect on the psychology and

physiology of the listener. Slower tempos from 48 to 70 BPMs have been

proven to decrease heart and respiratory rates, thereby altering the

predominant brain-wave patterns.

 

Binaural beats are continuous tones of subtly different frequencies,

delivered to each ear independently in stereo via headphones. If the left

channel's pitch is 100 cycles per second and the right channel's pitch is

108 cycles per second, the difference between the two equals 8 cycles per

second. When these sounds are combined, they produce a pulsing tone that

waxes and wanes in a " wah wah " rhythm.

 

Binaural beats are not an external sound; rather, they are subsonic

frequencies heard within the brain itself. These frequencies are created as

both hemispheres work simultaneously to hear sounds that are pitch-differed

by key mathematical intervals (window frequencies). The brain waves respond

to these oscillating tones by following them (entrainment), and both

hemispheres begin to work together. Communication between the two sides of

the brain is associated with flashes of creativity, insight and wisdom.

 

Alpha-wave biofeedback is considered a consciousness self-regulation

technique, while alpha-frequency binaural beat stimulation

(frequency-following response) is a passive management technique where

cortical potentials entrain to or resonate at the frequency of an external

stimulus. Through the self-regulation of specific cortical rhythms, we begin

to control those aspects of consciousness associated with that rhythm. When

the goal is alpha, either in meditation or in biofeedback, it means

entraining with the primary SR.

 

MEASURING CHANGES IN SCHUMANN'S RESONANCES

Earth's background base frequency, or " heartbeat " (Schumann's resonances),

fluctuates and may be rising dramatically. Though it varies between

geographical regions, for decades the overall measurement was 7.8 cycles per

second. This was once thought to be a constant. Global military

communications were developed using this frequency. However, recent reports

set the rate at over 11 cycles and climbing. Science doesn't know why, what

to make of it or even if these reports are credible.

 

Gregg Braden claims to have found data collected by Norwegian and Russian

researchers, and says it's not been widely reported in the USA. The authors

have been unable to substantiate this. Braden suggests the only reference to

SR to be found in the Seattle Library reference section is tied to the

weather. Science acknowledges SR as a sensitive indicator of temperature

variations and worldwide weather conditions. Braden believes the fluctuating

SR may be a factor in the severe weather conditions of recent years.

 

As previously stated, the Earth behaves like an enormous electrical circuit.

The atmosphere is actually a weak conductor; and if there were no sources of

charge, its existing electrical charge would diffuse away in about 10

minutes. There is a " cavity " defined by the surface of the Earth and the

inner edge of the ionosphere, whose height fluctuates somewhat. It's been

calculated that at any moment, the total charge residing in this cavity is

500,000 coulombs.

 

There is a vertical current flow between the ground and the ionosphere of

1 - 3 x 10-12 amperes per square metre. The resistance of the atmosphere is

200 ohms. The voltage potential is 200,000 volts. There are about 2,000

lightning storms at any given moment worldwide. Each produces 0.5 to 1

ampere, and these collectively account for the measured current flow in the

Earth's " electromagnetic " cavity.

 

Schumann's resonances are quasi standing-wave electromagnetic waves that

exist in this cavity. Like waves on a string, they must be potentiated or

" excited " in order to be observed. They are not caused by internal

terrestrial factors or Earth's crustal movements or the core, which does

produce magnetic fields. They seem to be related to electrical activity in

the atmosphere, particularly during times of intense lightning activity. So

long as the properties of Earth's electromagnetic cavity remain about the

same, these frequencies remain the same. Presumably there is some change due

to the solar sunspot cycle, as the Earth's ionosphere changes in response to

flares and mass ejections during the 11-year cycle of solar activity.

High-energy charges coming off the Sun brush across the upper atmosphere,

ionising there.

 

Since the Earth's atmosphere carries a charge, a current and a voltage, it

is not surprising to find such electromagnetic waves. The resonant

properties of this terrestrial cavity were first predicted by W. O. Schumann

in 1952 and 1957, and first detected by Schumann and Konig in 1954.

 

Much of the research in the last 20 years has been conducted by the US

Department of the Navy, which uses ELF signals for communication with

submarines. However, little attention is given by the military and defence

contractors to issues of psychobiological health and well-being.

 

Between the nearly perfectly conducting terrestrial surface and ionosphere,

a resonating cavity is formed. Broadband electromagnetic impulses, like

those from lightning flashes, fill this cavity and create globally the

so-called Schumann's resonances at frequencies in the range of 5-50 Hz

(Schumann, 1952; Bliokh et al., 1980; Sentman, 1987). The nominal average

frequencies observed are 7.8, 14, 20, 26, 33, 39 and 45 Hz, with slight

diurnal variation (Sentman and Fraser, 1991).

 

Standard magnetometers are not able to measure Schumann's resonances, and

even the search coil (i.e., pulsation) magnetometers, which most often

sample at about 0.1 Hz, do not allow such studies. Special equipment is thus

needed (see, for example, Sentman and Fraser, 1991).

 

Current findings suggest:

 

1. Schumann's resonances are actually observed by experiment to emerge at

several frequencies related to brain waves. They range between 6 and 50

cycles per second, specifically 7.8 (alpha), 14 (low beta), 20 (mid beta),

26 (high beta), 33 (low gamma), 39 (gamma) and 45 Hz (gamma), with daily

variation of about ±0.5 Hz.

2. The strongest of the seven resonances is 7.83 Hz, in the alpha brain-wave

range. If the rise in resonance continues, this primary resonance, the Earth

pulse, changes from sub-band low alpha (7-10 Hz) to sub-band high alpha

(10-12 Hz), perhaps influencing our ability to relax deeply, balance and

integrate our mind/body connection. It could influence REM sleep and

dreaming. If it continues to rise, it will breach the threshold into " fast "

beta activity. Low beta (12-15 Hz) is associated with lack of focused

attention, and can even indicate attention deficit disorder.

3. The amplitude (i.e., intensity) of the Schumann's resonances is not

constant, and appears to be extremely dependent upon tropical (and hence

global) temperature. Indeed, preliminary results seem to indicate that a

mere one-degree increase in temperature correlates with a doubling of the

SR. This could not be more significant, as it is unknown what

psychobiological effect these fluctuations could have on humans.

 

SR AND GLOBAL TEMPERATURE CHANGES

One of the most crucial questions in science today centres on whether or not

the planetary temperature is rising, falling or remaining unchanged.

Recently global warming has been acknowledged by most in the field, and

human interference (technology) is implicated.

 

On one hand, analyses of thermometer measurements of near-surface global

(land and sea) air temperatures suggest the planet has been warming in

recent decades. But satellite measurements of the planet's lower atmospheric

temperature show no warming from 1979 to 1998.

 

Temperature data from weather balloons launched throughout the world reveal

variations and trends in global temperatures that correspond to those found

in the satellite-based measurements. Analysis of pressure thickness

measurements from these same balloons also shows no warming in recent

decades. It's no wonder we have such an ongoing " heated debate " about the

recent temperature history of the Earth! Yet most people recognise that

their local weather is markedly different than in past decades.

 

Scientists have suggested lately that another method may exist to monitor

planetary temperature accurately. The idea is simple, though the underlying

physics of the processes is complex. The method is based on the well-known

fact that thunderstorms and lightning strikes in many parts of the world are

directly related to lower-atmospheric air temperatures. Higher temperatures

produce more lightning strikes, while lower temperatures tend to depress

lightning activity.

 

Lightning discharges occurring anywhere in the world produce electromagnetic

pulses that spread away from the source. Much of the energy is quickly

degraded, but some of the energy the lightning produces falls in the

extremely low frequency/long-wavelength domain of the electromagnetic

spectrum. At these long wavelengths, the energy from a lightning strike is

able to circumnavigate the Earth without serious degradation. This

low-frequency/long-wavelength energy creates SR signals which can be

detected throughout the world.

 

Understanding SR waves requires a basic appreciation of the vertical

structure of the atmosphere. In the upper reaches of the ionosphere,

incoming ultraviolet radiation and soft X-rays affect atoms or bonded groups

of atoms, causing gains or losses of negatively charged electrons. This

interaction creates an environment of positively and negatively charged

particles of the high atmosphere that, among other interesting qualities,

can readily conduct electricity.

 

The bulk of our insulating atmosphere lies between two conducting layers of

the Earth's surface and the lower boundary of the ionosphere. This

spherically concentric cavity, the Earth/ionosphere cavity, is bounded by

those electrically conducting walls. Again, lightning discharges within the

cavity produce electromagnetic pulses that spread away from the source in

the extremely low frequency domain, and the conductive walls of the cavity

produce some interesting effects for the low-frequency energy.

 

For example, energy with a frequency near 7.5 Hz would have a wavelength of

about 40,000 km (recall that wavelength = speed of light / frequency).

Because this wavelength equals the circumference of the Earth, the energy is

able to circumnavigate the Earth/ionosphere cavity without serious

degradation. The 100 or so lightning bolts occurring each second in the

1,000 lightning storms around the world contribute to the energy in the 7.5

Hz portion of the spectrum, which can be measured anywhere on the planet. It

is these resonance properties of this global spherical capacitor or

resonator) that Schumann predicted over 40 years ago.

 

In an article published in Science, MIT scientist Earle Williams (1992)

constructed a powerful argument that links Schumann's resonances to

convection and ultimately to widespread tropical and/or global temperature.

Williams concluded that a 1°C warming in the tropics should result in a

fourfold increase in lightning activity, and he presented empirical data

from several locations to support his conclusion. He noted that any

measurable parameter nonlinearly related to temperature could be extremely

useful in assessing the most subtle changes in global temperature. Others

have presented different sensitivities: Price (1993) concluded that a 1°C

warming would increase global lightning activity by 7%; Price and Rind

(1994) found a 5-6% increase per 1°C sensitivity; while Reeve and Toumi

(1998) found the sensitivity to be near 40% per 1°C. Regardless of the exact

sensitivity, all these scientists conclude that lightning increases with

even moderate amounts of warming worldwide. More lightning would generate a

stronger SR, which may be useful in monitoring planetary temperatures.

 

The link between SR and the number of lightning strikes is supported by a

mean day/night temperature fluctuation pattern. A diurnal pattern of

worldwide lightning exists with three maxima recorded regularly due to the

large number of mid- to late-afternoon thunderstorms in land areas of

Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia and Australia. (Storms are first

generated in Asia; later they form in Africa; and later each day they arise

in South America.)

 

Global warming has been linked to the suspected rise in SR, and is a threat

to its synchronisation with our brain waves. Small changes in temperature

pump up into large signals in extremely low frequency (ELF) resonances.

Long-term monitoring and study of global climate changes via measurements of

ELF electromagnetic waves needs to be conducted more closely. Monitoring the

intensity and frequencies of the lightning-induced ELF SR could help monitor

changes in the Earth's climate over time.

 

One Israeli program proposed setting up two or three widely separated ELF

field sites. A suggested site for a permanent SR monitoring station was in

the Negev Desert in Israel. Members of this proposal want to develop, test

and install the appropriate software for the automatic electromagnetic

monitoring and preliminary processing of the incoming data. They suggested

that simultaneous measurements could be made in Russia and Sweden to test

the global nature of the ELF signals measured in Israel. The continuous ELF

data measured in Israel could be compared with other ELF data sets from

other locations around the world, such as Hungary, USA or Japan.

Furthermore, the relevant global climate data sets - such as surface

temperature, satellite observations of the global distribution of deep

convection, and global atmospheric water vapour measurements - could be used

for comparisons with SR data to check the reliability of the " global

thermometer " hypothesis.

 

A systematic study of SR parameters during high-energy particle

precipitation events has shown that protons and electrons with energies

above 1 MeV ionise the upper boundary of the Earth/ionosphere cavity. This

leads to an increase in the resonance frequency and a decrease in the

damping of the first Schumann's resonance, as derived from measurements at

Arrival Heights, Antarctica. The study used the nine strongest solar proton

events of the past Solar Cycle 22 and high-energy electrons emitted

periodically from co-rotating interaction regions in the solar wind during

1994-95. The variation of the SR parameters is in qualitative agreement with

current SR theories. The study also showed that high-energy particle

precipitation (solar ejecta) is not the only relevant source affecting SR

parameters. The findings constitute a so far little-explored aspect of

solar/terrestrial interaction.

 

FACILITATING OUR POTENTIAL

In conclusion, we postulate that: (1) we are complex electrodynamic, rather

than merely chemical beings, sensitive to natural and artificial EM fields;

(2) SR frequencies coincide with human brain waves, affecting subtle and

gross brain-wave generation, regulating homoeostasis, healing and psi; (3)

there is strong correlation between human behavioural disturbance and

geomagnetic field turbulence or isolation from SR frequencies.

 

As human beings we have extraordinary potentials we have hardly begun to

study, much less understand. Creative gifts, intuitions and talents that are

unpredictable or emergent may become stabilised in generations to come.

Hopefully, we can learn to understand both our emergence from an essentially

electromagnetic environment and facilitate our potential for healing, growth

and non-local communication.

 

 

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About the Authors:

a.. Richard Alan Miller started his professional career as a physicist,

biophysicist and instrumentation specialist. In late 1972 he began his foray

into paraphysics with experiments in Kirlian photography and developed a

field theory to explain the phenomenon. He is an expert in growing and

marketing botanicals, and set up his own company, Northwest Botanicals.

Visit http://www.nwbotanicals.org for a listing of his writings on subjects

as diverse as metaphysics, parapsychology and alternative agriculture. He is

currently writing a book on ESP self-induction. Richard is available for

lectures and as an outside consultant. He can be contacted at OAK

Publishing, Inc., 122 SW 5th Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526, USA; telephone

+1 (541) 476 5588, fax +1 (541) 476 1823, email DrRam.

b.. Iona Miller is a multimedia artist, hypnotherapist, web author and

researcher who works through the Asklepia Foundation

(http://www.asklepia.org), Chaosophy Journal and JNLRMI on the relationship

between experiential journeys, physics, healing, creativity, dreams,

consciousness and chaos theory. She has been collaborating with Richard Alan

Miller since the mid-1970s; although they divorced in 1994, they continue to

work together on leading-edge studies into consciousness, neurotheology,

Qabalah, alchemy and the nature of reality. Email Iona at iona_m,

and visit her homepage at http://www.geocities. com/iona_m/.

Notes and References:

a.. The authors give special thanks to Betty Daly-King of Western

Australia for getting them started on the completion of Lewis B.

Hainsworth's original works on this subject.

b.. Two background papers by Hainsworth are appended to the article " On

the Possible Effects of Changes in Schumann's Resonances on Human

Psychobiology " at website http://www.nwbotanicals.org. Appendix 1: The

Effect of Geophysical Phenomena on Human Health (first published in

Speculations in Science and Technology, vol. 6, no. 5, December 1983);

Appendix 2: Electrical Technology and Human Evolution (Speculations in

Science and Technology, vol. 11, no. 2, 1987)

c.. Additional references for this article can be found at

http://www.nwbotanicals.org.

 

 

 

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