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NEWSCIENCENEWSCIENCENEWSCIENCE 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. pitch-differed by key mathematical intervals (window frequencies). tions during the 11-year cycle of solar activity. High-energy charges The brain waves respond to these oscillating tones by following them coming off the Sun brush across the upper atmosphere, ionising there. (entrainment), and both hemispheres begin to work together. Since the Earth's atmosphere carries a charge, a current and a volt- Communication between the two sides of the brain is associated with _ age, it is not surprising to find such electromagnetic waves. The reso- flashes of creativity, insight and wisdom. nant properties of this terrestrial cavity were first predicted by W. O. Alpha-wave biofeedback is considered a consciousness self- Schumann in 1952 and 1957, and first detected by Schumann and regulation technique, while alpha-frequency binaural beat stimulation Konig in 1954. (frequency-following response) is a passive management technique Much of the research in the last 20 years has been conducted by the where cortical potentials entrain to or resonate at the frequency of an US Department of the Navy, which uses ELF signals for communica- external stimulus. Through the self-regulation of specific cortical tion with submarines. However, little attention is given by the mili- rhythms, we begin to control those aspects of consciousness associated _ tary and defence contractors to issues of psychobiological health and with that rhythm. When the goal is alpha, either in meditation or in well-being. biofeedback, it means entraining with the primary SR. Between the nearly perfectly conducting terrestrial surface and ionosphere, a resonating cavity is formed. Broadband electromagnet- MEASURING CHANGES IN SCHUMANN'S RESONANCES ic impulses, like those from lightning flashes, fill this cavity and cre- Earth's background base frequency, or "heartbeat" (Schumann's ate globally the so-called Schumann's resonances at frequencies in the resonances), fluctuates and may be rising dramatically. Though it range of 5-50 Hz (Schumann, 1952; Bliokh et al., 1980; Sentman, varies between geographical regions, for decades the overall measure- 1987). The nominal average frequencies observed are 7.8, 14, 20, 26, ment was 7.8 cycles per second. This was once thought to be acon- 33, 39 and 45 Hz, with slight diurnal variation (Sentman and Fraser, stant. Global military communications were developed using this fre- 1991). quency. However, recent reports set the rate at over 11 cycles and Standard magnetometers are not able to measure Schumann's reso- climbing. Science doesn't know why, nances, and even the search coil (i.e., pul- what to make of it or even if these sation) magnetometers, which most often reports are credible. sample at about 0.1 Hz, do not allow Gregg Braden claims to have found data collected by Norwegian and such studies. Special equipment is thus needed (see, for example, Sentman and Earth's background base Russian researchers, and says it's not frequency, or "heartbeat" Fraser, 1991). been widely reported in the USA. The ' Current findings suggest: authors have been unable to substantiate (Schumann S resonances), 1. Schumann's resonances are actually this. Braden suggests the only reference fluctuates and may be observed by experiment to emerge at to SR to be found in the Seattle Library we . several frequencies related to brain reference section is tied to the weather. rising dramatically. waves. They range between 6 and 50 Science acknowledges SR as a sensitive cycles per second, specifically 7.8 indicator of temperature variations and (alpha), 14 (low beta), 20 (mid beta), 26 worldwide weather conditions. Braden (high beta), 33 (low gamma), 39 believes the fluctuating SR may be a factor (gamma) and 45 Hz (gamma), with daily in the severe weather conditions of recent years. variation of about +0.5 Hz. As previously stated, the Earth behaves like an enormous electrical 2. The strongest of the seven resonances is 7.83 Hz, in the alpha circuit. The atmosphere is actually a weak conductor; and if there _ brain-wave range. If the rise in resonance continues, this primary res- were no sources of charge, its existing electrical charge would diffuse onance, the Earth pulse, changes from sub-band low alpha (7-10 Hz) away in about 10 minutes. There is a "cavity" defined by the surface to sub-band high alpha (10-12 Hz), perhaps influencing our ability to of the Earth and the inner edge of the ionosphere, whose height fluc- relax deeply, balance and integrate our mind/body connection. It tuates somewhat. It's been calculated that at any moment, the total could influence REM sleep and dreaming. If it continues to rise, it charge residing in this cavity is 500,000 coulombs. will breach the threshold into "fast" beta activity. Low beta (12-15 There is a vertical current flow between the ground and the ionos- _Hz) is associated with lack of focused attention, and can even indicate here of 1 - 3 x 10°” amperes per square metre. The resistance of the attention deficit disorder. atmosphere is 200 ohms. The voltage potential is 200,000 volts. 3. The amplitude (i.e., intensity) of the Schumann's resonances is There are about 2,000 lightning storms at any given moment world- not constant, and appears to be extremely dependent upon tropical wide. Each produces 0.5 to | ampere, and these collectively account (and hence global) temperature. Indeed, preliminary results seem to for the measured current flow in the Earth's "electromagnetic" cavity. indicate that a mere one-degree increase in temperature correlates Schumann's resonances are quasi standing-wave electromagnetic —_ with a doubling of the SR. This could not be more significant, as it is waves that exist in this cavity. Like waves on a string, they must be unknown what psychobiological effect these fluctuations could have otentiated or "excited" in order to be observed. They are not caused on humans. y internal terrestrial factors or Earth's crustal movements or the core, which does produce magnetic fields. They seem to be related to elec- $R AND GLOBAL TEMPERATURE CHANGES trical activity in the atmosphere, particularly during times of intense One of the most crucial questions in science today centres on lightning activity. So long as the properties of Earth's electromagnet- _ whether or not the planetary temperature is rising, falling or remain- ic cavity remain about the same, these frequencies remain the same. ing unchanged. Recently global warming has been acknowledged by Presumably there is some change due to the solar sunspot cycle, as —_ most in the field, and human interference (technology) is implicated. the Earth's ionosphere changes in response to flares and mass ejec- On one hand, analyses of thermometer measurements of near- Earth's background base frequency, or "heartbeat" (Schumann's resonances), fluctuates and may be rising dramatically. ~y 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 res- onance, 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 remain- ing 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- 46 = NEXUS APRIL — MAY 2003 www.nexusmagazine.com