Bilateral Music Stimulation – A Thousand Years

How do you deal with stress? What stresses you out? Do cognitive memories get in the way of you finding that calm place in life? Ever heard of Bilateral music stimulation?

I have been wanting to do a little experimental discovery with Bilateral Music Stimulation. Since I have a number of friends & associations who currently suffer from a form of either ADHD, PTSD, depression, vertigo, and/or similar cognitive traits – it was time. Most have often noted that certain types of music or instrumental sounds helped them to relax. I’m no therapist, but I have an equal stake in learning what they were using as a calming method.

My friend’s method’s hit strongly at the bottom line, “STRESS”. We all suffer from stress. How do we calm the savage beast raging inside of each of us? If you can’t describe your internal beast psychologically to others, they can’t understand how to help you. Or at least be empathetic. When your mind, your eyes, and even your physical balance all feel like they are a hair-off-square, where do you turn for help? Some doctors will just shake their heads at you and push synthetic drugs and expensive therapy your way. I will say that physical therapy and chiropractic care can be rejuvenating towards relieving symptoms. Herbal and holistic supplements are nature’s preventative blessing, and in some cases a cure.

For those dealing with everyday stress, bilateral stimulation can provide a unique approach that may lead to emotional healing

In the school of thought surrounding bilateral stimulation, one such location is the Bay Area CBT Center (Cognitive Behavior Center -CBT). They have a good article online on How Bilateral Stimulation Works to Reduce Anxiety including studies on EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which addresses the use of bilateral stimulation. This type of therapy comes with it’s fair share of warnings (so please read the full article carefully) including:

“individuals with head injuries or epilepsy may not need to completely avoid EMDR therapy, but the type of bilateral stimulation used may require modification to ensure their safety. It has been discovered that individuals can “experience a reassociation of traumatic or anxiety-provoking memories, effectively rewiring them to a relaxed state rather than a distressed one. Additionally, bilateral stimulation can improve relaxation and enhance executive functions, contributing to better cognitive handling of anxiety. Moreover, bilateral stimulation of the amygdala can cause increases in skin conductance and changes in heart rate, which are physiological markers associated with emotional arousal. It’s akin to striking a powerful note on a piano that resonates throughout the concert hall, prompting a heightened emotional response”. https://bayareacbtcenter.com/how-bilateral-stimulation-works-to-reduce-anxiety/

If you have other challenging mental health issues, seek help from a professional. The purpose of my writing is to bring attention to the work being done with Bilateral music Stimulation, and the promising hope for many.

VERTIGO

Example from a visual perceptive.

While bilateral stimulation can be relaxing to individuals with vertigo, it is important to know that listening to loud sounds can also set symptoms of vertigo into motion. It can go both ways. Another piece of the puzzle is salt. Sodium is one of the main ingredients that can trigger vertigo. It works with the physiology of the human body. There is a list of things that contribute to vertigo and other similar balance related issues. Migraines can be due to certain types of food and LED lights. Both can trigger vertigo, or other cognitive traits like the ones listed above.

-A migraine can be the symptom of the vertigo.

-Light sensitivity is a symptom of vertigo. You may not see light movement from an LED bulb, but they can.

-Almonds, sugar, bright lights, and loud noises are very common triggers.

So bilateral stimulation may need to be adjusted to help all types of suffering, not just those with vertigo; but for a host of symptom, and cognitive conditions.

EXAMPLE EXPERIMENT

QUEUE THE MUSIC

Here is a short video version on YouTube A Thousand Years, by Christina Perry.

Here is a longer version: Bilateral music/ A Thousand Years sample loop

1. Hopefully you have a friend (any friend will do) that will participate in this example. With the music playing you will be able to watch the individual’s eyes as they listen to the music. See if you notice their eyes darting to the highest pitch sound they hear– they are searching for it. Back and forth. Maybe you are searching for it too! Now notice the pupils of their eyes. They might even lightly dance or quiver in place. Someone with Vertigo has a higher chance of that happening. Have them listen for 3 or 4 minutes.

2. Now ask them to close their eyes. When they do, I hope for them the world is whole, its round, and the sounds are in the correct place. At least the sounds are coming together. The residual light from closing their eyes begins to slow down and no longer dashes off into different directions. Have them listen for an additional 2 or 3 minutes.

3. You might ask your friend if they felt dizzy. Once they closed their eyes and really listened, did they feel calmer, or did the simulation make them nervous or fearful? Were they calm afterwards? What did you observe them doing?

Were they calm afterwards?

Bilateral alternate music stimulates both sides of your brain, and can help to reduce and relieve anxiety, stress, and trauma for some people. Bilateral stimulation has a reprocessing effect that seems to help the brain recover certain stimuli from post stress or traumatic situations.

Understand that not everyone with vertigo has dizziness symptoms where they are spinning – like you’ve been on a merry-go-round too long. Many sufferers have more of a balance issue, be that from the eyes, spine, cervical neck, etc. But light sensitivity generally is a common trait with a lot. Buying a pair of glasses can be a nightmare. Often it includes several pairs of glasses to switch off and on. Perfectly normal hard-working people, but with vertigo triggers.

Think of Bilateral stimulation as a pendulum which swings back-and-forth. The full song Bilateral music/ A Thousand Years sample loop, was written by Christina Perri, and is one of a larger number of bilateral musical pieces available, to listen to for possibly reducing stress, anxiety, and even processing trauma. For those dealing with everyday stress, bilateral stimulation can provide a unique approach that may lead to emotional healing. Of course check with your doctor first.