- Apr 28, 2009This may be a scam to sell CD's or some similar
thing, but I found it interesting if true.....
Newswise Every brain has a soundtrack. Its
tempo and tone will vary, depending on mood,
frame of mind, and other features of the brain
itself. When that soundtrack is recorded and
played back -- to an emergency responder, or
a firefighter -- it may sharpen their reflexes
during a crisis, and calm their nerves afterward.
Over the past decade, the influence of music
on cognitive development, learning, and emotional
well-being has emerged as a hot field of
scientific study. To explore music's potential
relevance to emergency response, the Dept of
Homeland Security's Science & Technology
Directorate (S&T) has begun a study into a
form of neurotraining called "Brain Music" that
uses music created in advance from listeners'
own brain waves to help them deal with common
ailments like insomnia, fatigue, and headaches
stemming from stressful environments. The concept
of Brain Music is to use the frequency, amplitude,
and duration of musical sounds to move the brain
from an anxious state to a more relaxed state.
"Strain comes with an emergency response job, so
we are interested in finding ways to help these
workers remain at the top of their game when working
and get quality rest when they go off a shift,"
said S&T Program Manager Robert Burns. "Our goal
is to find new ways to help first responders perform
at the highest level possible, without increasing
tasks, training, or stress levels."
If the brain "composes" the music, the first job
of scientists is to take down the notes, and that
is exactly what Human Bionics LLC of Purcellville,
VA does. Each recording is converted into two unique
musical compositions designed to trigger the body's
natural responses, for example, by improving
productivity while at work, or helping adjust to
constantly changing work hours.
The compositions are clinically shown to promote
one of two mental states in each individual: relaxation
for reduced stress and improved sleep; and alertness
for improved concentration and decision-making.
Each 2-6 minute track is a composition performed on
a single instrument, usually a piano. The relaxation
track may sound like a "melodic, subdued Chopin
sonata," while the alertness track may have "more
of a Mozart sound," says Burns. (It seems there's
a classical geniusor maybe two geniiin all of us.
Listen to an instrumental alert track at www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/multimedia/snapshots/st_brain_music_active.mp3.
After their brain waves are set to music, each
person is given a specific listening schedule,
personalized to their work environment and needs.
If used properly, the music can boost productivity
and energy levels, or trigger a body's natural
responses to stress.
The music created by Human Bionics LLC is being
tested as part of the S&T Readiness Optimization
Program (ROP), a wellness program that combines
nutrition education and neurotraining to evaluate
a cross population of first responders, including
federal agents, police, and firefighters. A selected
group of local area firefighters will be the first
emergency responders taking part in the project.
The Brain Music component of the ROP is derived
from patented technology developed at Moscow
University to use brain waves as a feedback
mechanism to correct physiological conditions.
In British philosopher John Locke's terms, Brain
Music brings new meaning to his famous phrase: "A
sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full
description of a happy state in this World."
And then there's always Cervantes, who coined,
"He who sings scares away his woes."