Introduction

Brain Cinema has been developed to be an innovative and novel way to help clients better understand mental performance and wellbeing from a ‘brain state’ perspective. It does this by visualising the brainwaves that occur when the brain is attending to its work. Whether asleep or solving complex mental tasks; brainwaves underpin all mental activity. That certain brainwaves should be involved with particular functions from solving maths problems, reading reports, dealing with people and even relaxing and dreaming tells us that conscious life is the property of brains just like wings are a property of flying, you can’t have one without the other. With this information Brain Cinema outlines three important features.

• 1. The first involves showing what particular brainwaves are occurring, this considers the frequency(type of brainwave, i.e. Theta, Alpha, Beta etc) and its amplitude, a sort of volume or power.

• 2. The second locates the region of the brain in which these described brainwaves are occurring.Left / right hemisphere, frontal cortex, central motor strip etc.

• 3. Finally, it maps your own unique profiles (brainwave details) so that comparisons can be made
  to those types of patterns that are considered typical or otherwise.

With this information a client’s brain state can be determined to be working within particular defined ranges that use normative
data as a comparison. These dynamics show that generally the brain produces faster frequencies on the left side and frontally
than in those brainwaves that occur on the right side and in the rear regions of the brain. This arrangement probable represents
the demands of logical and executive functions (reason and planning behaviours etc) that dominate the left hemisphere and frontal
lobes. The right brain seems to be more concerned with spatial processing and emotional content. However, these descriptions
are general and the unity of brain function suggests that much more complex relationships between cortical regions exist than
those described by limited ‘loci of function models’. However, being able to visualise the brainwaves patterns that occur at different
regions of the brain provide a valuable insight into how a person’s brain is attending to its work. Indeed, it is from this perspective
that Brain Cinema has been developed and it this information that we use to personalise a client’s report.

Self Experience and Brain Cinema

When we go about our daily business we usually have an idea about how well we are functioning on that day or particular occasion.
For example, we may feel either good, positive or off target, a bit down or perhaps feel we could have done better. Every day,
we have some feeling or idea about ourselves, our performance or responsibilities. But how do we assess these feelings about
ourselves? Sometimes we are fortunate enough to be told how well we are doing things by others, when on other occasions we
get no feedback or even worse, criticism. In this case we may compare our internal ideas or feelings of performance with those
external observations made by others. We may even feel that these observations are not accurate and even unjust. The point I wish
to make is that whatever happens in your day at work, or home for that matter, you brain will respond to these situations, and most
likely get influenced in some way by them. In Brain Cinema we call this process ‘occupational entrainment’ it subtly changes the
way the brain works, even though you may not be conscious of anything really happening, brainwaves change and your performance
is affected in some way. However, rarely do we experience ourselves as being changed, its effect is slow occurring over extended
periods of time and our performance becomes shaped by these experiences in some way. This process confers both advantage,
like learning new skills, and disadvantage when we can no longer attend to certain situations in the optimal way we used to due to
fatigue or anxiety etc. But how do you recognise what is happening to you? Or how do you confirm that those shifts in behaviour
have been advantageous or otherwise? Do you let colleagues inform you and are their statements reliable enough, or might they too
be influenced by their own responsibilities or agendas? So how do you check yourself out? Just like hypertension or problems with
blood pressure, you may not know you have it until something goes wrong or a physician tells you, cognitive performance and health
is also not easily recognised by the feelings and ideas we have about our own mental abilities. In this way Brain Cinema acts as an
objective measure of our mental inclinations to process material in an optimal or otherwise fashion. So Brain Cinema is a sort of
reality check with which you may compare your own feelings about yourself and your mental performance with those derived from
an assessment of the brainwaves that you are habitually producing.

Not seeing the ‘Big Picture’

Occasionally some individuals fail to recognise themselves in the Brain Cinema report that follows their assessment. For example,
it may indicate at potentially problematic mental processing errors, having too much Alpha frontally and low left side Beta activity
could signify problems with attention, poor impulse control and decision making abilities but the client may feel that these at not a
problem for him or her. In this case has Brain Cinema made an error or is the client deluded? The answer is neither statement is
wrong, because Brain Cinema has simply suggested that a mental processing issue could arise in a demanding situation in which
the individual has yet to encounter.
Let me provide a simple example to show what I mean. As we age our sense of balance becomes, to some degree, compromised,
this is a natural process even though we don’t easily recognise that our balance is not how it once used to be. In our forties most
of us are able to stand on one leg without a great deal of difficulty. However, if you try this for a few seconds and then close your
eyes we will quickly ‘see’ how your balance is affected. In such circumstances our balance is compromised by the fact that closing
the eyes, an important feature in helping to maintain our vestibular control (sense of balance), places the system under increased
stress and we lose our equilibrium, shake, wobble and are forced to open our eyes or fall. The same too can be said for our mental
processing ability, in normal circumstances we are able to function, or perhaps may have even acquired techniques to compensate
for, or manage the work we do in a reliable way. However, in unexpected or novel situations this ability is likely to be compromised,
as when we are really pushed we may find ourselves falling! Of course, you would not know this, or recognise it, unless you
encounter those situations that place extra demand (stress) on your mental abilities. In this way Brain Cinema shows where
possible problems might occur given the way your brain in presently processing information. Seeing the ‘big picture’ is not about
dealing with the habitual (day to day routines) but about being able to respond positively to new challengers that are result of a rapid
changing world in the healthiest way possible. Indeed, with new economic pressures facing businesses almost daily you will need
every possible advantage your brain can confer on you, Brain Cinema is ultimately a way to realise this.

Understanding your Brain Cinema Report

For anyone having their first Brain Cinema assessment the report can seem a little ‘off-putting’, full of new terms and information
that seem difficult to comprehend. The heart of this issue is not that the report is a technical document, although to a certain degree
it may initially seem this way, but rather that the reader is unfamiliar with the ideas that underpin this assessment. The words and
terms used are yet to be found in our daily language, but the influence of these procedures in future development programmes will,
no doubt remedy this. The Brain Cinema report starts with a general introduction and continues to describe an overview of what has
been observed in terms of brainwaves, their amplitude, location and whether these patterns are typical or not (anomalous). Finally
suggestions or recommendations are made to help the client better understand how they may proceed. The ideal way to benefit
from this procedure is to then engage with new practices that can change your ‘brain state’ dynamics in ways more favourable to
increasing mental performance or resolve any observed anomaly. Brain Cinema offers two principle ways to achieve this. The first
way involves attending coaching sessions or structured development programmes that have been informed by those narratives
(interpretations of brainwaves) that have come to light in your Brain Cinema assessment. Further Brain Cinema assessments can
then monitor your travel towards identified goals and show, in a substantive way, your success or identify particular difficulties
which may require further or deeper coaching involvement. Secondly, Brain Cinema offers a training programme that lets you learn
to change your brainwaves in ways to improve your behaviour and performance. This process is simple and easily mastered by
providing you with the right type of feedback to encourage you to make shifts in your brainwaves. Within a few sessions you learn
to change the mental states associated with certain brainwaves in more productive way. We refer to this simple procedure as ‘Mind
Movies’ (neurofeedback) you just sit back, relax and let it happen. Within a couple of sessions you will understand how encouraging
some brainwave patterns (rewards) while discouraging others (inhibits) can change your mental state in a safe and non-invasive way.

Meanings and implications of brainwaves: a business user’s Guide

The following is a general guide to the most common brainwave patterns and descriptions that may be seen in your report. This
information is to help guide you through some of the underlying assumptions that may be expressed in your Brain Cinema report but
in a non-specific (not personal) way. If you have any concerns about your report or wish a personal clarification you should contact
Brain Cinema directly who will be more than happy to assist you.

Delta (1-4 Hz)

How it may be experienced
Its primary function seems to be involved with sleep although it is also involved with daydreaming and rumination. Typically infants
display more Delta then adults but it has been shown that arrhythmic delta may be involved with problem solving behaviour.
Increased delta frontally or in the left hemisphere might be associated with lethargy, poor attention, fidgeting behaviour and those
inclined to operate in a more mechanical fashion, it may also impact on logical / reasoning behaviour. Delta occurring on right side
may indicate a person’s social skills are also affected. When associated with increased theta activity a person may be showing
signs of drowsiness or daydreaming. This state is reminiscent of how you may feel after a large lunch on a warm afternoon. Mental
performance will typically be low and individuals may spend more time pondering over a task than tackling it.

How you might address it
Traditionally, for optimal performance, slow waves would be discouraged or inhibited, Mind Movies may address this by rewarding
left side Beta and inhibiting Delta and by making other appropriate changes to the various brainwaves at particular cortical
locations. However, deep diaphragmatic breathing may help as would avoiding monotonous environments, putting oneself in busy
or more socially demanding situations that stimulate increased cortical activity may help to inhibit defuse Delta. You could also try
playing problem solving games, spatial ones for right brain concerns and numerical exercises for the left. Finally, make sure you are
getting adequate sleep, take regular exercise and avoid too much caffeine, nicotine and alcohol as increased use of such stimulants
may cause cortical fatigue and increase slow wave production. Long period of anxiety or agitation may also result in increasing Delta
and Theta activity. In this case speak to your coach or Brain Cinema practitioner to help you to successfully resolve these issues.

Theta (4 -7 Hz)

How it may be experienced
Theta activity, like that we described for delta is sometimes associated with distractibility, inattention, daydreaming, and even at
times, with emotional disorders. This is more prevalent when the theta activity shows excessive amplitude or is asymmetrical
(shows up just on one side of the brain). However, theta is also responsible for spontaneity and creativity. The ratio of theta
amplitude to that of beta is often used diagnostically to confirm or negate the presence of a slow brain disorder, as in attention
defi cit disorder (ADD). These types of patterns are often likely to be experienced as foggy thinking, slow reaction times and poor
calculations, judgements and problems with impulse control.

How you might address it
Just as Mind Movies use neurofeedback to train you to relax, good breathing exercises should help to improve your general mental
ability by increasing cortical blood fl ow which is associated with brainwave amplitude increase. Although theta activity plays a
significant part in slow brain wave disorders, which in children may indicate a developmental problem, for adults in business
however, occupational influences and attempting to deal with long term stress should also be considered. Slow brain disorders
may respond well to theta down training (inhibiting theta), a procedure of Mind Movies or specialised coaching to help the individual
better handle negative occupational influences.

Alpha (8 -12 Hz)

How it may be experienced
Alpha waves are often referred to as the brain’s idling frequency. It is a sort of neutral gear that permits rapid access to both lower
and higher frequencies. Higher frequency alpha is commonly experienced as a relaxed but attentive state. Alpha is also associated
with meditation and a sense of inner calm or peacefulness. However, high alpha in the frontal regions occur in children with
attention problems and in adults with depression wherein elevated left side alpha may also be recorded. Low alpha in the rear of
brain may be involved with anxiety and or other possible cognitive issues. Low posterior alpha may be experienced as a general lack
of energy and increased lethargy.

How you might address it
Alpha is associated with visual idleness, when eyes open alpha is usually blocked. Inhibiting frontal alpha may improve focus and
attention whereas slow alpha in the rear brain may indicate some level of age related mental decline. Attending to geometric,
sequential and spatial puzzles, as well as getting more involved in social situations may help suppress the ‘drift’ and fogginess that
one may experience when frontal alpha is high. Furthermore, alpha synchrony training (training up both left and right brain alpha at
the same time) has been found to be successful for both deep state training, (dealing with post traumatic stress and addiction, etc)
and for peak performance.

Low Beta or SMR (12 – 15 Hz)

How it may be experienced
Low beta is often regarded to play a part in mind/body relationships. For example, low beta may be uptrained (rewarded) in the
central right or sensory-motor area of the brain to quieten down impulsivity and hyperactive tendencies. The notion that a calm
body is reflective of a calm mind is an appropriate analogy here, therefore low amplitude low beta may be experienced as fidgety
behaviour, never quite in the ‘right’ position or state of mind to attend to the task in hand.

How you might address it
Meditative practices are helpful here for both improving alpha and low beta activity. To be relaxed yet focused and comfortable in
one’s own body confers an air of resilience and reliability. Indeed to be in such a ‘state’ of calmed preparedness is an ideal way to
enter a meeting or the boardroom. To develop this skill Mind Movies uses a Beta/ SMR montage (protocol) that rewards left side beta
and right side low beta (SMR) while inhibiting the low frequencies (theta) on both sides. The left beta improves cognitive processing
while the right SMR improves physical calmness and focus.

Beta (13 – 21 Hz)

How it may be experienced
The beta range is often regarded as any fast wave activity in excess of 13 Hz. It seems most concerned with being highly focused,
analytic and externally orientated.
High beta is typical in the frontocentral regions but it may be widespread. It has been suggested that low amplitude beta occurring
in the frontal region may be associated with depression while high beta activity may in indicate anxiety. Indeed, it has be proposed
that this particular phenomena represents a sort of developmental profile or spectrum theory in which high frequencies associated
with anxiety and stress are the starting point for depression (slow beta) which result from high beta becoming fatigued over long
periods of time. This is another reason why stress, in terms of mental processing and increased beta activity, should be addressed
at the first opportunity with right side beta down training (inhibiting beta). However, in clients showing signs of depression (low left
frontal beta) rewarding left frontal beta would be advised. There are a variety of other conditions that may accompany excessive beta
activity, including ADD, anxiety and sleep disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and teeth grinding (bruxism) as well as other
possible psychiatric conditions. Excessive beta may be experienced as feeling anxious, on edge or uneasy and typically show signs
of poor or shallow breathing.

How you might address it
A major component in treating states of increased beta activity is learning to relax, developing interests away from the office and
learning some deep breathing exercises. Mind Movies training protocols that encourage relaxation by promoting rear alpha can
be helpful. Down training localised beta may be considered but if beta activity is widespread then inhibiting theta may also prove
effective because the beta activation may be a compensatory mechanism for high theta.

Gamma (38 – 42 Hz)

How it may be experienced
Gamma activity is not always observed in the brain waves but may be recorded in bursts during mentally demanding tasks. For this
reason is has come to be associated with problem solving tasks and is found in all regions of the brain. It also appears that gamma
activity may help organise the brain, promote learning and mental sharpness. Gamma waves tend not to be present when the brain
is idle or is performing no specialised task. It seems that gamma supports our ability to deal with a series of cognitive challenges
and may play a vital role in organising the brain and synchronising cortical events.

How you might address it
Because gamma waves appear solely related to mental challengers and brain learning programmes a stimulating and rewarding
environment is perhaps the best way to encourage this activity. Problem solving games and attending to creative enterprises should
also illicit gamma production. For those clients who have some trouble with organising and executing information then gamma
synchrony training may be advised and alternated with beta training to help improve mental flexibility.
Finally, I trust that this brief description has been of some help in helping you to make sense of the report that you have been given
by Brain Cinema. The comments expressed here are general and do not, indeed cannot explain, the particular dynamics that have
been recorded in your report. Although it is hoped that this guide may help to provide you with a greater understanding of brain wave
function and the basic assumptions which underpin your report the points raised here are for illustration purposes only. Should you
require particular information concerning any comments and observations on your report please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
The quick guide to the Brain Cinema rationale presented below may be helpful in furthering your understanding of the report.

Dr Stephen Brown
Brain Cinema