From: mcgrath@cs.uiuc.edu (Robert McGrath)
Subject: Re: How to induce OOBE's with Stereo.
Reply-To: mcgrath@cs.uiuc.edu
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept of Computer Science
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 18:57:35 GMT

In article <1992Nov4.205741.7349@nrtpa038.bnr.ca>, Tarzan writes:
|> In article <1992Nov2.032144.20403@m.cs.uiuc.edu> mcgrath@cs.uiuc.edu (Robert
|> McGrath) writes:
|> >In article <1992Oct29.185154.8256@nrtpa038.bnr.ca>, Tarzan writes:
|> >|> In article <1992Oct26.221619.14265@m.cs.uiuc.edu> mcgrath@cs.uiuc.edu
|> (Robert
|> >|> McGrat..great wealth of info. cut....ty locating
|> >these articles (or the papers they cite.)
|> >
|> >  Robert E. McGrath
|> >  Urbana Illinois
|> >  mcgrath@cs.uiuc.edu
|> >
|> 
|> Robert, thanks for the wealth of info. I found it very interesting and have
|> copied it into a FAQ file I'm working on.   O.K.  O.K.  So how about the theta
|> state?

Well, I can sure tell you what Beyerstein says:

----

"Theta to the rescue

  "As competent research began to tarnish alpha's popular image, many
devotees transferred their enthusiasm to the EEG theta rhythm
(3.5-7Hz).  The avowed benefits of ``alpha consciousness'' were
shifted, on equally poor authority, to the theta band.  Though the
properties of theta are of interest to legitimate researchers, their
usefulness for mind expansion is debatable.  Theta activity indicates
reduced vigilance, and may therefore be a correlate of inattentiveness
during meditation, but the value of trying to increase theta
production has never been satisfactorily demonstrated [16].  Contrary
to suggestions that theta can enhance performance, there is evidence
that efficiency may be improved if theta output is suppressed [4, Ch.
5; 25]"  (pp. 31-32)

quoted from:
Barry L. Beyerstein, "Brainscams", International Journal of
  Mental Health, Vol. 19, number 3, 1990, pp. 27-36.

references in quoted text:
4.  Druckman, D. and Swets, J. A. (Eds.)  _Enhancing human performance:
   issues, theories and techniques_.  National Academy Press,
   Washington, DC., 1988

16.  B. Beyerstein, "The myth of alpha consciousness", quoted below.

25.  Beatty, J, Greenberg, A. Deibler, W. P., and O'Hanlon, J. F.,
    "Operant control of occipital theta rhythm affects performance in
     a radar monitoring task", _Science_, volume 183, p. 871, 1974.

----
  
"Theta:  The Wave of the Future

"If, as now seems incontrovertable, alpha is not the hasty man's
shortcut to nirvana or even a credible alternative to a warm bath for
reducing stress, there are other candidates waiting to take its place.
The top contender at the moment is another frequency band of the EEG,
theta (4 to 7 Hz).  Many benefits once attributed to the ``alpha
state'' are reappearing as purported consequences of high theta
states.  Like alpha, the theta rhythm has long been known to EEG
researchers and several different theories exist to account for it.
Theta has been extensively studied in relation to a brain structure
called the hippocampus, which is involved in such diverse functions
as arousal, attention, voluntary movements, and learning and memory.
(See Bennet 1977, Chap. 11.)  Although many biofeedback enthusiasts
and occultists are embracing theta as the vehicle of alpha's lost
promise, they seem likely to fall victim to the same logical and
empirical inconsistencies that have plagued alpha research.  Consider
the Thomas Bennett statement (1982. 106) tjat ``theta waves ...can
sometimes be observed during emotiional stress in adults, particularly
if the stress is produced by disappointment or frustration.''  In
reviewing his own and others' research on theta, L. Johnson (1977)
concludes that theta in the human EEG is ``an artifact of general
lowering of arousal level.''  Evaluating reports by Elmer Green and
others of a link between theta and meditative and hallucinatory
states, N. Birbaumer (1977) asserts that ``...no sufficiently
controlled study exists which supports any of these speculations'' and
that such claims are founded upon unsystematic observations lacking
proper experimental designs.  He goes on to agree with Johnson that
there is no sound basis at the present time for attributing any
benefits to theta biofeedback." (p. 54)

quoted from:
Barry L. Beyerstein, "The Myth of Alpha Consciousness", Skeptical
  Inquirer, Vol. 10, number ?, Fall 1985, pp. 42-49.

References cited in quote:

Bennet, T.  _Brain and Behavior_.   Brooks-Cole, Monterey, CA, 1977.
Bennet, T.  _Introduction to Physiological Psychlogy_.   Brooks-Cole, 
   Monterey, CA, 1982.
Birbaumer, N.  Operant Enhancement of the EEG-theta activity.  In
  J. Beatty and H. Legewie, eds., _Biofeedback and Behavior_, Plenum
  Press, NY, pp. 135-146, 1977.
Johnson, L.  Learned control of brain activity.  In
  J. Beatty and H. Legewie, eds., _Biofeedback and Behavior_, Plenum
  Press, NY, pp. 73-94, 1977.



-- 
  Robert E. McGrath
  Urbana Illinois
  mcgrath@cs.uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: alt.out-of-body