On another thread I had talked about music mixed with a session, and asked whether or not it would diminish the experience. I find that it is more enjoyable than just listening to the beat tones. I've been experimenting the past few days and have at least resolved the question in my mind.
I have a device that measures Heart Rate Variability (HRV). While the effect of AVS is typically traced to EEG response, I don't have the ability to measure EEG activity. On a typical HRV session you work on deep breathing and mental focus to relax. It has three levels.. level 1 is your basic everyday state, level 2 is more relaxed, and level 3, the deepest level, is what you strive for. You can get a rough percentage reading of your success. In a normal 15-20 minute session, I end up at about 30% in level 1 and 70% in level 2 & 3, and it takes focus to get there. Once in awhile I hit 80% in level 2 & 3, but rarely.
So I decided to connect the device on consecutive evenings when I was running the 60 minute Night Voyage session. I'm under lots of stress (who isn't?) and have had some sleep issues, so this is the one I use at night. Over 4 nights I ran the session at about the same time of night in the same setting. The first & third night were sessions only, the 2nd & 4th nights were sessions with the session audio in the audible range, but well under the music. I used two different CDs in each mode so that I could A/B on one that had all music, the other that included nature sounds, etc., mixed in with the music. I hooked up the HRV device, but did not pay attention to it, or try to focus my breathing, etc. As I started each session I just tried to relax with a few deep breathes.
When I got done, I made notes of what % I was in each level. At the end it turned out that I was 50% in levels 2&3 3 times, and 60% once. There was no significant difference between the sessions with music and without music, so it would appear that the "entraining" is not compromised by music. It also seemed to make no difference which music I listened to. This certainly isn't a long test, but it was enough for me to know I can have my music - and my session, too.
Last night, I thought I'd take a break from the Night Voyage, so I tracked the Quiet Hour session, thinking it would be good. It was relaxing (with music), but when I got done I discovered that I had been 100% in level 1 - never moving down to a deeper level. Of course, that session focuses on the 8-12 Hz range. I took care of a few things and before I went to bed I did a 25 minute Night Voyage to unwind, and, guess what? I was 50% in the levels 2 & 3. So, it showed me that AVS is having some measurable affect in relaxation without me focusing on it.
One final note. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but there is significant distortion in the audio running through the Procyon. Because of my background in radio, I'm sensitive to that. I could get by it, but it was annoying to me. The distortion was there without the session running, so it wasn't the frequencies of the session that was causing it. Perhaps most people would miss it without listening closely - or I have a defective unit. I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this.
Anyway, that's my study. I'm moving forward working with music and sessions.. probably won't track everything since this past week has convinced me they can work together just fine.
Mark
