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Frequently Asked Questions
We have attempted to answer below some of the more commonly asked questions about subconscious suggestion techniques and about our products. For more in-depth information on the background and technologies that are behind our products, please visit our Technologies page.
We have also included on this page copies of some enquiries from visitors to this site, together with copies of the replies they received. Please see the lower part of the page for these.
If you have questions that are not answered on these pages, please feel free to and we will do our best to provide the information you want.
Q. What is subliminal programming?
A. 'Subliminal programming', or more accurately 'subliminal suggestion', is the use of various techniques to impress information directly on the subconscious mind, without interference by other mental processes (particularly by the conscious 'critical' mind).
Throughout our lives, we are continually subjected to all kinds of 'subconscious' influences, both accidentally and deliberately. We are not consciously aware of this material but it constantly surfaces to influence our behaviour, performance and even thoughts. Subliminal suggestion is simply a way to harness this natural in-built learning process for beneficial purposes.
Q. How does subliminal suggestion work?
A. We come into this world with only a modest amount of inbuilt ('instinctive') behaviour patterns - nearly all of our behaviour in adulthood is learned (according to which culture we grow up in) in much the same way as we learn to ride a bike or tie our shoelaces. All this behavioural learning is managed by the same mental mechanism that stores the 'instructions' for bike-riding or shoelace-tying - our subconscious minds. So to change our current behavior, we must first change the information stored in the subconscious, and the key to this is the same as for any other learning experience - repetition. Anything that is repeated often enough will eventually 'over-write' previously stored information and lead to permanent behavioural modification.
The subconscious mind does not exercise 'critical' judgment, which means it does not filter any of the material it encounters. This filtering is left to the conscious mind, which reacts in various ways to incoming information about the immediate environment. The subconscious monitors the reactions of the conscious mind, and absorbs these reactions together with the original perceptions into its store of data. This means that verbal suggestions presented in any form will be changed and added to by the conscious mind, which is particularly good at attaching negative 'tags' such as 'I can't do that', 'that's not how I am', 'I cant afford that' and so on.
So to affect subconscious processes in a positive manner, i.e., without unwanted associations and emotional reactions, the conscious mind has to be 'taken out of the loop' or bypassed. This is achieved by a variety of techniques for presenting information below the level of conscious awareness, so it is perceived subconsciously without any conscious 'baggage' attached. When positive statements are implanted in this way they become a part of the subconscious 'storehouse' of information. By constant repetition while listening to our recordings, these suggestions become reinforced and so come to dominate older contradictory statements. In this way they become a part of the 'instruction set' that directs the way the subconscious mind steers your life experience.
Q. What equipment do I need?
A. All recordings are offered for downloading in the popular MP3 compressed format, which can be replayed on a PC computer with a sound card, or in a dedicated MP3 player. If you are unsure whether your computer can handle MP3 files, we offer a 10-minute free sample recording on the Downloads page, which you can download and use as a test.
If you wish to copy any of our sound tracks to a CD-R you will obviously need a suitable CD-RW drive and 'burner' software.
To listen to an 'Activation' (subliminal) recording, you need either a pair of reasonable quality speakers, such as those built into many computer systems, or (preferably) a pair of stereo headphones of medium quality or better. In either case a frequency response of around 80Hz to 10kHz should be considered a minimum specification (most mid-range equipment can manage this).
For listening to 'Preparation' (hypnotic) recordings, a pair of stereo headphones of good quality (preferably hi-fi) is required. Many of the binaural entrainment effects will be lost or reduced in power if you listen using loudspeakers. A frequency response of around 30Hz to 10kHz should be considered a minimum specification and because of this, 'in ear' and lightweight design headphones are not recommended.
When listening, make sure that the balance control is set to centre (unless you are hearing-impaired in one ear), the equaliser is set to neutral, and any enhancement effects such as bass boost are disengaged. The balance of frequencies is carefully adjusted during production and any distortions during playback are likely to reduce the intended effects.
Q. I've heard that MP3 degrades recording quality - doesn't that affect your recordings?
A. MP3 is a complex compression method that takes into account 'psycho acoustics' - the way in which we perceive sound. Basically it removes waveforms that are beyond normal hearing thresholds and then compresses what remains. We use MP3 compression to reduce file size to around 25 megabytes per recording, which is large but can still be downloaded using a standard modem in conjunction with downloader software. Testing has established that all critical frequencies are present in the compressed recordings although there may be some small loss of 'crispness' when compared with the originals. However the important thing is that they work just as well as the original files (170-180 Mb) following compression.
Q. What is the difference between hypnosis and meditation?
A. From a functional point of view, there is none. Hypnosis (or 'self hypnosis') and meditation are simply different ways of achieving much the same outcome: a shift in mind state to slower mental frequencies normally referred to as 'alpha' and 'theta'. In these altered states the conscious mind becomes more aware of inner events and imagery, and because it enters a passive mode it becomes many times more suggestible. It is therefore an ideal mental condition or mode for influencing behaviour through verbal suggestion.
Q. English is not my first language - does this matter?
A. Yes it does. Subliminal suggestion can only work if suggestions are presented in the language the listener actually thinks in, or at least one that he or she can think in when necessary. This normally means your 'native' language or one you are extremely fluent in. Unfortunately we cannot yet offer our products in any language other than English. However we do offer a product that enables you to make your own subliminal and hypnotic recordings in ANY language - please see our Subliminal Cookbook.
View the Core Change products
Q. How are your products any different from the rest?
A. In two main ways. Firstly they are based on real research and testing, and make use of the latest digital processing techniques to achieve the desired effects. Secondly, the two recordings that comprise each Program complement each other in a unique way. The first (subliminal) recording 'pre-conditions' the subconscious to gradually reduce resistance to the beneficial suggestions hidden within the sound tracks, then the second (hypnotic) recordings gently bring the mind into a peaceful 'alpha' mind state where the suggestions can be implanted far more effectively than ever before. Because the subliminal part of each Program makes all of the suggestions very familiar to the subconscious mind, it rarely puts up any resistance when these same suggestions are presented in the suggestible 'alpha' state. Used as suggested, MindWaves 'Core Change' programs are one of the most powerful systems for personal change currently available.
Q. I am deaf in one ear - will the programs still work?
A. No. If you are totally deaf in one ear I'm afraid the recordings will be largely ineffective. However if your hearing loss in one ear is only partial, you can simply alter your 'Balance' playback control to compensate. If you suffer from significant high frequency hearing loss, you may also lose some potential benefit. Try the free sample recording available from the Downloads page, and carefully listen for the 'whispers' that seem to come from both sides. If you can hear these (but not consciously understand them), you are probably able to get the full benefit of all of our recordings.
Q. I am mildly epileptic - should I listen to your programs?
A. Definitely not! All 'Activation' recordings and both of the Synchrony program recordings, contain powerful pulsating tones and rhythms that pass through the 'danger zone' for epilepsy. If you have ANY reason to suspect that you have even a mild form of epilepsy or any related disorder, do not purchase any of our entrainment programs. However, there is no reason why you should not use our subliminal 'Preparation' recordings if you wish, and we will supply these on their own at half the price of the full program, by arrangement.
Q. I suffer from frequent migraines - should I listen to your programs?
A. Probably not. While we have no evidence that entrainment could initiate a migraine, it is possible. Therefore we suggest that you do not risk using our (or any other) entrainment audio recordings unless you are already sure that such recordings will not adversely affect you.
Q. What will I hear and feel?
A. Most MindWaves 'Core Change' programs follow a similar format. The first recording (Preparation) consists of gentle nature sounds with the verbal suggestions superimposed in a way that can be heard but not understood. They are best listened to using stereo headphones or stereo speakers (such as those attached to many computers). You will hear the relaxing sound track and be able to pick out what may sound like constant whispering from both sides and more faintly, 'straight ahead'. Although these sounds can be heard, because of the way they have been processed into the background you will not be able to understand more than the odd word at most, but may find yourself oddly aware of the 'pressure' of the embedded speech (it's a hard sensation to describe, but it is proof that you are hearing the words subconsciously even though you cannot consciously understand them). There are no 'hypnotic' sounds in these recordings (with the exception of our 'Synchrony' Program which has a different modus operandi) and so they are entirely safe to listen to under any circumstances.
The second recording (Activation) of our Programs is designed to be heard through high quality (hi-fi) stereo headphones, while relaxing somewhere you will not be disturbed for 40 minutes or so. Again you will hear nature sounds, but this time they will have a perceptible underlying pulsation, and (depending on the particular recording) you may also be aware of rushing sounds and a sweeping tone in the background. As you continue to listen to the recording you may find yourself having odd dreamlike thoughts and perhaps 'seeing' occasional dream images. You may actually fall asleep the first few times you listen, but after a few sessions you will probably drift into a warm, relaxed state where you remain dimly aware but time seems to be unimportant. You may continue to dip in and out of a sleep-like state throughout the session, but this will not be true sleep, rather the 'hypnogogic' state.
You will 'awaken' at the end of the recording (sometimes before) in response to a pleasant female voice which closes the session. If you are disturbed at any time you will also awaken, but you can normally choose to quickly 'let go' again and resume the altered state - this becomes easier with time. You may also find that you are simply 'not in the mood' on some occasions, and in this case you will either not experience any change, or will go through the initial stages but experience a sense of irritation, and simply decide to quit after a few minutes. In this case just try again another time.
When you resume normal consciousness you may feel slightly groggy and disorientated ('phased') for a few seconds, then become fully awake, feeling very good. 'Entrainment induced meditation' seems to have the effect of rejuvenating the mind, especially if lack of sleep is a problem. Your need for sleep may decrease with regular listening - some users of our testers have reported that they can get by on up to two hours less sleep when they regularly use the 'Synchrony' induced meditation program in particular.
Q. When will I actually begin to see results?
A. During the initial 'Preparation' phase (listening to the subliminal recordings) only small changes are likely. At least 20-30 listening sessions are needed to start influencing the subconscious, and even then the results may be relatively slight. Listening five times a week, the 'pre-conditioning' phase normally takes from 4 to 6 weeks. You may notice some small differences in your outlook and reactions, and certain things that once seemed difficult may gradually seem to become easier, but the main purpose of these recordings is simply to 'beat a path' for the 'Activation' recordings that follow.
Each 'Activation' recording is designed to be listened to after first hearing the corresponding 'Preparation' recording for at least 10 hours (20 replays). We do not recommend listening to the 'Activation' recording before this, as this could possibly result in subconscious resistance to some of the suggestions contained in them, which would subsequently be difficult to overcome. Again, listening to an 'Activation' recording is not going to trigger change in an instant, but the experience of our testers and customers is that they definitely feel that changes are underway after listening for just 2 or 3 sessions, and they consistently report that the experience is very enjoyable right from the start. You should aim to listen to a full session at least once a week, and should also continue to listen to the 'Preparation' (subliminal) recording whenever possible.
When definite changes occur, they tend to 'sneak up on you'. There is rarely any particular moment when you experience a sudden change, you just realise one day that you are behaving in a different way, apparently without conscious effort, or that 'things just seem to be getting better'. You may be aware of 'lucky' events that move you in the direction you want to go, or just notice that you are spontaneously doing things you are unlikely to have done before. The process of change is gentle, gradual and natural (your subconscious will not allow anything else) and varies enormously with the individual and his or her circumstances. But within a couple of months at most, you should be pretty certain that the process is underway.
Q. Do you offer any support and backup?
A. Mindwaves.co.uk values its relationship with all customers and offers full ongoing support for all MindWaves products. If you have any queries or problems all you need to do is email us and we will do our best to respond. We also offer a full backup service in case your downloaded files become corrupted or lost at any time in the future. So long as you can provide us with enough information to identify your purchase, we will email a link where you can obtain copies of your files at any time.
We have also included on this page copies of some enquiries from visitors to this site, together with copies of the replies they received. Please see the lower part of the page for these.
If you have questions that are not answered on these pages, please feel free to and we will do our best to provide the information you want.
Q. What is subliminal programming?
A. 'Subliminal programming', or more accurately 'subliminal suggestion', is the use of various techniques to impress information directly on the subconscious mind, without interference by other mental processes (particularly by the conscious 'critical' mind).
Throughout our lives, we are continually subjected to all kinds of 'subconscious' influences, both accidentally and deliberately. We are not consciously aware of this material but it constantly surfaces to influence our behaviour, performance and even thoughts. Subliminal suggestion is simply a way to harness this natural in-built learning process for beneficial purposes.
Q. How does subliminal suggestion work?
A. We come into this world with only a modest amount of inbuilt ('instinctive') behaviour patterns - nearly all of our behaviour in adulthood is learned (according to which culture we grow up in) in much the same way as we learn to ride a bike or tie our shoelaces. All this behavioural learning is managed by the same mental mechanism that stores the 'instructions' for bike-riding or shoelace-tying - our subconscious minds. So to change our current behavior, we must first change the information stored in the subconscious, and the key to this is the same as for any other learning experience - repetition. Anything that is repeated often enough will eventually 'over-write' previously stored information and lead to permanent behavioural modification.
The subconscious mind does not exercise 'critical' judgment, which means it does not filter any of the material it encounters. This filtering is left to the conscious mind, which reacts in various ways to incoming information about the immediate environment. The subconscious monitors the reactions of the conscious mind, and absorbs these reactions together with the original perceptions into its store of data. This means that verbal suggestions presented in any form will be changed and added to by the conscious mind, which is particularly good at attaching negative 'tags' such as 'I can't do that', 'that's not how I am', 'I cant afford that' and so on.
So to affect subconscious processes in a positive manner, i.e., without unwanted associations and emotional reactions, the conscious mind has to be 'taken out of the loop' or bypassed. This is achieved by a variety of techniques for presenting information below the level of conscious awareness, so it is perceived subconsciously without any conscious 'baggage' attached. When positive statements are implanted in this way they become a part of the subconscious 'storehouse' of information. By constant repetition while listening to our recordings, these suggestions become reinforced and so come to dominate older contradictory statements. In this way they become a part of the 'instruction set' that directs the way the subconscious mind steers your life experience.
Q. What equipment do I need?
A. All recordings are offered for downloading in the popular MP3 compressed format, which can be replayed on a PC computer with a sound card, or in a dedicated MP3 player. If you are unsure whether your computer can handle MP3 files, we offer a 10-minute free sample recording on the Downloads page, which you can download and use as a test.
If you wish to copy any of our sound tracks to a CD-R you will obviously need a suitable CD-RW drive and 'burner' software.
To listen to an 'Activation' (subliminal) recording, you need either a pair of reasonable quality speakers, such as those built into many computer systems, or (preferably) a pair of stereo headphones of medium quality or better. In either case a frequency response of around 80Hz to 10kHz should be considered a minimum specification (most mid-range equipment can manage this).
For listening to 'Preparation' (hypnotic) recordings, a pair of stereo headphones of good quality (preferably hi-fi) is required. Many of the binaural entrainment effects will be lost or reduced in power if you listen using loudspeakers. A frequency response of around 30Hz to 10kHz should be considered a minimum specification and because of this, 'in ear' and lightweight design headphones are not recommended.
When listening, make sure that the balance control is set to centre (unless you are hearing-impaired in one ear), the equaliser is set to neutral, and any enhancement effects such as bass boost are disengaged. The balance of frequencies is carefully adjusted during production and any distortions during playback are likely to reduce the intended effects.
Q. I've heard that MP3 degrades recording quality - doesn't that affect your recordings?
A. MP3 is a complex compression method that takes into account 'psycho acoustics' - the way in which we perceive sound. Basically it removes waveforms that are beyond normal hearing thresholds and then compresses what remains. We use MP3 compression to reduce file size to around 25 megabytes per recording, which is large but can still be downloaded using a standard modem in conjunction with downloader software. Testing has established that all critical frequencies are present in the compressed recordings although there may be some small loss of 'crispness' when compared with the originals. However the important thing is that they work just as well as the original files (170-180 Mb) following compression.
Q. What is the difference between hypnosis and meditation?
A. From a functional point of view, there is none. Hypnosis (or 'self hypnosis') and meditation are simply different ways of achieving much the same outcome: a shift in mind state to slower mental frequencies normally referred to as 'alpha' and 'theta'. In these altered states the conscious mind becomes more aware of inner events and imagery, and because it enters a passive mode it becomes many times more suggestible. It is therefore an ideal mental condition or mode for influencing behaviour through verbal suggestion.
Q. English is not my first language - does this matter?
A. Yes it does. Subliminal suggestion can only work if suggestions are presented in the language the listener actually thinks in, or at least one that he or she can think in when necessary. This normally means your 'native' language or one you are extremely fluent in. Unfortunately we cannot yet offer our products in any language other than English. However we do offer a product that enables you to make your own subliminal and hypnotic recordings in ANY language - please see our Subliminal Cookbook.
View the Core Change products
Q. How are your products any different from the rest?
A. In two main ways. Firstly they are based on real research and testing, and make use of the latest digital processing techniques to achieve the desired effects. Secondly, the two recordings that comprise each Program complement each other in a unique way. The first (subliminal) recording 'pre-conditions' the subconscious to gradually reduce resistance to the beneficial suggestions hidden within the sound tracks, then the second (hypnotic) recordings gently bring the mind into a peaceful 'alpha' mind state where the suggestions can be implanted far more effectively than ever before. Because the subliminal part of each Program makes all of the suggestions very familiar to the subconscious mind, it rarely puts up any resistance when these same suggestions are presented in the suggestible 'alpha' state. Used as suggested, MindWaves 'Core Change' programs are one of the most powerful systems for personal change currently available.
Q. I am deaf in one ear - will the programs still work?
A. No. If you are totally deaf in one ear I'm afraid the recordings will be largely ineffective. However if your hearing loss in one ear is only partial, you can simply alter your 'Balance' playback control to compensate. If you suffer from significant high frequency hearing loss, you may also lose some potential benefit. Try the free sample recording available from the Downloads page, and carefully listen for the 'whispers' that seem to come from both sides. If you can hear these (but not consciously understand them), you are probably able to get the full benefit of all of our recordings.
Q. I am mildly epileptic - should I listen to your programs?
A. Definitely not! All 'Activation' recordings and both of the Synchrony program recordings, contain powerful pulsating tones and rhythms that pass through the 'danger zone' for epilepsy. If you have ANY reason to suspect that you have even a mild form of epilepsy or any related disorder, do not purchase any of our entrainment programs. However, there is no reason why you should not use our subliminal 'Preparation' recordings if you wish, and we will supply these on their own at half the price of the full program, by arrangement.
Q. I suffer from frequent migraines - should I listen to your programs?
A. Probably not. While we have no evidence that entrainment could initiate a migraine, it is possible. Therefore we suggest that you do not risk using our (or any other) entrainment audio recordings unless you are already sure that such recordings will not adversely affect you.
Q. What will I hear and feel?
A. Most MindWaves 'Core Change' programs follow a similar format. The first recording (Preparation) consists of gentle nature sounds with the verbal suggestions superimposed in a way that can be heard but not understood. They are best listened to using stereo headphones or stereo speakers (such as those attached to many computers). You will hear the relaxing sound track and be able to pick out what may sound like constant whispering from both sides and more faintly, 'straight ahead'. Although these sounds can be heard, because of the way they have been processed into the background you will not be able to understand more than the odd word at most, but may find yourself oddly aware of the 'pressure' of the embedded speech (it's a hard sensation to describe, but it is proof that you are hearing the words subconsciously even though you cannot consciously understand them). There are no 'hypnotic' sounds in these recordings (with the exception of our 'Synchrony' Program which has a different modus operandi) and so they are entirely safe to listen to under any circumstances.
The second recording (Activation) of our Programs is designed to be heard through high quality (hi-fi) stereo headphones, while relaxing somewhere you will not be disturbed for 40 minutes or so. Again you will hear nature sounds, but this time they will have a perceptible underlying pulsation, and (depending on the particular recording) you may also be aware of rushing sounds and a sweeping tone in the background. As you continue to listen to the recording you may find yourself having odd dreamlike thoughts and perhaps 'seeing' occasional dream images. You may actually fall asleep the first few times you listen, but after a few sessions you will probably drift into a warm, relaxed state where you remain dimly aware but time seems to be unimportant. You may continue to dip in and out of a sleep-like state throughout the session, but this will not be true sleep, rather the 'hypnogogic' state.
You will 'awaken' at the end of the recording (sometimes before) in response to a pleasant female voice which closes the session. If you are disturbed at any time you will also awaken, but you can normally choose to quickly 'let go' again and resume the altered state - this becomes easier with time. You may also find that you are simply 'not in the mood' on some occasions, and in this case you will either not experience any change, or will go through the initial stages but experience a sense of irritation, and simply decide to quit after a few minutes. In this case just try again another time.
When you resume normal consciousness you may feel slightly groggy and disorientated ('phased') for a few seconds, then become fully awake, feeling very good. 'Entrainment induced meditation' seems to have the effect of rejuvenating the mind, especially if lack of sleep is a problem. Your need for sleep may decrease with regular listening - some users of our testers have reported that they can get by on up to two hours less sleep when they regularly use the 'Synchrony' induced meditation program in particular.
Q. When will I actually begin to see results?
A. During the initial 'Preparation' phase (listening to the subliminal recordings) only small changes are likely. At least 20-30 listening sessions are needed to start influencing the subconscious, and even then the results may be relatively slight. Listening five times a week, the 'pre-conditioning' phase normally takes from 4 to 6 weeks. You may notice some small differences in your outlook and reactions, and certain things that once seemed difficult may gradually seem to become easier, but the main purpose of these recordings is simply to 'beat a path' for the 'Activation' recordings that follow.
Each 'Activation' recording is designed to be listened to after first hearing the corresponding 'Preparation' recording for at least 10 hours (20 replays). We do not recommend listening to the 'Activation' recording before this, as this could possibly result in subconscious resistance to some of the suggestions contained in them, which would subsequently be difficult to overcome. Again, listening to an 'Activation' recording is not going to trigger change in an instant, but the experience of our testers and customers is that they definitely feel that changes are underway after listening for just 2 or 3 sessions, and they consistently report that the experience is very enjoyable right from the start. You should aim to listen to a full session at least once a week, and should also continue to listen to the 'Preparation' (subliminal) recording whenever possible.
When definite changes occur, they tend to 'sneak up on you'. There is rarely any particular moment when you experience a sudden change, you just realise one day that you are behaving in a different way, apparently without conscious effort, or that 'things just seem to be getting better'. You may be aware of 'lucky' events that move you in the direction you want to go, or just notice that you are spontaneously doing things you are unlikely to have done before. The process of change is gentle, gradual and natural (your subconscious will not allow anything else) and varies enormously with the individual and his or her circumstances. But within a couple of months at most, you should be pretty certain that the process is underway.
Q. Do you offer any support and backup?
A. Mindwaves.co.uk values its relationship with all customers and offers full ongoing support for all MindWaves products. If you have any queries or problems all you need to do is email us and we will do our best to respond. We also offer a full backup service in case your downloaded files become corrupted or lost at any time in the future. So long as you can provide us with enough information to identify your purchase, we will email a link where you can obtain copies of your files at any time.
