Abstract
There has recently been increasing interest in the effects of music on human health, so much so that a new journal was started by SAGE Publications (the publisher of the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine) entitled Music and Medicine (http://mmd.sagepub.com/). The effect of music on brain function is one of the areas being explored. Robert Monroe developed his Hemi-Sync® sounds with the idea that specifically chosen sound frequencies could synchronize electroencephalographic brain wave patterns to result in improved relaxation and meditation. Several studies have suggested possible better surgical anesthesia with these sounds. 1–3 Now, the Grammy Award–winning music producer Barry Goldstein has combined his ambient music (generated on piano and keyboard and using synthesizers) with Hemi-Sync® sounds to create a 59-minute music CD. There are five tracks: Genesis; Heart; Home; Eden; Journey; and Breath. The effect is interesting. Listening with headphones is optimal and many individuals will find it to be quite relaxing. However, whether such relaxation has any long-term health benefits requires future research.