BT2 ALP: Alpha-Theta
Deep States Protocol
The alpha-theta protocol is about improving the transition between the conscious and unconscious mind through the crossover of alpha and theta, to release something that is holding/imprisoning the person, such as strong beliefs and traumas. It is about teaching the brain to slow down from alpha to 7Hz theta (crossover) and then back up. You can perform Alpha-Theta training using O1-A1 (releasing/relieving the traumatic/sensory visual) or P4-A2 (kinesthetic aspects).
Feedback
1-channel Alpha-Theta feedback is easy to understand. Crossovers are clear since the theta tones are on and changing pitch or they drop out and the ocean sounds become louder when you are shifting back to alpha.
It generates feedback of nature sounds (birds/sea) when the 10hz alpha frequency increases. This serves as a guide to presence and stillness.
There are two negative feedbacks to help the client realize they are leaving the hypnagogic state. One feedback (a knocking sound on a door) when the slow waves (2-6hz) rise above the threshold, and another feedback (a high-pitched buzzing sound) when the fast waves (above 15hz) rise. The first gently guides the brain to stay awake, and the second to avoid thinking/judging/tensioning.
The four feedback sounds will play along with the music that guides the client to a more relaxed state.
Display
In the program’s top bar, there is a checkbox “Show slow and fast controls (advanced)”, which you can activate if you want to see the thresholds that signal the increase in slow and fast speeds; however, feedback will occur even if it is unchecked.
When NOT to perform alpha-theta, whether with 1, 2, or 4 channels:
- in clients with very high anxiety levels, as they need to reduce this with FRE or MBC Down training beforehand;
- In clients with attention deficit characteristics, as they tend to easily lose track of feedback and fall asleep;
- In clients with instabilities, especially those with T3 and T4 with poor balance of slow, medium, and fast waves, as they may experience headaches, dizziness, panic attacks, dissociations… it’s best to train to stabilize T3 T4 first, and perhaps C3 C4.
2-channel or 4-channel Alpha-Theta sessions
Alpha-theta training in BT2 offers the option of multiple channels, allowing for a more powerful relaxation and cortical relief effect from this training.
Alpha-Theta training can be done using two channels: O1/A1 and P4/A2, simultaneously.
It would also be possible to experiment simultaneously in four channels with the most commonly used sites in the history of the alpha-theta protocol: Pz, Oz, P4, O1, linked references: A1 A2.
Possibilities tested by Othmers include: P3/A1 with P4/A2; AFz/A1 with PZ/A2. That is, the entire Default Mode Network.
However, it is also possible to train at 4 posterior points, especially those with low theta and alpha synchrony. When training alpha-theta in 2 or 4 combined channels, more feedback is obtained when the synchronous activity of alpha and theta is “in phase.” This produces even more significant and deep relaxation effects.
BT2’s multi-channel alpha-theta sums all the channels and then checks the difference in amplitudes between alpha and theta to generate feedback (a bell sound) when they cross over. This indicates a dive into the unconscious whenever it alternates between alpha and theta.
When performing alpha-theta with multiple channels combined, for the crossover between alpha and theta to occur, the increase in alpha and/or theta will need to be synchronized in the areas being trained. If they are out of phase, this will reduce the amplitudes and perhaps even prevent the crossover of the bands.
The effect of synchronization associated with the crossover can help some more resistant people to unlock something that is preventing them from flowing through life.
In summary: whether using 1, 2, or 4 channels, the purpose of the design remains to help the brain delve into and return from the unconscious. This can lead to feeling lighter, more creative, relaxed, or experiencing new memories, better beliefs, and fewer traumas. The difference is that, with more channels, this effect can be enhanced by the positive synchronicity required for alpha and theta energy levels to rise and alternate during training.
Notes from developer
The idea of alpha-theta is to remain immersed in theta, close to 7hz (the gateway to consciousness), to allow what is “trapped” in the unconscious to surface.
So, ideally, theta should remain above alpha for as long as possible to allow this to happen. The role of alpha would be to ward off chaos and maintain a minimum of order, not to judge, not to try, simply to let the creative experience of the hypnagogic state surface and leave the conscious mind as an observer-learner.
Alpha-theta is like a circular dance experience, where the senses are guided by the energy of the moment and not by the mind. But with the gaze of a child who sees the world opening up before them, with curiosity and without preconceptions.
I haven’t had terrible or magical experiences with alpha-theta, but somehow I’ve discovered that I can let something “lighter” flow, as if I were experiencing life with that childlike gaze that absorbs and glimpses something good in simple everyday things.
When I’m immersed in theta, it’s like swimming just below the waterline. Close enough to the surface to know I’m not outside of myself, but inside enough to feel the water and realize I can interact with it without fear.
Regarding the crossover graph, analyzing my experience and that of my clients, I see that everyone can have different results. Some dive deeper into theta, and perhaps need that to let go and have the experience. Others keep returning to alpha more often, perhaps because they need that to feel safe and gain confidence in diving.
Of course! There are those who sleep and experience something else, perhaps relaxation and quality sleep, which they’ve long forgotten. And then there are those who suffer just knowing they’ll have to close their eyes and wait a long time until it’s over.
For the latter, the coach will need to work harder to help both the mind and the brain, because they still haven’t understood what training means.