| Although it has been a subject that science has | | | | they contain probably is recorded by the brain! |
| ridiculed for decades, subliminal messages have new | | | | This can be easy to understand when we consider |
| scientific believers. A recent laboratory study into | | | | that subliminal messages in advertising would be |
| subliminal messages has revealed some startling | | | | shown on TV or in magazines when we are not using |
| evidence that are indeed recorded by the brain! | | | | the full resources of our brain or our attention! |
| A neuroscientist at the Institute of Cognitive | | | | The scientific team plan to conduct further studies |
| Neuroscience University College London, called | | | | into the use of subliminal messages to determine just |
| Bahador Bahrami, has found through laboratory | | | | how affective it is at influencing our buying habits. |
| experiments that subliminal messages do indeed leave | | | | Bahrami also plans on investigating how words affect |
| an impression on the brain. Using sophisticated | | | | the brain when they are presented as subliminal |
| equipment Bahrami's team of scientists discovered | | | | messages. |
| that the brain is aware of, and records, images that | | | | For those interested in using subliminal messages for |
| we are consciously not aware are there. | | | | personal development this study could have a |
| Bahrami had a group of volunteers view a computer | | | | profound impact? |
| screen while wearing 3-D type glasses. A red lens | | | | As can be seen from this study subliminal messages |
| covered one eye while the other eye was covered | | | | are recorded by the brain when we have spare |
| by a blue lens. Faint images were shown to one eye | | | | attention capacity. Anytime we perform routine or |
| while colourful, strong images were flashed rapidly at | | | | easy tasks we are in such a state. Only when we |
| the other eye. Because strong images were being | | | | are performing something that requires heightened |
| flashed participants didn't consciously see the other | | | | attention would we be immune to the effects of |
| faint images and they went unnoticed. | | | | subliminal messages because our attention is diverted |
| Although the subjects were unaware that two | | | | from the subliminal messages (even though were |
| images were being shown it was found through MRI | | | | don't know they are there). |
| brain scanning that the subliminal messages (faint | | | | For this reason many people seem to have great |
| images) were registered by the brain. | | | | results from using subliminal messages that flash on |
| Even though scientists have always held the view | | | | their computer screens. This is probably also the |
| that subliminal messages remain unnoticed and | | | | reason why some self improvement audio subliminal |
| therefore subliminal advertising could not be effective | | | | messages programs come with brain entrainment |
| Baharmi's study has shown that these messages are | | | | tones. These tones force the brain to display alpha |
| actually registered by the brain. Even when we are | | | | brainwaves which relax the mind and body and would |
| not aware of them subliminal messages are recorded | | | | free up the attention resources of the brain allowing |
| by the brain. | | | | the subliminal messages to be registered. |
| The scientists found that when participants | | | | Through the use of recording techniques subliminal |
| performed routine or easy tasks the subliminal | | | | messages can now be produced in a way that |
| messages had a greater impact than if they had to | | | | focuses your attention on something that you are |
| perform tasks that took more concentration. They | | | | not even aware is there! It will be very interesting to |
| concluded that if there is spare attention capacity in | | | | read the results of the next experiments to be |
| the brain then the brain allocates that resource to the | | | | carried out at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience |
| subliminal messages. | | | | University College London to see, once and for all, |
| Bahador Bahrami has openly commented that | | | | just how affective subliminal messages are! |
| subliminal advertising and the subliminal messages that | | | | |