Depression and the Brainwave Connection

As someone who has suffered many bouts of depression that add up to years, I know what a long suffering, debilitating and life diminishing condition it is.
During those years, I have often suffered from a sense that life is meaningless and tried all manner of things to rid myself of that feeling: exercise, diet, vitamins, St.
Johns Wort, recreational drugs, chocolate, holidays, shopping, romance, therapy, positive affirmations, prayer, antidepressants and so on ...
none having any lasting effect.
Clinical depression is largely considered a symptom resulting from depleted levels of Serotonin in the body.
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for controlling pain and is regulated by the brain.
When Serotonin levels are low, our immune system gets depressed, our ability to sleep properly is disturbed, and our pain threshold both physically and mentally is very low.
To counteract the symptoms of depression due to low Serotonin levels anti-depressants (Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft, to name a few) have been the medics quick fix prescription of choice.
In fact it has been estimated that nearly 50% of all American adults have been prescribed antidepressants at least once in their lives, but the percentage who can claim a cure from taking anti depressants is comparatively low.
For those who do derive some relief from one of these drugs, it is often only after having tried a few different types and suffering the side effects.
During the late 70's and 80's there was tremendous research done on the mind, the brain and brainwave frequencies.
What was discovered was that different brainwave frequencies affect not only the mental state of an individual, but the physical state also.
What this means is that during different brainwave states, the brain signals the body to increase or decrease its neurotransmitters, hormones, and endorphins.
So for example when a persons brainwave frequency goes from the high beta state to the lower alpha state, the brain will signal the body to reduce its Cortisol (degenerative, stress hormone) while increasing its Serotonin levels.
This is vitally good news for anyone suffering from depression because there are techniques that a person suffering from depression can learn to naturally increase their Serotonin levels.
To do this they must get their brainwave frequency to enter the alpha state.
It sounds technical and perhaps demanding, especially if you are in the dark, unmotivated place of depression, but its not.
In fact the techniques require very little effort because they require you to relax.
The alpha brainwave state is one of light relaxation.
It is generally the short-lived state you are in prior to sleeping.
In order to enter the alpha state and maintain it you simply need an effective relaxation technique.
One of the most successful techniques for achieving this is meditation.
Meditation is known for altering the practitioners brainwave frequencies, and by doing this, the meditator enjoys many health benefits.
However meditation is a serious practice that is not conducive to everyone.
Thankfully another way to achieve this state is through relaxation recordings, and particularly binaural beats (brain entrainment recordings).
Binaural beats are specifically designed to take the listener into deeply relaxing brainwave states and inducing positive neuro-chemical, biological responses.
As someone who has used these as a therapy for my own depression, I can attest to their effectiveness and it is surprising to me that they are a relatively well kept, though unintentional, secret.
For anyone who is suffering the debilitating effects of depression, I highly recommend giving binaural beats a try.