Melanie, I don't have an exact answer either, but I believe everyone has alpha wave experience as it is a part of our sleep process and our daydreaming process. It can be related to relaxation in massage situations, I would guess. Zoning out or fogging experiences for me happen when I am in a triggering situation in regards to my past sexual abuse history. I don't know the exact process of what happens, but I know it's just too much for me to think about sometimes and I find myself going into a trance. My breathing slows, and my mind is deperately trying to escape feelings I can't deal with at the moment. It protects me from the anxiety that I feel I can't bear. I am sometimes scared I may explode if I feel my memories. so who wants to explode? I am working on detaching less and being more present. I know this will come with healing. I am not rushing it, and compare it to trying to run a marathon when one cannot even walk without panting. Not sure if this helps. I think the difference may be in cause and intensity. tracy