How Can You Affect Your Brain Waves?

It is possible to consciously affect ​our brain wave patterns. Each brain wave has a different frequency and communicates with different parts of the brain. The external world has rhythms  with each sunrise and sunset. The brain picks up on the frequencies of light and sound and then starts to pace with these patterns. Have you ever walked into a restaurant and the music stirs a rhythm inside you causing a unconscious tapping of your foot to the beat. This is a very similar process that takes place with brain wave patterns.

There are five different types of brain wave patterns, each with their own individual functions:

The slowest is the delta wave- occurring while you sleep at half to four cycles per second. Slower paced music or quiet time and dim lights help create this wave pattern.

The theta wave is made predominantly from the middle brain and is the self-awareness frequency. This pattern creates a more lucid  or a meditative state at four to eight cycles per second.

The alpha wave creates more of an awareness of the world and is predominantly from the right side of the brain. This wave pattern has a frequency of about 9-14 cycles per second. It tends to be the more creative and emotional side of the brain. The alpha frequency can be elicited more by closing your eyes and taking deep diaphragmatic breaths.

The beta wave production is at 14-28 cycles per second and is predominantly left brain activity. This is the frequency made most when you are focused on your work or activities.

The gamma wave integrates several parts of the nervous system and is high processing at about 25-100 cycles per second.

Brain waves are the bodies electrical frequencies that are made by the brain nerve cells. The more these brain cells are communicating at the same frequency our brain is in a better balance. It is best for our overall health to get a good nights rest and start they day in a low frequency delta. Ease into the theta and alpha states to prepare for a active beta wave at work. At the end of the day start to slow down the activity of the brain with less light and sound stimulation to prepare for rest.

Better Brain Tip

Imagine a piano recital that starts out with just a few notes and a slow pace. Start adding more notes and then pick up the tempo playing faster with more chords. As the tempo builds you can feel your brain pacing the tempo. Now imagine the tempo begins to slow down to a series of simple chords ending with holding a single note.

In your mind you can create this same affect on your brain wave activity. Start designing your day with this pattern and it will reduce that fight or flight response reducing tour stress on your health.

How is the Brain Affected by Gut Health?

Most of the neurotransmitters in your body are made in the gut, and if your gut health is not healthy, then your brain health is not healthy. Trans fats, pesticides, and GMO’s which are a part of the average American diet, affect our neurotransmitters. This diet is creating a bigger problem with society’s mental health!

With over 10 million people in United States on anti-depressants,  we need to step back and take a look at our thinking, our eating, and our actions. Start with your gut health today to improve your overall brain health and body health.

Better Brain Tip:

1) Regularly eats foods that build a healthy gut flora and/or supplement probiotics.

How Does Cranial Treatment Help Head Trauma Injuries ?

Cranial manipulation and treatment has been used for thousands of years to treat numerous ailments. There are 22 bones that make up the skull (Cranium). Manual treatment has a direct affect on the circulation around the brain and influences the function of the nervous system. Everything from Headaches, TMJ, sinus challenges and a multitude of neurological problems have benefitted from cranial work.

Your skull is made up sutures, like zippers to your brain. As these sutures ossify, or harden, it negatively affects your brain circulation. On an MRI Cranial treatments show how specific areas of the nervous system as well as the circulation of the brain are affected. With cranial work, you can actually influence your blood supply to your brain. If you've ever had a brain trauma or concussive force to the head, you may need cranial work or at least an examination. Cranial manipulation has been shown to affect your overall brain health which affects the health of your entire body.

Better Brain Tip:

1)    If you have every had a brain injury or concussive trauma see a cranial specialist to evaluate the skull and nervous system.

2)    A Spect scan or functional MRI evaluation should be done sooner rather than later after a trauma to evaluate brain injury and function. 

How Do Video Games Affect Brain Function?

Our mind is paced by light and sound and this affects brain wave activity. Have you ever walked into a room with flashing lights and high frequency music. Often times it feels palpable in the chest seemingly changing your heart rate and breathing pattern . Different frequencies of light and sounds have varying affects on different parts of the brain as seen on functional MRI analysis.

During a non-violent, educational video game, you're learning and creating using, the left and right brain, as well as the frontal lobe for focus. While playing, or watching, a violent video game, your brain begins to confuse fiction with reality, creating angrier and more agitated behavior. Splitting up game time or taking a walk in nature can snap us back to reality and calm your brain activity for better focus, better attitude, and increased brain function.

Better Brain tip:

1) Stop all video game activity at least 1 hour before bedtime

2) Start to limit or eliminate violent video game activity