Measuring brain wave patterns is a way to determine what mental
state of the brain is presently active. The root of all our thoughts, emotions
and behaviors is the communication between neurons within our brains.
Brainwaves are electrical pulses produced by masses of neurons
communicating with each other. They are measured and detected by using sensors
placed on the scalp and then divided into bandwidth frequencies to describe
their function and area of the brain that is active.
Brainwaves are best thought of as a continuous spectrum of
consciousness; Delta being slow, loud and functional - to Gamma being fast,
subtle, and complex. A good way to describe this activity is to think of
brainwaves as musical notes - the low frequency waves like a deeply penetrating
drum beat, while the higher frequency brainwaves are like a subtle high pitched
flute.
Our brainwaves change according to what we’re
doing and feeling. When slower brainwaves are dominant we can feel tired, slow,
sluggish, or dreamy. The higher frequencies are dominant when we feel wired, or
hyper-alert.
The description below is only a global way to better understand
this concept. In common practice this analysis is far more complex, and
brainwaves reflect different aspects when they occur in different locations in
the brain.
Brainwave speed is measured in Hertz (cycles per second) and they
are dived into bands delineating slow, moderate, and fast waves.
Delta waves(.5-3Hz)
Delta brainwaves are the slowest but loudest brainwaves (low
frequency and deeply penetrating, like a drum beat). They are generated in
deepest meditation and dreamless sleep. Delta waves suspend external awareness
and are the source of empathy. Healing and regeneration are stimulated in this
state, and that is why deep restorative sleep is so essential to the healing
process.
Theta waves (4-8 HZ)
Theta brainwaves occur most often in sleep but are also dominant
in the deep meditation. It acts as our gateway to learning and memory. In
theta, our senses are withdrawn from the external world and focused on signals
originating from within. It is that twilight state which we normally only
experience fleetingly as we wake or drift off to sleep. In theta we are in a
dream; vivid imagery, intuition and information beyond our normal conscious
awareness. It’s where we hold our ‘stuff’, our fears, troubled history, and nightmares.
Alpha waves (8-12HZ)
Alpha brainwaves are present during quietly flowing thoughts, but
not quite meditation. Alpha is ‘the
power of now’, being here, in the present. Alpha is the
resting state for the brain. Alpha waves aid overall mental coordination,
calmness, alertness, mind/body integration and learning. The brain typically
creates more alpha waves on right side of brain.
Beta waves (12-38 HZ )
Beta brainwaves dominate our normal waking state of consciousness
when attention is directed towards cognitive tasks and the outside world. Beta
is a ‘fast’ activity, present when we are alert, attentive, engaged in problem
solving, judgment, decision making, and engaged in focused mental activity.
Continual high frequency processing beta waves are not a very
efficient way to run the brain, as it takes a tremendous amount of energy. The
left side of the brain produces more beta wave activity.
Gamma waves (38-42 HZ)
Gamma brainwaves are the fastest of brain waves (high frequency,
like a flute), and relate to simultaneous processing of information from
different brain areas. It passes information rapidly, and as the most subtle of
the brainwave frequencies, the mind has to be quiet to access it.
Gamma was traditionally dismissed as 'spare brain noise' until
researchers discovered it was highly active when in states of universal love,
altruism, and the ‘higher
virtues’. Gamma rhythms modulate perception and
consciousness, disappearing under anesthesia. Gamma is also above the frequency
of neuronal firing, so how it is generated remains a mystery. The presence of
Gamma relates to expanded consciousness and spiritual enlightenment.
WHAT BRAINWAVES MEAN TO YOU
Our brainwave profile and our daily experience of the world are
inseparable. When our brainwaves are out
of balance, there will be corresponding problems in our emotional, mental and
physical health.
Over-arousal in certain brain areas is linked with anxiety disorders,
sleep problems, nightmares, impulsive behavior, anger/aggression, agitated
depression, chronic nerve pain and spasticity. Under-arousal in certain brain
areas leads to some types of depression, attention deficit, chronic pain and
insomnia. A combination of under-arousal and over-arousal is seen in cases of
anxiety, depression and ADHD.
ALTERING YOUR
BRAINWAVES
By rule of thumb, any process that changes your perception
changes your brainwaves.
Unfortunately in today's hectic world many use only chemical
interventions such as medications or recreational drugs to alter brain
function; however brainwave training is also very effective.
Over the long term, traditional eastern methods (such as
meditation and yoga) train your brainwaves into balance. Taking regular time in
nature also has an amazing ability to regulate brain wave patterns
With technology brainwave entrainment (light- sound therapy) has
also become an easy, low-cost method to temporarily alter your brainwave state.
If you are trying to solve a particular difficulty or fine-tune your brainwave
function, state-of-the-art brain training methods like neuro-feedback deliver
targeted, quick, and lasting results.
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