Amazing facts about the brain waves

At the core of all our inner experiences of the consciousness such as thoughts, emotions and behaviours is the communication between neurons within our brains. Brainwaves are produced by synchronised electrical pulses from masses of neurons communicating with each other. When a group of neurons electrical pulses to another group of neurons, it creates a wave-like pattern. These waves are registered by electroencephalographs and measured in speed cycles per second, named Hertz (Hz). Depending on how awake and alert we are, the waves might be fast, or slow. They change, according to what we are doing or feeling.

The most frequent waves we can register are delta, theta, alpha, mu, beta, and gamma waves.

Deep dreamless sleep produces a type of brain wave known as the delta waves, which are slow, ranging from 0.5 to 4 Hz. Disruptions in delta activity is seen in adults during states of intoxication with alcohol or drugs and in those diagnosed with various neurological disorders such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Disruptions in slow wave (delta) sleep have been shown to increase risk for development of Type II diabetes, potentially due to disruptions in the growth hormone secreted by the pituitary gland.

After a period of sleep deprivation delta wave activity increases during sleep recovery. This means that the brain tries to catch up if for a period of time we did not sleep well or deep enough to recover our energies.

Diets very low in carbohydrates, such as a ketogenic diet, have been shown to increase the amount of delta activity and slow wave sleep in healthy individuals.

Theta waves

Theta waves have a frequency of 3 to 8 Hz. They can occur when we sleep or when we deeply relaxed, such as in a meditative state. They can be observed during the transition from sleep and during quiet wakefulness. In humans, theta rhythm has been observed and linked to memory formation and navigation.

A person in the theta state is often daydreaming. People doing a repetitive task often enter this state and can’t recall what exactly they were doing for the last few minutes. Taking a shower, walking, or other automatic activities may bring on this state.

During theta state ideas flow freely without judgement or guilt and it is often why people come up with creative ideas while doing automatic tasks.

There is strong evidence that disruptions of sleep exceeding 24 h inhibit the regeneration of new brain cells (neurogenesis). The neurogenesis hypothesis of depression posits that the regeneration of brain is affected negatively by stressful experiences and such a state can lead to depression.

Alpha waves

Alpha waves predominantly originate from the occipital lobe during wakeful relaxation with closed eyes. They are reduced with open eyes, drowsiness and during REM sleep mainly associated with dreaming.

Alpha is often called a “hypnogogic” state because you may experience spontaneous mental imagery. Zen-trained meditation masters produce noticeably more alpha waves during meditation. Alpha waves to be the link between the conscious mind and the subconscious, because if we are able to remain awake, we are also able to explore consciousness experiences in states in that most of the people would just fall asleep.

There is evidence that our immune system benefits from increasing alpha waves, because relaxation can help our bodies recover from stresses.

Mu waves

Mu waves at a frequency of 7.5–12.5 Hz, and are most prominent when the body is physically at rest. Unlike the alpha waves, that occur at a similar frequency over the resting visual cortex at the back of the scalp, the mu wave is found over the motor cortex, which initiates movement in our body.

Mu waves are linked to the performance and learning of motor skills, specifically to the brain activity that occurs when a person either performs various types of physical actions or watches others perform such actions.

Mu waves are suppressed by mirror neurons, a system of neurons that they play a role in mapping others’ movements into the brain without actually physically performing those actions. Also mirror neurons are associated with compassion and empathy. Neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran and colleagues, view autism as inability to understand other individuals’ intentions due to problems with the mirror neuron system.

Supressing the mu waves can suggest that we are more attuned to what other people are doing and feeling — aka more empathic and compassionate. Mu waves presence would not suggest psychopathy because we need them to develop skills when observing our role models.

Beta waves designate electric brain waves a a frequency raging between 12.5 and 30 Hz. Beta states are associated with normal waking consciousness, being active, busy, or being focussed. They also occur when we present with high levels of anxiety or when we are overthinking.

Beta activity is increased when movement has to be resisted or voluntarily suppressed, which suggests they are associated with self-regulation and self-discipline.

A gamma wave is a pattern of neural oscillation in humans with a frequency between 25 and 100 Hz, (though 40 Hz is the most typical). If the thalamus, which filters the stimuli towards the brain, is damaged this wave stops, conscious awareness does not form, and people would slip into profound coma. Altered gamma activity has been observed in many mood and cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.

Experiments on Tibetan Buddhist monks have shown a correlation between transcendental mental states and gamma waves. They are also generated when we achieve peak concentration, and when our brain is actively engaged in solving a problem or processing information.

The benefits of producing the gamma frequency are:

Better ability to have vivid and rapid memory recall.

Enhanced sensory perceptions, making food tasting better; with sharpen vision and hearing.

Brain is able to process all sensory information faster and more fully with greater sensitivity.

People with high gamma activity are naturally happier, calmer, and more at peace. Vice versa, people suffering from depression typically have very low gamma activity.

IQ scores of people with high gamma wave activity are correspondingly high. Elite athletes, musicians, and high achievers in all fields produce far more gamma waves than average people.