Different Brain Waves

There are four main types of brain waves: alpha, beta, delta, and theta and each one is associated with a different state of mind.

 The EEG(electroencephalograph) measures brainwaves of different frequencies within the brain. A frequency is the number of times a wave repeats itself within a second. It can be compared to the frequencies that you tune into on your radio.If any of these frequencies are deficient, excessive, or difficult to access, our mental performance can suffer.  The raw EEG has usually been described in terms of frequency bands: BETA (13-30Hz),ALPHA (8-12 Hz), THETA (4-8 Hz), DELTA (less than 4 Hz) and GAMMA (30 to 80 Hertz).

Alpha

When you close your eyes, the brainwaves become slower and more regular than if fully alert and awake.  These brainwaves are called alpha waves and signify a relaxed, yet still wakeful state – similar to meditation.  Your brain produces these waves when you're not focusing too hard on anything in particular. Whatever you're doing while in this state, you are probably feeling calm, at ease and relaxed.

Good healthy alpha production promotes mental resourcefulness, aids in the ability to mentally coordinate, enhances overall sense of relaxation and fatigue.

Alpha appears to bridge the conscious to the subconscious. It is the major rhythm seen in normal relaxed adults.

Alpha waves fall in the middle of the brain wave spectrum. These waves measure between 8 and 12 Hz.

When your alpha is within normal ranges you experience good moods, see the world truthfully and more optimistically, and have a sense of calmness. Alpha is one of the brain’s most important frequency to learn and use information. You can increase alpha by closing your eyes or deep breathing or decrease alpha by thinking or calculating.

Alpha feeling states:relaxed, not agitated, but not drowsy; tranquil, conscious
Associated tasks & behaviours: meditation, no action
Physiological correlates: relaxed, healing

Beta

Beta waves are high-frequency, low-amplitude brain waves that are commonly observed in an awaken state. They are involved in conscious thought and logical thinking, and have a stimulating effect and are responsible for focus, concentration and analytical thinking.

Beta waves are the fastest frequency of brainwaves (13-30 Hz).

It is the state that most of brain is in when we have our eyes open and are listening and thinking during analytical problem solving, judgment, decision making, processing information about the world around us.

Beta is generally regarded as a normal rhythm and is the dominant rhythm in those who are alert or anxious or who have their eyes open.

They are common while concentrating, or when a person is under stress or experiencing psychological tension.

Beta feeling states: thinking, aware of self & surroundings, alertness, agitation
Associated tasks & behaviours: mental activity, e.g., math, planning
Physiological correlates: alert, active, but not agitated, general activation of mind & body functions.

Delta

Delta waves are directly linked to one of the most defining attributes of REM sleep and dreams. These are the slowest recorded brain waves in human beings and are associated with the deepest levels of relaxation and restorative, healing sleep. Delta is also prominently seen in brain injuries, learning problems, inability to think, and severe ADHD.

The lowest frequencies are delta. These are less than 0 - 4 Hz and occur in deep sleep and in some abnormal processes.

Delta waves are increased in order to decrease the awareness of the physical world and also access information in the unconscious and subconscious mind throughDelta. Peak performers decrease Delta waves when high focus and peak performance are required. However, most individuals diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD), naturally increase rather than decrease Delta activity when trying to focus.

Delta feeling states: deep, dreamless sleep, trance, unconscious
Associated tasks & behaviours: lethargic, not moving, not attentive
Physiological correlates: not moving, low-level of arousal

Gamma

Gamma brain waves are the fastest brain waves produced inside the brain. These are produced during intense focus or problem solving. These assist with increasing cognitive flexibility, attention to detail, focus, divergent thinking / creative thinking.

Gamma waves are the fastest brain waves ranging from range from 30 to 80 Hertz.

Gamma Feeling states: peak concentration, alertness, creativity, and positive mood states.

Associated tasks & behaviours: perception, attention, memory, consciousness, synaptic plasticity, and motor control

Physiological correlates: Increased concentration, high level of alertness, increase in mood

Theta

‍Theta brainwave state is found when you are calm and relaxed, meditative state, daydreaming or about to drift into sleep or in a light sleep.  These will not occur during the deeper phases of sleep. It is also seen in connection with creativity, intuition and a is repository for memories, emotions, sensations. Theta waves are strong during internal focus, meditation, prayer, and spiritual awareness. It reflects the state between wakefulness and sleep and relates to the subconscious mind.

When we are working in aRapid Transformational Therapy session, we are working in the theta state.

These also occur when you are in autopilot.  Think when you have driven home from work and not remembered the drive and felt that you were on autopilot.

Theta waves are 4–8 Hz. This is considered the slow activity. ‍

Theta feeling states: intuitive, creative, recall, fantasy, imagery, creative, dreamlike, switching thoughts, drowsy; “oneness”, intuition, meditative.
Associated tasks & behaviours: creative, intuitive; but may also bedistracted, unfocused
Physiological correlates: healing, integration of mind/body

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