Instabilities in brain rhythms correlate with tics,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, aggressive behavior, rage, bruxism, panic
attacks, bipolar disorder, migraines, narcolepsy, epilepsy, sleep apnea,
vertigo, tinnitus, anorexia/bulimia, PMT, diabetes, hypoglycemia and explosive
behavior.
Our brain is a fascinating machine.
This 3 pound organ contains 100 of billion cells. It can process
though upto lightening speed depending upon the control on brain. Divided into
two part left and right hemisphere, each dealing with specific function. These
billions of cells known as neurons talks to each other. These neurons
communicate using electricity.
When millions of neurons are communicating at the same time, this
all generates a significant amount of electrical activity - which can be
detected using sensitive scientific equipment, such as an EEG
(electroencephalograph) machine.
This combined electrical activity in the brain is known as a
brainwave pattern. It's called a brainwave due to its wave-like patterning.
The brain waves can be observed with an EEG (or an
“electroencephalograph”)
Our
brain’s ability to become flexible and/or transition through various brain wave
frequencies plays a large role in how successful we are at managing stress,
focusing on tasks, and getting a good night’s sleep. If one of the five types
of brain waves is either overproduced and/or under produced in our brain, it
can cause problems. For this reason, it is important to understand that there
is no single brain wave that is “better” or more Attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) “optimal” than the others.
Each
serves a purpose to help us cope with various situations – whether it is to
help us process and learn new information or help us calm down after a long
stressful day. The five brain waves in order of highest frequency to lowest are
as follows: gamma, beta, alpha, theta, and delta.
Now, different
brainwave patterns have different names, depending on their frequency. (The
frequency is measured in pulses per second.)
Gamma Waves
“Gamma” which
is a critical yet mainly supportive frequency, found to exist during certain
Buddhist meditations. Think inspiration, higher learning, and focus. It is always complemented by other
brainwaves.
These are
involved in higher processing tasks as well as cognitive functioning. Gamma
waves are important for learning, memory and information processing. It is
thought that the 40 Hz gamma wave is important for the binding of our senses in
regards to perception and is involved in learning new material. It has been
found that individuals who are mentally challenged and have learning
disabilities tend to have lower gamma activity than average.
§
Frequency range: 40 Hz to
100 Hz (Highest)
§
Too much: Anxiety, high arousal,
stress
§
Too little: ADHD, depression,
learning disabilities
§
Optimal: Binding senses, cognition,
information processing, learning, perception, REM sleep
§
Increase gamma waves: Meditation
Beta Waves
These are
known as high frequency low amplitude brain waves that are commonly observed
while we are awake. They are involved in conscious thought, logical thinking,
and tend to have a stimulating affect. Having the right amount of beta waves
allows us to focus and complete school or work-based tasks easily. Having too
much beta may lead to us experiencing excessive stress and/or anxiety. The
higher beta frequencies are associated with high levels of arousal. “Beta” pattern is typically emitted when we
are consciously alert, and is our dominant waking frequency. Think
concentration, cognition.
When you drink
caffeine or have another stimulant, your beta activity will naturally increase.
Think of these as being very fast brain waves that most people exhibit
throughout the day in order to complete conscious tasks such as: critical
thinking, writing, reading, and socialization.
§
Frequency range: 12 Hz to 40 Hz
(High)
§
Too much: Adrenaline, anxiety, high
arousal, inability to relax, stress
§
Too little: ADHD, daydreaming,
depression, poor cognition
§
Optimal: Conscious focus, memory,
problem solving
§
Increase beta waves: Coffee, energy drinks,
various stimulants
Alpha Waves
Going deeper,
“Alpha” is another brainwave pattern, which usually occurs when we are in a
state of physical and mental relaxation, though still aware of the world around
us. This frequency range bridges the gap between our conscious thinking and
subconscious mind. In other words, alpha is the frequency range between beta
and theta. It helps us calm down when necessary and promotes feelings of deep
relaxation. If we become stressed, a phenomenon called “alpha blocking” may
occur which involves excessive beta activity and very little alpha. Essentially
the beta waves “block” out the production of alpha because we become too
aroused.
§
Frequency range: 8 Hz to 12 Hz
(Moderate)
§
Too much: Daydreaming, inability to
focus, too relaxed
§
Too little: Anxiety, high stress,
insomnia, OCD
§
Optimal: Relaxation
§
Increase alpha waves: Alcohol,
marijuana, relaxants, some antidepressants
Theta Waves
Theta is often
associated with daydreaming, or feeling very sleepy. Think meditation,
intuition, memory. It’s also strongly associated with creative states.
Theta
waves are connected to us experiencing and feeling deep and raw emotions. Too
much theta activity may make people prone to bouts of depression and may make
them “highly suggestible” based on the fact that they are in a deeply relaxed,
semi-hypnotic state. Theta has its benefits of helping improve our intuition,
creativity, and makes us feel more natural. It is also involved in restorative
sleep. As long as theta isn’t produced in excess during our waking hours, it is
a very helpful brain wave range.
v Frequency range: 4 Hz
to 8 Hz (Slow)
v Too much: ADHD,
depression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattentiveness
v Too little: Anxiety,
poor emotional awareness, stress
v Optimal: Creativity, emotional
connection, intuition, relaxation
v Increase theta waves:
Depressants
Delta Waves
These are the
slowest recorded brain waves in human beings. Delta really represents the
lowest amount of activity possible. This
typically only occurs during deep sleep, and can also trigger growth and body
healing.
They are found
most often in infants as well as young children. As we age, we tend to produce
less delta even during deep sleep. They are associated with the deepest levels
of relaxation and restorative, healing sleep. They have also been found to be
involved in unconscious bodily functions such as regulating heart beat and
digestion. Adequate production of delta waves helps us feel completely
rejuvenated after we wake up from a good night’s sleep. If there is abnormal
delta activity, an individual may experience learning disabilities or have
difficulties maintaining conscious awareness (such as in cases of brain
injuries).
§
Frequency range: 0 Hz to 4 Hz
(Slowest)
§
Too much: Brain injuries, learning
problems, inability to think, severe ADHD
§
Too little: Inability to rejuvenate
body, inability to revitalize the brain, poor sleep
§
Optimal: Immune system, natural healing,
restorative / deep sleep
§
Increase delta waves: Depressants,
sleep
Epsilon waves or INFRA-LOW (<.5HZ)
Infra-Low
brainwaves (also known as Slow Cortical Potentials), are thought to be the
basic cortical rhythms that underlie our higher brain functions. Very little is
known about infra-low brainwaves. Their slow nature makes them difficult to
detect and accurately measure, so few studies have been done. They appear to
take a major role in brain timing and network function.
The benefits of Yoga and meditation for our
Brain wave Balance
yogas citta vritti nirodha
Yoga is to still the
fluctuations of the mind.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,
chapter 1, sutra 2
Yoga means a lot of things to a lot of
people, and I think most of them would agree that what ties the myriad types
together is their effect on the mind. Whatever branch of Yoga we practice, the
goal is the same: to overcome the mental chatter of the ego and, through that
effort, to find spiritual liberation.
Yoga and meditation
simultaneously control all wave patterns and balancing different hormones of
brain like cortisol, serotonin, endorphin, dopamine etc. Yoga and meditation increase
alpha and theta waves. These two types of waves are beneficial for our immune
system, help to balance our brain chemistry in favor of better mood, and are
where we process the information that we take in during beta. Advance
stage of yogi undergo experience of ultra low Epsilon waves or even too higher
than Gamma waves producing NAD called ANAHAD NAD , a thundering sound at very ultra high frequency.
In Meditation
and the Brain, Benjamin Kramer tells us that in one study “after only an eight week
mindfulness meditation program, regulation of alpha rhythms helped the brain
‘turn down the volume’ of distractions in the surrounding environment.
Researchers noted that mindfulness meditators had more
ability to adjust brain waves and
exceptional ability to rapidly remember and process new facts.” (Emphasis added.)
He goes on to relate that mantra meditation has been found to produce predominantly alpha waves, while open monitoring systems of meditation, such as mindfulness and zazen, produce theta waves. The practice of Yoga Nidra, a deeply relaxing form of meditation, produces both alpha and theta waves.
While there are some theories, science does not know exactly how or why this leap happens from the slow, low rhythms of meditation to the super fast frequency of transcendence.
What we do know is that the chatter of our everyday consciousness is the voice of beta waves. Through practicing Yoga we begin to quiet the mind. We slow down to listen to the voice of alpha waves, the voice of intuition. We can even sink beyond that into the silence of theta.
He goes on to relate that mantra meditation has been found to produce predominantly alpha waves, while open monitoring systems of meditation, such as mindfulness and zazen, produce theta waves. The practice of Yoga Nidra, a deeply relaxing form of meditation, produces both alpha and theta waves.
While there are some theories, science does not know exactly how or why this leap happens from the slow, low rhythms of meditation to the super fast frequency of transcendence.
What we do know is that the chatter of our everyday consciousness is the voice of beta waves. Through practicing Yoga we begin to quiet the mind. We slow down to listen to the voice of alpha waves, the voice of intuition. We can even sink beyond that into the silence of theta.