5 Brain Waves: Frequencies we must be aware of:
Before I get into specifics, it is essential to have the awareness that, when I am referring to a certain brain wave, I am emphasizing upon a particular brain wave is “dominant.” Throughout the day in our waking state, our EEG (if taken) will display all 5 types of brain waves at the same time. However, one particular brain wave will be dominant depending on the state of consciousness that you are in.
For example, if you are awake, but have really bad ADHD, you may have more slow wave (alpha and/or theta) activity than beta waves. During the sleep usually there are combinations of the slower frequencies, but even gamma has been found to be involved in rapid-eye movement (REM).
Delta Waves
These are the slowest recorded brain waves in human beings. 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.
- 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
Theta Waves
This particular frequency range is involved in daydreaming and sleep. 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.
- Frequency range: 4 Hz to 8 Hz (Slow)
- Too much: ADHD, depression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattentiveness
- Too little: Anxiety, poor emotional awareness, stress
- Optimal: Creativity, emotional connection, intuition, relaxation
- Increase theta waves: Depressants
Alpha Waves
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.
- 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
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. When you drink caffeine or have another stimulant, your beta activity will naturally increase.
- 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
Gamma Wave
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 are 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
Cymatics is the science of sound. John Stuart Reid is the co inventor of Cyma Scope, which converts the sound into 3 D geometric images in the water. Sound is the compressed in the water molecules under the surface of the water creating lensing effect allowing the light to reflect & refract on those patterns.
Sound, Mathematics & Architecture
Boston Symphony hall is one of the perfect hall w.r.t. the sound effect produced by any kind event which takes place in that hall. It was constructed by the Harvard’s physicist William Sabine by taking the pipe organ & the stop watch calculating the idle volume and the sound absorbing material with a reverb time of 1.8 seconds.
Some facts
Decibels, the unit of intensity of the sound : 60 db is the sound of normal conversation, 70 db is twice as loud, @ 85 hearing protection is advised, 90 is damaging & 125 db is painful.
If we are subjected to different kinds of sound the food which we will eat might differ in the taste under those kinds of sound. The phenomenon is because the sound waves block or hamper the accurate working of brain sensory part if it is above 60db.
Bats can see the sound and the image is drawn when they produce the sound and it reverberates back. This helps the image production in their brains in less than a microsecond
Ref: miscellaneous internet resources.
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