Brainwave Frequencies – The Key to Your Psychological States

What’s a brainwave?

When our brain is in operation, uncountable billions of neurons communicate with one another by sending electric signals to each other. When a doctor or research technician hooks electrodes to our our scalp, a representation of those communications can be seen using an EEG (electroencephalograph). This type of representation is displayed as a waveform – a brainwave.

Our brains’ neurons are firing at various frequencies, but the most important frequency is the one which determines our base mental and psychological state. Neuro-researchers have mapped general mind states into five (5) general frequency ranges:

Delta (1-4 Hz) :

This is the slowest brainwave frequency range. We exhibit these frequencies when in very deep, dreamless sleep or when we are knocked out or comatose. When delta brainwaves are more dominant, the body’s ability to repair itself increases. We release more natural growth hormone, more age defying hormones and we slow down the releasing of cortisol “a stress hormone. These slower frequencies also permit us to reach the deepest achievable relaxation levels.

Theta (5-8 Hz) :

The theta range is connected with beginning sleep stages and REM or dream sleep stages. It's also associated with day dreaming, a “wandering” mind, enhanced levels of intuition and increased creativeness. This frequency range can also permit us to enter into very deep physical and mental relaxation states.

Alpha (9-14 Hz) :

Alpha is a relaxed meditative state. Alpha waves increase when your body calms down and stress levels reduce. Folk experiencing the alpha range experience a feeling of being calm, focused and content. This can also be a good psychological state for creative work.

Beta (15-39 Hz) :

Beta waves cause a state of mental focus. Beta waves are produced each time you actively employ your brain. Your grey matter goes into a beta state if you're exercising, reading, problem-solving, planning, thinking logically or otherwise absolutely using your intellectual faculties. Increased beta brainwaves are also connected with increased motivation/incentive, energy levels and improved concentration.

Gamma (>40 Hz) :

These are the very highest frequency brainwaves. This brainwave frequency range is associated with increased brain processing speeds and power. The gamma state is also the state of high awareness and high perception. The increased brainwave frequency essentially makes our brain run faster. This permits info gathered together by our senses from the immediate environment to get collected and processed at an increased rate of speed.

In closing, permit me to claim that no single brainwave frequency range is inherently better than the others. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Just as a pair of pliers is not in itself a better tool than a chisel, each brainwave frequency range will be more useful than others in certain specific circumstances. The key factor is flexibility – having the skill to enter the best state-of-consciousness for the individual situation being faced.

Binaural Beats audio programs are a great way to take advantage of all the various brainwave frequency ranges. Through the usage of binaural beats, these audio resources can lead your grey matter to any desired state-of-mind by means of a technique called entrainment.

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