The brain is a complex system with a resonant-dynamic response. Due to external conditions, he can change the rhythm of his work. Its structure is endowed with natural electro-polarization, depending on the functioning of which the potential of the energy system changes.
Today, four main brain rhythms stand out, including the alpha rhythm. Consider what it is and why it is so important to be able to be in this rhythm.
Basic brain rhythms
Today, 4 main types of electrical vibrations of the human brain are distinguished. They have their own frequency range and state of consciousness.
- The alpha rhythm appears during rest while awake.
- Beta rhythm is common during wakefulness.
- Delta rhythm occurs in a state of deep sleep.
- The theta rhythm is characteristic of shallow sleep or deep meditation.
Alpha Rhythm Brain: Discovery
Alpha waves were discovered several decades ago by the German psychiatrist Hans Berger, when he noticed fluctuations, the frequency of which was about 10 per second. Their amplitude is very small, only up to thirty millionths of a volt.
Interestingly, the alpha rhythm is observed only in humans. Not surprisingly, after a quarter of a century, a whole branch of science appeared under the name electron-cephalography, or EEG.
Studies of the alpha rhythm and resonances of the Earth-ionosphere
In 1968, D. Cohen in a non-contact way detected magnetic vibrations around the head, which appeared together with electric biopotential brain vibrations. In frequency, they coincided with those recognized as the "alpha rhythms of the brain." He called these vibrations a magnetoencephalogram.
Another scientist, Gray Walter, before him, as far back as 1953, suggested that the brain's ability to perceive electrical effects provides the possibility of communication with the piercing energy of everything. It is known that the wavelength of an electromagnetic nature, which corresponds to the frequency of the alpha rhythm, is close to the circumference of the Earth and the resonance of the “Earth-ionosphere”.
What we are talking about becomes clear after studying the work of Schumann, who predicted in 1952, and then proved experimentally the existence of resonances of the Earth-ionosphere. These frequencies were called standing waves in the spherical waveguide "Earth-ionosphere." The length of the electromagnetic wave of the main resonance is close to the circumference of the Earth. Schumann, along with Kening, recorded that the so-called “trains” were activated during the day, the amplitude of which reached 100 μV / m, with a frequency of 9 Hz, which lasted mainly from three tenths to three seconds, but sometimes thirty seconds. The most intense spectral lines ranged from 7 to 11 Hz. Most often, during the day, the spread of frequencies is observed in the range from +/- 0.1 - 0.2 Hz.
During the day, the strongest resonant oscillations of the Earth-ionosphere are recorded. On calm days at a frequency of 8 Hz, the spectral density of oscillations is 0.1 mV / m Hz, and during magnetic storms the readings increase by 15%.
Most experts agree that the excitation of electromagnetic oscillations is associated with discharges of atmospheric electricity. We are talking about lightning arising on the surface of the entire globe.
The essence of alpha rhythms
In the human brain, manifestations of brain activity, as well as alpha rhythms, reflect rather complex psychophysiological processes. Experimental and statistical data suggest that the alpha rhythm can be congenital and even hereditary.
Scientists Warren McCallock and Gray Walter put forward the hypothesis that with alpha rhythm, an internal scanning of thought images occurs while focusing on some problem. An interesting coincidence was found between the period of inertia of visual perception and the frequency of alpha waves.
Biorhythms during sleep and wakefulness
When a person closes his eyes, his alpha rhythms of the brain become stronger. And when the eyes open, in most people these waves disappear. Based on this, Gray Walter suggested that the alpha rhythm is a scanning search for solutions that disappear when they are found.
Alpha waves begin to gradually be replaced by a theta rhythm when drowsiness occurs. And in a calmly sleeping person, delta waves predominate, which, nevertheless, can be supplemented during sleep by other rhythms, for example, a sigma rhythm.
Gray Walter is sure that sleep is a legacy of the past times of man, when he needed to withdraw from vigorous activity. Delta waves at the same time protect the brain.
Abstract thinking and reaction speed
Alpha rhythms of the brain are very individual in humans. Studies have shown that the bulk of the people in whom they were expressed showed an ability for abstract thinking.
Among the subjects, though not often, there were people who had completely no alpha rhythms even when they closed their eyes. It was typical for such people to think with the help of visual images, but to solve abstract issues was problematic for them.
The alpha rhythm index, according to the scientist, affects the speed of mental and sensory reactions. At a faster rhythm, the efficiency of decision-making and activities increases.
From what has been said, it becomes clear that the alpha rhythm is associated with thinking that occurs in the brain. The ability of imagination, foresight and calculation was inherent in man in the early stages of history. But the mechanisms of control and abstract thinking were acquired a little later. We call such qualities human will.
The difference between man and all other creatures
Alpha rhythm is the norm for humans. This is what sets us apart from the animal world. In the brain of animals, only individual and irregular individual elements of such processes were recorded.
It was Kening with his assistants who first discovered the connection between the alpha rhythm of the human brain and the fundamental resonant frequency of the Earth in 1960. As a result of mass studies, it was found for a long time that with an increase in the field strength, a decrease in the reaction by an average of 20 ms was observed. When there were irregular oscillations from 2 to 6 Hz, the time increased by 15 ms.
The special meaning of alpha rhythms
Alpha rhythm in children is formed by 2-4 years. In an adult, he is observed when he closes his eyes and does not think about anything. At this time, its bioelectric oscillations slow down, and waves with oscillations from 8 to 13 Hz increase.
According to studies, in order to absorb new information, you need to stimulate alpha rhythms in your brain. When relaxing, without focusing on anything, there comes a state of peace, which is called the "alpha state". In the practice of martial arts, it is also called the state of the master. It is at such moments that the muscle reaction increases ten or more times, in contrast to the usual beta rhythms.
In a healthy person, while awake, alpha and beta rhythms predominate. Moreover, the more the former, the less the body is subject to stress, the more a person has the ability to learn and fully relax. At such moments, the body produces enkephalins and beta-endorphins. This is a kind of natural “drugs”, that is, substances that are responsible for rest and joy.
Alcoholics and drug addicts are not able to enter the alpha rhythm without additional stimulants. But in a state of intoxication, the power of the alpha range is greatly increased. This explains their addiction.