The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. Under the influence of external factors, he changes the pace of his activity. This is made possible thanks to its resonant-dynamic mechanisms of operation. Natural electro-polarization creates brain waves that have a different frequency and occur under different conditions of this organ.
General information
Researchers found waves in the brain that replace each other when the rhythm of activity changes. Most of them are tied in frequency to some kind of thinking. They arise not only with maximum brain activity.
In humans, brain waves accompany any mental activity. There is no moment when the brain would not emit such impulses. In most cases, the brain does not generate any one frequency of waves, but emits several at once. But in each case, a certain type of wave dominates, and in certain situations, the generated wave frequency can be so significantly expressed that all other types of waves become invisible.
Modern research shows that brain rhythms play a significant role in the manifestation of brain functions such as memory, attention, or concentration. In an experiment by Earl Miller and Scott Brinkat on monkeys, it was found that the frequency of the wave emitted by the brain varies depending on whether the monkey gave the right or wrong answer to the task. Such experiments are not uncommon, since the study of brain waves is now at its peak in neurobiology.
However, not only neuroscientists are interested in the concept of brain waves. Electromagnetic brain waves are often used by numerous esotericists to substantiate their hypotheses. Despite the fact that the researchers did not find confirmation of most of them, the relationship of the frequency of a wave with specific images and thoughts was established. Due to the fact that there is not enough clear information at the moment, you should be critical to any advice on enhancing any kind of wave in the brain.
Frequency classification of waves
Types of brain waves vary in frequency. Each frequency corresponds to a certain state of thinking: some waves accompany an active thought process, others are more pronounced during the work of the imagination or creative activity.
The assumption of the existence of waves of brain activity was put forward as early as in Indian philosophical treatises, where they were divided according to the state of the brain at the moment of fixing this or that rhythm:
- daytime wakefulness;
- dream with dreams;
- dreamless;
- a state of meditation, both deep and light.
However, in addition to these conditions, modern researchers have established some other frequency rhythms. Each of the waves was designated by the Greek letter. Let us consider in more detail their frequency and conditions in which one or another wave of the brain is most active.
Alpha
Alpha rhythms have a frequency of 7-13 Hz and are peculiar strictly to humans. The brain activity of animals either does not have such rhythms, or they are fixed in fragmentary fragments.
These brain waves develop in a child from 2-4 years. Alpha waves can also be called alpha states, and most spiritual practice teachers speak of them as the most preferred form of brain activity for any person.
Ways to allow the brain to increase the amount of alpha waves:
- practice of meditation and yoga;
- deep and calm breathing, breathing practices;
- visualization;
- alcohol consumption;
- hot tub.
The most effective way from the above is recognized as meditation, since it also allows you to relax and discard anxiety in thoughts.
Beta
The frequency of these waves varies between 15 and 35 Hz, and they are characteristic of the waking state. These are sharp waves in the brain, they appear after exposure to any stimulus and are accompanied by active external attention. It is beta waves that allow a person to actively engage in work, in overcoming routine problems and in finding answers to ordinary everyday questions. Beta waves also allow you to maintain a long concentration on one object or question.
Beta vibrations are stimulated by reading literature, drinking caffeinated drinks, and smoking. In this case, it is most desirable to resort to reading, since this method is the least hazardous to health.
Gamma
EEG shows that these brain waves have a frequency of 30 to 45-50 Hz. They arise when the brain needs to include the most concentrated attention. Gamma waves allow you to focus non-standard tasks. In addition, some experts are of the opinion that the enlightenment of Buddhist monks is also associated with the maximum frequency of gamma waves. Despite the fact that this fact requires some verification and study, psychiatrists note that gamma-wave disorder is also present in people with mental problems.
Stimulation of gamma activity is possible only with the efforts of the person himself, since there is currently no way to artificially transfer him to a state of maximum concentration.
Delta
Delta waves - 1-4 Hz, are produced mainly in deep natural sleep. However, they also appear when a person is in a dream under the influence of narcotic or psychotropic drugs. They are also fixed in coma. A small number of brain delta waves are produced during a person’s mental fatigue, after a long intellectual work.
Delta waves are extremely characteristic of people immersed in a very deep meditation (and not in a light meditative relaxation, like alpha waves). The easiest way to stimulate the appearance of a delta rhythm is to breathe deeply rhythmically with a breath rate of about 60 per minute.
Tetta
The frequency of these waves is 4-8 Hz, they are most pronounced in a person aged 2-5 years. Tetta allows memory to put off a huge amount of information, which is why in children under 5 years of age this frequency of brain waves is most active. In subsequent years, the number of theta waves decreases, since for active puberty and adult life, such active memorization becomes uncharacteristic. Tetta in adults appears only during periods of half-nap and a slight desire to sleep.
This type of wave also has negative manifestations. It is known that for some brain disorders, the number of theta waves increases significantly. However, it has not yet been thoroughly established what kind of connection this may be.
Tetta waves can also be stimulated, and listening to music plays a big role in this. With the help of sound waves, the brain goes into a state in which theta waves begin to seriously dominate.
Kappa
The frequency of 8-13 Hz is fixed in the temporal regions of the brain, in function similar to alpha waves. They are recorded, as a rule, during the suppression of alpha waves during intellectual work. However, they rarely appear.
Mu
The frequency of these waves also lies in the range of 8-13 Hz. Its properties are similar to alpha rhythms, but it is much less common: only in 10-15% of people these waves can be found when examining the brain. According to observations, this type of brain wave is activated during physical exertion, as well as during visualization of movements. Activity during mental activity and the manifestation of emotions can also cause the appearance of mu-frequency waves.
Brain waves and their use
Most of the tips for activating certain waves in the brain are related to self-development or self-knowledge. Also, various meditation trainers and relaxation teachers take an active part in disseminating information about the effects of waves on a person’s daily life.
At the moment, the beneficial properties of meditation have already been studied sufficiently to make this technique recognized in the field of relaxation and self-help with significant mental stress. However, the need to stimulate any specific waves of brain activity has not yet been confirmed. The study of the brain, its waves and their connection with any type of activity is currently at the beginning of development, we still do not know much.
However, further studies in the field of brain activity and the effect of brain waves on human life can be truly breakthrough if researchers can figure out how stimulation of any rhythms can affect health. The brain has a large reserve of opportunities for improving and improving health, and if it is established that it is possible to cure diseases using the usual "adjustment" of brain rhythms, this will become a new chapter in the development of medical science.
Brain rhythms and meditation
Alpha waves are the most coveted state for those who practice serious meditation, since it is believed that during the activity of these waves a person is in the most productive state. There are even hypotheses that the world's geniuses during active work were in an unchanged alpha state. There is no evidence for this yet and it is unlikely that they will ever appear, however, the connection between meditation and alpha rhythms of the brain seems obvious.
Meditation makes the brain feel calming and peaceful, reduces anxiety, improves sleep. Periodic immersion in this state raises a person’s mood and gives a feeling of one’s own well-being. Active alpha waves allow a person to feel all the above effects. It was also found by electronic encephalography that when a person plunges into a state of so-called light meditation, the number of alpha waves increases dramatically.
All of this may indicate that the process of meditation and brain waves can indeed be connected. But the results obtained are not yet a reason for claiming that alpha waves can help reduce emotional stress or other mental disorders.
The tradition of meditation practices requires at least 10 years of experience in meditation from a person. But the appearance of alpha waves during any life matter can already indicate that a person acts with all possible dedication, which in general can be equated to a meditative state.
According to some meditation teachers, real mastery is to meditate at any given time. This may mean that if a person is able to perform any work, being in a state of maximum concentration and productivity (that is, with alpha-wave activity), then he has learned what a long practice of meditation can give him.
From a scientific point of view, the use of brain waves to stimulate anything has so far not been justified, since their positive or negative influence has not yet been clearly established. Currently, researchers record all states of human consciousness during the activity of brain waves, and not all of these conditions can be called strictly good for humans. It must be remembered that while experimenting in this way is only possible at your own peril and risk.