The brain produces four main types of brain wave which are shown
by EEG readings. Each type of brain wave produces the listed effects
at specific frequencies:
Beta Brain Waves (13-30 cycles per second). The
fastest, representing the most intense state of alertness. The result
of heightened mental activity. Maximum mind power. All five external
senses, logical mind, memory from the five senses & logical
thinking.
Alpha Brain Waves (8 to 12 cycles per second)
This brain wave indicates a relaxed state of mind.. State of relaxed
alertness, good for inspiration and learning facts fast. A meditative
mind. In this state tap into internal “antenna” like qualities.
Visions, powerful ideas, mindless creation of the incredible.
Internal feeling & sensations.
Theta Brain Waves (4 to 8 cycles per second) Deep
meditation. Deep inward thought. This is associated with life-like
imagination. High state of mental concentration. A magical mind.
Internal pictures / visualisation. Intuition, inner guidance. Access
to unconscious material. Dreaming.
Delta Brain Waves (0.5 to 4 cycles per second)
Deep dreamless sleep. Deep relaxation. State of oneness, whole body
feeling. Pure being & will.
Studies have shown that learning in Alpha State enhances the
performance of students. It also develops the interest of studies in
students more than they have ever learned in tense environment.
Frequent gaps of 2 to 3 minutes after every 30 minute study period
relaxes their minds and the alpha state will prove its efficiency
with great ease and fun. But learning is more than just absorbing
information, so changing the state of mind to operate Beta, Alpha and
Theta is most likely to produce the best learning, cognition and
creativity, while also staying in a relaxed state.
Exercises to access the brain wave states
I have developed the exercises below to attain the separate
specific brain waves which can then be added together as you desire.
All four at once is quite an experience!
Beta brain wave — Become hyper aware of your 5
senses, notice what you can smell, the taste in your mouth, what your
hands are touching, become acutely aware of what you hear and see.
Having done this you will know that you are in beta due to the
intense external input and the total lack of awareness of your body,
feelings or sensations.
Alpha brain wave — Try the following exercise
first with your eyes open & then repeat it with your eyes closed.
Take a deep breath, hold it and notice the
sensations as
your heart beats three times, relax & breath out — repeat 3X.
Breathe in and out slowly to a count of 4, as you do so notice how
your body feels —relaxed & warm.
Theta brain wave — do this after the alpha
brain wave exercise. Close your eyes and visualise a sacred cup where
your heart is (or another object of your choice) hold this picture
for several minutes. Breathe in and out slowly.
Delta brain waves — do this after the other
exercises, become aware & notice a warm sensation in your heart,
now this sensation flow down and then spread out until it fills all
of your body — one sensation.
Using CDs to access the brainwave states and
improve learning
There several companies who produce CDs for different states
normally in combination or for specific purposes e.g. concentration,
relaxation, creativity, “Einsteinian like thinking”, etc. These
are useful to obtain the desired states when you need to do something
but cannot get yourself in the desired state and also to train the
brain and body so you can whenever you want to.
The slower the brain frequency the faster the learning. In theta
learning can be 1 time and in alpha as much as 20 times to absorb
information (see below).
Brain Waves and Age
The table below tells the patterns of brain wave activity across
different ages and states of awareness with the number of repetitions
required to learn new behaviour patterns.
Age
|
Brain wave
|
Cycles/sec.
|
Usual state for adults
|
No. of repetitions required for new behaviour
|
14+
|
Beta
|
14 - 21
|
Normal awake
|
Thousands
|
7 - 14
|
Alpha
|
7 - 14
|
Light sleep, meditation
|
21 (approx.)
|
4 - 7
|
Theta
|
4 - 7
|
Sleep, 'fight or flight'
|
1 or 2
|
0 - 4
|
Delta
|
0.5 - 4
|
Deep sleep
|
-
|
NB. the repetitions are for new behaviour not information but
information is also absorbed quicker in lower brain wave patterns.
From birth to four, babies' brains operate in the delta state,
with brain waves running below 4 cycles per second. In adults, this
level of brain wave activity is experienced in the deepest levels of
sleep.
From four to seven, children operate in theta state, with brain
waves running between four and seven cycles per second. In adults,
this level of brain wave activity is experienced during sleep and
also during states of fear when the body goes into a 'fight or
flight' response. This is a powerful level from which to initiate
change. In this state, we only need one or two experiences of
learning to change behaviour.
From the ages seven to fourteen, we live in the alpha state of
seven to fourteen cycles per second. In adults, this is associated
with light sleep, meditation, or eyes closed relaxation. At this
level effective learning can take place after about 21 repetitions.
Practice a new behaviour for 21 consecutive days and that behaviour
becomes a habit. Research has shown that strong levels of physical
healing can take place when the brain is at 10 cycles per second.
From puberty through adulthood the brain operates in the beta
state, 14 - 21 cycles per second. This is experienced in the normal
state of eyes open, awake and alert. In this state it may take many
thousands of repetitions to learn a new behaviour. To create
significant change in our lives at this level takes extensive deal of
time and effort. (This section on age comes from
www.nlplearningsystems.com
)
Brain waves and health
Delta & Theta brain waves are very good for health in general
and are normally obtained by sleep but for students or others who
work too hard, accessing them at the same time as other brain waves
is rejuvenating.
An excess of Delta usually indicates depression, either physical
or emotional and sleep problems.
Many researchers have noted a discrepancy between the EEG of
subjects with learning disabilities or ADD and normal subjects.
Typically, the
ADD subjects were characterized by
brain activity on the slower end of the frequency spectrum "The
most important characteristic is either an excessive amount of theta
activity, a lack of beta activity or a combination of these"
Lubar, J. F. (1985). EEG biofeedback and learning disabilities.
Theory into Practice, 24(2), 106-111
Important Medical Warning
One manufacturer (Brain Sound Studio TM) recommends that the
studio and therefore by inference the binaural sounds should not be
used by pregnant women, those using a pacemaker, and those who have
had or are prone to seizures or are epileptic.
Therefore I recommend that if you have a medical condition or are
on medication please print this out and see a Medical Doctor to check
if you are at risk before you use any binaural type music.
Specific Brain Frequencies
The information below shows the effects of specific frequencies
within each brain wave frequency range:
Delta Brain Waves ( O.5 to 4Hz)
0.5 Hz - Relaxation, helps soothe headaches
0.5
- 1.5 Hz - Pain relief. Endorphin release
0.9 Hz
- Euphoric feeling
1 Hz - Well being.
Harmony and balance
2.5 Hz - Production of
endogenous opiates (pain killers, reduce anxiety)
2.5 Hz -
Relieves migraine pain. Produces endogenous opiates
3.4
Hz - Helps achieve restful sleep
3.5 Hz - Feeling
of unity with everything. Whole being regeneration
3.9 Hz
- Self renewal, enhanced inner awareness
4.0 Hz -
Enkephalin release for reduced stress
4.0 Hz -
Allows brain to produce enkaphalins, all natural pain
killer
4.0 Hz - Full memory scanning. Releases
enkephalins
4.0 Hz - Vital for memory and
learning. Problem solving, object naming
1 - 3 Hz -
Profound relaxation, restorative sleep. Tranquillity and
peace
Theta Brain Waves ( 4 to 8 Hz)
4.5 Hz - Brings about Shamanic/Tibetan state of
consciousness, Tibetan chants.
4.9 Hz - Induce
relaxation and deeper sleep
4.9 Hz - Introspection.
Relaxation, meditation
5 Hz - Reduces sleep
required. Theta replaces need for extensive dreaming
5.35
Hz - Allows relaxing breathing, free and efficient
5.5
Hz - Inner guidance, intuition
6.5 Hz - Centre
of Theta frequency. Activates creative frontal lobe
7.5 Hz
- Activates creative thought for art, invention, music.
Problem solving
7.5 Hz - Ease of overcoming
troublesome issues
7.83 Hz - Schumann earth
resonance. Grounding, meditative, Leaves you revitalized
3
- 8 Hz - Deep relaxation, meditation. Lucid dreaming
3
- 8 Hz - Increased memory, focus, creativity
4 -
7 Hz - Profound inner peace, emotional healing. Lowers
mental fatigue
4 - 7 Hz - Deep meditation,
near-sleep brainwaves.
Alpha brain waves ( 8 to 12Hz)
8- 10 Hz Super-learning new information,
memorisation, not comprehension.
8.22 Hz - Associated
with the mouth. Brings creativity
10 Hz - Enhanced
serotonin release. Mood elevation, arousal, stimulant
10
Hz - Provides relief from lost sleep, improves general
mood
10 Hz - Mood elevator. Used to dramatically
reduce headaches
10 Hz - Clarity, subconscious
correlation. Releases serotonin
11 Hz - Relaxed
yet awake state
12 Hz - Centering, mental
stability.
11 - 14 Hz - Increased focus and awareness
12
- 14 Hz - Learning frequency, good for absorbing information
passively
Beta brain waves ( 13 to 30Hz)
14 Hz - Awakeness, alert. Concentration on tasks,
Focusing, vitality.
16 Hz - Bottom of hearing
range. Releases oxygen/calcium into cells
12 - 15 Hz -
Relaxed focus, improved attentive abilities
13 -
27 Hz - Promotes focused attention toward external
stimuli
13 - 30 Hz - Problem solving, conscious
thinking
18-24 Hz — Euphoria, can result in
headaches, anxiety.
NB. Frequencies in italics cover more than one brain wave
frequency range.
The release of endorphins by the delta brainwave can also be
achieved by meditation, runners high, breathing exercises, etc
In my opinion the brain waves and the specific frequencies could
be used to help explain how many healing techniques work with more
research, case studies and relation to other scientific disciplines.