Brainwaves are at the root of all consciousness. Produced by synchronized electrical impulses from the mass of neurons communicating with each other within the brain, these waves are responsible for different levels of consciousness. Every day the brain cycles through each of the different types of waves, changing according to the way we act and feel.
At Advanced Health and Performance Institutes in Orlando and Winter Park, we use neurofeedback and biofeedback training to help your brainwaves function at their optimal level. Certain brainwaves function best at certain parts of the day, and through neurofeedback training, we can make sure that your brain is at its peak functionality. To schedule your appointment with Advanced Health and Performance Institute, contact us today.
Each individual’s brain operates in all brainwave states simultaneously with one state dominating at any given time. Brainwave activity also differs within all areas of the brain. While one type of brainwave may dominate in a specified area, another area may experience domination from one of the other types. Brainwaves are also assigned specific frequency ranges measured in Hertz — or cycles per second — and are classified into slow, moderate or fast types. Each brain produces five different types of waves: Alpha, Beta, Delta, Theta and Gamma.
Alpha
These brainwaves occur at frequencies ranging from 8 Hz to 12 Hz and represent a state of relaxed mental awareness that does not quite reach meditation. Alpha brainwaves are associated with contemplation, visualization, problem solving and the deeper levels of creativity. They are considered the brainwaves of the present. Overall mental coordination, calmness, learning and mind/body connections are aided by Alpha waves.
Beta
Present in high amounts during normal waking states of consciousness, beta brainwaves correspond in frequencies of 12 Hz to 40 Hz. As a fast brainwave, Beta occurs with a heightened state of awareness and focused concentration. In other words, individuals involved in active conversations, playing sports or doing other activities such as decision-making that require a great deal of mental concentration, are in a Beta state. These brainwaves are further divided into Low Beta or Beta1, often compared to a state of idling, Beta2 and High Beta or Beta3. The last designation involves highly complex thought, high anxiety or excitement and requires a tremendous amount of energy.
Delta
The slowest, but also the “loudest” brainwaves, Delta occurs at a frequency of 0 Hz to 4 Hz and are associated with deep, dreamless sleep and a state of healing. Delta waves explain why deep restorative sleep is so important in the healing process. Although normally occurring only during sleep, Delta waves can appear during waking states when individuals train themselves to experience the deeper levels of meditation and awareness.
Theta
Occurring in sleep and in deep relaxation and meditation, Theta brainwaves operate at frequencies from 4 Hz to 8 Hz. They are also responsible for learning, memory, enhanced creativity, stress relief and light sleep, playing a role in dreaming. Theta meditation often reduces the need for sleep. In a Theta state, the senses are withdrawn from the external world and focus on signals that originate from within. It is also the twilight state that individuals experience just before waking or drifting off to sleep.
Gamma
The least studied brainwave, Gamma occurs at frequencies of 40 Hz and higher. They occur during bursts of insight or high-level information processing and are present in the states of altruism or higher love.