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What are the Brian Waves & how do we measure them?
Brainwaves which are also known as neural oscillation are rhythmic neural activity in our central nervous system. We have five different type of brain waves.
Brainwaves are generated when a group of neurons send an electrical signal to another group of neurons which looks like a wave pattern. Depending on the activity level of an individual brainwaves can be very fast or very slow.
The brain waves are measured in number of times the neurons fired.
The five type of brainwaves are called
Alpha wave, Beta Wave, Theta wave, Delta wave & Gamma wave
Alpha Waves
Alpha waves are generated when our brain is awake and it is in a relaxed state. We still hear the outer world but our senses pay more attention to the inner world i.e. when doing meditation. Alpha waves are usually stronger at the back of the brain in the occipital lobe that handles vision. Alpha waves encourage creative thinking.
Beta Waves
Beta waves are generated when our brain is awake and thinking about something. Beta waves are more associated with physical world-when we use our physical senses to get information, make choices and decision. They are higher in frequency but lower amplitude. Beta waves might be a way of re-enforcing neuron connection to improve memory.
Theta Waves
Theta waves are generated when our body is asleep but our mind is awake. We are in the dreaming state. Theta waves are often associated with daydreaming or meditation. Theta waves might be used to forget things.
Delta Waves
Delta waves are generated in deep restoration sleep. Delta waves are typically the slowest waves. It is the super conscious mind state. Delta brain waves give us a feeling of total unity.
Gamma Waves
Gamma waves are generated when we are deeply focused on something. Restoring gamma waves can reduced the amount of beta amyloid.
Our brain has different frequency of waves at any given moment
Our brain is buzz with different frequency of waves. Some waves are more dominant at any given moment depending on what we are doing and how we are feeling. For instance, when we are relaxed and we close our eyes; we could have alpha waves and theta waves but some beta waves as well.
It is thought that understating the electrical activity of the brain is just as important as understating the chemical activity of the brain. The brain waves can be used to change the biology of the brain i.e. if we can find out more information about gamma waves in people. We can then use them as treatment. It is not known yet how to change gamma waves in our brain or if we use them as treatment would the treatment work.
Did you know?
The electricity in our brain is limited as a single neuron does not produce much electricity but we have billions of neuron in our brain and our brain always remains active on some level. All of our neurons can together produce enough electricity to power a small light bulb.
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