It’s important to understand how your brain contributes to the state of your mind. While most of us focus on looking at our emotions in an attempt to become happier, more spiritual beings, our brain waves, and our subconscious mind also play a key part in our quest for fulfillment.
In this article, we’ll look at our five brainwave frequencies and how they affect our state of mind.
Do Brain Waves Exist?
Brain waves are quite real and have been studied extensively. They are produced by neurons in your brain that communicate with each other by electrical change.
These changes can be observed by different forms of medical technology, like electroencephalography (EEG).
Much of what we know about brain waves is a result of extensive research conducted by medical professionals.
Why do brain waves matter
We easily forget that we are the controllers of our reality. In fact, our reality is not made up of outside influences but actually consists of our thoughts, beliefs, and mindset.
So, by learning about the deeper states of consciousness, you can open your subconscious mind and create your reality at will.
But to do this, the first step is in understanding your different brain frequencies.
How many brain waves are there?
There are five types of brain waves:
Each frequency is measured in cycles per second (Hz) and has its own set of characteristics representing a specific level of brain activity and a unique state of consciousness.
Smart, eh?
Read on to learn more about what these brain waves do.
5 Types of Brain Waves
Here’s a quick breakdown of the five different types of brain waves.
1. Beta (12-35 Hz): The waking consciousness & reasoning wave
Beta brain waves are associated with normal waking consciousness and a heightened state of alertness, logic, and critical reasoning.
While beta brain waves are important for effective functioning throughout the day, they also can translate into stress, anxiety, and restlessness.
In fact, the voice of beta can be described as that nagging little inner critic. And with a majority of adults operating at beta, it’s little surprise that stress is today’s most common health problem.
2. Alpha (8-12 Hz): The deep relaxation wave
Alpha brain waves are present in deep relaxation and usually emerge when daydreaming or during light meditation. It is an optimal time to program the mind for success and it also heightens your imagination, visualization, memory, learning, and concentration.
Believe it or not, alpha waves are the gateway to your subconscious mind.
The voice of alpha is your intuition, which becomes clearer and more profound the closer you get to 7.5Hz.
3. Theta (4-8 Hz): The light meditation & sleeping wave
Theta brain waves are present during deep meditation and light sleep, including the all-important REM dream state. It is the realm of your subconsciousness and only experienced momentarily as you drift off to sleep from alpha and wake from deep sleep (from delta).
It is said that a sense of deep spiritual connection and unity with the universe can be experienced at theta.
Your mind’s most deep-seated programs are at theta and it is where you experience vivid visualizations, great inspiration, profound creativity, and exceptional insight. And unlike your other brain waves, the elusive voice of theta is a silent voice.
It is at the alpha-theta border, from 7Hz to 8Hz, where the optimal range for visualization, mind programming, and using the creative power of your mind begins. It’s the mental state in which you consciously create your reality.
At this frequency, you are conscious of your surroundings while your body is in deep relaxation.
4. Delta (0.5-4 Hz): The deep sleep wave
The delta frequency is the slowest of the brainwave frequencies. Delta waves occur in both deep, dreamless sleep and during transcendental meditation.
Delta is the realm of your unconscious mind and the gateway to the universal and collective unconscious. Information received here is often unavailable at the conscious level.
Deep sleep is important for the healing process as it aids with deep healing and regeneration. And that’s why not having enough deep sleep is detrimental to your health in more ways than one.
5. Gamma (Above 35Hz): The insight wave
At 40Hz and above, the Gamma wave is the fastest frequency. While little is known about this state of mind, initial research shows Gamma waves are associated with bursts of insight and high-level information processing.
Which Brain Waves Are Best for Studying?
Alpha brain waves are optimal for studying.
Why? Because in the alpha brain wave state, both mind and body are relaxed, while the mind is able to easily retain focus and stay on task.
In this state, it’s easy to process information. In fact, it’s been proven that your memory is at its peak during the alpha waves.
What Type of Brain Wave Signify the Onset of Sleep?
Theta and delta waves are the most significant ones for the sleep cycle, delta sleep being the deepest sleep.
With this knowledge of the brain wave states, you can now better understand the peaks and valleys of your own consciousness.
