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Healing Indulgence 

Brain Waves: What do they do?

Brain waves are electrical currents that reflect brain activity, and are measured in Hertz (Hz).

Thanks to the 86 billion nerve cells in your brain, there’s always some type of electrical activity going on inside there – and at different times of the day, different waves dominate. When you wake up in the morning, for example, your brain passes from the slow delta waves of slumber into the low frequency theta waves that act as a portal between the dream and waking worlds. Then there’s the “alert” beta waves, when you’re engaged in problem solving or decision making, and the even faster gamma waves, when you’re full of adrenaline and energy, feverishly multitasking to complete impossible to-do lists.

When it comes to work performance, the most valuable brainwaves of them all, the gold standard, are your alpha waves. Think of this state as a kind of work hypnosis, where you’re fully engaged with your subject matter, yet completely happy and relaxed as you calmly and deftly decimate deadlines.

The main types of brain waves and their frequencies are:

  • Gamma waves: 38–80 Hz, ‌Gamma brain waves have the highest frequency among all brain waves. They are associated with high levels of thought and focus. Gamma waves are associated with higher brain functions like cognition and memory. A recent study has shown that gamma waves can improve your working memory. 
  • Beta waves: 14–38 Hz, Beta waves are produced throughout your daily activities. It occurs when you’re awake, alert, busy, and focused. These waves range from 12 to 38 Hertz 
  • Alpha waves: 8–14 Hz, these waves are active when you are relaxed, for example while sleeping or daydreaming. Alpha waves are at the center of your brainwave spectrum, between 8-12 Hz. When your brain is operating at the alpha frequency, you’re able to absorb new information with ease and you’re significantly more creative.
    Most often, these waves are present just before an individual drifts into sleep, or just as they are waking up in the morning. Interestingly, the moment that an individual closes their eyes, the brain begins to produce more alpha waves. This can be tied to the change in light exposure to the brain through the eyes, as well as the evidence for why humans sleep when the sun goes down.

  • Theta waves: 4–8 Hz, these waves occur during light sleep or deep relaxation.
    Theta waves are most often seen during light sleep and REM sleep.
    Theta waves can also be present during extreme relaxation, or in a suggestible hypnotic state.
    Theta waves are also extremely important in memory consolidation.
  • Delta waves: 0.5–4 Hz, these waves occur during deep states of dreamless sleep.
    Delta waves are found most often in infants as well as young children.
    As we age, we tend to produce less delta even during deep sleep.
    Delta waves are associated with the deepest levels of relaxation and restorative, healing sleep.
    Delta waves have also been found to be involved in unconscious bodily functions such as regulating heart beat and digestion.
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