Brainwaves

The active and relaxed state of mind

The brain is an electrochemical organ. Researchers speculate that a fully functional brain can generate as much as 10 watts of electricity. If the interconnected nerve cells of enough human heads be hooked together it is able to light the bulb of a flashlight.

This electrical power being limited occurs in a way specific to the human brain. This electric activity of the brain is in the form of brainwaves which can range from most active to least active.

1. Active brain arousal generates beta waves. These have low amplitude and are the fastest of the four different brainwaves. These characterize a strongly engaged mind. A person making a speech or a teacher would exhibit beta waves while at their work.
2. The next category in order of frequency is alpha brainwaves. They represent non arousal, are slower and higher in amplitude. Someone who completes a task and sits down to react or someone who takes a break from work and walks in the garden is often in the alpha state of mind. A person who reflects or meditates is usually in the alpha brainwave state.
3. The next is the theta brainwave state. These are of even greater amplitude and slower frequency. A person who is driving on a long journey may be unable to recall the last few kilometers. This is a theta state. A person who takes a break from work and begins to daydream is often in the theta state of mind. People often get good ideas in this state. These can occur while brushing your teeth etc where the tasks are so automatic that it is possible to mentally disengage from them. During the theta state the ideas that occur are often free flowing. This state is a very positive mental state. People who run outdoors are mentally relaxed and often in this state of brainwaves.
4. The fourth type is called the delta brainwave. These are of the greatest amplitude and the slowest frequency. Deep, dreamless sleep is of the lowest frequency but the brainwaves never drop to zero which only happens when one goes brain dead.

When a person is in bed and is reading before falling asleep, he is likely to be in a low beta state. When he puts the book aside, turns off the lights and closes his eyes, the brainwaves will go from beta to alpha and then theta. When the person falls asleep, they will descend to delta.

As per research, humans dream in 90 minute cycles. While dreaming the delta brainwave frequency will increase to the theta brainwave frequency. This is accompanied by REM (Rapid Eye Movement), a characteristic of active dreaming. When the person awakes from deep sleep and gets up the brainwave frequencies will increase through the specific stage of activity. It will increase from delta to theta, then to alpha and on full awakening to beta. During this waking up period, the person may remain in the theta state from 5 to 15 minutes which will allow him to think of yesterday’s events or the forthcoming day. This time can be made productive as it is a period of meaningful and creative mental activity.

These brainwave states are common to the human species. Men, women and children of all ages are subject to the same characteristic brainwaves. They are the same for all cultures and across country boundaries.

Although one brainwave state may predominate at any given time depending on the person’s level of activity, the remaining three brain states are present in the mix of brainwaves at all times. When a person is mentally active he exhibits a beta brainwave pattern. At the same time there also exists a component of alpha, theta and delta in the person’s brain although they may be present in traces.

The knowledge of brainwave states enhances a person’s ability to be more mentally productive.

Our next section will be on the process of relaxation and its benefits.