The electrical activity emanating from the brain creates frequencies are called brainwaves.
Brainwave frequencies are measured in Hertz (Hz), meaning cycles per second. More cycles per second, the higher the Hertz value. There are four categories of brainwaves ranging from the most activity to the least activity. These are: BETA, ALPHA, THETA and DELTA.
The first type of brainwave is the BETA brainwaves. It ranges from 10 hertz to 30 hertz. It is detected in the frontal lobes (where decisions are managed), Beta is usually seen on both sides of the brain in geometric distribution. It may be absent or reduced in areas of brain damage. It is generally regarded as a normal rhythm and tends to be the dominant rhythm in those who are alert, anxious or have their eyes open.
The mental characteristic of Beta brainwave is of an engaged mind, highly alert and well focused. Beta brainwaves are engaged when the brain is aroused or processing activities, such as:involved conversations with others that command your full attention,complex problem solving and assessment of situations. Beta activity is quick connect, fast activity and tends to dominate the normal waking state of consciousness when attention is directed towards the outside world.
The second and well publicized is the ALPHA brainwaves. Alpha brainwaves ranges between 7 hertz and 12 hertz. Alpha is usually detected in the frontal regions of the head, on each side of the brain. This rhythm is seen when the brain sets itself to rest, day dreaming or deep self introspection . Alpha rates are increased by closing the eyes and relaxing, yet are offset by opening one s eyes or any concentrated effort.
Alpha is the major rhythm seen in normal relaxed adults and is typically regarded as the common relaxation mode beyond the age of 13. Alpha brainwaves move towards deep relaxation, imagination and intuitive thinking, as they accompany:a relaxed mind after complex thinking into a mode of relaxation, meditation and setting the mind s attention to itself, away from outside distractions,recovery from stressful thoughts and emotional despair.
The next brainwave activity is known as THETA and has a range between 5 hertz and 8 hertz and is characterized mainly with light sleeping, drowsiness, daydreaming, the first stage of sleep or indirect imagination/thinking. Theta activity is not often seen in awake adults (unless engaged in a meditative practice), but is perfectly normal in alert children up to 13 years and in most sleep.
A Theta state can be regarded as a gateway to hypnagogic states that lay between being awake and falling asleep. Often Theta entrainment can promote vivid flashes of mental imagery as one becomes receptive to brain/mind information beyond one’s typical conscious awareness. Theta has also been identified as a part of learning, memory and reductions in stress.
The least known but probably the most important is the DELTA brainwaves with a frequency between 0.2 hertz and 6 hertz which can as lw as 1 cycle per month. Much like bass sound, Delta tends to be the highest in amplitude and the slowest waves. Delta is often associated with deep sleep. Certain frequencies, in the delta range, have been shown to trigger the body s healing and growth mechanisms.
Interestingly, Delta is the dominant rhythm in infants up to one year, as well as stages 3 and 4 of dreamless sleep.
It is important to note that the brain does not operate on one frequency range at any given time.
All four rates occur at once, yet at varying amplitudes. A good analogy would be to relate each brainwave state to a sting on a violin. All four strings make notes, yet one or more strings can dominate the overall sound at a greater volume.
The design of the Brain Evolution System lends itself to driving multiple rates at once, allowing you to entrain to a broad range of brainwave rates within each level.