Brainwaves: Think healthier _ Part I

I have been seen many people talking about:

“You are what you think.”

But I have a question to you: Why is it so true?

It simple. It due to our brain.

Brain is a mysterious black box and still under studies. I have been studying some books and scientific papers that talk about it for the last years and now I will share with you some important topics that I learned and have been applied in myself, friends and who already attended to my workshops. You may see below some questions that I try answer in a simple way.

How does brain work to release waves?

Our brain releases waves. The waves are produced by neurons (cells brain) that communicate which other by electrical changes. This communication fall in a rhythmic fluctuation of electron potential between parts of the brain.  

Studies already found at least 5 types of waves that changes according to their frequencies. They are change from Delta type with slow, loud and functional frequency to Gamma which is fast, subtle and complex.

How does it change?

First thing that you have to understand is our brainwaves changes according to our activities and feelings. This is the reason the people say that we manage what we are think.  Our emotions are the key of this “brain-thoughts-waves” system.

What kind of wave do we have?

The 5 types of brainwaves are Gamma, Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. They could vary the intensities inside the range of their frequency. It is a good deal try to keep them balanced, because too much or too low could really affect our lives.   

Gamma (27Hz and up):

It is associated with the formation of ideas, language and memory processing, and various types of learning. Who release too much Gamma could show high levels of intelligence, being compassionate, having high amounts of self-control, and feelings of natural happiness. This wave also linked to a perception of reality, boosting it through your five senses: the smells are more powerful, increasing your visual acuity, sharpening your hearing, and foods taste better. Powerful antidepressant-type brainwave.

Beta (12Hz-27Hz):

We usually produce it when we are awake.  It’s mental state of the most of people are in during the day and most of their waking lives. In this mode, you are able to think fast and quickly come up to logical solutions to problems. It´s ideal for solving math problems, conducting research, reading books, and writing articles. Many people with lack sufficient beta activity show mental or emotional disorders such depression, ADD and insomnia. Stimulating beta activity can improve emotional stability, energy levels, attentiveness and concentration. However the excess of this type of brainwave could let you stressful and  nervous. If this situation could even cause a Alpha Block phenomenon (very low or no Alpha wave production). 

Alpha (8Hz – 12Hz):

When it is dominant you could feel relaxed but not processing much information. Your brain thinking is slower and your mind is clear. At this point, your body has zero stress, tension and anxiety. It´s the state before sleep and when you just wake up in the morning. Also happens when you close your eyes. Associated with creativity, solve problems, better communication and clear thinking. Then it is associated with think positive.

Theta (3Hz-8Hz):

Light sleep or extreme relaxation. Most common in child which explain why they don´t feel stressful and why they don´t have afraid to try something new. When you access these waves you are trying an emotional connection with yourself. It is also related with strong intuition, advanced problem solving, learning ability, long-term memory improvement and the ability to hyper focus and boost immune system functioning.

Delta (0.2 to 3Hz):

It´s slow, loudest, deep and dreamless sleep. When is dominant your body is healing itself and resetting its internal clocks. You don´t dream in this state and are completely unconscious. When the delta waves increase you can release anti-aging hormones, increase empathy, heal the mind and repair your muscles and access the deepest possible states of relaxation, release the natural hormone for sleep, melatonin, and accessing deep states of spirituality. Very common in Tibetan monks.  

The type that each one most release, depends the lifestyle. For example, if you live under stress the most of time and sometimes you feel you can’t control it, it’s because you are producing too much Beta. If you feel slow, sad without a apparently reason and depressed you could releasing too much Alpha. The fact is all the brainwaves could affect the balance of hormones in our body and disturb or improve the biochemistry system inside us. 

Is it possible change the brain waves?

Yes. There are lot of ways. First you have to analyze your life style to figure out what kind of waves you probably release. Pay attention to your emotions and the roots of them. If you want feel less stressful, for example, find a way to put it out of you. You can try do an activity different that put yourself under this condition, like exercise, painting, yoga, play an instrument… Do what make you happier and relaxed. 

A other option is listen specific brainwaves beats according to what you want.

For this first part, I only show the main concept and how it works in you. For the second part I will show how can we use them in our favor, to help us think in a healthier way... 

Stay tuned, I will come back soon!

Barbara Francisco