Guide to brain waves and their influence on your daily life
Discover through this article the origin of brain waves to better understand how your brain communicates with itself.
What is electrophysiology?
Electrophysiology is a branch of science that studies electrical signals in the body, particularly in the brain. In 1924, a neurologist named Hans Berger made an important discovery when he measured the electricity produced by 10 billion brain cells, called neurons. These cells act like a well-organized orchestra, creating electrical waves that can be detected around the head. These waves are called electroencephalography (EEG). This discovery allowed us to better understand how our brain works.
Understanding Brainwave EEG Bands
Each mental state has its own "dialect" of brain waves, expressed in specific frequency bands:
- Delta Band (1-4 Hz): When you are deeply asleep, your brain goes into lullaby mode. This is a phase where brain activity slows down to a minimum.
- Theta Band (4-8 Hz): The neutral state of sleep is called Theta and manifests in intermediate hypnagogic states . It is a mental experience linked to visualization, meditation, creativity, and learning.
- Alpha Band (8-13 Hz): Imagine yourself in a calm, neutral state, where your mind is taking a break, without thoughts dominating. It's like a relaxing mental break.
- Beta Band (14-30 Hz): this is the rhythm of awakening. Your mind oscillates between daily focus and more intense moments, especially when you are under pressure or stressed.
The origins of these new frequencies:
Until the 1990s, it was believed that the Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta bands were sufficient to understand all the functions of the brain. However, new discoveries have expanded this list with frequencies such as Gamma (30-100
- Gamma (30-80 Hz): Gamma waves, whose frequency varies between 35 Hz and 80 Hz, are present in every part of the brain, distinguishing them from other frequencies. Activation of the 40 Hz frequency promotes communication between different sectors of the brain, essential for simultaneous processing of information. Gamma waves are associated with effective memory and subjective states such as thought, intellect, intuition, and consciousness. They are seen in advanced meditators and during lucid dreams.
- Epsilon (less than 1 Hz): Epsilon waves, discovered by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson , have a frequency below 0.5 Hz, even slower than the Delta frequency. Associated with states of immobility, these waves are linked to the maximum reduction in heart rate and brain wave frequency. They emerge in parallel with Lambda waves. Epsilon waves appear to play a role as carrier waves for ultra-fast wave patterns observed in meditation experts.
- Lambda (200 Hz): Lambda waves are among the least known and fastest frequencies, ranging up to 200 Hz. Although they are difficult to measure, their induced state of consciousness resembles a slow, deep wave, similar to a very deep epsilon state but without drowsiness. Training with Lambda waves appears to produce meditative results. Their precise role remains mysterious, and more research is needed to fully understand their impact on consciousness and brain function.
In summary, these new brain frequencies open the door to a better understanding of our brain and consciousness. They are linked to memory, special states of consciousness and meditative experiences, although we still have much to learn about their precise role.
Your Brain is constantly evolving
By deciphering brain waves, you open the door to understanding your own thinking. As the mysteries of the Lambda and Epsilon bands persist, each revelation brings you closer to a deeper understanding of this electric symphony that shapes your mental essence. Explore your inner thoughts with Sensolight and let the harmonies that make you unique emerge.
Learn more: discover our recent article on brain waves and sleep
And stay tuned for our series of upcoming articles. We'll explore aspects such as photic entrainment, sound entrainment and visual entrainment, revealing the different facets of the relationship between your brain!
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