Well, actually we have four major Brainwaves. Activity emanating from your brain is displayed in the form of brainwaves. There are four major categories of these brainwaves, ranging from the most active to the least active. Beta, alpha, theta, delta.
Beta Brain Waves (Your normal day-to-day activity)
The most active brain wave is the beta brain wave. When the brain is aroused and actively engaged in mental activities, it generates beta waves. During your regular day-to-day activities, you are in beta mode. The frequency of beta waves ranges from 15 to 40 cycles a second., low beta activity to high beta activity.
Beta waves are characteristics of a strongly engaged mind.
For example:
- A person in active conversation would be in beta.
- A debater would be in high beta.
- A person making a speech, a teacher, or a talk show host would all be in beta.
Alpha Brain Waves ( When you relax a little)
The next brainwave category in order of frequency is alpha. Where beta represents arousal, alpha represents non-arousal. Alpha brainwaves are slower; their frequency ranges from 9 to 14 cycles per second.
For example:
- A person who has completed a task and sits down to rest is often in an alpha state.
- A person who takes time out to reflect or meditate is usually in an alpha state.
- A person who takes a break from a conference and walks in the garden is often in an alpha state.
Theta Brain Waves (Where your imagination and ideas take place)
The following state, theta brainwaves, are slower waves still; the range is generally between 5 and 8 cycles a second. This is where the magic happens; in this range, your conscious and unconscious mind can interact. We are no longer in transmit mode; we switch to receive mode. This is where we receive the answers to the questions we ask of the gods and the universe.
For example:
- A person who has taken time off from a task and begins to daydream is often in a theta brainwave state.
- A person who is driving on a freeway, and discovers that they can’t recall the last five miles, is often in a theta state–induced by the process of freeway driving.
- The repetitious nature of that form of driving compared to a country road would differentiate a theta state and a beta state (high alert) safely to perform the driving task.
- Individuals who do a lot of freeway driving often get good ideas during those periods when they are in theta.
- Individuals who run outdoors are often in a state of mental relaxation that is slower than alpha. When in theta, they are prone to a flow of ideas.
- This can also occur in the shower or tub or even while shaving or brushing your hair. It is a state where tasks become so automatic that you can mentally disengage from them.
The imagination during the theta state is often free flow and occurs without censorship or guilt. It is typically a very positive mental state.
Delta Brain Waves. (Where the healing take place)
The final brainwave state is delta. Here the brainwaves are the slowest frequency. They typically center around a range of 1.5 to 4 cycles per second. Deep, dreamless sleep will take you down to the lowest frequency when you are in this state. Typically, 2 to 3 cycles a second.
For example:
- When we go to bed and read for a few minutes before sleeping, we are likely to be in low beta. When we put the book down, turn off the lights and close our eyes, our brainwaves will descend from beta to alpha, to theta, and finally, when we fall asleep, to delta.
- It is a well-known fact that humans dream in 90-minute cycles. When the delta brainwave frequencies increase into the frequency of theta brainwaves, active dreaming takes place and often becomes more experiential to the person. Typically, when this occurs, there is rapid eye movement, which is characteristic of active dreaming. This is called REM and is a well-known phenomenon.
- When an individual awakes from deep sleep to get up, their brainwave frequencies will increase through the different specific stages of brainwave activity. They will increase from delta to theta and then to alpha, and finally, into beta.
- When we are asleep and in delta mode, our brain activity is at its lowest. It also happens to be when our blood pressure is at its lowest. During this stage of deep delta sleep, our body cleaning and maintenance crews come out. In this stage, our systems are busy cleaning, repairing, and maintaining our organs, our muscles, and our brains
Suppose that individual hits the snooze alarm button. In that case, they will drop in frequency to a non-aroused state, or even into theta, or sometimes fall back to sleep in the delta.
During this awakening cycle, individuals can stay in the theta state for an extended period of, say, five to 15 minutes. This would allow them to have a free flow of ideas about yesterday’s events or contemplate the coming day’s activities. This time can be highly productive and can be a period of significant and creative mental activity.
Final Thoughts
In summary, four brainwave states range from the high activity beta, relaxed alpha, calm theta, and sleepy delta waves.
Research has shown that although one brainwave state may predominate at any given time, depending on the individual’s activity level. The remaining three brain states are present in the mix of brainwaves at all times but not dominant.
In other words, while somebody is in an aroused state and exhibiting a beta brainwave pattern, there is also a component of alpha, theta, and delta in that person’s brain. Even though these may be present only at the trace level.
It has been my personal experience that knowledge of brainwave states enhances a person’s ability to use the characteristics of those states: these include being mentally productive across a wide range of activities, such as being intensely focused, relaxed, creative, and in restful sleep.