Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
Active Lifestyle
Adaptogens
Allergies
Amino Acids
Antioxidants
Bladder Support
Blood Sugar Health
Body Care
Bone Health
Brain Health
Children's Health
Cleansing/Detox
Cold/Flu
Digestive Health
Environment
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Oils
Fatigue
Fermentation
Functional Foods
Greens
Hair Health
Hair, Skin, Nails
Healthy Living
Heart Health
Herbal Remedies
Homeopathics
Homepage Feature
Hormone Health
Immune Health
Inflammation
Joint Health
Liver Health
Lung Health
Men's Health
Minerals
Natural Beauty
Oral Care
Pain Relief
Pet Health
Positive Aging
Prenatal Health
Probiotics
Recipes
Sexual Health
Skin Care
Sleep
Stress
Teen Health
Vision Health
Vitamins
Weight Loss
Women's Health
< Back to Brain Health
Brain Waves Explained

Brain Waves Explained

Humans are energetic beings. This isn’t a mystical or figurative concept– it is literally true. We all have measurable electrical activity throughout our bodies.

Everyone is familiar with the characteristic spiky tracings of an electrocardiogram (ECG). This represents the electrical activity in the heart, revealing much about the organ’s function. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) do the same thing for the brain. The brain has distinct states that can be mapped, and we call these brain waves. Your brain is making waves right now… but which ones?

Types of Brain Waves

Like fingerprints, brain waves are unique to everyone. There are also common patterns of brain waves that we all share. Delta waves are the slowest recorded brain waves in humans. In adults, these are seen primarily in deep, dreamless sleep. This type of deep, slow-wave sleep predominates early in the night. It is widely recognized as the most relaxing and physically restorative phase of sleep. Not getting enough of this rejuvenating, healing sleep has negative impacts on the immune system, glucose metabolism, and overall well-being.[1]

The brain shifts gears to theta waves during light sleep, such as when we dream. In the wee hours of the morning (between 4–6 am), our sleep transitions to more rapid eye movement (REM). Dreaming and the theta state are critical to consolidating memories and restoring ourselves psychologically. Theta waves can also occur when we are retrieving memories, and when we are on “autopilot.” Ever been driving and suddenly realized you don’t remember getting to where you are? Your brain was in theta mode.

During normal waking life, beta waves predominate. This fast wave activity can be useful when we need to be alert to our surroundings and perform focused mental activity. Need to solve math equations or compose a well-worded email? Beta waves are your friends. Extreme beta action, however, is associated with anxiety and agitation. In the evening, beta waves that won’t slow down can prevent us from unwinding, resulting in the tired-and-wired syndrome.

Being awake but calm and relaxed is associated with alpha waves. The chill alertness of being in the now, in flow, or in the zone are all ways of describing the alpha state. Learning happens best when the brain is in alpha mode. Suboptimal alpha wave activity is associated with aging and cognitive decline.[2]

Ways You Can Promote Calm Brain Waves

By now, it should be clear that different brain waves are useful for different tasks and situations. That said, while awake, we generally feel and perform our best when our brain is making alpha waves. Here are things we can do to slide into alpha’s DMs:

Deep breathing – Practice this for a quick calming alpha fix anywhere, anytime. Slow, deliberate breathing with a focus on prolonged exhalation will tune your brain to the alpha channel.[3]

GABA – Gamma-aminobutyric acid is an amino acid made in the body and found in some foods, like kimchi and brown rice. GABA nutritional supplements have been shown to increase alpha and decrease beta brain waves. [4]

Our brain’s pattern of energetic activity varies depending on our state of consciousness and state of mind. But we aren’t at the mercy of our brain waves. With a little practice, we can increase peaceful, feel-good brain waves when we need them.

By: Kate Rhéaume, ND (Inactive)

References:
1. Léger D, Debellemaniere E, Rabat A, et al. Slow-wave sleep: From the cell to the clinic. Sleep Med Rev. 2018; 41:113-32.
2. Posada-Quintero HF, Reljin N, Bolkhovsky JB, et al. Brain activity correlates with cognitive performance deterioration during sleep deprivation. Front Neurosci. 2019; 13:1001.
3. Komori T. Extreme prolongation of expiration breathing: Effects on electroencephalogram and autonomic nervous function. Ment Illn. 2018; 10(2):7881.
4. Abdou AM, Higashiguchi S, Horie K, et al. Relaxation and immunity enhancement effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) administration in humans. Biofactors. 2006; 26(3):201-8.
Natural Factors® Stress-Relax® 100% Natural GABA 100 mg


About the Author: Natural Factors

“Natural

Natural Factors is a Canadian family-owned business operating for more than 50 years, providing a wide range of products exclusively to the health food industry. Factors Farms, located south of Armstrong, BC, is a certified-organic farmland that gives Natural Factors complete control over securing the best quality raw materials possible.