II. BETA BRAINWAVES
- Frequency: 13-32 Hz
- State: Alert, normal alert consciousness, active thinking
- Beta brainwaves are easiest to detect when we’re busy thinking actively.
III. ALPHA BRAINWAVES
- Frequency: 8-13 Hz
- State: Physically and mentally relaxed
Alpha brainwaves are some of the most easily observed and were the first to be discovered. They become detectable when the eyes are closed and the mind is relaxed. They can also often be found during activities such as:
- Yoga
- Just before falling asleep
- Being creative and artistic
IV. THETA BRAINWAVES
- Frequency: 4-8 Hz
- State: Creativity, insight, dreams, reduced consciousness
According to Professor
Jim Lagopoulos of Sydney University, “previous studies have shown that theta waves indicate deep relaxation and occur more frequently in highly experienced meditation practitioners. The source is probably frontal parts of the brain, which are associated with monitoring of other mental processes.”
Most frequently, theta brainwaves are strongly detectable when we’re dreaming in our sleep (think, the movie Inception), but they can also be seen during :
- Deep meditation
- Daydreaming
When we’re doing a task that is so automatic that the mind can disengage from it e.g. brushing teeth, showering. Research has also shown a positive association of theta waves with memory, creativity and psychological well-being. (5) (6)