INTRODUCTION TO BRAINWAVES

Whether you're asleep or awake, tired or energetic, motivated or down, your brain is always generating brainwaves. But what exactly are brainwaves?

Our brain is composed of billions of neurons, or brain cells. When many neurons send signals simultaneously, they generate a significant amount of electrical activity in the brain. These synchronized electrical pulses from numerous neurons communicating with each other create what we call ‘Brainwaves.’ The speed of brainwaves is measured in Hertz (cycles per second) and is typically categorized into five main frequencies: Beta waves, Alpha waves, Theta waves, Delta waves, and Gamma waves.

Let’s explore each of these brainwaves in detail.

Delta waves (0.2 - 3Hz)

Delta waves are the lowest frequency brainwaves and are present during very deep, dreamless sleep. During this state, the body takes advantage of the low brain activity to reset and prepare for the next day.

• High Levels: May result in learning difficulties and impaired thinking.
• Low Levels: Can lead to an inability to rejuvenate the body and brain, poor sleep quality, and feeling tired upon waking.
• Optimal Level: Supports a healthy immune system, promotes restful sleep, and helps you wake up feeling refreshed.

Theta waves (3 - 8Hz)

Theta waves are very low-frequency brainwaves typically observed during light sleep and REM sleep. They can also appear during deep relaxation or in a highly suggestible, hypnotic state, making a person more receptive to hypnosis and related therapies.

The shift from interacting with the external environment through our senses to focusing inward on bodily sensations is also linked to an increase in theta wave activity.

• High Levels: May result in hyperactivity, depressive states, and inattentiveness.
• Low Levels: Can lead to anxiety, poor emotional awareness, and increased stress levels.
• Optimal Range: Facilitates memory consolidation, enhances creativity, deepens emotional connections with oneself and others, improves intuition, and promotes relaxation.

Alpha waves (8 - 12Hz)

Alpha waves act as a ‘frequency bridge’ between our conscious thoughts and the subconscious mind.

These waves are typically observed when minimal information processing is required. They are most commonly present just before a person falls asleep or right as they are waking up in the morning.

Interestingly, as soon as someone closes their eyes, the brain starts producing more alpha waves. This phenomenon is linked to the change in light exposure to the brain through the eyes, which also explains why people tend to sleep when it gets dark.

We even conducted an experiment using the BioAmp EXG Pill to demonstrate this. You can check out the video below: 

Brain Waves Demo | EEG signals recorded from Visual Cortex using BioAmp EXG Pill | DIY Neuroscience

• High Levels: May lead to excessive daydreaming, an overly relaxed state, or difficulty focusing.
• Low Levels: Can be associated with OCD, anxiety symptoms, and higher stress levels.

Optimal Range: Supports ideal relaxation.

Beta waves (12 - 30Hz)

Beta waves indicate normal brain activity when we are conscious and alert. So, if you're paying close attention while reading this article, it's highly likely that your brain is producing beta waves right now. Since we spend much of our lives in this brainwave state, abnormalities in beta waves are often linked to various mental health issues.

Beta waves are present during conscious activities like cognitive reasoning, calculation, reading, speaking, or thinking. They can also be increased by stimulants like caffeine. Think of beta waves as the ‘get things done’ state of mind.

• High Levels: May result in an inability to relax, high adrenaline levels, insomnia, and feeling overwhelmed.
• Low Levels: Can be associated with depression, ADHD, poor cognitive ability, and lack of attention.
• Optimal Range: Promotes consistent focus, strong memory recall, and high problem-solving ability.

Gamma Waves (30 - 100Hz)

Gamma waves are a relatively recent discovery in neuroscience, and our understanding of their function is continually developing. So far, we know that gamma waves are involved in processing complex tasks and are crucial for healthy cognitive functions such as idea formation, language and memory processing, and various types of learning.

Gamma waves are also observed during deep meditation, which may explain why many individuals experience a sense of mental expansion while meditating.

• High Levels: Can be associated with anxiety and stress.
• Low Levels: Linked to depression, ADHD, and learning difficulties.
• Optimal Range: Enhances information processing, cognition, and learning.

Recording brainwaves

This was just the theoretical part, but if you want to actually record brain waves at home and start exploring neuroscience, you can do so with DIY Neuroscience Kits.

Brainwaves can be recorded using Electroencephalography (EEG), which measures electrical brain activity through electrodes placed either non-invasively on the scalp or invasively inside the skull by a neurosurgeon.

Typically, EEG devices are very expensive, which is why we at Upside Down Labs are developing DIY Neuroscience Kits to make neuroscience affordable and accessible to everyone. With these kits, you can record not only EEG but also other biopotential signals such as ECG, EMG, and EOG.

We have already created complete step-by-step tutorials for recording EEG signals from different regions of the brain and awesome HCI projects that you can make using these signals.

Conclusion

Understanding brainwaves can open the door to exploring the vast complexities of the human mind. By learning how different brainwave frequencies affect our mental states, we can better manage stress, enhance focus, improve overall well-being, and create innovative BCI projects. With our DIY Neuroscience Kits, you can take your curiosity further and start experimenting with brainwave recording right at home.