In our brain, electric current flows. We can measure it by electroencephalography (EEG), the same as we do during EKG for the heart: we stick a few electrodes to the head (no, no, we do not give the electric shock but only collect signals from the brain:) then the record on the computer screen appears, i.e., so-called spontaneous cortical activity. This is an image of how our neurons communicate with each other The more electric “discharges” in a particular area of the brain, the more activity we will find. Maybe the expression “brainstorm” has a good reason? 🙂
All our thoughts, emotions and muscle movements live their trace of the EEG record in almost real-time mode.
It means that the specified state of mind corresponds to the specified frequencies, which we usually “transmit”, exactly as radio programs do for the particular frequency. In the same way, the “pattern” of the current mental state can be explained: in particular conditions, we “transmit” on specific waves. The pattern of transmitted waves depends on the emotional condition, on what we are thinking about, on what we imagine, and on whether there is something on our mind or not.
Scientists distinguished the following frequencies (of waves) that our brain uses for “transmission” from the slowest to the fastest: delta, alpha, theta, beta, and gamma.
Delta – is mainly observed in infants and young children. Delta waves have the lowest frequency; they are related to anesthesia or brain regeneration states when awareness is not involved. The studies also support the relationship between the delta waves and the process of making decisions, biographical memories, or learning something new.
Sometimes we can find the presence of the delta waves in the state of awareness in patients with brain damage, though our recent observations say it can also be present in healthy people during the state of awareness. These waves appear during the meditation and trance conditions. These waves positively affect the resistance and regenerative sleep.
Theta waves are the waves of imagination; we think with images on this frequency; this is the frequency of creativity, connection with our emotions, insight and relaxation state. In this state, we can also reach our deepest memories, which are deeply hidden in our memory. A very high level of theta waves can also be evidence of the difficulties with concentration, information processing and learning.
Alpha: the power of the alpha waves rises during the relaxation states, particularly with closed eyes, and decreases during awareness states when eyes are open. Alpha waves are related to the sensory, motor, and memory functions. During the meditation, we increase the power of our alpha waves, which makes concentration easier and improves alertness. The power of the alpha waves is inversely correlated with the level of stimulation; in other words, the EEG of people who are extremely agitated will have very few waves of this frequency.
Beta: waves, which appear during wakefulness. They appear during conscious and logical thinking. Beta waves are divided into three ranges: low beta (beta 1), beta 2 and so-called high beta. Beta waves 2 are related to wakefulness and cognitive activity. High beta waves (over 20Hz) are related with the states of the stress and irritation. However, it can also indicate muscle tension.
Gamma: those waves are related to the learning, memory and processing of information. Some scientists claim that they are related to the building of associations between our observations, as well as the learning of new materials. As the role of gamma waves is still under-investigated, some scientists assume there is a relationship between the presence of gamma waves and the REM phase of dreaming and the development of cognitive functions.
Our brain, of course, works at the same time on many frequencies, either during sleep or while awake, but some of them would dominate depending on our state. After we train one particular frequency, we will be able to consciously generate the state we have trained.
During the last few years, the meditation, as well as related relaxation methods, have become widely popularized as a way to relive stress and stay in good condition.
And what if we could keep and generate the long-term state of meditation?
According to the investigations of Lagopoulos, J. i wsp. (2009), the during the state of meditation, the activity of alpha and theta waves was significantly elevated.
And these are the waves we train in our Center.
Scientists wanted to investigate the consequences of alpha- and beta-wave training. So, Peniston E.G. et al. (1991) were estimating the personality change in Vietnam War veterans with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) after the use of traditional therapy and alpha-theta neurofeedback therapy. All 14 patients, receiving psychotropic drug, who had underwent neurofeedback, have reduced their doses after the training, and only one of 13 have reduced the doses after the conventional psychotherapy. After the thirty months, it appeared that in all 15 patients treated by conditional methods, the recurrence of post-traumatic stress occurred, while it happened only in three of the 14 patients treated by neurofeedback. The settings show that using the training without alpha-theta waves was the most effective method of treatment for managing PTSD and relapse prevention.
John Gruzelier in his investigations with the application of neurofeedback with the alpha-theta protocol, has observed significant improvements in musical and dancing abilities related to the enhancement of creativity, the improvement of mood as well as decreasing of the social anxiety.
Saxby and Peniston found a reduction in depressive states and a tendency to addiction in the group of alcoholics who underwent training with the protocol Alpha-theta. After twenty-one months, the effects of the training remained.
Peniston i Kulkosky after the training of the alcoholic group by the protocol alpha-theta, achieved in the subjects the reduction of depressive states; in comparison with the control group, which has been treated by the standard methods (abstinence, group psychotherapy, antidepressants), the trained subjects didn’t demonstrate the increasing of the serum β-endorphin level, stress indicator and stimulator of the calorie intake, such as ethanol. The observation data after the thirteen months suggest the long-term prevention of the recurrence of depression states in alcoholics who completed the alpha-theta wave training.
Tracy Boynton conducted the alpha-theta trainings with the purpose of raising creativity. Data from the study suggest that conscious use of the relaxation state (caused by alpha-theta training) can increase creativity and well-being. The participants reported the increased personal creativity, stress reduction, increased self-awareness, emotional balance and better productivity.
Bibliography:
Lagopoulos, J., Xu, J., Rasmussen, I., Vik, A., Malhi, G. S., Eliassen, C. F, Arntsen, I, E., Sæther, J. G., Hollup, S., Holen, A., Davanger,S., Ellingsen, Ø., Increased Theta and Alpha EEG Activity During Nondirective Meditation. “The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine” 2009 Vol. 15, No. 11, 1187-1192.
Peniston, E.G., Paul J. Kulkosky P.J., Alpha-Theta Brainwave Neuro-Feedback for Vietnam Veterans with Combat Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder “Medical Psychoterapy” 1991, Volume 4, pp. 47-60
Gruzelier, J., A theory of alpha/theta neurofeedback, creative performance enhancement, long distance functional connectivity and psychological integration “Cognitive Processing” 10 Suppl 1(S1):S101-9
Saxby, E., Peniston E.G., Alpha‐theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. “Journal of Clinical Psychology” 1995, Volume 51, Issue 5
Peniston E. G., Paul J. Kulkosky α‐θ Brainwave Training and β‐Endorphin Levels in Alcoholics. “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” 1989
Boynton T., Applied Research Using Alpha/Theta Training for Enhancing Creativity and Well-Being “Journal of Neurotherapy” 2000, P. 5-18
Antonio Martins-Mourao, Cynthia Kerson, Joe Kamiya, Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback in the 21st Century: A Handbook for Clinicians and Researchers Murfreesboro, 2017, Foundation for Neurofeedback and Neuromodulation Research, ISBN: 978-0-9978194-3-4