Brain Waves

The systems that govern the brain are the most compact and complex on earth. Despite the fact that more has been learned about the brain in the last 30 years than in all of human history, science has not come close to understanding how all the pieces fit together to create human consciousness.  However we do know this: Consciousness is related to communication between the different parts of the brain.  Different levels of consciousness and states of mind are the result of the different areas of the brain communicating with one another at any given time.  We also know that the different areas of the brain communicate by sending electrical signals along neurons that connect one area to another.  There are more than 100 billion neurons in the brain, each making from hundreds to hundreds of thousand connections which means a total of a hundred trillion connections.  These electrical connections are at the heart of how well the brain functions.

Your Different States of Mind
The electrical signals traveling along the neurons are like packets of information that integrate the different parts of the brain.  These signals are expressed on the scalp as brain waves that can be measured using the BrainCore instrument.  Each brain wave represents a different level of consciousness or state of mind.  There are four distinct brain wave frequencies: Brain wave frequency is defined as the number of times per second that the wave repeats itself.

• Beta Waves          12Hz to 21Hz        Produced when you are awake and engaged in active thought
• Alpha Waves         8Hz to 12Hz        Produced mostly when you close your eyes and relax
• Theta Waves            4Hz to 8Hz        Produced when you start to fall asleep
• Delta Waves             1Hz to 4Hz        Produced when you are sleeping

Beta waves are considered fast waves of 12Hz to 21 Hz frequency range.  They are normally produced when your brain is in an active state of mind such as when you are actively engaging in a thought process or trying to solve a problem.  It represents a focused and concentrated level of consciousness.  Alpha waves are produced when your brain is in a “quiet awareness” state of mind.  Alpha frequency brain waves are slightly slower than beta in the frequency range of 8Hz to 12Hz.  Your brain produces more alpha with your eyes closed because when your eyes are closed you are not distracted by the outside world and you are better able to internally focus.  Theta waves are slightly slower than alpha waves in the frequency range of 4Hz to 8Hz.  Theta is associated with that state of mind that you experience when you are just about to fall asleep or when you are meditating.  It is a highly internalized state of consciousness, and it is where many of our creative ideas are born.  Delta waves are associated with deep sleep, and they are the slowest brain wave in the frequency range of 1Hz to 4Hz.

BrainCore - A Window to the Brain
Using non-invasive surface sensors that are placed on the surface of the scalp, the BrainCore system is able to translate these brainwaves on to a computer screen for observation.  The sensors are placed on the scalp using a paste and do not puncture the skin at all so they are non-invasive.  It is important to note that the sensors do NOT involve the application of electrical current, they are simply collecting the electrical signals coming from the brain and displaying them on the computer screen.  Observation of these signals as brain waves, known as EEG or electroencephalogram, allows the BrainCore clinician to identify specific abnormalities.

Brain Waves and ADD/ADHD
Researchers have found that children and adults with ADD/ADHD have 30% more slow (theta) brain wave activity when performing cognitive tasks.  Medications such as Ritalin help “calm down” children by artificially increasing their level of brain activation and as a result temporarily relieve symptoms.  BrainCore Therapy trains children (and adults) to employ self-regulation techniques to increase the level of fast (beta) wave activity as needed, alleviating symptoms long-term and often eliminating medication.