Understanding the Brain: Brain Waves and Functionality
What is the brain?
To put it simply, the brain is the control center for all functions of our body by electrical and chemical communications through the nervous system using neurons to convey various messages to different parts or systems of our body. Hence, our breathing, hunger, senses, emotions, memories, motor skills, and much more are controlled by our fascinating brain which creates the nervous system with the spinal cord and a network of neurons.
On the outermost part of the brain, it contains gray matter; while the innermost part contains white matter and vice versa for the spinal cord. The gray matter processes and interprets messages, and the white matter carries on that information to other parts of the body through the spinal cord and neurons.
The brain is composed of various parts, each having a specific function with the most basic organization thereof starting with the brainstem, cerebrum, and cerebellum.
Brainstem: The connecting piece from the brain to the spinal cord, the brain stem comprises the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata to regulate breathing, heart rate, reflexes, and essentially activities that our bodies perform without thinking. The brainstem is located at the bottom of the brain and in the back of the skull.
Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain, the cerebrum controls our thoughts and actions to help us understand and process the world around us. From speaking to behavior to tasting delicious foods, the cerebrum creates our personality, worldview, and our interactions with the outer world which shapes who we are as people. It is located in the front and top of our brain and is the famous wrinkly portion thereof. Moreover, the cerebrum includes the two hemispheres of our brain, left and right, in addition to the assortment of the frontal, parietal, temporal, insular, and occipital lobes.
Cerebellum: In between the brainstem and the cerebrum, the cerebellum is located in the back of our heads. Its main responsibilities are to maintain our motor functions such as standing, walking, balancing, and jumping. The majority, about 80%, of the neurons are in the cerebellum despite the cerebellum only taking up about 10% of the brain’s overall mass.
Brain Waves:
Brain waves are produced by the chemical and electrical reactions caused by communicating neurons. The electricity is produced by ions which are charged particles, this electricity runs through the neuron to receive signals through the dendrites and to send signals through the axon. The dendrites are the root-like part of the neuron and the axon is the length of the neuron. Each signal received and sent generates patterns which can influence the brain’s state and health. Over time, technology has been developed to measure the frequency of the brain, known as electroencephalography (EEG).
There are 5 main categories of brain waves, each determined by a certain range of frequencies.
Gamma: Triggering intense concentration and learning, gamma waves are in between 30-44 Hz. Those with an efficient and well-maintained 40 Hz brain frequency are generally associated with those of good memory while those below that may be subjected to learning disabilities.
Beta: With a frequency of 13-30 Hz, Beta waves are quite diverse and are divided into 3 categories: Low, Mid, and High. When the brain produces beta waves, it is typically in a state of logical problem solving, decision making, and efficient information processing.
Alpha: The ideal mental state, alpha waves have a frequency between 8-12 Hz. Alpha waves encourage ease and calmness and are most often seen in extroverts, creative individuals, and mental activity. This state is most ideal for day-to-day basis learning and regular job performances.
Theta: Known as a state in between wakefulness and sleep, theta waves are seen in connection to daydreaming, fantasizing, and creativity. They are most vibrant during meditation, prayer, and spiritual activities. These waves are most commonly found in younger children from the age of 13 and younger and less common in awake adults. Theta waves can encourage mental relaxation and peace of mind but are also able to cause people to be distracted and unfocused. The wave frequency is between 3.5-7.5 Hz.
Delta: Delta waves are most prominent in deep sleep and abnormal circumstances which means they occur when people lose awareness of the physical world and dive into imaginative ones. Delta waves tend to spike in those with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) as those diagnosed may attempt to focus and try to decrease delta waves but instead will produce more which in turn will make being alert difficult.
How can Brain Waves be Applied:
Understanding brain waves is pivotal because if understood correctly, many will be able to regain their focus and those that tend to be too alert can manipulate their brain waves to slow down into a state of peace. Especially, in today’s world where everything is fast-paced and stressors are extremely common, it is important to be able to manage through that stress in order to live healthily both physically and mentally whilst maintaining daily responsibilities.
Moreover, there have been developed projects and programs to track brain waves and potentially manipulate them using EEG sensors that are attached to the scalp to recognize the various waves that radiate from the brain to change the frequency of those waves to either pick up their speed or slow down. Of these initiatives, there have been developed brain games that aim to decrease the number of dementia-related illnesses by exercising the brain.
Written By: Sunny Han
References:
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Cleveland Clinic. (2022b, July 7). Cerebellum: What It Is, Function & Anatomy. Cleveland Clinic; Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23418-cerebellum
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