Question

What role do Alpha, Gamma, Beta and Theta waves play in wakefulness and sleep?

Answer 1

• There are four type of brain waves
• When we turn off the lights and close our eyes, our brainwaves will descend from beta, to alpha, to theta and finally, when we fall asleep, to delta.
• When delta brain wave frequency increases  into the frequency of theta brainwaves, active dreaming takes place .Typically there occur rapid eye ball movement ,and is known as REM(rapid eyeball movement) sleep.
• when we wake up, brain wave changes from delta to theta and then into alpha and finally into beta waves.

Alpha wave

• Alpha waves represent arousal , with slower and higher in amplitude .
• Their frequency ranges from 9 to 14 cycles per second.
• A person who takes time out to reflect or meditate is usually in an alpha state.

Beta wave

• When the brain is aroused and actively engaged in mental activities , it generate beta waves.
• These beta wave are loe in amplitude and fastest of four different wave.
• Frequency of beta wave ranges from 15 to 40 cycles a second.
• Beta waves are characteristics of a strongly engaged mind and represent arousal.

Theta waves

• Theta waves are greater in amplitude and slower frequency
• This frequency range is normally between 5 and 8 cycles a second.
• A person who has taken time off from a task and begins to daydream is often in a theta brainwave state.

Delta wave

• Brainwaves are of the greatest amplitude and slowest frequency.
• Range of 1.5 to 4 cycles per second and it doenot go below zero, which means dead.
• But dreamless sleep would down lowest frequency.