Everything You Need to Know About Brainwaves

This week, I was doing some writing in The Cave and looking for some good music to work to. I needed non-lyric music because I was writing (language centers in our brain get exhausted more easily listening to lyrics and trying to formulate words and sentences at the same time.)

I stumbled across Binaural Beats playlists. Each one promoting different brain waves. I realized I had no idea which was which. Did I want beta? Delta? Who knew? So I decided to do some research.

Types of Brain Waves.

Gamma waves are the highest frequency. It means your brain sends electric pulses/messages between 32 - 100 cycles/sec. When your brain is processing at that frequency, you’re in a state of hyper-awareness for intense learning and brain processing.

Beta waves are for more alert and responsive mental activities. (15-40 cycles/sec.) Active conversation and activity usually happens in beta. Debating, teaching, or hosting all would be using beta waves.

Alpha waves signal non-arousal. (9-14 cycles/sec.) They’re slower in frequency, but higher in amplitude– in other words a little more intense. Resting, eating, or even early stages of meditation happen with Alpha waves.

Theta is even slower frequency, and higher amplitude. (5-8 cycles/sec.) Daydreaming and ideation all happen using theta waves. It’s like when you’re driving and forget the last 5 miles, a relaxing shower, or a long run.

Delta waves happen in deep dreaming sleep. (1.5 to 4 cycles/sec.)

---

It’s worth noting that our brain is easily influenced. That by listening to music, rhythms, or beats at a certain frequency, our brain tries to mimic those same patterns.

We spend most of our day naturally using beta waves– engaged in our work, in conversations and people around us. However, this kind of brain activity can also deplete our energy the fastest and keep us anxious.

Ideally in The Cave, we start in beta– engaged in conversation. When we monotask and find flow we drift from Beta, through alpha, into theta.

Breaks bring us back into alpha or beta. And back to Theta for the sprints.

---

Studies show that that cycle is optimized between 30 -  52 minutes, which is why our sprint lengths are designed to be 45-50 minutes.

Getting into a flow state happens in low alpha and theta. Our brain slows down its activity, focuses on one thing, and gives off a feeling of calm and low anxiety. Studies are mixed about whether listening to binaural beats actually reduces anxiety. But many subjects do agree that binaural beats does help with getting into the right brainwave zone.

Need to relax before bed and fall asleep?
Try a beats library that simulates delta waves.

Wanna find flow while working?
Try theta (there’s lots in brain.fm)

Need to meditate or relax?
Go with alpha.

Ref: Scientific American, Well+Good, Medical News Today

---

Caveday is a company aimed at improving your relationship to work. We write regular posts on our blog and send out newsletters with productivity tips, life hacks, and recommendations. Sign up for the mailing list here.

Jake Kahana is a cofounder of Caveday. Sign up for his personal emails, called “The Email Refrigerator” here.