Get Alpha Brain Waves

What exactly are alpha brain waves? I wanted to find out what is known about alpha brain waves so I checked out Wikipedia. The article there began this way:

“Alpha waves are neural oscillations in the frequency range of 8–12 Hz arising from synchronous and coherent (in phase/constructive) electrical activity of thalamic pacemaker cells in humans. They are also called Berger’s wave in memory of the founder of EEG.”

Oh my word what on earth is that all about?

I think we can make it a bit less technical and more user friendly than that. That definition it seems to me was actually written for people who already know what alpha brain waves are!

Here is my simpler, though longer explanation of brain waves including alpha waves:

During life the brain constantly emits electrical pulses. The rhythm varies depending on what we are doing or thinking and the rate can be measured using an EEG machine. Particular rhythms are characteristic of particular activities, so for example when we are busy and alert the brain will be emitting pulses in the beta range whereas when we relax the pulsations will be slower and are likely to be in the alpha range.

During deep meditation we are emitting alpha waves but experienced meditators will be able to meditate even more deeply so that their brain waves may be in the theta range. But an image speaks better than a thousand words.

Here is an image of brain waves shown on an eeg print out of the brain waves emitted during different alertness, sleep and relaxation.

“Alpha waves were more abundant in the posterior parts of the brain during meditation than during simple relaxation. They are characteristic of wakeful rest.

This wave type has been used as a universal sign of relaxation during meditation and other types of rest,” says Professor Øyvind Ellingsen from NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology). “The amount of alpha waves increases when the brain relaxes from intentional, goal-oriented tasks.This is a sign of deep relaxation, — but it does not mean that the mind is void.”

Professor Øyvind Ellingsen is collaborating with Professor Jim Lagopoulos of Sydney University to study the changes in the electrical activity of the brain during certain kinds of meditation.

Induce Alpha Waves Easily and Quickly

Listening to relaxing music can help you to unwind and if you close your eyes while listening you will soon find that you are in alpha. By that I mean that your brain waves will be pulsating in alpha rhythm.

Another way is to listen to an alpha relaxation audio that uses binaural beats to encourage your brain to enter the alpha brain wave state more easily. If you have trouble relaxing then this could be the ideal answer for you.

You must use stereo headphones to listen.

After hearing the preview you may buy the whole audio for only$7.00. The audio is 25 minutes in length.

Listen every day at least once while relaxing with your eyes closed. Don’t lie down though or you might fall asleep!