What are the different brain patterns that Narbis is measuring?

What are the different brain patterns that Narbis is measuring?

This is Your Brain on Hyperfocus

Science is better understanding how brainwaves — specifically the suppression of certain brainwaves over others — leads to hyperfocus. In a recent study published in Experimental Brain Research, scientists examined changes in brain rhythms in relation to optimal performance in self-paced sports. They discovered that peak performance in elite athletes is characterized by increased alpha waves and theta waves across the cortex and that during optimal performance, the frontal lobe is more relaxed —  corresponding to higher alpha waves —  and less busy (lower theta waves) compared to the other brain lobes.

Moreover, for the same given task, experts’ brains are more relaxed (higher alpha) and less busy (lower theta) than the brains of novices. Their findings suggest that neurofeedback training could teach athletes how to amplify and suppress their alpha and theta activity across the brain during all movement stages.

Hyperfocus and Brainwaves

What are brainwaves and how are they correlated to hyperfocus? First off, electrical activity emanating from the brain is displayed in the form of brainwaves.

There are four main categories of these brainwaves, ranging from the most activity to the least activity. A wonderful summary of how it all works from Scientific American follows:

Beta: When the brain is aroused and actively engaged in mental activities, it generates beta waves, the fastest of the four different brainwaves. The frequency of beta waves ranges from 15 to 40 cycles a second. Beta waves are characteristics of a strongly engaged mind. A person in active conversation would be in beta. A debater would be in high beta. A person making a speech, or a teacher, or a talk show host would all be in beta when they are engaged in their work. When the brain is aroused and actively engaged in mental activities, it generates beta waves.

SMR: Sensorimotor rhythm refers to the waves in the 12 to 15 cycles a second range and appears when we inhibit our movement and return to a calm yet cognizant state. Augmenting SMR waves can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress and encourage calmness. 

Alpha: The next brainwave category in order of frequency is alpha. A person who has completed a task and sits down to rest is often in an alpha state. Alpha brainwaves are slower, and higher in amplitude. Their frequency ranges from 9 to 14 cycles per second. A person who has completed a task and sits down to rest is often in an alpha state. A person who takes time out to reflect or meditate is usually in an alpha state. A person who takes a break from a conference and walks in the garden is often in an alpha state.

Theta: Theta brainwaves are typically of even greater amplitude and slower frequency. A person who has taken time off from a task and begins to daydream is often in a theta brainwave state. A person who is driving on a freeway, and discovers that they can’t recall the last five miles, is often in a theta state — induced by the process of freeway driving. People who run outdoors often are in the state of mental relaxation that is slower than alpha and when in theta, they are prone to a flow of ideas. This can also occur in the shower or tub or even while shaving or brushing your hair. It is a state where tasks become so automatic that you can mentally disengage from them. The ideation that can take place during the theta state is often free flow and occurs without censorship or guilt. It is typically a very positive mental state.

​Delta: The final brainwave state is delta. Here the brainwaves are of the greatest amplitude and slowest frequency. They typically center around a range of 0.5 to 4 cycles per second. They never go down to zero because that would mean that you were brain dead. But, deep dreamless sleep would take you down to the lowest frequency. Typically, 2 to 3 cycles a second.

When we go to bed and read for a few minutes before attempting sleep, we are likely to be in low beta. When we put the book down, 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.