DeltaĪll the way at the bottom of the spectrum of brain waves - below theta waves - are the low, deep, slow delta waves.īoth delta waves and theta waves occur when you’re asleep, but delta waves are the waves that dominate when you’re in a period of deep, restorative sleep. If your doctor put electrodes on your scalp while you were sitting quietly and relaxing, but not thinking about much, it’s likely that alpha waves would dominate the EEG results.Īlpha brain waves measure between 8 and 12 Hz and fall right in the middle of the spectrum. Or, you can have slower or “low beta” waves that tend to occur more when you’re mulling over something. You can have relatively faster or “high beta” waves, which occur when you’re involved in very complex thought processes. These are the brain waves that dominate when you’re awake, alert, and engaged. These waves fall into the 12-38 Hz range. Just below gamma waves on the spectrum are the beta waves. You’re likely at peak concentration when your brain fires off gamma waves. Your brain produces gamma waves when you’re intensely focused on something, or fully engaged in solving a problem. They oscillate all the way up to the 100 Hz range and possibly even faster, since they can be challenging to measure accurately.

Gamma waves are the fastest of all the brain waves. Ranging from fastest to slowest, here are the other four types of brain waves that your brain regularly produces. At various times of the day, different types of brain waves will be active, and that’s normal.Ĭertain factors can disrupt this natural cycle, such as stress, some medications, and a lack of adequate high-quality sleep. An EEG would measure theta waves in the 4 to 8 Hz range.Īll five types of brain waves have different but important roles to play when it comes to your health and wellbeing.

They are slower than alpha waves but faster than delta waves. Theta waves fall close to the low end of the spectrum. This spectrum would not be complete without all five types of brain waves. Think about your brain waves as a spectrum that ranges from very fast to very slow. How do theta waves compare to other brain waves?

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