Benefits of gamma brainwaves
The Brain’s Optimal Frequency
Gamma brainwaves are considered the brain’s optimal frequency of functioning. Gamma brainwaves are commonly associated with increased levels of compassion, feelings of happiness, and optimal brain functioning. Gamma brainwaves are associated with a conscious awareness of reality and increased mental abilities. A Gamma wave is a pattern of brain waves, associated with perception and consciousness. Gamma waves are produced when masses of neurons emit electrical signals at the rate of 38 Hz – 200+ Hz and have a tiny (virtually unnoticeable) amplitude. Gamma brainwaves can be found in virtually every part of the brain. They serve as a binding mechanism between all parts of the brain and help to improve memory and perception. By one definition, gamma waves are manifest at 24 Hz and higher, though researchers have recognized that higher level cognitive activities occur when lower frequency gamma waves suddenly double into the 40 Hz range.
Gamma Present in Awake State and During Active REM
Research has shown gamma waves are continuously present during low voltage fast neocortical activity (LVFA), which occurs during the process of awakening and during active rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Some researchers do not distinguish gamma waves as a distinct class but include them in beta brain waves. New evidence has emerged of brainwave states above the highest recognized brainwave frequencies of Beta (30 Hz). Gamma brainwaves resonate around 40 Hz and are associated with the brain function that holographically synthesizes all the bits of individual data from various areas of the brain and fuses them all together in a higher perspective.
Gamma is the Harmonizing Frequency
for example when you are observing an object, its color, size, texture etc are all perceived and processed by different parts of the brain, it is thought that Gamma allows for unification of all the different information. This brainwave activity is associated with states of self-awareness, higher levels of insight and information, psychic abilities and out of body experiences. This new region of brain activity and states of consciousness associated with it is called EPSILON.
Theta and Gamma rhythms Interact
Helping the brain to package information into coherent images, thought and memories. EEG researchers are noticing extremely high brainwave frequencies above Gamma, at up to 100 Hz. Totally opposite speed brainwave frequencies - some at 100 Hz and others at less than 0.5 Hz - have exactly the same states of consciousness associated with them. These high-range brain frequency states are named Hyper Gamma. Later information showed new evidence of frequencies even higher than this, at almost 200 Hz.named: Lambda brainwave frequencies and states of consciousness. These HyperGamma, Lambda and Epsilon frequencies, are linked together in a circular relationship -where if you looked with a magnifying glass at an extremely slow Epsilon brain frequency, you would see hidden within it a modulation frequency of 100 - 200 Hz.
Epsilon and Lambda Brainwaves
If you stand back far enough from an extremely fast 200 Hz brainwave frequency, you would see that is it riding on the crest of a slow motion modulating wave of Epsilon. This Epsilon state of consciousness (the state Yogi's go into when they achieve "suspended animation") is where western medical doctors can perceive no heartbeat, respiration or pulse. Hyper Gamma and Lambda states of consciousness are the states associated with the ability of certain sects of Tibetan monks who can mediate in the Himalayan mountains in sub zero temperatures with scanty clothing and melt the snow all around them. Fast, gamma rhythms range from 30 to 100 Hz, and may vary in frequency during a response. The 20-100 Hz range we consider here overlaps the beta band (15 to 30 Hz).
Gamma in Sensory Stimuli
Gamma rhythms occur in sensory stimuli. In humans and other mammals following sensory stimuli there is an increase in Gamma activity. They often occur in brief runs in these responses. Initially researchers found 50-60 Hz in the olfactory bulb in the brain. They have since been found in: olfactory, visual, auditory, somatosensory, and motor cortex. Gamma oscillations also occur in the hippocampus, where the link with external sensory stimuli is less direct, but may still exist in the higher order sensory cortices. Hippocampal gamma tends to occur during the theta (4-12 Hz) EEG that is a prominent feature of the hippocampus in vivo (In vivo Latin for "within the living," is experimentation using a whole, living organism as opposed to a partial or dead organism, or an in vitro ("within the glass", i.e., in a test tube or petri dish) as a controlled environment, especially during exploration and research. In humans the auditory response includes brief "40 Hz transient responses" which increase when the subject pays attention and which disappear with loss of consciousness during anesthesia.
Gamma Rhythms Can Be Very Widespread
Repetitive auditory stimulation at ~40 Hz generates a large "40 Hz steady state response". MEG (magnetoencephalography) recordings in humans suggest that gamma rhythms can be very widespread, both during waking and dream states. Other MEG measurements in Man suggest that gamma rhythms may be organized to sweep across the whole brain, perhaps providing "temporal binding into a single cognitive experience".
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH EXCESSIVE GAMMA BRAINWAVES
Some anxiety - Though gamma brainwaves are usually not correlated with stress and anxiety, they can be. When a person mostly displays high amounts of beta brainwaves in combination with gamma on an E.E.G., the individual probably has very high levels of anxiety. Though gamma brainwaves usually decrease when we are under stress, the dopamine released from gamma brainwaves can actually cause us to feel overanxious, nervous, or tense. It is best not to increase both gamma and beta brainwaves at the same time. Depending on your current brainwave state, it is important to recognized that though you are usually safe with increasing gamma, overdoing training time or frequency of training may make you feel unpleasantly anxious.
Clear, Conscious Perception of Reality - Some people are not prepared for the mental awakening that is associated with gamma brainwaves. If you are currently living a fairly unfocused life and happen to begin entraining the gamma brainwave, it may feel like a huge jolt to your consciousness. If I was extremely unfocused, I’d definitely work on entraining the gamma brainwave, but I’d do it slowly and in moderation. Too much gamma entrainment will actually give you a headache! It is important to not become disturbed by your brains initial reactions to an increased gamma brainwave and perception of reality.
GAMMA BRAINWAVE ACTIVITY IS PRESENT IN RAPID-EYE MOVEMENT
(R.E.M.) Sleep and is associated with dreaming. Getting a good night’s sleep is important for staying healthy, keeping a healthy, powerful brain. Gamma brainwaves also increase the moment we awaken. Though we are in the theta brainwave for most R.E.M. sleep, the gamma brainwave is present along with the theta. Most non-dream, deep sleep is linked to an increase in delta brainwave activity, whereas dream-sleep is mostly linked to gamma and theta brainwave activity.
Meditation - The goal of most types of meditation is to lower the brainwaves into the alpha-theta brainwave range. With that said, as you learn to become more aware and increase awareness of your brainwave state, your gamma brainwave activity will naturally increase. A very safe, healthy way to attempt to increase your gamma brainwaves is to make the act of meditation a daily habit or start up a meditation routine. If you are already meditating, great - you’ll naturally increase
your awareness. As you increase your awareness, your gamma brainwave will increase. Hypnosis / Self-hypnosis - The goal of all hypnosis and self-hypnosis programs is to target the lower brainwave ranges (i.e. alpha and theta) and implant new beliefs.
Self-Hypnosis - Though you are slowing your brainwaves, your concentration levels are skyrocketing as well. Only having large amounts of alpha and theta without gamma would make self-hypnosis very difficult and an ineffective practice. The more often you participate in self-hypnosis, the more your gamma brainwave amplitude will increase. Yoga - Like meditation - yoga is yet another activity that promotes relaxation and wellbeing by shifting your brainwaves and increasing your perception of reality. Brainwaves of yogis have shown that they are able to increase their gamma brainwaves to higher than average amounts. Though there are many different types of yoga, if they are practiced correctly, they can be utilized to increase awareness and gain valuable insight from within.
UNHEALTHY WAYS TO INCREASE GAMMA BRAINWAVES
There are no known unhealthy activities that increase gamma brainwaves. Virtually all activities that are detrimental to mental health, decrease the amount of gamma brainwave activity in the brain - Things like general anesthesia, stress, and killing brain cells will decrease your brain’s natural production and amount of gamma brainwave activity. As gamma brainwave activity decreases, susceptibility to depression, stress, and unfocused or impulsive thinking may overtake the brain.