BRAINWAVES   (Across from Brentwood Mall and conveniently located close to Highway #1, Skytrain and bus routes, Dr. Mike de Jong provides neurofeedback, biofeedback and psychotherapy services).

This section provides the answer to a question that Dr. de Jong is often asked, "What are the different brainwaves and what do they mean?"  Dr. de Jong's office is located in Burnaby, close to skytrain, bus routes and main intersections.  But perhaps you'd prefer to call me (604) 999-5809 or send me an e-mail at mike@drmikedejong.com

The classic names of the EEG bands are delta, theta, alpha and beta and they are measured in cycles per second or hertz (Hz). In general, different levels of  awareness are associated with dominant brainwave states.  We all have some degree of each of these brainwaves present in different parts of our brain.   Difficulties are associated with excessively high or excessively low levels of activity in one or more of these bands.  To find out how Dr. de Jong determines whether a particular level of brainwave activity is too high or too low, take a look at the Assessment Section. The following are descriptions of the characteristics associated with the various brainwaves.

Beta     brainwaves are small, faster brainwaves (13 Hz - 30 Hz) associated with a state of mental, intellectual activity and outwardly focussed concentration.  This is a "bright-eyed, alert and focussed" state of awareness. That's a pretty wide band as far as brainwave are concerned and so recently, the 13-30 hz beta band has been broken down into smaller bands.

Beta1     brainwaves (13-15 Hz) are associated with being in a physically relaxed and mentally alert state of mind.  These waves are often associated with peak performance training, e.g., professional athletes.

Beta2      brainwaves (16-18 Hz) are typically associated with performing mental tasks such as reading, mathematics and problem solving, e.g. doing your taxes or solving a crossword puzzle.

Beta3     brainwaves (19-26 Hz) are also associated with problem solving and thinking in general, however, there is also some association of beta3 activity with worry or anxiety.

HiBeta     brainwaves (27-32 Hz) are associated with anxiety and obsessive and compulsive types of behaviour.   If someone is especially tense or anxious, an excessively high levels of high-frequency beta wave activity is likely to be present.

Alpha     brainwaves (8-12Hz) are slower and larger than any of the beta waves.  They were the first of the brainwaves to be identified (1930's) and are associated with a state of relaxation.  Their presence represents the brain in a relaxed, somewhat disengaged state, waiting to respond if needed.  If someone closes their eyes and begins picturing something peaceful, in less than 30 seconds there will be an increase in these brainwaves and they can be observed on the EEG.  When the eyes are opened, these waves diminish rapidly in strength and become difficult to observe.

Theta      brainwaves (4-8Hz) represent a daydream-like, rather spacey state of mind that is associated with mental inefficiency.  At very slow levels, theta wave activity is associated with a very relaxed state and often represents the twilight zone between wakefulness and sleep.  Persons with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD, ADHD), head injuries, stroke, epilepsy, and often chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, are often observed with excessive slow wave activity (usually theta and sometimes excessive alpha).  When an excessive amount of slow waves are present in the executive (frontal) parts of the brain, it becomes difficult to control attention, behaviour and/or emotions.  Such persons generally have problems with concentration, memory, controlling their impulses and moods.  They can't focus well and exhibit diminished intellectual activity.

Delta     brainwaves (.50-3.5 Hz) are the slowest, highest amplitude (magnitude) brainwaves, and are what we experience when we are asleep.  Excessive delta wave activity is associated with head injuries, strokes, tumours and other types of organic disease.  Some preliminary research has also shown deficiencies in delta to be associated with depression and problems with attention.

Depending on your level of understanding the information noted above may seem really simple or unbearably complex or somwhere between these two.  No matter your level of expertise, the situation gets much more complex when you start to consider the hundreds of neurochemicals, dozens of hormones and billions of individual cells that also play a role.  And what about genetics, diet, environment, personal history and the tremendously powerful role your 'mind' plays in all of this!  Make sure you get an ethical practitioner, preferably someone who is certified by the Biofeedback Certification Association or America, has a license to practice, e.g., a Registered Psychologist,  and who has been in the field long enough to know what they're doing!

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