Brainwaves
What they are
Your brain has about 86 billion nerve cells. They talk to each other with small electrical signals. When many of them fire together, they create a rhythm. This rhythm is called a brainwave, and it is measured in hertz (Hz), the number of waves per second.
A short history
In 1924, the German psychiatrist Hans Berger recorded the first human brainwaves, using a method called EEG (electroencephalography). He published his work in 1929 and named the first rhythm he found Alpha.
The five bands
- Delta (0.5–4 Hz): deep, dreamless sleep. The body rests and repairs.
- Theta (4–8 Hz): deep meditation, dreaming, creativity. The space between waking and sleep.
- Alpha (8–13 Hz): calm and relaxed focus. It appears when you close your eyes and slow down.
- Beta (13–30 Hz): alertness, problem solving, active thinking. The state of a busy day.
- Gamma (30–100 Hz): high-level processing, learning and connecting ideas.
Always a mix
Your brain never uses only one band. All five are always present, and one leads depending on what you are doing. During the day, you move from one state to another many times.
How sound guides your brainwaves
The brain aligns with a steady rhythm it hears. This is the Frequency Following Response. With binaural beats or isochronic tones set to a band, you can gently guide your brain toward that state: Theta to meditate, Alpha to relax, Beta to focus.
How to choose
- To sleep: Delta
- To meditate: Theta
- To relax: Alpha
- To focus or study: Beta
- To learn and connect ideas: Gamma
How Inner Dive uses it
In Your Journey and the Generator, every brainwave band has its own sounds. Choose a band, put on headphones and let the rhythm guide you.
Safety
Listen when you can fully relax, not while driving. If you have a history of seizures or epilepsy, ask a health professional first.