The Brain
The Brain
Electrical activity in the brain can be measured by using various techniques which include Electroencephalograph (EEG), positron emission tomography (PET), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Some of these scans measure electrical activity in the brain others gauge the blood flow in the brain by using radio active isotopes that are injected in to the blood steam.
The electrical activity is commonly known as Brain waves and are categorised in to four groups.
|
Brain Waves |
States of Consciousness |
Frequency |
|
Beta brain waves |
Waking conscious state, alert |
14-30 Hz |
|
Alpha brain waves |
Daydreaming, creative, relaxed, closed-eyed |
8-13 Hz |
|
Theta brain waves |
Dreaming, hypnotic, meditative, subconscious, athletic “in the zone” |
4-7 Hz |
|
Delta brain waves |
Unconscious, asleep, deep sleep |
0.5-3 Hz |
Right hemisphere is the part of the brain is the part of the brain that is linked to creativity, metaphorical understanding, reading emotions, music etc
Left hemisphere is linked to logical analysing, reasoning, calculations etc
Electroencephalograph (EEG) research has shown that when people were hypnotised activity in the left hand side of the brain decreased as the right hemisphere activity increased.
There is substantial EEG research that has shown hypnosis has a biological effect on pain
In one study the researchers concluded that hypnosis is a psychological state with distinct neural correlation.
