'Theta waves can be manipulated through meditation,' reiterates Ruhoy. With this in mind, if someone is looking to feel less stressed, is it possible to encourage theta waves for more relaxation? Some science suggests yes.įor example, research published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews states that a systematic review of 56 studies including 1,715 people determined that mindfulness meditation was commonly associated with an increase in theta waves 2 -more so than if the person was just resting with their eyes closed, not actively meditating. 'Theta waves are the dominant frequency in healing, high creative states, remembering emotional experiences (good and bad), memory retrieval, and encoding new memories into thoughts,' explains Leaf. The fact that these waves are visible in both light sleep stages as well as during focused tasks is what makes them so interesting.

However, they are also seen in adults in a non-alert, drowsy state where awareness of the physical world is lessened (such as hypnosis). Ruhoy, M.D., Ph.D., a board-certified neurologist and medical director for the EDS/Chiari Center at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Hewlett, New York. Theta waves are very prevalent in children, says Ilene S. It's often referred to as the healing wave,' Leaf adds. and are activated when we are being insightful or creative. 'Theta waves are one of the electrical patterns in the brain we see on a quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG)-a test that measures electrical activity inside the brain,' says communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist Caroline Leaf, Ph.D., author of Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess.

Deep sleep sound waves