alpha wave
| Dictionary: alpha wave |
n.
A pattern of smooth, regular electrical oscillations in the human brain that occur when a person is awake and relaxed. As recorded by the electroencephalograph, alpha waves have a frequency of 8 to 13 hertz. Also called alpha rhythm.
| 5min Related Video: alpha wave |
| Occultism & Parapsychology Encyclopedia: Alpha Wave |
A brain wave with a frequency of between 14 and 50 cycles per second, related to relaxation and dream states. Through biofeedback machines, subjects can learn to produce alpha waves and induce altered states of consciousness. During the 1970s, many thought alpha waves to be especially associated with ESP and worked on producing them as a means of assisting people with psychic development. Today, that enthusiasm has waned.
Sources:
Lawrence, Jodi. Alpha Brain Waves. New York: Avon, 1972.
Stern, Jess. The Power of Alpha Thinking: Miracle of the Mind. New York: William Morrow, 1976.
Tart, Charles T. States of Consciousness. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1975.
| WordNet: alpha wave |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
the normal brainwave in the electroencephalogram of a person who is awake but relaxed; occurs with a frequency of 8-12 hertz
Synonym: alpha rhythm
| Wikipedia: Alpha wave |
For the 3D platform video game, see Alpha Waves.
Alpha waves are electromagnetic oscillations in the frequency range of 8–12 Hz arising from synchronous and coherent (in phase / constructive) electrical activity of thalamic pacemaker cells. They are also called Berger's wave in memory of the founder of EEG.
Alpha waves are one type of brain waves detected either by electroencephalography (EEG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG) and predominantly originate from the occipital lobe during wakeful relaxation with closed eyes. Alpha waves are reduced with open eyes and drowsiness and sleep. They are thought to represent the activity of the visual cortex in an idle state. Occipital alpha waves during periods of eyes closed are the strongest EEG brain signals. They usually can be detected with the naked eye.
An alpha-like variant called mu (μ) can be found over the motor cortex (central scalp) that is reduced with movement, or the intention to move. Alpha waves do not start to appear until three years of age.[1]
References
- ^ Kolev V, Başar-Eroglu C, Aksu F, Başar E. (1994). EEG rhythmicities evoked by visual stimuli in three-year-old children. Int J Neurosci. 75(3-4):257-70. PMID 8050866
- Brazier, M. A. B. (1970), written at London, The Electrical Activity of the Nervous System, Pitman
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Occultism & Parapsychology Encyclopedia. Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. Copyright © 2001 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more |
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