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Our brains give off four types of brainwaves, called beta, alpha, theta, and delta. To make it simple (and highly oversimplified), here's a table to show you what they do. |
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| Name of Brainwave | Where It Occurs Most | What It Does | | Beta | Normal waking states | Maintains rational, concrete thinking | | Alpha | Daydreams, fantasies, and visualization | Bridge to subconscious; improves memory and creative insight | | Theta | Subconscious; dreaming sleep | Repository of creativity, inspiration, and memory | | Delta | Unconscious mind; deep sleep | Gives restorative sleep; may access intuition and empathy |
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Although this looks fairly simple, our brains are always at various stages of combining these waves. For example, our theta waves are said to be the strongestand the most helpful brainwavesduring meditation, and yet the process benefits us even more when they interact with the delta waves. Some scientists suggest that this blending of various brainwaves actually creates a brand new type of brainwave. Some followers of Eastern philosophies propose that the awakened mind, wherein a person is more fully aware of their spiritual existence, combines all four forms of brainwaves at once. |
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What Psychiatry and Psychology Have to Say About Psi |
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Until recent decades, many psychologists and psychiatrists viewed psi with skepticism and confusion. They were having a hard enough time trying to figure out the nature of creativity, consciousness, perception, memory, and learning. Were they supposed to be responsible for explaining psychic phenomena, too? |
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In recent years, the field has become more open to the idea that a connection may exist between psi and psychology. Some experts even suggest that psi be treated as any other aspect of the mind, such as consciousness or learning. Indeed, understanding psi may help explain how we perceive and process information on all levels. |
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