Neurons

The human brain is an amazingly intricate network of neurons. A neuron (or neurone) is a specialised cell which carries electrochemical signals through the brain. They come in many shapes and sizes. Your brain contains approximately 100 billion neurons, as well as many other types of specialised brain cells.

Neurons communicate with each other through electrochemical impulses.

Simply put, communication within a neuron is electrical (involves electrical energy). Communication between neurons is chemical (involves neurotransmitters).

When neurons are activated they produce electrical pulses (messages), which travel along them to be sent to the next neuron. This happens throughout the enormous networks of neurons in our brains. Each neuron may be connected to up to 10,000 other neurons.

The cell body of a neuron is actually called the soma. The soma of a neuron is what keeps it alive.

Brainwaves

Brainwaves are synchronised electrical signals in our neurons. Brainwaves are always happening: if they stop, it means you are brain dead.

Brainwaves are measured by their speed (how many cycles per second) and are measured in Hertz (Hz). Our brainwaves are always changing, depending on what we are doing: the faster frequencies are most dominant when we are alert and aware, the slower frequencies become more dominant when we feel more tired, or deeply relaxed. At any given time we have more than one type of brainwave frequency happening – that is how the brain communicates with itself.

In this image, you can see that the brainwaves have a number of cycles per second: that is their Hertz frequency. These frequencies vary slightly depending on the source of information.

Beta Brainwaves (13-25 Hz)

Beta brainwaves are associated with our normal waking state of consciousness when we are alert, problem solving, using our judgement, making decisions, or just focussing our attention somewhere.

Beta brainwaves can be separated into 3 different sections: low-beta, which is when we are reflecting, lost in thought, mid-beta, which is when we are actively thinking about something, or high-beta, which is associated with highly complex thought, anxiety, and integrating or processing new experiences. It isn’t good to function at high-beta continuously because it takes so much processing power and it is exhausting.

Alpha Brainwaves (8-12 Hz)

Alpha brainwaves are associated with meditative and hypnotic states of awareness, or in times of quiet thought and relaxation, daydreaming.

Alpha is the resting state of the brain and helps us with mental clarity, calmness, learning, and our mind-body connection. In alpha state, you are completely in the present moment. It is very easy to create alpha-level brainwaves in ourselves and others.

In alpha brainwave frequency, you are able to start tuning in to your intuitive awareness.

Theta Brainwaves (4-7 Hz)

Theta brainwaves happen when we are just about to fall asleep or wake up, when we are asleep and dreaming, or when we are in a deep meditative state.

Theta state is where we can tune in to our intuitive or psychic perception clearly, and it is where we can access information beyond our normal conscious awareness like remembering where we left our car keys when we weren’t paying full attention. Our subconscious awareness holds that information, but it’s typically in theta state that we can access the memory. This is possible because theta brainwaves allow us to forget our external senses and bring our awareness to our internal messages and signals.

Theta brainwaves are also where we hold our limiting beliefs and our troubles and fears.

Delta Brainwaves (0.5-3 Hz)

Delta brainwaves are very slow and they happen when we are in a dreamless sleep. Delta waves are also said to be the source of empathy.

It is in delta state frequency that deep healing and restoration happens, which is why good quality sleep is so important for healing.

Gamma Brainwaves (25-70 Hz)

Gamma brainwaves can be measured up to 70 Hz, but typically reach about 40 Hz.

Gamma brainwaves are really interesting because until recently they were dismissed as a sort of purposeless “white noise” in the brain. In fact, gamma brainwaves are linked to the processing of information from all other brainwave frequencies.

Even more interestingly, gamma brainwaves measure above the frequency of neuronal firing (when the electrical messages are sent), so researchers aren’t even sure how it works yet!

Gamma waves are associated with universal love, compassion, and altruism. Some people suggest that more gamma brainwaves in someone’s brain correlates with spiritual development and enlightenment. This could be why long-term monks show more synchronised gamma brainwave frequency.

SOMA Breath Gamma Frequencies

Using brain mapping, we studied the brainwaves of participants who had experienced a full SOMA Awakening. Gamma waves were significantly boosted during the peak intensity of the rhythmic breathwork phase.

Gamma is associated with peak brainwave activity usually only seen in experienced meditators such as the Dalai Lama. This is what makes SOMA so unique, that it is possible to achieve the Gamma frequency without having to spend years meditating.

Check out this video of an actual NASA Scientist and Peak Neurofitness Expert explaining the results of this brain mapping experiment:

An alpha-theta cross was observed during the breath hold phase. That is associated with the brain resolving a lot of information. This may explain why participants feel more of a sense of peace and clarity after a SOMA Awakening. It is also similar to the resolutions and the feeling of spiritual cleansing after consuming a DMT containing entheogen like Ayahuasca.

However, please know that at present all DMT research is either theoretical or carried out using rat models. The fact that DMT does not last a very long time in the body combined with the lack of funding for this kind of research means that research in humans in currently lacking.

Brainwave Frequencies in a SOMA Awakening Meditation

When participants arrive to an Awakening Session, they will almost definitely be in beta state, where they are in a waking state of alertness.

During the Intention Phase, the music, relaxed breathing, and your voice will guide them into alpha state, where they are fully relaxed and in the present moment.

In the Supercharge Phase, participants will reach theta, delta, and very possibly even gamma frequencies! You are more likely to enter theta state during the out-breath retention.

In the Release Phase, you will guide participants back to alpha state. The Mula Bandha lock in this section stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, so participants will still be relaxed, but more alert and energised than in the Supercharge Phase. By the end of an Awakening Session, participants will be in alpha state feeling very relaxed with quiet thoughts.