Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNon-Sleep Alpha ActivityMeasuring Alpha WavesDisrupted Alpha ActivityOther Brain Waves
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Non-Sleep Alpha Activity
Measuring Alpha Waves
Disrupted Alpha Activity
Other Brain Waves
Alpha waves are a type of brain wave that’s active while you’re resting, especially when your eyes are closed. They’re most common right before you drift off to sleep.
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Non-Sleep-Related Alpha Activity
Alpha wave activity isn’t always related to sleep. It just means your brain is in a relaxed state, but you’re still awake.
In addition to just before sleep, alpha waves can be present when you’re:
“Good” vs “Bad” Alpha Activity
Increasing alpha activity is a good thing. It offers several benefits, according to research. It has been found to:
Sometimes alpha waves occur when they’re not wanted. Your brain shouldn’t produce alpha waves while you’re asleep, and when it does, the inappropriate alpha activity can lead tosleep disorders.
List of Common Sleep Disorders
How Alpha Activity Is Measured
The most common test for measuring brain waves, including alpha waves and alpha activity, is anelectroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG is what is used during an overnight sleep study, such as those done to diagnose sleep disorders such asobstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Overnight Sleep Study: What to Expect
When Alpha Activity Is Disrupted
When your alpha activity is disrupted, it can make you unable to relax and reduce the quality of your sleep. That can leave you tired and low on energy the next day. If the disruption is chronic, thefatiguecan be as well.
One example of chronic alpha activity disruption is something called the alpha-EEG anomaly, which is an abnormal sleep pattern that occurs most often in people with the chronic pain conditionfibromyalgia.
During deep sleep, the brain should be producing delta waves. In people who experience the alpha-EEG anomaly, the brain mistakenly produces alpha waves during these periods instead. This can lead to restlessness and sleep that is not refreshing.
Unrefreshing Sleep in Fibromyalgia
Other Types of Brain Waves
Your brain waves change throughout the day, depending on what you’re doing. Slower waves are associated with the relaxed brain, while faster waves mean your brain is performing complex tasks.
Just as alpha waves do, every type of brain wave has its time and place. Other types of brainwaves include:
What Are the 4 Stages of Sleep?
10 Sources
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