It’s important to note the brainwave spectrum spectrum, which divides into five bands, each corresponding to a different state.

Brainwaves transition naturally, depending on our activities and the time of day.

Brainwave entrainment is any procedure that causes one’s brainwave frequencies to synchronize with a periodic stimulus, such as a sound or vibration, having a frequency corresponding to the intended brain-state, such as a trance, a dream, relaxation, alertness, meditation, or sleep.

Various types of music have been devised to help synchronize the mind with one of the five desired brainwaves state. Dr. Jeffrey Thompson is one of the leading musical producers of such music, which you can easily access through Spotify.

What follows is an outline of the five brain-states or brainwave frequencies:

1. Delta

Delta associates with deep sleep. This is when the mind essentially stop during sleep and you reach a point of unconscious stillness.

2. Theta

Theta associates with deep meditation and dreaming. This is when the mind experiences subconscious creativity and deep relaxation.

3. Alpha

Alpha associated with receptivity, passivity, relaxation, and daydreaming. This state often accompanies meditation.

4. Beta

Beta associates with wakefulness. This is when the mind engages in conscious thought and external activities.

5. Gamma

Gamma associates with heightened perception. Gamma is less commonly understood, but considered more prevalent among among Tibetan buddhist monks, for example, or any long term meditation practitioners, as it denotes a particularly high level of alertness and information processing.