Delta waves essential for brain health

Kayle Sandberg-Lewis, LMT, MA, BCN-Fellow

Neurons (nerve cells) fire at different speeds depending on what task(s) the brain is engaging in, but if the brain can’t fire at the required speed or can’t easily shift between speeds, the tasks will be very hard if not impossible to accomplish. 

These speeds are referred to as brainwaves and are measured by the electroencephalogram (EEG) in cycles per second or Hertz (Hz). The range we concern ourselves with in neurofeedback is from Gamma waves (~40 – 80 Hz) down to what is now called the infralow range (seconds/cycle). In our office, we work primarily in the range from Delta (.1 – 3 Hz) to high Beta (18 – 35 Hz) although we do use photobiomodulation (light therapy) to reinforce Gamma waves.

But today let’s focus on Delta waves.

We are born with Delta brains, and Delta remains the dominant frequency for about the first year of life. As the year progresses, especially if the baby has a positive, stimulating environment with attentive caregivers, the brain speeds up, but returns to Delta when in deep, dreamless, healing sleep. Delta is only one stage of the sleep cycle, but a necessary piece.

When the brain doesn’t adequately speed up during the aging process, the result is learning disabilities because higher forms of learning, synthesizing information, and applying what we learn requires faster frequencies.

Delta also serves as “sick bay” when the brain is injured and needs down time for healing.

Getting “stuck” in Delta can lead to brain fog and an excess of Delta can result in sleep problems. I liken the situation to a stuck rheostat – a dimmer switch – that can’t turn the lights all the way on or all the way off. It’s as though the head hits the pillow & the brain says, “Wait a minute! I’ve been in Delta all day – why do I want even more?” And the person spends much of the night staring at the ceiling.

Occasionally I’ve seen Delta “drop out” when a person opens their eyes. (This can be seen on a quantitative EEG, also called a qEEG or simply Q.) Delta, as a carrier wave for neurotransmitters, is necessary in the awake state. Without enough Delta, especially in the frontal lobe, the brain has a harder time modulating emotions, rejuvenating on the fly, and general immunity suffers.

I’ve heard from folks that they have “bad Delta”. This is a misunderstanding. They may have excessive Delta, but the Delta itself isn’t bad. It’s that particular brain’s best attempt at being in the moment. It may respond well to training that’s geared to reinforce higher frequencies, allowing the brain to have more flexibility.

The thrilling thing about the different tools of PsyPhy is the potential for helping the brain function more efficiently, regardless of the brain’s age.

Kayle Sandberg-Lewis holds a M.A. in Behavioral Medicine, the study of how what we do in our daily lives affects our well-being. She has over three decades experience in stress management and is board certified in neurofeedback, which she introduced to her practice in 1996.

 Hive Mind Medicine blog posts are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your health care practitioner for personalized guidance.