Considered the slowest of all Brain waves, Delta waves are high amplitude brain waves that are synonymous with deep and restorative sleep. The frequency of Delta waves range from 0.5 to 4 Hz and can be accurately measured using an Electroencephalogram (EEG). These waves are described as slow brain waves as they can be produced with as little frequency as 0.5 Hz.
Delta waves are not produced during light sleep but are produced during a deep sleep. Delta waves are of utmost importance as they ensure restorative, deep and extremely relaxing sleep that is absolutely necessary to maintain a sharp and clear mental state.
The origin of these waves is believed to be the thalamus, and is widely associated with the third stage of sleep which is the slow wave sleep.
Among researchers, Delta waves are the least understood of all the types of brain waves produced. But recent studies are fast providing new knowledge in the fields of neurological sciences regarding this very important component of the brain.
What are the Benefits of the Delta brain waves?
There are a few unique benefits of this type of brain wave, they include;
1. Delta waves provide Access to the Subconscious Mind.
Delta waves have an inverse relationship with our physical consciousness. This offers direct access and information into our unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is filled up with processes that are inaccessible to the conscious mind. This includes processes like thought, motivation and memory.
There are the half asleep modes which can create trippy effects, in which you might lose awareness, and also feel out of your body. This is the main reason delta waves can aid astral projection and very lucid dreams.
2. Calmness and Tranquility
The Delta wave state is the most calm and relaxed state your mind can be in. The more sleep you are able to get in your delta wave state, the calmer and more relaxed you would be. Without Delta waves, quality sleep will remain unattainable and it may lead to restlessness.
3. Weight Loss
Growth hormones being released during the Delta wave sleepplays a huge role in the maintenance of a consistent body fat ratio and maintenance of body strength. Athletes utilize Delta wave playlists to increase the amount of Delta wave sleep they can have.
4. Delta waves are essential to the sleep cycle
With sufficient sleep as a result of Delta waves, your body can get the quality rest it desires to repair itself and ensure perfect synchrony between all the faculties of your body.
Can Delta Waves promote Quality Sleep?
If you are part of the category of people who engage in at least 7-8 hours of sleep, but wake up feeling like they haven’t slept at all, you didn’t spend enough time in the Delta stages of sleep.
In addition, if you are one of those people who find it difficult to fall asleep, or the quality of sleep is just so poor, you are lacking sufficient Delta waves. By utilizing Delta waves, you are placed in a deep state of relaxation and have significantly reduced anxiety which thereby helps you sleep better.
The faster the brain wave frequency, the higher the level of stimulation. However, the lower and slower the frequency of the brain wave is, the deeper the sleep or relaxation state becomes. Delta waves are known to be the slowest of all the brain waves, and so can induce the deepest most relaxing sleep.
Can Delta Waves Improve Brain Function?
Who doesn’t like a good, deep sleep that gives you a sharp and active mental state when you wake up? We all know the value of a good night’s rest on your cognitive function. Delta waves provide deep restorative sleep that can completely rejuvenate and revive you, thereby eliminating stress and leaving you refreshed mentally when you wake up.
Although there aren’t many direct correlations between Delta waves and increased cognitive or mental function, the restorative ability of Delta waves and its ability to tap into the unconscious mind cannot be overlooked.
What Hormones Does your Body release in the Delta State?
Delta waves can originate either from the thalamus or from the cortex. The Delta state or activity gives rise to the production of several hormones, some of which include; Growth hormone Releasing hormone (GHRH) and Prolactin. The Growth hormone Releasing hormone is produced from the hypothalamus. This leads to the production of Growth hormone, GH from the Pituitary gland. The Pituitary gland also regulates the secretion of prolactin. However, the rate of thyroid stimulating experts is significantly reduced, as a result of signaling of Delta waves.
When you spend quality time in the Delta state, your body produces anti-aging hormones, which include DHEA and melatonin. DHEA is a hormone that reduces the process of aging, thereby improving your total well-being and brain or cognitive function. While there are some people that may take supplements to facilitate the production of DHEA, it isn’t yet fully approved and it hasn’t yet shown outstanding benefits.
Good, quality sleep is still the safest and surest way to facilitate DHEA production.
In addition, the levels of the hormone Cortisol reduce during the deep restorative sleep stage and rapidly increase throughout the night to improve alertness when you wake up.
Is it Possible to Enter the Delta State While Awake?
By now, it is common knowledge that we can enter the Delta state while we are in a state of deep sleep. It is, however, possible to enter the Delta while wide awake. The first instance of this happening is the first year of life of a fetus still in the womb.
Although it is mostly produced during deep sleeping hours, the Delta state can also be stimulated using Brainwave Entrainment. Delta wave frequency Binaural beats have become an increasingly popular aid for sleeping. Listening to the audio just before sleeping, stimulates the production of Delta waves. This is possible because of the frequency-adapting ability of the brain induced by the Binaural beats. The brain synchronizes with the frequency that is played and produces brain waves matching that frequency.
As a result, you can listen to Delta brain waves recordings during the day and be exposed to Entrainment as you slowly slip into the Delta state. This might take a while to be achieved as your brain at the same time produces a spectrum of beta, gamma and alpha waves during the day.
Oftentimes, people use the Delta waves produced by the Binaural beats audio to enter a much desired state of Lucid Dreaming. This is however most suitable just after waking up from a night rest or an afternoon sleep whereby you are in the middle of sleep and wide awake at the same time.
How to Increase Production of Delta waves
In order to increase the production of Delta waves and, by extension, improve the quality of your sleep, avoid Excess alcohol, caffeinated beverages or substances and hard drugs. A published article on the effects of alcohol on quality sleep shows that several Alcoholic substances have been known to disrupt the normal Delta wave production in the brain. When you consume a lot of alcohol, your brain is inhibited from producing sufficient Delta waves which will offer quality deep sleep and when the brain is producing insufficient Delta waves, you will experience an uncomfortable and unrelaxing sleep. Little wonder you tend to experience terrible sleep while drunk.
Drugs and caffeinated drinks also have the same effect on the production Delta waves. Some Nootropic substances may also inhibit the adequate production of Delta waves as well.
Do Ketogenic Diets Cause an Increase in Delta Waves?
Keto diets generally are known to increase delta waves. Ketogenic diets are very likely to increase time spent in deep sleep. When you begin using a keto diet to improve your deep sleep, there is a normal period where your sleep might worsen. After that happens, you will experience deeper sleep and as a result feel rejuvenated and re-energized during the rest of your day. The sleep improvement is as a result of your body releasing Adenosine, a chemical in the brain that is in charge of regulating sleep.
A study was carried out to examine the effect of ketogenic diets on deep sleep. A few obese teens were placed on a keto diet, and after a while they noticed the diet improved their deep sleep cycles and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. A keto diet is also known to decrease sleepiness during the day time.
Final Words
If you are suffering from difficulty in sleeping you should consider utilizing Delta state therapy to enjoy an amazing night’s rest this can be done through binaural beats, hypnosis or changing to a ketogenic diet. But as always speak to your doctor when considering these options.