While our project’s name – DeepGamma – might draw inspiration from the term, “gamma”, in the field of neuroscience, gamma brainwaves refer to a type of neural oscillation in the brain associated with higher brain functions.
Scientists found that gamma brainwave activity may help us become smarter by enhancing certain aspects of learning and cognitive processing in the brain.
What are Gamma Brainwaves?
Gamma brainwaves are a type of brainwave that has a frequency range of 30 to 100 Hz. They are the fastest of brainwave frequencies and are typically associated with states of heightened mental activity, such as concentration, learning, and problem-solving.
Gamma brainwaves are thought to be typically generated in the brain’s frontal and parietal lobes by large groups of neurons firing together in synchrony. They’re involved in the integration of sensory information from different parts of the brain.
The Discovery of Gamma Brainwaves
The understanding of different types of brain waves, including gamma waves, evolved over time with advancements in neuroscientific research and technology in electroencephalography (EEG).
While the early discovery of basic brainwave patterns dates back to the early 20th century, the discovery and detailed study of gamma brainwaves was significantly progressed from the mid 20th century onwards. Here are some key contributors to the discovery.
- H. Jasper and B.H. Andrews (1938) conducted early studies on brain oscillations and helped lay the groundwork for identifying high-frequency gamma waves.
- Wolf Singer and Colleagues (1980s-1990s) linked gamma waves to cognitive functions, such as attention, perception, and the binding of sensory information.
- Francis Crick and Christof Koch (1990s) suggested gamma waves might be critical for consciousness and the integration of neural activity.
Why Gamma Brainwaves are Important
Gamma brainwaves are linked to many benefits to the brain, including:
1. Consciousness and coherence
Francis Crick, a renowned British biologist and neuroscientist best known for co-discovering the structure of the DNA molecule alongside James Watson and Maurice Wilkins, was interested in the study of consciousness and how the brain processes information. He hypothesised that gamma brainwaves might be crucial for coordinating the activity of various brain regions during cognitive processes.
Crick later proposed the “40 Hz gamma synchrony” theory, suggesting that gamma brainwaves could play a fundamental role in linking information from different parts of the brain to create a unified perception of the world. These gamma brainwaves might also be involved in consciousness and form the basis for our coherent experiences.
2. Cognitive function
Gamma brainwaves have also been a subject of interest for psychologists for its potential to accelerate learning as they are linked to a wide range of higher cognitive functions, including memory formation, attention, and conscious perception.
During the learning process, new information is received, processes, and integrated with existing knowledge. When different brain regions are in sync, information processing becomes more efficient and effective.
3. Neural synchronisation
We know that the brain is a complex network of interconnected neurons and effective learning requires efficient coordination among these neural networks as well as effective communication between different brain regions.
Research has found that when gamma brainwaves are present, many neurons are firing together in harmony, creating a synchronisation of neural activity.
4. Multisensory Intergration
Multisensory integration is the brain’s ability to combine information from different sensory modalities, such as vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, into a single coherent perceptual experience. This integration is fundamental to how we make sense of the world and, once again, is important to effective learning.
When different sensory inputs are received simultaneously during learning, gamma brainwaves help increase connectivity between brain regions responsible for processing these sensory inputs, which subsequently allows the brain to efficiently integrate information from different sensory modalities, resulting in better learning process.
5. Binding information
Gamma brainwaves are also believed to play a role in binding different pieces of information from various brain regions. Binding refers to the process of integrating information for various sensory and cognitive domains to create a unified representation of the learning material.
The process of binding and integrating information during study period through the help of gamma brainwaves provides us coherent memories and better understanding of complex concepts.
6. Brain plasticity and learning adaptability
Brain plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity or synaptic plasticity, refers to the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections in response to our new learning and experiences. This adaptability of the brain is a fundamental mechanism that underlies the capacity for learning, memory formation, and skill acquisition.
At the core of brain plasticity are the connections between neurons known as synapses. Learning involves changes in the strength of synaptic connections.
Here’s where magic happens: gamma brainwave synchronisation, with its ability to enhance neural communication, may foster more efficient and coordinated activation of interconnected neurons, leading to increased synaptic strength and plasticity.
7. Focus and flow states
Gamma brainwaves have been strongly associated with states of heightened attention and focus as it may help in filtering out distractions and irrelevant information.
When the brain is in a state of focused attention, it’s less likely to be disrupted by external stimuli or internal thoughts that could divert attention away from the task at hand. Some people also report that they’ve entered flow states.
Flow states, often described as being “in the zone”, are periods of intense focus and optimal performance. These states are believed to strongly associate with increased gamma activity in the brain.
When are You Likely to See Gamma Brainwaves?
Gamma brainwaves are usually present when a person is actively engaged in an intense activity, such as performing mental calculations or working on a complex task. They sometimes can be observed during creative activities, such as painting or sporting, if the person is in a highly focused state.
Gamma activity is likely to be increased when a person is engaged in a task that requires sustained attention, such as reading, writing, planning, or problem-solving. This is to help the brain maintain focus for extended periods and to process complex information.
Likewise, gamma activity is likely to be increased when a person is learning or connecting new information, suggesting that these brainwaves also play a key role in the encoding and consolidation of memories.
With that, it should be noted that gamma brainwaves are primarily linked to active concentration and higher cognitive processing, so they’re present during more focused and active meditation practices, but not during deep states meditation or relaxation. During deep meditation, it’s more common to experience theta brainwaves and possibly some delta brainwaves.
So…
Now you know how gamma brainwaves are linked to the brain’s cognitive functions and how they’re likely to help you create the next masterpiece. Gamma is one of the most important brainwaves for intellectual pursuits and achieving mindfulness, which is why we use it for the name of our project, DeepGamma.
Gamma brainwaves are a key precursor to access higher states of learning. In fact, while you’re reading through this article, you might be already experiencing gamma brainwave activity!
And if you’d like to learn more about how to increase gamma brainwaves through binaural beats and brain entrainment, this article might be of your interest.
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