Focusing Frequency Into the Mind

Our neurons fire at different rates, depending on our activity. Electroencephalography (EEG) measures these frequencies. These are associated with different cognitive states, including arousal and focused attention. Gamma waves have the highest frequency and are linked to intense concentration. Beta waves, which run at between 12 Hz and 30 Hz, are associated with feelings of arousal and passive attention.


Exercise breaks improve brain function
Students with learning disabilities, those with anxiety, or those who feel bored may benefit from exercise breaks during the classroom. These breaks help students stay focused and improve their mood, and they may even boost their memory. Studies also show that exercise breaks boost students' learning capacity. The next step for researchers is to examine how to integrate exercise breaks into the school day. While there are many benefits to physical activity, one of the most significant is improving brain function.

Meditation
The study examined the effects of meditation on the three networks in the brain. These are the default mode network, the sensory-motor network, and the fronto-parietal network. Meditation improves the functioning of these three networks by improving cognitive control over DMN regions. The findings also point to a possible link between meditation and improved self-referral processing. Using an intra-individual aggregation design may provide more information about the relationship between meditation and brain network architecture.

Binaural beats
The effects of binaural beats are largely psychological. The sound produced by binaural beats is an illusion that stimulates the brain to produce the corresponding activity. They improve working memory and increase creativity. Additionally, they reduce anxiety and improve cognitive focus. However, there are some concerns about binaural beats. These include potential risks of boosting dopamine levels.

Yoga
Long-term studies of meditation have shown that Yoga can enhance cognitive functions. The brain's prefrontal cortex is involved in complex behavior and decision-making. By focusing frequency into the mind during yoga, this region becomes more effective. Long-term practice of Yoga has been associated with changes in brain structure, including increased cortical thickness. Researchers are currently working on identifying the specific effects of Yoga on the brain and body.

Tai chi
A new study has found that Tai Chi may improve the overall cognitive function of older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The effects of Tai chi training on IADL tasks and general cognition were significant. This may point to a more effective treatment for older adults with MCI. In addition, the exercise has a beneficial effect on the heart rate, which is an indication of general health.