Alpha waves (8–13 Hz)
Alpha waves, 8 to 13 cycles per second, were the first rhythm ever recorded: Hans Berger saw them in 1929. Close your eyes and relax and they grow over the back of the head; open them and they shrink.
Presets
When alpha waves appear
- Eyes closed while awake and relaxed
- Calm, unfocused attention
- Early stages of meditation
Alpha binaural beats: what to expect
Alpha beats are among the better-studied. Some trials report reduced anxiety before surgery with binaural-beat audio (e.g. Padmanabhan et al., Anaesthesia 2005), though effects are modest and designs vary.
The player is set to a 10 Hz binaural beat. Headphones on for binaural mode; keep it quiet, and give it at least ten minutes.
Five rhythms, drawn to speed
8–13 Hz · Relaxed wakefulness, eyes closed
Slower waves are larger because big populations of neurons fire in step; faster rhythms are smaller and more local. On a real EEG the trace is a mixture of all bands at once, and a "state" just means one band dominates.
Alpha waves in depthAlpha waves: common questions
What are alpha waves good for?
They mark relaxed, wakeful rest. People use alpha beats for calm, unhurried focus and to unwind.
How do I increase alpha waves?
Closing your eyes and relaxing reliably increases alpha. Slow breathing and meditation help too.
What frequency is alpha?
8 to 13 Hz; 10 Hz is the most common choice for an alpha binaural beat.