Gamma waves (30–100 Hz)
Gamma waves are the fastest band, above about 30 cycles per second, with 40 Hz the most studied. They appear during intense focus and are thought to help bind sights, sounds and memories into one experience.
Presets
When gamma waves appear
- Moments of intense focus or insight
- Sensory processing
- Some long-term meditators (Lutz et al., PNAS 2004)
Gamma binaural beats: what to expect
Interest exploded after MIT research on 40 Hz light and sound in mice. Those studies used 40 Hz clicks, not binaural beats. Binaural beats above ~30 Hz are only faintly perceived, so for gamma, isochronic pulses match the research better.
The player is set to a 40 Hz isochronic pulse. Headphones on for binaural mode; keep it quiet, and give it at least ten minutes.
Five rhythms, drawn to speed
30–100 Hz · Binding information together
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.
Gamma waves in depthGamma waves: common questions
What do gamma waves do?
They are linked to integrating information across brain areas during focus, perception and memory.
Can you increase gamma waves?
40 Hz sensory stimulation raises gamma activity in studies, and some meditation practices are associated with more gamma.
What is the best gamma frequency?
40 Hz is by far the most researched value.