Brain Waves

As you read this text, millions of brain cells (neurons) are generating measurable electrical activity (brainwaves) across your brain as they communicate and organize input and process information.

These electrical signals create thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

There are five widely recognized brain waves as shown in the table below.

Delta Waves

Delta waves are the slowest recorded brain waves in human beings. They are emitted during the deep stages (3 & 4) of sleep. The period during which delta waves occur is often known as deep sleep (or ‘slow wave sleep’).

Delta waves are associated with the deepest levels of relaxation and restorative, healing sleep. It is during deep sleep that memories are consolidated, and the brain and body are regenerated. Delta waves are also central to unconscious bodily functions such as digestion.

In short delta waves help us:

• destress

• restore our immune system

• heal our body.

But if delta waves are generated during deep sleep, how can they be generated outside of deep sleep?

There are at least three ways to generate delta waves outside of deep sleep:

1. through deep meditation

2. using music that has been specifically created to induce delta waves (e.g. "Drifting into Delta" by Dr. Lee R. Bartel)

3. using soothing touch

   Let’s explore the power of touch.

The power of touch

The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine carried out more than 100 studies into touch and found evidence of significant effects, including faster growth in premature babies, reduced pain, decreased autoimmune disease symptoms, lowered glucose levels in children with diabetes, and improved immune systems in people with cancer.

Touch is so powerful, in fact, that just imagining touch can reduce stress and pain, according to psychologists Brittany Jakubiak and Brooke Feeney.

Gentle stoking from touch produces delta waves

Through their research into treatments for trauma, Dr Ronald Ruden and his brother Dr Steven Ruden discovered that gentle stoking of the face, arms and hands produces delta waves. They developed this discovery into a form of psychosensory therapy, they call Havening Techniques®. Havening uses the following three touch techniques to generate delta waves:

1.      Rubbing the palms of your hands together slowly in a circular motion – just like you would when washing your hands.

2.      Giving yourself a hug – by placing the palms of your hands on your opposite shoulders and then stroke your hands down your arms to your elbows and repeat. 

3.      ‘Washing’ your face – by placing your fingertips up high on your forehead (within your hairline) to then let your fingers fall down your face to your chin

The delta waves generated by havening touch soothe the autonomic nervous system (that controls the stress response) and release soothing neurochemicals in the brain (GABA, serotonin, oxytocin, etc.). The soothing actions also shift our nervous system into rest and digest mode and a state of calm – the opposite of the fight or flight mode.

Hugging

Other researchers have also explored the health benefits of touch, particularly hugging. It’s been found that when a hug lasts 20 seconds, there is a therapeutic effect on the body and mind. A twenty second hug produces a hormone called "oxytocin". This hormone has many benefits in our physical and mental health, helps us, among other things, to relax, to feel safe and calm our fears and anxiety.

Incorporating Touch and delta waves into the HYPNO4IBS program

In my HYPNO4IBS program I use self-soothing and music to stimulate delta waves during the waking state to help:

• generate a deeply relaxing state (delta waves are very calming)

• reduce stress hormones such as cortisol.

• enhance the immune system

• support healing of the digestive tract

• enhance sleep

• boost energy and mood

Soothing touch - A simple technique yet so beneficial

What I love about incorporating self-soothing touch as part of IBS treatment is that it is so easy to do, takes so little time to do, it feels good and has powerful benefits for both our physical and emotional wellbeing.