Expert: Walter Hintz - 4/18/2008

Question
I have been looking up brainwaves, theta, alpha etc as a matter of curiosity. However I was wondering if the process of thought, consciousness, putting it crudely "the private conversations we have in our heads" creates brain waves. I was also wondering about where in the brain these processess take place.
Thanks.

Answer
Hi Matt;
Keep in mind that brain waves are a measurement of neuronal activity involving the flow of positive and negative ions across the nerve cell membranes.  They are not the results of the flow of electrons, (electric current) Nerve impulses alter the resistance on the surface of the skin which is measured and amplified and translated to a graph in hertz (cycles per second)showing wave activity.  The waves show wave Length and cycles per second which change with activity going on in the brain. They cannot show what type of activity (thoughts) is going on.  In other they indicate quantity of activity not quality. The activity creating brain waves occurs mainly in the cerebral cortex.
 Also keep in mind that despite stories to the contrary brain waves do not flow from the head like electromagnetic waves that can be detected by a "mind reader"