Do You Know Your Alpha Peak Frequency? (Tip #1 – If you’re concerned about brain performance, you should…)

Just like you would want (or may not want) to know your weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and more; alpha peak frequency (APF) is a direct marker of your brain’s ability to process information. Or, better said a direct marker of brain performance. And, it’s easy to measure!

What is APF? 

As part of the posterior dominant rhythm (PDR) of your brain. Which is your brain’s dominant electrical output. Moreover, APF is a direct measure of your brain’s ability (or inability) to process information.

How does it tell us about brain performance?

Alpha brainwave activity, one of 5 primary brainwaves (electrical pulses created in the outer covering or cortex of our brain), is measured at a speed of 8-12 Hz (cycles per second). Moreover, This means that for every second of EEG (electroencephalograph) recording, there would be 8-12 peaks or pulses visualized.

In a nutshell, the slower (more like 8 Hz) your alpha brainwaves are, the more they resemble sleep-like brainwaves of the theta range. Furthermore, the faster (more like 12 Hz) your alpha brainwaves. The more they resemble your faster-processing brainwaves in the beta ranges. Ex: better able to solve problems. Interact with others, perform work duties, etc.

Tip #2 – The latter (more like 12 Hz) is where you want to be for optimal brain performance!

What does it mean?

As with many functions in the human body and brain, there is a natural ramping-up and eventual decline in function or activity from birth through our advanced years.

Alpha brainwaves and APF start up very slow at approximately 4 Hz (well below typical alpha activity) at several months of age. By ages 3-5, APF is firmly establishing at approximately 8-10 Hz!

Depending on our level of cognitive engagement throughout our life. Coupled with the countless environmental and lifestyle factors, injuries & disease, etc. That impacts each and every one of us; APF should remain strong (above 10 Hz) for many decades.  APF begins a natural decline in our years approaching and into retirement.

Tip #3 – This “natural decline” is not written in stone and does NOT have to happen!

How APF measured?

Very simply – and with no needles or uncomfortable, prolonged, and super-expensive testing procedures!

Typically, three or more electrodes are placed on your scalp to record the electrical output (EEG) of the cerebral cortex, our uniquely human brain. In the case of APF, therefore we pay very special attention to the back of the brain that sees and feels the world, as this is where alpha brainwave activity is generating.

Computer hardware in the form of amplifiers collect the electrical information from your brain and feed it through software filters and programs to determine what your predominant alpha speed (or frequency) is. Alternatively, on less advanced systems, Further, this can simply be measured on the EEG itself by counting how many peaks occur within one second of EEG data in several areas of the study.

Tip #4 – Get your alpha peak frequency measured by a competent practitioner of EEG and neurofeedback (NFB) that is well-versed in this valuable brain performance marker.

What can improve APF and brain performance?

What is the point in measuring something if you don’t have a fair shake at improving it?

Let’s first address some common factors that will negatively impact APF, as many of them are preventable or changeable.

1. Moderate to excessive alcohol use
2. Excess caffeine and nicotine
3. Poor sleep hygiene
4. Excessive technology usage
5. Opioid, benzodiazepines, marijuana, and other drugs
6. Head injuries
7. Poor nutrition
8. Uncontrolled stress
9. Sedentary behavior
10. Environmental toxins
11. Untreated depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, addiction

There are numerous advanced therapeutic applications that can assist in increasing APF, most notably in the realm of neurofeedback (first 5 listed):

1. Peak frequency training
2. Power training
3. SMR training
4. Alpha synchrony training
5. z-Score training
6. Pulsed electromagnetic frequency (pEMF)
7. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
8. Meditation
9. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
10. Metabolic and nutritional therapies
11. Sensorimotor integration therapies
12. Cognitive therapies
13. Stress reduction and biofeedback techniques

Tip #5 (it’s a biggie) – Don’t wait (as most do) to address this key indicator of brain performance. This is well within your grasp (in most cases) to positively impact. Furthermore, We see clinically every day how many can, and do, improve their APF; and their quality of life. Call us now at 828.708.5274 or email info@apexbraincenters.com to learn more.