Stimulating Brain Waves May Boost Creativity And Ease Depression
DESCRIPTION
“In a new study, scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were able to measurably increase creativity by altering electrical activity in the brain — a finding that may have significant implications for the treatment of depression.“ Brain waves as measured by an EEG are indicative of different states of consciousness. The researchers stimulated the scalp of human test subjects with mild electrical impulses in a frequency range that mirrored the alpha brain wave state. The results were a significant increase in creativity on designated tests (dependent variable). The post discusses the alpha brain wave state and correlates to creativity and meditation. The authors hope to be able to tailor the electrical stimulation to help those experiencing a variety of psychology disorders.
SOURCE
The Huffington Post, April 17, 2015, Post by Carolyn Gregoire
LINK TO RESOURCE
(shortened URL) http://tinyurl.com/nspwxoa
Original Source:
Caroline Lustenbergera, Michael R. Boylea, b, A. Alban Foulserc, Juliann M. Mellina, Flavio Fröhlicha, (2015) Functional role of frontal alpha oscillations in creativity, Cortex, available online April 2015
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010945215001033
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•What are states of consciousness?
•What are the EEG correlates of these states?
•Based upon existing data, what are the characteristics of the alpha state?
•In terms of problem solving, what has been known about periods of “incubation?” Are there correlates to brain waves during this time?
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