Brainwaves, EEG & All Known Brain Monitoring Methods

/ Post Status: Completed

Last Addition May 2020.

Post created May 2020.

By E. Silvers. /

As of May 2020, it is accepted that all human beings’ brains show 5 brainwaves (5 different types of electrical patterns). These electrical patterns translate thought and feeling. These patterns are studied through EEG monitoring, which is an electro-physiological study method of placing electrodes along the scalp in order to read brainwaves (electrical patterns within the brain). A frequency is the number of times a wave repeats itself within a second.

As people under EEG monitoring speak and continue about their day, over time and through mass statistical reasoning, we are able to link these electrical patterns to words, numbers, and movements all done by the individuals; eventually creating a gathering of patterns equaling human language, emotion, and thought.

The 5 most spoken of brainwaves are listed below, from slowest to fastest:

Delta Waves (“slowest” brainwave): Frequency Range 0 Hz – 4 Hz

Theta Waves: Frequency Range 4 Hz – 8 Hz

Alpha Waves: Frequency Range 8 Hz – 12 Hz

Beta Waves: Frequency Range 12 Hz – 40 Hz

Gamma Waves (“fastest” brainwave): Frequency Range 40 Hz – 100 Hz

The most widely unspoken of brainwaves are listed below:

Low Beta Waves: Frequency Range 12 Hz – 15 Hz

Mid-range Beta Waves: Frequency Range 16 Hz – 20 Hz

High Beta Waves: Frequency Range 21 Hz – 30 Hz

Quick History – Brainwave Manipulation is not New

In 1890, Adolf Beck formally discovered brainwaves. The earliest experiment using EEG was in 1929 by Hans Berger, a neuropsychiatrist, where his 16-year old son had his EEG documented for the first time. In 1936, W. Gray Walter first used this technology to locate the areas of a brain tumor in the brain using small electrodes. In 1977, the first published EEG experiment happened, where an individual successfully moved a cursor on a screen using their brainwaves. In 1988, the first successful experiment of controlling a physical object (a robot) using EEG was accomplished by Stevo Bozinovski, Mihail Sestakov and Liljana Bozinovska. In 2017, Rodrigo Hübner Mendes became the first person to drive an F1 car using only his brainwaves. Over the years, different electrical maps of the brain have been created.

Companies Leading the Brainwave Movement

(as of May 2020)

Emotiv Inc.

Founders Geoffrey Mackellar and Tan Le, 2011. In 2008, Tan Le, gave a volunteer one of her company’s EEG “headsets.” It recorded the volunteer’s brainwaves as he imagined “rotating” a floating cube on a computer screen. Once the headset “learned” the volunteer’s brainwave pattern for “rotating,” the floating cube on the computer screen rotated accordingly. Emotiv’s interface makes it possible to control virtual objects such as the cube on the computer screen, and also physical electronics. Emotiv says the device is for research in the subjects of neuropathy, entertainment, and marketing.

The company’s goal: Emotiv is a bioinformatics company engaged in developing products and research related to understanding of the human brain using electroencephalography. Its product portfolio includes developments related to interactive television, everyday computer interactions, hands-free control system, smart adaptive environments, art, accessibility design, market research, psychology, learning, medicine, robotics, automotive, transport safety, defense, and security. It is the developer of products such as Mind for research and Mind for insight. (Source https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/emotiv#section-overview, May 2020.)

How it works: the technology falls under the umbrella of BCIs (Brain Computer Interface) also referred to as MMI (Mind Machine Interface), DNI (Direct Neural Interface), BMI (Brain Machine Interface) and aims to track cognitive performance, monitor emotions, and control both virtual and physical objects via machine learning of trained mental commands. (Source https://www.emotiv.com/about-emotiv/, May 2020.)

Emotiv’s Brain Sensors: N/A. Unspecified on company’s website.

Neurosky Inc., also known as “The Shennian Science and Technology Company”

Founder Stanley Yang, 2004. EEG Headset named, “MindWave Mobile 2 EEG Headset.”

The company’s goal: the NeuroSky MindWave wants to be known as exercise equipment for children’s minds. Ten neuroscience apps are included through the application, featuring BrainCubed mental scoring, intelligence fitness, mental fitness and game applications. (Source https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/neurosky#section-overview, May 2020.)

How it works: the MindWave Mobile 2 safely measures and outputs the EEG power spectrums (alpha waves, beta waves, etc), NeuroSky eSense meters (attention and meditation) and eye blinks. Outputs 12 bit Raw-Brainwaves (3 – 100Hz) with Sampling rate at 512Hz. Outputs EEG power spectrums (Alpha, Beta, etc.). Outputs NeuroSky proprietary eSense meter such as Attention, Meditation, and other future metersEEG/ECG signal quality analysis (can be used to detect poor contact and whether the device is off the head). Use the MindWave Mobile 2 EEG headset and NeuroSky Research Tools for the most cost effective and user-friendly solution for conducting EEG-oriented research. (Source https://store.neurosky.com/pages/mindwave, May 2020.)

The MindWave’s Brain Sensors: the device consists of a headset, an ear-clip, and a sensor arm. The headset’s reference and ground electrodes are on the ear clip and the EEG electrode is on the sensor arm, resting on the forehead above the eye (FP1 position). It uses a single AAA battery with 8 hours of battery life. (Source https://store.neurosky.com/pages/mindwave, May 2020.)

Interaxon Inc.

Also known as “Muse,” founders Ariel Garten, Chris Aimone, Trevor Coleman, 2007. EEG Headsets named, “Muse S” and “Muse 2.”

The company’s goal: InteraXon Inc. wants to be known as the maker of brainwave-controlled computing technology and applications. InteraXon provides consumers the ability to perform activities through brainwaves such as; meditation, gaming, ADHD assistance, and they say many more to come. (Source https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/interaxon#section-overview, May 2020.)

How it works: Muse is an EEG device widely used by neuroscience researchers around the world. It uses advanced signal processing to interpret your mental activity to help guide you. When your mind is calm and settled, you hear peaceful weather. Busy mind? As your focus drifts, you’ll hear stormy weather that cues you to bring your attention back to your breath. (Source https://choosemuse.com/how-it-works/, May 2020.)

Muse’s Brain Sensors: Muse’s 7 finely calibrated EEG brain sensors – 2 on the forehead, 2 behind the ears plus 3 reference sensors – detect and measure the activity of your brain. Muse 2 has added PPG and pulse oximetry breath and heart sensors that are located on the front, righthand side of the forehead. Gyroscope and accelerometer body sensors are found behind the ears. (Source https://choosemuse.com/how-it-works/, May 2020.)

Other Companies (inactive and active)

Zeo, also known as “Axon Labs”

(Inactive since Dec 01 2012)

Founders Ben Rubin, Eric Shashoua, Jason Bonahue, 2003. EEG Headset named, “The Zeo Personal Sleep Manager.”

The company’s goal: to manufacture sleep monitors that detect and record sleep stages, optimal sleep times, and give recommendations based on each individual’s sleeping patterns. (Source, May 2020. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/zeo#section-overview)

How it works: the Zeo Personal Sleep Manager is designed to help you learn about your sleeping habits and improve your sleep through these results. The Sleep Manager is composed of a lightweight wireless EEG headband, a bedside display, a set of analytical online tools, and an email-based personalized coaching program. Zeo’s patent-pending SoftWave sensor technology measures unique sleep patterns through the electrical signals (brainwaves) naturally produced by the brain. (Source, May 2020. https://www.amazon.com/Zeo-Model-ZEOBP01-Personal-Sleep-Manager/dp/B002IY65V4). It keeps note of all the changes your brainwaves go through as you sleep including Light, Deep, and REM sleep cycles. It even tracks your “awake” time. This data was then shareable to your cell phone and could even be uploaded to a private online “sleep database” which Zeo also provided.

More information: the Zeo Personal Sleep Coach had numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies, including one published in the Journal of Sleep Research. This researched revealed that the Zeo Personal Sleep Coach was 7/8th as accurate as data received from sleep laboratories, which are each managed by their own sleep specialists and researchers.

Brain Privacy Concerns

According to Emotiv’s BCI Guide, extracted May 2020: While BCI (Brain-Computer Interface application used by EEG headsets) cannot currently be used to extract a user’s intentions, private thoughts or what they’re reading or viewing, but combining BCI data with specific stimuli will one day make that possible. BCI could be used to determine a user’s health status or familiarity with certain events, which presents a significant privacy risk. Likewise, privacy is an important issue in BCI ethics since the captured neural signals can be used to gain access to a user’s private information. Ethicists have raised concerns about how BCI data is stored and protected. For example, should BCI data be treated as medical data, or as commercial data? Should BCI data be anonymized? How do users know if their BCI data has been used for commercial purposes? While much of the discussion around brain-computer interface ethical issues is still being shaped, privacy and security issues remain premier concerns.

All (Currently Known) Brain Measurement Methods

Electrocorticography. This method measures electrical brain activity by using electrodes placed directly on the exposed brain, inside the cranium.

Event-related optical signal (EROS). This method measures brain activity with infrared light in order to study changes in the cerebral cortex.

Positron emission tomography (PET). This method measures brain activity using a radioactive drug tracer which can be injected, swallowed or inhaled (depending on the organ selected), and then taking imagery. On scans, the tracer appears as bright spots, and pools in higher concentration of chemical activity.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). This method measures brain activity using the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum (780 nm – 2500 nm).

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This method measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. When an area of the brain is being used, blood flow to that area is increased. This method depends on the partnership of blood flow and neuronal activation.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG). This method measures brain activity by recording magnetic fields produced naturally by the brain using sensitive magnetometers devices.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR or MRS). This method measures brain activity using a spectroscopic technique (measurement of radiation intensity as a wavelength) to study local magnetic fields around the atomic nuclei (the small dense region of protons and neutrons at the center of an atom – little is known about protons and neutrons due to their microscopic size).

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Similar to the positron emission tomography (PET) method in which a drug tracer is injected into the individual. This technique requires a different tracer: a gamma-emitting radioisotope (a “radionuclide,” an atom that has usable excess nuclear energy, making it unstable). This is usually injected through the bloodstream. This method measures brain activity using a nuclear medicine tomographic imaging technique using gamma rays, captured all by a gamma camera that can also provide 3D imaging.

Thought Experiments

What if more than 5 brainwaves exist?

What if the 5 brainwaves can be further deepened into higher and lower levels?

What if the mind is not restricted to the physical limits of our cranium/brain tissue, but expands around us?

Who will legally evaluate and determine brain privacy terms in time, before leading commercial companies themselves decide the laws?

What regions of the brain will be deemed commercial/public and what parts will be deemed private/personal, if either?