Your Brain Waves Change When You Watch TV -Low Alpha Waves Can Lead to "Mind Fog"
While Alpha waves achieved through meditation are beneficial (they promote relaxation and insight), too much time spent in the low Alpha wave state caused by TV can cause unfocussed daydreaming and inability to concentrate. Researchers have said that watching television is similar to staring at a blank wall for several hours..
I enjoy watching television on occasion, and this article is not meant to suggest that people should never watch TV. However, it is only fair that people understand what happens to the brain each time it is exposed to television.
In an experiment in 1969, Herbert Krugman monitored a person through many trials and found that in less than one minute of television viewing, the person's brainwaves switched from Beta waves-- brainwaves associated with active, logical thought-- to primarily Alpha waves. When the subject stopped watching television and began reading a magazine, the brainwaves reverted to Beta waves.
One thing this indicates is that most parts of the brain, parts responsible for logical thought, tune out during television viewing. The impact of television viewing on one person's brain state is obviously not enough to conclude that the same consequences apply to everyone; however, research involving many others, completed in the years following Krugman's experiment, has repeatedly shown that watching television produces brainwaves in the low Alpha range
Advertisers have known about this for a long time and they know how to take advantage of this passive, suggestible, brain state of the TV viewer. There is no need for an advertiser to use subliminal messages. The brain is already in a receptive state, ready to absorb suggestions, within just a few seconds of the television being turned on. All advertisers have to do is flash a brand across the screen, and then attempt to make the viewer associate the product with something positive.
Implications for those with ADD and ADHD:
Most people would benefit from cutting television time; in addition, research has shown that persons with ADD or ADHD tend to have too much Alpha, Theta, and Delta wave activity and, therefore, would benefit significantly from a reduction in TV. Television certainly contributes to a reduced ability to concentrate for anyone, but especially those who already have an overabundance of Alpha waves.
Better alternatives:
Reading (a book or magazine, for instance-- not televised text. It is the radiant light from a television set that is believed to induce the slower brainwaves ) and writing both require higher brain wave states. If you want to keep your brain focused and your attention strong, it is a good idea to cut your television time. Sitting quietly for a few minutes, painting, singing, reading, or going for a walk, are better for you in all ways.
Published by Chris M. Carmichael
Chris M. Carmichael writes on a wide range of topics and has a broad range of interests (and experience), including Screenwriting, Acting, Forensic Science, Pets, Martial Arts and Abnormal Psychology. Chris... View profile
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17 Comments
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Daniel11/13/2009
"Same question as Jason really; if the cause of this change in brain waves is due to the medium (screens and monitors) and not the content, then wouldn't that mean that our brain begins to emit alpha waves when in front of a computer monitor also? In addition, does it matter whether the screen is a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) or LCD type?"
If you compare reading a book from a printed page and reading from an LCD screen, which one would you say allows you to concentrate and understand more? Compare an LCD screen with an E-Ink screen (like the one in Amazon Kindle).
This is an ALERT! The reason why I looked this info. up was to verify info. from the book "I See Far" written by a friend of Medjugorje. All I am going to say is this, buy the book and read it, read it ALL. Your mouth will be wide open by the time you realized what t.v. is doing to us. Not so much the messages but the box, the medium. Let other know. God bless you.
well, I guess internet is different as it is interactive and challanges your brain, whereas TV is a passive way of media usage. While watching TV there is no way for you to interfere to what is "served" to you, so the brain switches to a passive mode. That's how I see it
TV's effect on the brain may be caused by the cuts and pans that are used. To the brain they look like danger and cause the brain to go into a state where it is watching for danger. This state can last for several days after watching tv or seeing a movie. One example of the problem is walking into a room and not remembering why you walked into the room.
Same question as Jason really; if the cause of this change in brain waves is due to the medium (screens and monitors) and not the content, then wouldn't that mean that our brain begins to emit alpha waves when in front of a computer monitor also? In addition, does it matter whether the screen is a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube or LCD type?
Can this happen with the internet as well?
i thought that this infromation was very enlightnening and i will defintely be using it soon in a speech i have to deliver about why you should lessen the amounts of tv you watch and i am sure they will be as surprised as i was when i read this information it is amazing how the barian works!!!!
"Researchers have said that watching television is similar to staring at a blank wall for several hours.. "
I would be very interested to see which researchers said this. I have read that watching a blank wall is completely different than Television as the brain is much more active as the imagination and memory recall centers are being switched on in the absence of visual stimuli
great info,
This is to Scott Kessman, as fro being in a "permanent fog", I think the people you're referring to might be those with ADHD. But, I think that those people are in Beta Brainwaves.