The Impact of Delta Waves on Deep Sleep

A delta wave is a type of high amplitude brain wave found in humans. Delta waves have a frequency from one to four hertz and are measured using an electroencephalogram (EEG). These brain waves are thought to emerge from the thalamus and are generally associated with slow-wave sleep (during the third stage of sleep.) This period of time during which delta waves occur is often known as deep sleep.

How Delta Waves Are Measured

Delta waves were first identified and described in the early 1900s after the invention of the electroencephalogram allowed researchers to look at brain activity during sleep.

During sleep, the brain cycles through a number of different stages differentiated from each other by the brain activity that occurs during each stage.

在睡眠的初始阶段，人们仍然醒着，有点警觉。此时，生产快速和小的β波。最终，大脑开始慢下来，并且可以用脑电图观察被称为α波的较慢的波。

Once asleep, the three stages of sleep can begin.

• Stage 1 (N1) is light sleep, typically beginning soon after getting into bed and lasting roughly 7-10 minutes. At this point, the brain creates a slow, high amplitude activity known as theta waves.
• Stage 2 (N2) sleep encompasses about 50% of a night's sleep and is marked not only by sleep spindles but also K-complexes. This stage lasts slightly longer than the previous stage.
• Stage 3 (N3) is deep sleep and should encompass about 20-25% of a night's sleep. During this stage, the brain begins to produce the slow and deep waves of delta sleep. People are far less responsive and less aware of the external environment at this point. Delta wave sleep is often thought of as a transitional point between light and deep sleep. Previously, researchers distinguished between stage 3 and stage 4 of sleep, but they are now recognized as combined stages.

It is in the next stage thatREM sleepbegins. This stage is characterized by rapid eye movements and increases indreaming。

Interesting Facts About Delta Waves

• Interestingly, research has found that女性展示比男性更多的三角波活动。虽然研究人员尚未以特定原因达成协议，但大多数其他哺乳动物种类中的女性展示了类似的趋势。
• Ketogenic diets, which are very high in fat and low in carbohydrates, can cause delta wave increases.
• Brain disorders也可以对Delta波的显示产生影响。帕金森病，精神分裂症和Narchepsy都是通过Delta波浪活性的变化来表征。
• Some drugs and chemicalshave been shown to impact the brain's delta waves. Alcohol can also have an effect on delta waves andlong-term abusecan lead to lasting changes in delta activity.