Your Brain Has a Hidden Beat -- and Smarter Minds Sync To It (sciencedaily.com)
(Monday June 16, 2025 @11:30PM (BeauHD)
from the can-you-hear-the-smartness dept.)
- Reference: 0178070665
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/06/17/0048247/your-brain-has-a-hidden-beat----and-smarter-minds-sync-to-it
- Source link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250616040220.htm
[1]alternative_right shares a report from ScienceDaily:
> When the brain is under pressure, certain neural signals begin to move in sync -- much like a well-rehearsed orchestra. A new study from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is the first to show how flexibly this neural synchrony adjusts to different situations and that [2]this dynamic coordination is closely linked to cognitive abilities . "Specific signals in the midfrontal brain region are better synchronized in people with higher cognitive ability -- especially during demanding phases of reasoning," explained Professor Anna-Lena Schubert from JGU's Institute of Psychology, lead author of the study recently published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
>
> The researchers focused on the midfrontal area of the brain and the measurable coordination of the so-called theta waves. These brainwaves oscillate between four and eight hertz and belong to the group of slower neural frequencies. "They tend to appear when the brain is particularly challenged such as during focused thinking or when we need to consciously control our behavior," said Schubert, who heads the Analysis and Modeling of Complex Data Lab at JGU. The 148 participants in the study, aged between 18 and 60, first completed tests assessing memory and intelligence before their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). [...]
>
> As a result, individuals with higher cognitive abilities showed especially strong synchronization of theta waves during crucial moments, particularly when making decisions. Their brains were better at sustaining purposeful thought when it mattered most. "People with stronger midfrontal theta connectivity are often better at maintaining focus and tuning out distractions, be it that your phone buzzes while you're working or that you intend to read a book in a busy train station," explained Schubert.
The findings have been [3]published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology .
[1] https://slashdot.org/~alternative_right
[2] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250616040220.htm
[3] https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fxge0001780
> When the brain is under pressure, certain neural signals begin to move in sync -- much like a well-rehearsed orchestra. A new study from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is the first to show how flexibly this neural synchrony adjusts to different situations and that [2]this dynamic coordination is closely linked to cognitive abilities . "Specific signals in the midfrontal brain region are better synchronized in people with higher cognitive ability -- especially during demanding phases of reasoning," explained Professor Anna-Lena Schubert from JGU's Institute of Psychology, lead author of the study recently published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
>
> The researchers focused on the midfrontal area of the brain and the measurable coordination of the so-called theta waves. These brainwaves oscillate between four and eight hertz and belong to the group of slower neural frequencies. "They tend to appear when the brain is particularly challenged such as during focused thinking or when we need to consciously control our behavior," said Schubert, who heads the Analysis and Modeling of Complex Data Lab at JGU. The 148 participants in the study, aged between 18 and 60, first completed tests assessing memory and intelligence before their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). [...]
>
> As a result, individuals with higher cognitive abilities showed especially strong synchronization of theta waves during crucial moments, particularly when making decisions. Their brains were better at sustaining purposeful thought when it mattered most. "People with stronger midfrontal theta connectivity are often better at maintaining focus and tuning out distractions, be it that your phone buzzes while you're working or that you intend to read a book in a busy train station," explained Schubert.
The findings have been [3]published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology .
[1] https://slashdot.org/~alternative_right
[2] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250616040220.htm
[3] https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fxge0001780
For $200, mental states (Score:2)
by Big Hairy Gorilla ( 9839972 )
What is concentration ?
Re: (Score:2)
by Mr. Dollar Ton ( 5495648 )
You don't know the old misosoupist joke?
Q: Why did the barbie stare at the carton of orange juice for full two hours?
A: It said "concentrate".
ADHD Wife (Score:2)
by skogs ( 628589 )
I would love to hook my high functioning ADHD wife up to one of these things and have them be completely baffled that anything resembling reason occurs with zero orchestral organization amongst the theta waves.
I'd love to see multi-decade studies (Score:1)
by davidwr ( 791652 )
I'd love to see multi-decade studies following the thousands of subjects over their adult lifetimes.
humans are so smart. (Score:2)
by laxr5rs ( 2658895 )
productivity! success! attention! these are the signs of success until you die. so what's real important in life? friends family. success is highly overrated.
Some people ... (Score:2)
by PPH ( 736903 )
... are just marching to [1]a different beat. [youtube.com]
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqPC-BkylxA
I can't wait... (Score:2)
I'm looking forward to reading all the Slashdot posts where people explain how this obviously is what happens to them.
Re: (Score:2)
I was going to say that, but I got distracted.
Re: (Score:1)
Now that you mention it...
Re: (Score:2)
Impossible. Not a iota of theta waves if you waste time online.