But first,
let’s cover the basics
Frontal lobe
Cerebellum
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
Parietal lobe
Brain stem
Powered by electricity
One way to understand how the brain functions is by measuring its electrical activity. This is done using EEG—short for electroencephalography.
Different ways to measure EEG brain activity. From the more traditional EEG caps to the more consumer friendly EEG wearables.
By placing sensors on the head, we can capture neural activity in real time, down to the millisecond.
Analyzing this data reveals patterns known as brainwaves.
From alpha to gamma:
What are brainwaves?
Brainwaves are patterns of electrical activity in the brain, each occurring at different frequencies: delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma.
Frequency refers to how fast a brainwave oscillates. For example, alpha waves cycle 8 to 12 times per second, or 8–12 Hz.
Research on brain activity shows that each brainwave is associated with specific cognitive functions, as outlined below.
Brain maps
A brainwave strength in a certain region of the brain can tell us about the current mental state, or if seen over time, indicate health issues.
To visualize this, clinicians and researchers use brain maps. These maps can compare a person’s data to a population norm or their own baseline.
Here’s how to read them:
To illustrate this further, here are brain map examples of 4 different mental states. Browse and notice the difference!
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Measuring brainwaves is great to understand the brain.
Neurofeedback is the way to train it.
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What we learned from
EEG recordings
&
brain scans
The female brain shows more activity at faster frequencies
The difference in how our brains are wired
Male and female brainwaves do oscillate differently, but what does that mean and why does it happen?
Here are some reasons why these distinctions occur:
Brain structure, connectivity, and blood flow: Females tend to have⁵ ⁶ ⁷ stronger connections between brain regions, which leads to more coordinated brain activity. This is paired with increased blood flow⁸ throughout the brain, particularly in areas like the frontal lobe (linked to decision-making), parietal lobe (for sensory and spatial processing), and occipital lobe (responsible for vision). These factors together suggest that females have higher energy consumption and brain activity, even when resting.
Hormonal Influence: Changes in sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, affect⁹ brain connectivity and function. These hormones play a role in brain plasticity, meaning they help the brain adapt and reorganize. They particularly impact areas¹⁰ related to emotion and memory, like the hippocampus and amygdala, by influencing the density of connections between brain cells. This means that hormonal fluctuations can directly affect how the brain processes emotions and stores memories.
The brain health indicator, Alpha Peak, differs by sex
What exactly is Alpha Peak?
Try to imagine your brain as a radio, with different channels playing at different frequencies. "Alpha" is a group of channels that play at frequencies between 8 to 12 Hz. The channel that's loudest in that range is what we call Alpha Peak.
A higher Alpha Peak is associated with better cognitive health, processing speed, memory, emotional balance, and the brain's ability to adapt to different mental tasks and challenges.
Brain Frequencies Graph
How does Alpha Peak change with age?
Data recorded from AF7, AF8, TP9, TP10 channels. Total N = 9,644 (Females: N = 4,163; Males: N = 5,481)
Females tend to exhibit higher Alpha Peak values, which appear to reach their maximum later in life, around the age of 38. While this could suggest a potential link to reaching the peak of cognitive function at that age, further research is needed to fully understand its significance.
On the other hand, males peak around the age of 30. So, what explains this difference?
Understanding Alpha Peak differences between sexes
Recent studies¹¹ reveal intriguing connections between the brain's Default Mode Network (DMN) and alpha brainwaves, shedding light on potential sex-related variations.
The brain's Default Mode Network (DMN) plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, introspection, and understanding one’s thoughts and emotions.
It has been suggested¹² that the DMN interacts with alpha brainwaves, which are key to mental states like relaxation and focus.
Hormonal changes can influence¹³ ¹⁴ the development and function of the DMN, potentially creating sex differences in Alpha Peak Frequency (APF).
These differences aren’t just structural or functional: they can also be linked to hormonal effects on brain development. For example, androgens (like testosterone) influence brain development differently than estrogen.
Prenatal exposure to androgens can impact¹⁵ ¹⁶ the DMN’s formation, which in turn affects alpha peak frequency.
Generally, exposure to androgens is associated with lower alpha peak frequencies or altered alpha activity patterns compared to females.
Our brains help us cope with aging
Despite the differences, female and male brains have one great thing in common: as we age, our brains adapt in ways that help maintain cognitive abilities. Here we see how brainwaves fluctuate over time to support our brain's cognitive functions.
Delta
Theta
Alpha
Beta
Data recorded from AF7, AF8, TP9, TP10 channels. Total N = 9,644 (Females: N = 4,163; Males: N = 5,481)
Low frequency brainwaves (delta and theta) tend to decrease in strength, and their reduction is often linked¹⁷ ¹⁸ to memory problems, especially in conditions like Alzheimer's.
On the other hand, relatively higher-frequency waves, like alpha and beta, seem to increase with age.
This increase could be¹⁹ the brain's way of compensating for the loss of lower-frequency waves.
For example, stronger alpha waves might help²⁰ maintain the brain's memory and thinking skills sharp despite the natural aging process.
The aging brain compensates for structural changes
Even though the brain undergoes physical changes with age, such as shrinkage in certain areas, reduced connectivity between brain cells, and thinning of the outer layer, cognitive abilities don't always decline²¹ ²² significantly because the brain can adapt.
These adaptations can involve the brain using different regions more effectively or creating new connections to compensate for any decline.
For example, older adults often recruit additional brain regions or show increased activations, which helps²³ them perform tasks like memory recall or problem-solving, aiding in the maintenance of cognitive performance despite age-related changes.
Rethinking how we approach brain health
Understanding how our brains stay functional as we age reveals new ways to support cognitive resilience and mental performance. Meanwhile, recognizing the differences between male and female brains opens the door to more tailored approaches to stress management, emotional regulation, and mental health.
By combining these insights, we can create refined solutions that benefit everyone in ways we're just beginning to explore.
Call for researchers
We invite researchers to collaborate with us in uncovering new insights and deepening our understanding of the brain.
Interested in contributing? Send your proposal to research@myndlift.com.
References
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