Ultradian rhythms

by **davidj** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 4:42 pm

Found an interesting snippet whilst looking at binaural beats

Resetting Your Brains Sodium/Potassium Ratio In Theta

Your brain cells reset their sodium & potassium ratios when the brain is in
Theta state. The sodium & potassium levels are involved in osmosis which
is the chemical process that transports chemicals into and out of your brain
cells. After an extended period in the Beta state the ratio between
potassium and sodium is out of balance. This the main cause of what is
known as "mental fatigue". A brief period in Theta (about 5 - 15min) can
restore the ratio to normal resulting in mental refreshment.

Does anyone know more about this ? and is it what I understand as the
ultradian cycle ? ( I have 0 knowledge of biology/chemistry,etc

)

Thanks

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 5:03 pm

Interesting find David, thanks for posting that, and welcome to the forums!

It certainly would be interesting to hear what funtion sodium and potassium play in brain and body processes. Any neurologists/physiologists/nutritionists out there?

**Posts:** 35 · by **Louise McDermott** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 9:58 am

Hi,

I was just re-reading one of our articles on Ultradian Rhythms after reading these interesting posts!

A part of it said: 'One ultradian rhythm has been shown to moderate the ‘hemispheric dominance’ within the brain.'

So does that mean there's more than one, and if so, how are they different?

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Louise

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 12:20 pm

Hi Lou

This article you mean? Ultradian Rhythms

Indeed there are more than one. 'Circadian' (from the sleep/wake cycle) means 'about or around a day'.

Ultradian, although I'm not sure of the exact translation from the latin, means more than once a day.

So any bodily cycle whose period is less than one day can be said to be ultradian I guess, such as rhythms for hunger, defacation, body temperature, and intracellular rhythms. There must be thousands of 'em.

Roger

Ultradian rhythms

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