What exactly are “brainwaves” and do they work the same way as, say, radio waves?

Question

What exactly are “brainwaves” and do they work the same way as, say, radio waves?

In: Biology

Answer 1

In the brain there are an extremely large amount of neurons. Within the neurons and outside of the neurons there are substances that are positively or negatively charged, creating an electric potential that drives neuronal activity. The combined electrical activity of thousands of neurons creates a ripple effect that spreads towards the skull. If you put electrodes on top of the skull, which is called an electroencephalogram, they will be pushed and pulled by the combined electrical activity of neurons. This pushing and pulling of the electrodes is what we have called “brain waves”.