Table 2 Consistent quantitative alteration in physiologic EEG frequencies induced by psychoactive medications
Class of drugs | Eeg frequencies | Treatment indications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delta (0.5–1.5 Hz) | Theta (5.5–8.5 Hz) | Alpha (8.5–11 Hz) | Sigma (12–16 Hz) | Beta/Gamma (21–32 Hz) |  | |
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) | Â | Â | Decrease | Increase | Increase | Anxiety Sedation |
Barbiturates | Â | Â | Â | Increase | Increase | Anxiety Sedation Epilepsy |
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) | decrease | Decrease | Â | Â | Increase | Depression |
SSRI Antidepressants | decrease | Â | Increase | Â | Â | Depression Anxiety OCD |
Amphetamines | decrease | Decrease | Â | Â | increase | Somnolence Narcolepsy AD/HD |
Opiates | increase | Â | decrease | Â | Â | Pain |
Anticonvulsants Phenytoin, valproate, carbamazepine | Â | increase | Â | Â | Â | Epilepsy |
Gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB) | increase | Â | Â | Â | Â | Cataplexy Narcolepsy |
Classic Neuroleptics | Â | increase | decrease | decrease | Â | Schizophrenia Psychosis |