The method for the quantification of EEG waveforms along the alertness continuum involves collecting and transforming EEG signal data, identifying and rejecting or decontaminating epochs containing various artifacts, and classifying individual EEG patterns along an alertness-drowsiness continuum. The results of the multi-level classification system are applied in real-time to provide feedback to the user via an audio or visual alarm, or are recorded for subsequent off-line analysis.