Description
Binaural Beats are a form of auditory stimulation that may have an effect on your state of mind. Binaural beats are also known as brainwave entrainment. By listening to them, you can "feel" some kind of stimulation in your body, simply with the sound. It is similar to an optical illusion, but in this case with sound. Two different (but not too different) frequencies are sent to each ear independently, and this is perceived as an additional sound or pulse.
Possible Benefits
- May improve focus
- May reduce stress
- May help manage anxiety
- May improve sleep
Required Equipment
Smart phone, headphones and music/video apps
How to Do It
Simply choose a sound in an application, depending on your preferences, and put the headphones on. Try to relax and focus on the sound. Because two different frequencies are sent to each ear, your headphones must be stereo in order to perceive the effect.
Why it works
- Binaural beat producers claim that the frequencies of the beats and the fact that there are different frequencies coming into each ear cause your brain hemispheres to interact better and this helps you improve your state of mind.
- In a study [1], it was shown that binaural beats can help extend the deep sleep stage (N3 Stage). This increases the quality of sleep and the feeling of recovery.
Time Commitment
5-10 minutes per day
Suggested Frequency
2-3 times per week
Time of Day
Any
Possible Side Effects
Don’t listen to binaural beats while driving or doing something that requires your full attention.
As with any other sound, it is recommended to listen to binaural beats at a moderate volume so as not to cause any ear damage.
It is not recommended for people suffering from epilepsy.
Tips
- Sounds have been used since ancient times to improve mood, reduce stress, and gain peace of mind.
- Try different sounds to improve your productivity. Some people prefer instrumental songs.
- Some research mentions that the effects are likely to be greater when these sounds are heard regularly.
- There are certain binaural beats you can listen to while you work to improve focus.
- There is not much conclusive scientific evidence yet.
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- Auditory Beat Stimulation and its Effects on Cognition and Mood State. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4428073/
- https://skeptoid.com/
- Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: a meta-analysis. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00426-018-1066-8
- High-Frequency Binaural Beats Increase Cognitive Flexibility: Evidence from Dual-Task Crosstalk. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4995205/
- A Novel Insight of Effects of a 3-Hz Binaural Beat on Sleep Stages During Sleep. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165862/
- Possible Effect of Binaural Beat Combined With Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response for Inducing Sleep. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6900908/
- Brainwave entrainment for better sleep and post-sleep state of young elite soccer players - a pilot study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23862643
