Binaural Beats: Science or Fiction?
We know our brain has brain waves. Depending on the state of mind, you produce varied brain waves. Gamma, Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta for example.
Can you generate these brain states using music or sound?
Imagine changing the state of your mind using only sound. No pill. No therapy. Just a tone played into your ears.
This is the promise of binaural beats. A simple, elegant way to shift your brain from stress to calm, from restless to restful.
So what is a binaural beat?
When you play two different frequencies, one in each ear, your brain doesn’t hear two sounds.
It hears a third.
This third sound is the difference between the two. If one ear hears 210 Hz and the other hears 200 Hz, your brain creates a 10 Hz tone.
This illusion is powerful. Because your brain wants to match it. It shifts its electrical activity, its brainwave to follow the beat in a process called entrainment.
So how can you use it to your advantage?
To understand this, we need to understand the different brain waves.
Delta occurs between 0.5-4 Hz and generally occurs when we are in deep sleep. This brain state helps you rest, repair and reset.
Theta occurs between 4-8 Hz and facilitates meditation, intuition and to access the subconscious.
Alpha helps you create calm focus, alertness, and reflection.
So, depending on what your goal is, you can use different beats to generate a specific brain state.
So is this scientifically accurate?
A study in 2007 found that patients exposed to delta or theta beats before surgery experienced significantly reduced anxiety.
Not everyone responds the same way. Your brain state is driven by more than one factor. We are attempting to override this multifactorial outcome through a single intervention.
Don't be disappointed if you don't feel different immediately. Sometimes what it needs is practice and a deeper understanding of how your body is responding.
Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain
