Binaural beats? Is this practice for you?
For those of you who may be challenged by a regular mindfulness meditation practice to soothe your nervous system and support the regulation of your emotions, binaurals beats may be for you!
My stepson, Phoenix, introduced me to binaural beats (BB) recently. He said that if I’m wanting to support people reduce the impacts of stress in this fast-paced, time-poor modern world, I need to get up with the times and look to technology. So I did!
BB are considered auditory illusions and are claimed to induce the same mental state associated with meditation but much quicker! BB are when you hear two tones — one in each ear through earbuds or headphones — that are slightly different in frequency, and your brain processes a beat at the difference of the frequencies.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you’re listening to a sound in your left ear that’s at a frequency of 132 Hertz (Hz). And in your right ear, you’re listening to a sound that’s at a frequency of 121 Hz. Your brain, however, gradually falls into synchrony with the frequency difference — 11 Hz. Instead of hearing two different tones, you instead hear a tone at 11 Hz (in addition to the two tones given to each ear).
For a BB to work, the two tones have to have frequencies less than 1000 Hz, and the difference between the two tones needs to be 30 Hz or less.
BB in the theta (4 to 8 Hz) range are linked to REM sleep, reduced anxiety, relaxation, as well as meditative and creative states. Beats in the alpha frequencies (8 to 13 Hz) are thought to encourage relaxation, promote positivity, and decrease anxiety.
BB have gained attention for their potential impact on neuroplasticity. This rhythmic stimulation of the third wave is believed to enhance neuroplasticity by encouraging the growth of new synapses and strengthening existing neuropathways. Research suggests that specific frequencies of BB can influence brainwave activity, promoting cognitive function such as improved concentration and learning, reduced stress and anxiety, foster positive mood, promote creativity, and enhance an overall sense of wellbeing. In both BB and mindfulness meditation, the brain enters a meditative state, characterised by slower brainwave activity and an increased sense of calm. Whether one chooses to utilise BB or engage in meditation, both approaches serve as gateways to a calmer mind and a deeper connection with oneself.
Similar to meditation, when listening to BB, it’s best to sit or lay down in a comfortable place free of distractions. You may wish to experiment with the time you listen to BB to explore what works for you. For example, if you’re experiencing stress or anxiety, you may like to listen to an audio for a full hour or longer. My suggestion is that you listen for at least 30 minutes a day to ensure that the rhythm is entrained (has fallen into synchronisation) throughout your brain. Remember to wear headphones or earbuds as the tones have to be listened to separately, one through each ear!
There are no known side-effects of BB however this technology may be problematic if you have epilepsy, so please speak with your doctor before trying it. More research is needed to see if there are any side effects to listening to BB over a long period of time.
BB audios will not be for everyone. I invite you to be curious. I’ve sourced a short BB audio for you to try below! Happy listening!
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Warmly,
Coby
Reference: Healthline