Binaural Beats: All About the Mystical Music Genre
What if I told you that attaining your desired life could be as simple as putting in headphones? Or, that binaural beats may be the key to making your Pinterest boards a reality? Now, I know what you may be thinking: “WTF are binaural beats? It can’t really be that easy, can it? I need more evidence, tell me about the science behind it.” These are all valid concerns, but don’t worry—we’ll break them down for you.
Let’s start with the basics, shall we? Binaural beats are sound illusions created when two different sound waves are played simultaneously in each ear. There are different frequencies and sound waves said to offer varying benefits, like aiding in things like brain hemisphere synchronization to fight insomnia.
The beats are said to be most effective when listening to whilst sleeping or meditating. With all that being said, it is important to note that binaural beats are only useful when listened to with headphones on. This is because the brain allegedly recognizes binaural beats as one frequency and then begins producing brain waves in that very same frequency.
Source: Scienceabc
If you want to go more in-depth into how binaural beats work, check out this video by a certified neurologist.
To answer the question of ‘can it all be this easy,’ let’s unpack some of the research on the efficacy of these mythical beats. Admittedly, the jury's still out on the science and evidence supporting everything that the beats claim to be. While some scientists believe in the power of these binaural frequencies, others are skeptical.
To be fair, the research on all of this is still in a state of infancy. According to a study done by Orozco Perez, “When the binaural beat played, far apart brain areas synchronized with each other at a different frequency than the beat. This may be how binaural beats improve memory and focus.”
But, according to an article by Dave Siever, “Binaural beats are not very noticeable because the modulation depth (the difference between loud and quiet) is 3 db, a two-to-one ratio…this means that binaural beats are unlikely to produce any significant entrainment because they don’t activate the thalamus.”
Source: Binaural Beats Meditation
The lack of solid research aside, hundreds of thousands of people use binaural beats and claim to reap some kind of benefit from them. If you give one of these mystical frequencies a listen and feel one small semblance of relief, I say continue to listen, continue to do things that make you feel good. I wouldn’t write them off just yet because the science on it is still being examined and conclusions are still being drawn to this day. Not everything that feels good needs to explain, if you think about it.
“Auditory beat stimulation may be a promising new tool for the manipulation of cognitive processes and the modulation of mood states.”
Now that you’ve gotten the scoop on binaural beats, here are three playlists (via YouTube) to help you delve into this genre.
Focus/study music by greenred productions
Confidence/happiness by minds in unison
sleep/calming by sleeptube
Do you listen to binaural beats? If not, would you consider giving them a try? Sound off in the comments below!