The Hidden Power of Binaural Beats 🧠

Unraveling the Mystery of Brainwave Entrainment for Enhanced Mental Performance (8min Read)

TL;DR Summary:

• Binaural beats are created when two different frequency tones are presented to each ear.

• They can help "entrain" brainwaves, affecting mental states like focus and relaxation.

• Binaural beats can aid in anxiety reduction, pain management, flow states, sleep, and productivity.

• Myths include instant extraordinary abilities, danger or harm, and replacing therapy or medical treatment.

• White noise can improve focus, learning, and memory by modulating dopamine release.

Welcome back!

Today, we're going to dive into the fascinating world of binaural beats at the request of a client of mine!

What are they? How do they work? And more importantly, how can they be used in our everyday lives?

Let’s dive in.

What are Binaural Beats?

Binaural beats are a perceptual phenomenon that occurs when two slightly different frequency tones are presented to each ear separately.

The brain perceives a third tone - a phantom beat - as the difference between the two frequencies.

For example, if you listen to a 200 Hz tone in your left ear and a 210 Hz tone in your right ear, your brain will perceive a 10 Hz binaural beat.

This sonic illusion has been a subject of curiosity for centuries, but it wasn't until the 1970s that Dr. Gerald Oster's ground-breaking research brought binaural beats to the forefront of the scientific community.

Since then, researchers have been trying to understand the neurological mechanisms behind binaural beats and explore their potential applications.

How Do Brainwaves Work?

To understand how binaural beats affect our brains, we first need to talk about brainwaves.

We talked a ton about these in our blog about How Your Nervous System Works Part 2, but I will give a quick refresher here!

Brainwaves are the electrical patterns created by the synchronized activity of neurons.

These synchronized firings generate an electromagnetic field around each neuron, and when you aggregate the billions of neurons & trillions of synapses in our Nervous System, that electromagnetic field intensifies.

So much so that it’s measurable and visible with the correct technology.

They are usually measured using electroencephalography (EEG) and are categorized into five different types: delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves.

These waves are measured in Hertz (Hz), just like waves in the ocean rise and fall, electromagnetic waves rise and fall, Hz is a measurement of how fast the rising and falling is happening.

Each of these brainwave types correlates with different states of consciousness, such as deep sleep, relaxation, or intense focus.

When we listen to binaural beats, they can help “entrain our brainwaves” to the frequency of the phantom beat.

Meaning the Hz of your brainwaves, which are constantly generated by your brain, begins to sync up with the Hz of the binaural beats you’re listening to!

This process, known as "brainwave entrainment," is thought to involve the thalamus and the reticular activating system (RAS), which play crucial roles in regulating arousal and attention.

A Deeper Dive: The Intricate Neuroscience of Binaural Beats

To truly appreciate the potential of binaural beats, we must delve deeper into the complex neurological mechanisms at play.

Here, we'll examine the key brain structures and processes involved, as well as the latest research that's helping us better understand this fascinating phenomenon.

The Auditory Pathway & Binaural Beats

Our journey begins with the auditory system.

When we listen to binaural beats, our ears pick up the distinct frequencies and transmit them to the brain via the auditory nerve.

The information then travels through the brainstem to the superior olivary complex (SOC), where the two frequency signals begin to converge.

It's here & in our auditory cortex that the brain perceives the binaural beat or the difference between the two frequencies.

Brainwave Entrainment: Synchronizing with the Beat

The core principle behind binaural beats is brainwave entrainment, a process by which the brain's electrical activity synchronizes with an external stimulus—in this case, the binaural beat.

One theory suggests that the thalamus, a structure located deep within the brain, plays a central role in brainwave entrainment.

The thalamus serves as a relay center for sensory information and is responsible for regulating arousal, consciousness, and sleep-wake cycles.

When exposed to binaural beats, the thalamus may influence the cortex, the outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions, to synchronize its activity to the beat frequency.

This synchronization can result in a shift in brainwave patterns, leading to the desired mental state, such as relaxation or focus.

The Reticular Activating System: Regulating Attention and Arousal

Another crucial player in the binaural beats phenomenon is the reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons that spans the brainstem and extends into the midbrain and thalamus.

The RAS is responsible for regulating arousal, attention, and sleep-wake transitions.

Binaural beats are believed to influence the RAS, modulating its activity to align with the desired mental state.

For example, listening to alpha binaural beats may stimulate the RAS to promote relaxation, while beta beats may activate the RAS to enhance focus and alertness.

Debunking the Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

Now that you know a bit about the science, let’s talk about some of the misconceptions and myths surrounding binaural beats.

Myth 1: Binaural beats can instantly give you extraordinary abilities

Origin: This myth likely stems from the early days of binaural beats research, when exaggerated claims and anecdotal evidence suggested that listening to these frequencies could unlock hidden mental powers, such as photographic memory or telepathy.

The science: While binaural beats have been shown to impact brain activity and aid in various areas such as focus, relaxation, and sleep, there is no evidence to suggest that they can provide users with extraordinary abilities like photographic memory (which doesn’t actually exist anyways…).

Instead, their primary benefits lie in helping individuals achieve specific mental states and improve their overall well-being.

Myth 2: Binaural beats are dangerous or can cause harm

Origin: The belief that binaural beats can be harmful may have arisen from a misunderstanding of the brainwave entrainment process or concerns about potential side effects.

The science: Binaural beats are generally considered safe for most individuals.

However, some people may experience side effects, such as headaches or dizziness, especially when first starting to use binaural beats.

I have never had this problem personally, but I have heard it can happen!

This is why I suggest starting with shorter listening sessions and gradually increasing the duration over time.

**Finally, people with epilepsy or who are prone to seizures should avoid binaural beats, as they could potentially trigger an episode.**

Myth 3: Binaural beats can replace professional therapy or medical treatment

Origin: This myth likely emerged from anecdotal reports of individuals experiencing significant improvements in various mental health conditions after using binaural beats.

The science: While binaural beats can be a helpful tool for managing stress, anxiety, and sleep problems, they should not be considered a replacement for professional therapy or medical treatment.

Binaural beats can be a useful adjunct to traditional treatment methods, but people experiencing severe mental health issues should always consult a qualified healthcare professional!

Myth 4: All binaural beats are the same

Origin: The idea that all binaural beats are the same may stem from a lack of understanding of the different brainwave frequencies and their associated benefits.

The science: Binaural beats are not one-size-fits-all.

As discussed earlier, there are five primary brainwave frequencies, each with unique effects on our mental state.

Selecting the appropriate binaural beat frequency depends on the desired outcome, whether it's relaxation, focus, or sleep enhancement.

Generally speaking, low-frequency binaural beats lead to relaxation, while higher frequencies can lead to more alert states.

Real-World Applications: Healing Harmonies

Now, what you’ve all been waiting for… Real-world ways to apply these concepts to your life!

Here are some practical use cases that have been explored:

Anxiety Reduction (Alpha)

Research has shown that the Alpha range (8-13 Hz) of binaural beats is effective in reducing anxiety.

Listening to binaural beats within this range promotes relaxation and a sense of mental well-being.

In fact, this is one of the most studied effects of binaural beats.

Pain Management (Delta)

The other best-studied effect is pain management in correlation with delta waves (0.5-4 Hz).

In a study conducted by Dr. Diane Tusek, patients undergoing surgery listened to delta binaural beats during the procedure, resulting in reduced post-operative pain and anxiety.

Flow States (Gamma)

Gamma brainwaves (39 – 42 Hz) are the fastest-moving of the waves! Gamma rhythms modulate perception and consciousness.

This is a hallmark of the “Flow State” that everyone wants to experience more of!

Master meditators have been shown to produce these kinds of brainwaves constantly throughout the day… Can you imagine living in a flow state?

Sleep & Relaxation (Delta & Theta)

Listening to delta (0.5-4 Hz) or theta (4-8 Hz) binaural beats can help induce relaxation and improve sleep quality.

A study conducted by Dr. Charles Limb found that insomniacs who listened to binaural beats for 20 minutes every day for four weeks experienced significant improvements in their sleep.

Focus & Productivity (Alpha & Beta)

Evidence suggests that alpha waves (8-13 Hz) can also increase alertness to a moderate level, which is a great state for the brain to be in for the recall of existing information.

And that beta waves, (15 -20 Hz) are great for bringing the brain into focus states for sustained thought or for incorporating new information.

Here's the binaural beat cheat sheet I made with ChatGPT!

One Last Thing… White Noise

Something very interesting I found while researching for this blog was the effect white noise can have on our focus, learning, and memory!

White noise has been shown to be VERY helpful to listen to while trying to learn or remember things.

It does this by modulating our dopamine release. Low-intensity white noise, like the sound you hear in an airplane, activates the substantia nigra.

These tiny little nodules store so much dopamine that they appear black or purple when you look at them in the brain.

I’ve dissected multiple human brains, and can attest, they really are black specks!

This activation increases baseline dopamine levels, which in turn increases motivation, focus & attention!

Apple Music has a great “White Noise” playlist that I use, in fact, I’m listening to it right now.

The key thing here is that it shouldn’t be very loud at all, just loud enough that you can hear it, but not so loud that it distracts you.

Here’s a visual reference of the volume I’m using currently.

The Binaural Beat Revolution

From professional athletes to busy executives, individuals from all walks of life are embracing the power of binaural beats to help them achieve their goals and improve their well-being.

As we continue to learn about the neuroscience behind this phenomenon and the various ways in which it can be utilized, the world will undoubtedly see a revolution in the way we approach mental & emotional health.

So, the next time you find yourself in need of a mental boost or a moment of relaxation, consider giving binaural beats a try.

You might just find that the perfect harmony lies within the symphony of your own mind.

Until next time… Live Heroically 🧠

Supporting Research

• Oster, G. (1973). Auditory beats in the brain. Scientific American, 229(4), 94-102. Link

• Limb, C. J., & Braun, A. R. (2008). Neural substrates of spontaneous musical performance: An fMRI study of jazz improvisation. PLoS ONE, 3(2), e1679. Link

• Tusek, D. L., Church, J. M., Strong, S. A., Grass, J. A., & Fazio, V. W. (1997). Guided imagery: a significant advance in the care of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, 40(2), 172-178. Link

• Padmanabhan, R., Hildreth, A. J., & Laws, D. (2005). A prospective, randomized, controlled study examining binaural beat audio and pre-operative anxiety in patients undergoing general anesthesia for day case surgery. Anaesthesia, 60(9), 874-877. Link

• Wahbeh, H., Calabrese, C., & Zwickey, H. (2007). Binaural beat technology in humans: a pilot study to assess psychologic and physiologic effects. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 13(1), 25-32. Link

• Lane, J. D., Kasian, S. J., Owens, J. E., & Marsh, G. R. (1998). Binaural auditory beats affect vigilance performance and mood. Physiology & Behavior, 63(2), 249-252. Link

• Gao, X., Cao, H., Ming, D., Qi, H., Wang, X., Wang, X., ... & Zhou, P. (2014). Analysis of EEG activity in response to binaural beats with different frequencies. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 94(3), 399-406. Link

• Reedijk, S. A., Bolders, A., & Hommel, B. (2013). The impact of binaural beats on creativity. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7, 786. Link

• Le Scouarnec, R. P., Poirier, R. M., Owens, J. E., Gauthier, J., Taylor, A. G., & Foresman, P. A. (2001). Use of binaural beat tapes for treatment of anxiety: a pilot study of tape preference and outcomes. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(1), 58-63. Link

• Pérez A, Carreiras M, Duñabeitia JA. Brain-to-brain entrainment: EEG interbrain synchronization while speaking and listening. Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 23;7(1):4190. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04464-4. PMID: 28646190; PMCID: PMC5482847. Link

• Becher AK, Höhne M, Axmacher N, Chaieb L, Elger CE, Fell J. Intracranial electroencephalography power and phase synchronization changes during monaural and binaural beat stimulation. Eur J Neurosci. 2015 Jan;41(2):254-63. doi: 10.1111/ejn.12760. Epub 2014 Oct 25. PMID: 25345689. Link

• Mujib MD, Hasan MA, Qazi SA, Vuckovic A. Understanding the neurological mechanism involved in enhanced memory recall task following binaural beat: a pilot study. Exp Brain Res. 2021 Sep;239(9):2741-2754. doi: 10.1007/s00221-021-06132-6. Epub 2021 Jul 7. PMID: 34232346; PMCID: PMC8448692. Link