What are binaural beats, the latest digital drugs to fight insomnia?
We all know how our favorite music changes our mood. Be it a chillaxed rainy day or an hour at the gym, all you need is some good music for you to call it a good day. Though the effect is well-known by all, scientific studies have found that certain kinds of music can be used to heal yourself, just like drugs. But this is not your Kailash Kher kind of music. It's a different kind of music called binaural beats.
As per a study published in Drug and Alcohol Review, binaural beats have been found to have a psychoactive effect on the brain. The study included a global drug survey where more than 30,000 people in 22 countries were questioned to understand how and why people use these binaural music.
The survey found that many surveyors mainly used binaural beats to relax or fall asleep (72%), to change their mood (35%), or to get a similar effect as that of psychedelic drugs (12%) .
WHAT ARE THESE BINAURAL BEATS?
Binaural beats are a tone created in the brain when the brain is presented with two different frequencies at the same time. What?
Let's simplify. Each note and tone in music has its own frequency. Each of these frequencies has the power to influence your thoughts and brainwaves. Binaural beats is basically a music that has different tones in it and when you listen to this music, it naturally changes the brainwaves and thus affecting the way your brain processes information.
If you listen to a tone of 410hz in your left ear and 400hz in your right ear, your brain will make up the difference and hear an imaginary tone of 10hz. This tone is the binaural beat.
The idea of listening to binaural beats is to shift the speed and intensity of your thoughts. One can listen to specific frequencies and intentionally change their mental state.
BUT HOW DOES IT WORK ON US?
Our brain produces frequencies called brain waves and these affect our sleep. The higher the brainwave frequency, the more alert, awake and reactive we feel and the lower the brainwaves, the more sleepy and restful we feel.
- When our brain solves a short-term problem, it is actively engaged, aware, and reactive. This means it is in the Beta state (12hz-38hz).
- When our brain is focused, present and aware, it is in the Alpha state (8hz-12hz).
- When our brain is in a dreamy state just before drifting off to sleep or in deep meditation, it is in the Theta state (3hz – 8hz)
- When we are deeply asleep (which you won't recall), our brain is healing and regenerative. Here it is in the Delta state (5hz – 3hz)
Since Binaural beats are created on a vast scope of frequencies, this kind of music helps our brain shift between these multiple states.
SO, WHEN DO YOU NEED TO USE IT?
Binaural beats can be a great addition to your everyday activities when you want to
1. Meditate
2. Sleep
3. Study
4. Relax
5. Reduce stress and anxiety
6. Increase focus and creativity
Since all the above activities need you to either be relaxed or focused, you can listen to binaural beats music and allow the music to influence and change your mental state.
BUT WAIT, ARE THESE SAFE ?
Since binaural beats are audio frequencies that activate brain waves, it is mostly safe for people. But a listener might want to check with their doctor if:
1. They are prone to seizures, since the change in brainwaves can activate them.
2. They have heart problems, since heart rhythm can be determined by the brain waves.
3. They suffer from mental disorders.
4. They are young children or are pregnant.
5. They are driving and operating heavy machinery
Will you try listening to binaural beats?