Binaural beats occur when two slightly different sounds are heard in each ear, producing an imaginary sound in the brain. They are believed to induce different states, such as relaxation and concentration, but skeptics attribute the effects to the power of suggestion. Binaural beats are safe for many people, but those with certain mental illnesses, brain injuries, heart problems, or pacemakers should avoid them. It is recommended to consult a doctor before trying binaural beats.
Binaural beats occur when a person hears one sound in one ear and a similar but slightly different sound in the other. The resulting dissonance produces a sound in the brain that isn’t really there. The imaginary sounds are called binaural beats. Many people claim that these beats can induce states such as relaxation and concentration. Other people believe these states are the result of the power of suggestion, not a binaural beat.
The human brain produces different brain waves depending on the activity it is undergoing. For example, the brain produces waves between about 1-3 Hz when a person sleeps. Similarly, brainwaves between 8-13Hz occur when a person daydreams or fantasizes. Listening to binaural beats is thought to cause the brain to mimic these frequencies and induce the corresponding state whenever a person wishes. So if a person wants to meditate, he can listen to a binaural beat in the desired range to help him enter the meditative state.
While the brain can produce brainwaves with low frequencies, a person is unable to hear frequencies below about 20Hz. This is why binaural beats are created by hearing two different sounds. If you hear a 100Hz sound in one ear and a 108Hz sound in the other, your brain can hear an 8Hz sound even though it’s not there. The resulting binaural beat can then induce different moods. It is thought that these beats can be used to induce concentration, creativity and help a person meditate whenever they wish.
While it seems clear that a person can experience different states by listening to binaural beats, skeptics don’t think it works the way many think it does. Rather than crediting the brain with mimicking the binaural beat, some believe it is the power of suggestive thinking that gives people the desired outcome. They believe that if different people listened to the same beat without telling them what it should do, they would have different results.
Listening to binaural beats is said to be safe for many people. For some, however, it can be dangerous. For example, those with certain mental illnesses and those who have had a brain injury should not listen. It is also recommended that pregnant women and those who have heart problems or pacemakers avoid these beats. Also, a person should not listen to heartbeats while driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in other potentially dangerous activities. Before trying any form of binaural beats, it may be wise to contact a doctor to ensure it is a safe and effective tool for that individual.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
