Do Binaural Beats Actually Do Anything?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Proponents claim that listening to binaural can

boost focus

and concentration, promote relaxation, and reduce stress and anxiety. But in a study published this month, researchers concluded that “whether binaural beats have an impact on cognitive performance or other mood measurements remains to be seen”.

Do binaural beats make you trip?

The sites claim binaural beats

cause the same effects as illegal drugs

. These drugs impair coordination and can cause hallucinations. They've caused countless fatal accidents, like traffic collisions. If binaural beats work as promised, they are not safe.

Do binaural beats get you high?

Although

there is no evidence that people can actually get high from binaural beats

, they're alarming authorities in the Middle East. In 2012, a police scientist in the United Arab Emirates called for these audio files to be treated the same as marijuana and ecstasy.

Are binaural beats a drug?

But while binaural beats could

hardly be considered a “gateway” drug

– that is, one encouraging experimentation with harder substances – the websites that sell i-doses appear to encourage sex and drugs.

Can binaural beats help you focus?

Binaural beats in the alpha frequencies (8 to 13 Hz) are thought to encourage relaxation, promote positivity, and decrease anxiety. Binaural beats in the lower beta frequencies (14 to 30 Hz) have been linked to

increased concentration and alertness

, problem solving, and improved memory.

Can binaural beats damage your brain?

However, a 2017 study that measured the effects of binaural beat therapy using EEG monitoring found that

binaural beat therapy does not affect brain activity or emotional stimulation

.

Can I listen to binaural beats while sleeping?

These waves have a frequency between 0.5 Hz and 4 Hz. As you transition into deeper sleep stages, your brain switches from theta waves to delta waves. Dreaming can occur. Listening to

binaural beats at delta frequencies can help you sleep

.

Can frequencies cause hallucinations?

The standing waves/hallucinations arise

when flicker frequencies are approximately twice the natural frequency of the damped oscillations in the neural dynamics

(Rule et al., 2011). The resonant frequency of simple cells in the primary visual cortex of cat typically peaks near 5 Hz (Movshon et al., 1978).

Can listening to music get you high?

A new study from the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital at McGill University found that listening to highly pleasurable music releases the same reward neurotransmitter — dopamine — in the brain that is associated with food, drugs and sex. …

What is Idosing?

“i-Dosing”, as it is called, is when you put on headphones and listen to music or tones that

are designed to alter brainwave activity

. The result is a supposed drug-like euphoria similar to alcohol or marijuana. The website i-Doser.com has tracks with titles like Cocaine, Opium, and Peyote.

What do binaural beats do to your brain?

It is a common part of brain function. According to some researchers, when you listen to certain binaural beats, they

can increase the strength of certain brain waves

. This can increase or hold back different brain functions that control thinking and feeling.

Can brain waves be manipulated?

Neuroscientists may have a solution for you: Turn down your alpha brain waves. In a new study, the researchers found that people can enhance their attention by controlling their own alpha brain waves based on neurofeedback they receive as they perform a particular task.

What do binaural beats sound like?

Binaural beats are an auditory illusion caused by listening to

two tones of slightly different frequency

, one in each ear. The difference in frequencies creates the illusion of a third sound — a rhythmic beat. … Both ears hear all three sounds.

Can binaural beats make you dizzy?

Exposure to binaural beats, which do not take into account the user's current state,

can even cause dizziness

, as well as discomfort (Noor et al., 2013). This is probably related to the amygdala, a central structure associated with emotional processing.

Can binaural beats help with ADHD?

Research on binaural beats, particularly on their use to improve symptoms of ADHD,

is limited

. But many people with ADHD have reported increased concentration and focus when listening to binaural beats. They may be worth trying if you're interested.

How music frequencies affect the brain?

Generally speaking, low-frequency waves are linked to “delta” and “ theta ” states which can boost relaxation and improve sleep. Higher frequencies reportedly boost your brain waves into a

“ gamma ” state

which may make you more alert, focused, or better able to recall memories.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.