Binaural Beats

Binaural beats are frequencies perceived inside a person’s brain when receiving specially alternated audible stimulus. A binaural beat is a phenomenon which can be created through a variance in frequencies of the audio between the left and right ears.

For example, if the right audible tone is 100Hz and the left is 93Hz, then the binaural beat formed within the head is 7Hz. Normally 7Hz is considered beyond the range of human hearing (limited to the range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz), but through this technique the mind can perceive the binaural tone.

The listener must be sure to wear headphones in order for the binaural beats to occur properly within the head.

Scientific backing

Binaural beats have been credibly documented to relate to spatial perception, stereo auditory recognition, and activation of various sites in the brain due to “frequency following response” in which brain waves synchronize to binaural frequencies. (Dobie RA, Norton SJ, 1980; Moushegian G, Rupert AL, Stillman RD, 1978; Smith JC, Marsh JT, Greenberg S, Brown WS, 1978; Smith JC, Marsh JT, Brown WS, 1975; Yamada O, Yamane H, Kodera K, 1977)

Binaural beat stimulation has been used fairly extensively to induce a variety of states of consciousness. (Hutchison, Michael M, 1986) Studies have shown that with repeated training (listening to binaural beats audio frequently) that a plastic reorganization of the brain occurs for the trained frequencies (Menning H, Roberts LE, Pantev C, 2000) and is capable of asymmetric hemispheric balancing.(Gottselig JM, Brandeis D, Hofer-Tinguely G, Borbély AA, Achermann P, 2004)

In terms of physiology, evidence suggests that the binaural beats are generated in the brainstem’s superior olivary nucleus, which is the first site of contralateral integration in the auditory system. (Oster, 1973) Studies suggest that the frequency following response effect originates from the inferior colliculus. (Smith, Marsh, Brown, 1975; Owens & Atwater, 1995) This activity is conducted to the cortex where it can be recorded by sensetive scalp electrodes.

For the decades of history behind scientific research in the field of brainwave synchronization, see the research page. Or for additional reading, see the references page.

Frequencies

Whether experiencing binaural beats perceived within the brain or audible tones easily heard by the ears, the name of the game is what frequencies are being used.

To illustrate the significance of the differences between these brain states, consider that it is when the brain is in Theta (sleep) state that brain cells reset their sodium and potassium ratios. These levels are involved in osmosis which is the chemical process that transports chemicals into and out of your brain cells. After an extended period in the Beta (awake/alert) state the ratio between potassium and sodium can become out of balance. This could be a cause of mental fatigue. A brief period in Theta (sleep) state for about 15min can potentially restore the sodium/potassium ratio to normal, resulting in mental refreshment and improved bodily functioning. This can easily be accomplished using Brainwave Entrainment.

By using specific frequencies it has been shown that an individual can even stimulate certain glands to produce desired hormones. Beta-endorphin has been modulated in studies using alpha-theta brain wave training (Peniston EG, Kulkosky PJ, 1989) and dopamine has been modulated with binaural beats. (Wahbeh H, Calabrese C, Zwickey H, 2007)

Alpha-theta brainwave training has been used successfully for the treatment of addictions.(Peniston EG, Kulkosky PJ, 1989; Saxby E, Peniston EG, 1995; Watson CG, Herder J, Passini FT, 1978)

Delta wave binaural beats have been successfully shown to decrease mild anxiety (Le Scouarnec RP, et al., 2001) and lessen hospital acute pre-operative anxiety. (Padmanabhan R, Hildreth AJ, Laws D, 2005)

The underlying conclusion is that certain frequencies are associated with specific things and these frequencies are specially arranged and used in the Brainwave Entrainment software to effectively target desired cognitive results.

To take advantage of this stunning technology, please review the current product line available for Brainwave Entrainment applications