What are binaural rhythms and how do they affect the brain? Answered by a psychologist

What are binaural rhythms and how do they affect the brain? Answered by a psychologist

We tell you how sound illusions boost creativity and cognitive function.

Psychologist, TV presenter, motivational speaker, entrepreneurial expert

“Many businesses around the world are dealing with the daily challenge of how to deliver new emotions, surprise and relax people. At the beginning of the noughties, a non-standard way of influencing the state – listening to binaural rhythms – began to gain popularity. Marketers were quick to call it audio narcotics to further fuel the public’s interest.”

What binaural rhythms are and how they work

The binaural effect itself occurs because the brain interprets a sound signal with two ears. It allows you to determine the direction of the sound source, which makes sound perception three-dimensional. This feature is also used in the recording of some musical compositions, when listening with headphones the effect of presence is achieved.

Binaural rhythms originate from this effect. These are acoustic signals created by presenting the brain with two different sound frequencies in each ear. This difference causes the effect of binaural beats, which can be felt as a ripple or vibration in the sound. To achieve this, listening to an audio track is mandatory with headphones, each emitting a different frequency.

In 1893, Heinrich Wilhelm Dove (Heinrich Wilhelm Dove) described this phenomenon as the brain processing the difference in frequencies between the right and left ears. Research continued only in the second half of the twentieth century, when American researcher Robert Monroe explained how the brain interprets frequency signals and creates the binaural effect. Later in the 70s, American biophysicist Gerald Oster noted the potential of rhythms for cognitive and neurological research.

How binaural rhythms affect the body

Binaural rhythms can affect the brain, causing different effects depending on the frequency and rhythm. For example, they can promote relaxation, increase concentration or even alter the state of consciousness. The effect differs depending on different frequencies and resonance with brainwaves characteristic of different states.

In the waking state, our brain emits gamma waves in the range of 30-60 Hz. This frequency difference when listening to binaural rhythms is likely to promote creativity and cognitive function.

• Betta waves correspond to a range of 12-30 Hz. These binaural rhythms are thought to help maintain alertness.
• Calm or relaxed wakefulness is accompanied by alpha waves in the range of 8-12 Hz.
• Theta waves at 4-8 Hz characterize a meditative state or shallow sleep.
• The 0.1-4 Hz range coincides with delta waves during deep sleep.

It is believed that binaural rhythms contribute to the co-tuning of the brainwave frequency with the frequency difference of the sound waves in the headphones. This is how the state is shifted in the desired direction.

Is there any harm

The benefits and harms of binaural rhythms depend on context and individual differences. They can help with stress management, sleep quality, meditation and even learning. However, they should not be abused as they can lead to disorientation or undesirable psychological effects.

Also, listening to such tracks cannot replace psychotherapy in general and psychological techniques in particular. It is important to live different states in a natural way, and to solve internal problems rather than to drown out them with such audio-doping.

After all, each state, especially when it comes to anxiety, apathy or low concentration, has its own causes. It’s important to deal with the source, rather than trying to find a way to artificially suppress the symptom.

Sound recordings of binaural rhythms are available online. Many apps and audio tracks offer different rhythms for different purposes, ranging from relaxation to concentration.

Monitor your reaction, choose what is right for you. And remember that each person is different and reacts differently to such external stimuli.