Binaural Beats

It's time to know the truth about Binaural Beats!

The term Binaural Beats refers to binaural tones which are just two auditory sounds which are not independently special in any respect but which cause a strange phenomenon in the brain. These binaural tones are similar to each other in all but the fact that they are slightly different in frequencies. In order for the tones to produce a binaural beat one of them is presented to the left ear while the other is presented to the right ear.

When these tones are listened to through stereo headphones a very strange phenomenon occurs. It is not the tones themselves but the brain's perception, or interpretation, of them which causes a beat to be produced in the mind of the listener. This beat does not in fact exist independently of the listener. It was in 1839 that an Assistant Professor, of the Berlin University, Heinrich Wilhelm Dove, first discovered this phenomenon.

In order for the brain to perceive these binaural beats, when the two tones are played simultaneously to separate ears, their frequency is kept between 1,000 and 1,500 hertz. The only other stipulation is that there must be a slight difference in the two frequencies. This difference has to be somewhere below 30 Hz or there is no beat affect as the tones will be heard as two separate and distinct tracks.

Binaural beats are of great interest to neurophysiologists who investigate auditory phenomenon and consciousness such as Fischer et al. However, the greatest amount of interest that has been generated regarding the use of binaural beats technology has arisen in the Self Improvement Industry. This is purely due to the fact that these binaural tones create what is called "brain entrainment" where the brainwaves of the listener can be manipulated to create specific states such as deep relaxation and heightened focus. There have even been reports to suggest that these binaural beats have long-lasting health benefits.

Although, as mentioned above, it was Heinrich Wilhelm Dove who first discovered binaural beats, it was a biophysicist called Gerald Oster who brought the benefits of their use to the world when Scientific American published his research paper titled "Auditory Beats in the Brain" in 1973. In this paper Oster had brought together all the former research on binaural beats and added his own scientific findings and new insight into the phenomenon. It was Oster's belief that binaural beats could be used as a medical diagnostic tool for auditory impairments and also for some neurological disorders as well as for research into some auditory phenomenon especially concerning animals.

An example of binaural beats in action would be if we produced two sound tones, one at 1400 hertz presented to the right ear, the other at 1410 hertz presented to the left ear. As each hemisphere of the brain has its own auditory processing centre corresponding to separate ears, when these binaural tones are heard the brain perceives a beat effect with a frequency of 10 hertz (the difference between the two tones). This beat effect then entrains the brain to follow the frequency so that it produces brainwave patterns that are in the same frequency range - in this case the Alpha brainwave range (between 7 to 13 hertz). Alpha brain patterns produce a deep sense of relaxation that is akin to meditation or hypnotic trance. Therefore listening to binaural beats recorded at this range would produce a deep state of relaxation and have all the same benefits of meditation.

Through research and development there are now binaural beats recordings that can entrain the brain to produce brainwaves from all of the brainwave frequency range.

1. Beta 14 hertz to 40 hertz - Focused everyday awareness.
2. Alpha 8 hertz to 14 hertz - Relaxed focus such as when you are watching television or daydreaming.
3. Theta 4 hertz to 8 hertz - Dreaming sleep and deep meditation.
4. Delta 0.5 hertz to 4 hertz - Dreamless deep sleep and Zen meditations.

Each of these states has its own benefits and by listening to a carefully chosen binaural beats recording you can engage in all of the above and also experience the subtle differences within each frequency range. There are now many different companies that specialize in these recordings with different objectives for listening. Binaural Beats recordings can range in both quality and price so you should ensure you are well informed before you make your choice.

For more information visit the following sites:

Centerpointe - review of the Centerpointe Holosync Solution program.

Binaural Beats individual recordings reviewed.

Brain Entrainment & Binaural Beats 12 separate binaural beats recordings to induce different states.