What is Binaural beats and what is the benefits of it?

Introduction

Brainwave entrainment refers to a way of producing a specific brainwave frequency. This is achieved by synchronizing your brain waves to the desired frequency using an external auditory stimulus. When you hear a rhythmic beat, your brain will start to sync its activity in order to match the beat. This is known as the “frequency following response.”Although the technology of brain entrainment is fairly new, the concept itself has been around since music came to be. Our brains are continuously producing electrical activity, even when we’re sleeping. Research has shown that you can actually record this electrical activity using brain waves or brainwave patterns. Then you can adjust and influence those brain waves when you stimulate them using specific types of tones and beats. This is the process we know as brainwave entrainment.Your brain waves keep on changing according to what you feel and do. When the dominant brain waves are the slower ones, you may start feeling dreamy, slow, tired or sluggish. On the other hand, if the dominant brain waves are the faster ones or those with higher frequencies, then you may start feeling hyper-alert or wired. Brain waves are extremely complex and reflect varying aspects when they happen in the different parts of your brain.

What is Binaural Beats?

The cognitive and executive function of our brain is accompanied by specific brain wave oscillation. Binaural beats are defined as auditory sensation caused by presenting two tones of slightly difference frequency separately to each other . As a result receiver perceives a frequency which will be difference of the two frequency. As an example if 210 hz frequency applied on right ear and 220 hz frequency applied on left ear, then our brain perceives a frequency which is the difference of this two frequency which will be 10 hz in this case. Binaural beats can alter the function of reticular formation , which is a neural network system in the brainstem responsible for regulation of vigilance, concentration and attention. As per some researchers this process is hemispheric synchronisation and by exposing individual to binaural beats the electrical activity of both the brain merges to one synchronised frequency.

What are the different types of Binaural Beats and their function?

Depending on the frequency of operation Binaural beats can be divided into different categories. This different wave has different cognitive function and benefits.

Delta waves (from 0.5 to 3.0 Hz)

These are the slowest brain waves, but they are also the loudest. Delta waves have a low frequency, and they’re deeply penetrating. These waves are produced when you have a deep and dreamless sleep, or when you’re practicing deep meditation.
The benefits of this brainwave frequency include:
1.Deep sleep that promotes natural healing, as well as the health of the immune system.
2.When you’re in this state, your body releases anti-aging hormones such as DHEA and melatonin.
3.Also, the level of human growth hormone (HGH) increases because the pituitary gland is stimulated. HGH is important because it maintains the health of the joints, cartilage, skin and bone density. It can also help alleviate physical pain.If you have too few of these brain waves, this causes poor sleep and an inability to rejuvenate the body and revitalize the brain. Conversely, if you have too much of these brain waves, this may lead to learning problems, severe ADHD, brain injuries and an inability to think.

Theta waves (from 3.0 to 8.0 Hz)

These brain waves occur when we sleep, and they’re also dominant when you meditate deeply. Theta waves are your gateway to intuition, memory and learning. In theta, your senses are hidden from the outside world. Instead, you focus on the signals coming from within.This is considered a “twilight state” that you are only able to fleetingly experience when you drift off to sleep or when you wake up. In theta, you’re beyond your conscious awareness. You’re in a dream with your intuition and vivid imagery. This is where you hold your nightmares, fears and troubled history. Some of the benefits of this brainwave frequency are:1) An increase in relaxation, emotional connection, intuition and creativity.
2) It promotes a more restful sleep, thereby helping improve your physical healing.
3) Beneficial hormones that are associated with longevity and health are released.
4) There is a reduction in stress, anxiety and mental fatigue.Conversely, if you have too much of these brain waves, this may lead to depression, inattentiveness, ADHD, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Alpha waves (from 8.0 to 12.0 Hz)

These brain waves happen when our thoughts are flowing quietly, but not necessarily during meditation.Alpha brain waves promote “the power of now,” which is when you fully experience every present moment. It’s the brain’s resting state, and it helps in the brain’s overall learning, calmness, mental coordination, alertness and mind-body integration. Here are some benefits of these brain waves:
1) You feel more relaxed, your levels of anxiety are reduced and it also eases the effects of depression and stress.
2) It helps reduce the levels of blood pressure, along with chronic pain.
3) It increases happiness, energy, motivation, athletic performance and cerebral blood flow.Conversely, if you have too much of these brain waves, this may lead to an inability to focus, daydreaming and becoming too relaxed.
Beta waves (from 12.0 to 38.0 Hz)

These brain wave occur when we are in our normal state of consciousness. They dominate whenever we direct our attention to the outside world and perform cognitive tasks. These brain waves promote “fast activity”, making us attentive, alert and fully focused on mental activity, problem solving, decision making and judgement. Here are some benefits of these brain waves:
1)Being able to focus consciously, solving problem effectively and having improved memory.
2)This is when flight or fight responses activates which is crucial in dangerous situation.
3)Improvement in alertness, reasoning, logic and critical thinking.
Gamma waves (from 38.0 to 42.0 Hz)

These brain waves are the fastest ones, and they’re associated with simultaneous information processing from the different parts of the brain. Gamma brain waves transmit information in a quiet but quick way. They’re the most subtle brain waves, so you need to quiet your mind if you want to access them. In the past, researchers dismissed gamma brain waves as “spare brain noise.” That is, until they found out that these waves were highly active in people who were in states of altruism, universal love and other “higher virtues.” These brain waves also occur above the neuronal firing frequency, so experts aren’t really sure how they are generated. According to speculation, the rhythms of gamma brain waves modulate consciousness and perception. Here are the benefits of gamma brain waves:
1) They improve information processing, REM sleep, perception, learning, cognition and the senses.
2)Being compassionate and having a higher intelligence level.
3) Being able to control one’s self more effectively.
4) Increased awareness through the senses and experiencing natural happiness more.if you have too much of these brain waves, this may lead to anxiety, stress and high arousal.What are the benefits of Binaural Beats?

Researches proved that there are different benefits of Binaural beat such as

1. Increased creativity – This comes from beta waves. When you awaken up from a deep sleep or when you try to break through the lull you feel every afternoon, beta brain waves can help increase your creativity and bring you into a heightened state of alertness.

2. Stress relief – This comes from alpha waves. When you find your mind racing at the end of the day because you experienced a lot of stress, alpha brain waves can help generate a state of relaxation by calming your mind.

3. Improved learning – This comes from theta waves. When you want to learn new things, the ideal frequency is theta. However, you can’t really learn while you’re asleep! So you can use brain entrainment to tune in your brain to the theta state while you’re awake to improve your memory and learning.

4. Rejuvenating rest – This comes from delta waves. When you use these waves, you can fall asleep more easily, and they can even improve your sleep quality. Then, when you wake up, you feel a lot more rested.

5. Anxiety reduction – One of the more popular programs of brainwave entrainment is known as “holosync,” since it’s highly effective for the reduction of anxiety. Through this, you can suppress your negative thoughts and open your mind to more positive thinking.

6. Pressure relief – Brainwave entrainment can also help relieve pressure, especially when you use it to induce brain waves to move into the alpha state rather than the beta state. This, in turn, reduces the source of pressure that come from beta waves.

7. Easier meditation – You will also find it easier to meditate when you use brainwave entrainment. This helps induce the required brain waves so that you can achieve a meditative state more easily.

How to use Binaural Beats?1. Right before you go to bed – There are several binaural beats that are specifically designed to help you sleep if you have trouble with this. Even if you are not having trouble getting to sleep, certain BWE audios can help you relax and get better quality sleep.
2. Right when you wake up – Try waking up and listening to a refreshing chakra BWE to start your day off right.Your whole day will just seem to fall in place, and it will help you feel more energized, focused and optimistic about your day.
3. Before an interview or presentation – Listening to an alpha wave mp3 right before an interview or a big presentation at work or school and you will be in the perfect mindset for success. You will be more calm and confident.
4. When you are researching/working – Listening to certain types of alpha or low beta BWE frequencies while surfing the web, reading, or researching can actually help you read and absorb information more quickly.
5. When you need a break – Everyone gets stressed out or just plain tired of working some times. Listening to a quick session of brain entrainment is a great way to energize and refocus during a break for whatever work it is that you do.
6. When you are feeling down – BWE that targets 10 hertz, or the middle of the alpha range, will cause your body to release increased levels of serotonin.This is a natural chemical that your body produces that makes you feel good.
7.When meditating – Getting into a meditative state can be difficult for most people. Binaural beats targeted for the alpha or theta range will put you in the right mindset for meditation.

References

1. Adrian Winship “Neuroplasticity – Exercise to improve Cognitive Flexibility, Conquer Trauma & PTSD, Change bad habits, Eliminate Depression and so much more”.
2. Shawn Ryan “Binaural beats and Isochronic Tones – Understanding brainwave entertainment and ways to get reults with binaural beats meditation”.
3. The effect of Binaural beats on working memory capacity by Jacub Kraus and Michaela Parubanova https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275655551_The_effect_of_binaural_beats_on_working_memory_capacity