However, the researchers noted that people experiencing high levels of preoperative anxiety could listen to binaural beats for up to 1 hour before anesthesia to reduce levels of anxiety. 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. The researchers also monitored heart rate and skin conductance as indicators of emotional arousal.
This rhythmic percept is a key piece of the purported subjective effects of binaural beats in the scientific and pseudoscientific literature. To elucidate whether and how binaural beats regulate mood, we chose monaural beats as a control that would rule out rhythmicity as an influencing factor. Binaural beats do not contain the beat frequency in neither their spectrum nor their envelope, but this percept is presumably created in the medial nucleus of the superior olivary complex (Wernick and Starr, 1968; Kuwada et al., 1979). On the other hand, monaural beats do contain it in their envelope (Fig. 1).
Some people may need help decreasing their anxiety, while others might want to increase their concentration or deepen their level of meditation. When you listen to binaural beats, your brain activity matches the frequency set by the frequency of the beat. This means you can use binaural beats to entrain your mind to reach a certain mental state.
Frequency relevant scores were averaged together in each experimental condition. For example, power scores for 396.5 and 403.5 Hz were averaged together for θ frequency relevant scores. This was done in order to keep the hypothesis testing at a minimum and avoiding inflating the FWER. These averaged scores were then exported to R (v3.6.1, R Development Core team, 2008) for hypothesis testing. EEG was recorded using 64 active sintered Ag-AgCl electrodes placed on the scalp according to the International 10/10 system (ActiveTwo, BioSemi). The active electrodes contain the first amplifier stage within the electrode cover and provide impedance transformation on the electrode to prevent interference currents from generating significant impedance-dependent nuisance voltages.
Finally, a number of study approaches had participants execute an unrelated additional task during binaural beat stimulation [e.g., 25, 65]. The available studies on the effects of binaural beats use a wide range of control conditions, that is pure tones, non-superimposed tones, monaural beats, or silence [e.g., 1, 25, 64]. A final issue is that when it comes to EEG and MEG measurement, studies differ considerably with respect to data collection and data processing procedures [e.g., 1, 61, 64], as well as data analysis [e.g., 54, 58, 61]. The aim of the present systematic review study is, thus, to provide an overview of brainwave entrainment effects in response to binaural beat stimulation. In recent years, however, a number of neuroscientific studies provided at least partial evidence in favor of the brainwave entrainment hypothesis [e.g., 2, 57, 58].
Here, we asked whether binaural beats are able to elicit neural entrainment, and modulate mood, in a specific fashion compared with a control rhythmic stimulus. To do so, we used a passive, single-blind listening task where participants were exposed to both binaural and monaural control conditions while we recorded their electrical brain activity and mood self-reports. Furthermore, while distinct functional connectivity patterns emerged for both binaural and monaural beats at different frequencies, these are not consistent with previous literature and are not related to participants’ self-reported mood. More recently, research has mainly focused on the psychological effects of binaural beat stimulation [30].
The functional meaning (if any) of these short-range patterns remains unclear as we found no difference in participants’ self-reports. With respect to the study outcomes, only six out of the 14 studies of the final sample reported results in line with the entrainment hypothesis. Enhancement of EEG power through binaural beat stimulation when compared to control conditions or baseline recordings was found for the theta [1, 43, 59], the alpha [63, 72] and the gamma bands [1, 73]. The required stimulation durations were either six or ten minutes for theta [43, 59], five minutes for alpha [72], and 15 minutes for gamma entrainment [73]. Entrainment effects were discernible at parietal and temporal electrode sites for the theta band [59], at frontal, central, parietal and occipital areas for the alpha band [72], and at temporal, central and frontal scalp regions for the gamma band [73]. One study additionally investigated cross-frequency responses and reported enhanced alpha power in response to a delta binaural beat stimulation [63].
Binaural beats are a type of auditory illusion created when two tones of slightly different frequencies are played in each ear. This phenomenon results in the perception of a third tone, known as the binaural beat, which is not actually present in the environment. These beats have been studied for their potential to influence brainwave activity and promote relaxation, focus, and other cognitive benefits.
How Do Binaural Beats Work?
When you listen to binaural beats, your brain perceives a beat frequency equal to the difference between the two tones being played. For example, if one ear hears a tone at 200 Hz and the other ear hears a tone at 210 Hz, the brain will perceive a binaural beat at 10 Hz. This frequency corresponds to the alpha brainwave range, typically associated with relaxation and calmness.
Potential Benefits of Binaural Beats
- Improved focus and concentration
- Reduced anxiety and stress
- Enhanced creativity
- Better sleep quality
FAQs About Binaural Beats
- Are binaural beats safe?
- How often should I listen to binaural beats?
Yes, binaural beats are considered safe for most people to listen to. However, individuals with certain medical conditions or a history of seizures should consult a healthcare professional before using them.
The effectiveness of binaural beats can vary from person to person. Some individuals may benefit from daily listening sessions, while others may find occasional use more beneficial.
