Binaural beats can help you fully focus on your work and achieve better performance. Learn how they affect your brain.
Table of contents
1. What are binaural beats?
Binaural tones were first discovered by the physicist Heinrich Wilhelm Dove in 1839. They are a specific sensory perception in the auditory range that occurs when someone perceives similar , but slightly different, frequencies on the left and right.
This sound effect was long considered a physical curiosity, but is now being researched as a tonal factor influencing the stimulation of certain brain waves .
Scientists have now proven that binaural beats have a relaxing effect . Therefore, binaural music can not only help with falling asleep or meditating , but can even improve concentration and memory performance [1]. This is why binaural beats are also classified as concentration music .
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2. How are binaural beats created?
Binaural frequencies are imperceptible to outsiders . They originate locally in your auditory pathway. When different sound frequencies are played to each ear , this activates, among other things, your brain stem.
Your brain attempts to compensate for the tonal discrepancy by averaging the two differing sound frequencies . The so-called " superior olivary nucleus ," which is directly connected to the brainstem, is particularly involved in this process.
With its sensitive neurons, it can not only locate the perceived sound sources but also analyze them for their level differences. Once your brain has become accustomed to the new frequency , it eventually produces brain waves with the same frequency . This effect is called Frequency Following Response (FFR).
But be careful: To create binaural beats, the frequencies of the played sounds must not be further apart than 30 Hz . If the discrepancy is greater, the sounds will simply be perceived as different.
3. The 5 frequency ranges of our brain
Our brain has five different frequency ranges, each linked to different mental, emotional, and physical states. A distinction is made between gamma, beta, alpha, theta, and delta brain waves.
Gamma brain waves
Gamma waves have by far the highest frequency . They oscillate between 100 and 38 Hz and are primarily associated with fast and efficient thinking. In the gamma state, you become a super brain: focus , flow , and creativity converge , and you literally lose yourself in your work. This is peak performance !
If you are in the gamma state, you can quickly understand and process complex issues. Gamma brain waves also create a direct connection between self-discipline , happiness , and heightened sensory perception .
Beta brain waves
Unlike gamma waves, beta waves are stimulated by actively outward-directed thinking . Therefore, they also shape a large part of our waking consciousness. Such frequencies between 37 and 15 Hz are closely associated with rational and logical thinking.
Surprisingly, the high frequencies of beta waves are also associated with many negative emotions : self-doubt , intense nervousness , and anxiety also occur in beta mode. Furthermore, a predominance of beta brain waves has also been linked to insomnia .
Alpha brain waves
Alpha brain waves, on the other hand, occur at medium frequencies between 14 and 8 Hz . They are primarily stimulated during activities such as visualization, meditation, or daydreaming.
The alpha state thus represents a transition to deeper levels of consciousness . It is a relaxed and detached state in which you are still fully perceptive. Incidentally, you also often experience alpha states during simple or monotonous everyday activities .
Furthermore, the alpha state has been associated with enhanced memory performance [2]. In contrast to the beta state, alpha waves are also characterized by the absence of negative emotions [3].
Theta brain waves
The deep theta brainwaves between 7 and 4 Hz are active when you sleep , meditate deeply, or immerse yourself in creative activity. What's characteristic about theta states is that they are closely connected to our unconscious psychological processes.
However, in order to remember theta dreams or meditation and visualization experiences , alpha waves must also be involved at the same time .
Delta brain waves
Yes, it goes even deeper—to the delta frequency! With an extremely low spectrum between 3 and 0.5 Hz, these brain waves are primarily active during dreamless, deep sleep . So, we experience them regularly, but not consciously.
In fact, a high proportion of delta waves during sleep is an indicator of good sleep quality . In the delta state , regenerative hormones such as melatonin are also released .
4. Binaural Beats Effect
Binaural sounds can transport you to different states of consciousness with their powerful sound frequencies. If you desire particularly deep meditation or restful sleep, theta and delta frequencies are ideal.
However, if your goal is top performance , you should stick to the lower frequencies of gamma and beta waves and the higher frequencies of alpha waves .
If you use binaural beats correctly, they can help you meditate, reduce stress, or achieve peak performance in the office. Binaural beats can work wonders, especially for deepening your concentration at work. Depending on the frequency chosen, the result is a perfect combination of focus and flow.
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5. Conclusion
Binaural beats are a great way to positively influence your mental processes and thus your mood. The result is better performance, a better mood, and with a little luck, even better sleep [3].
You can now use your new knowledge of the different brain waves to search for binaural beats on YouTube that match your personal goals. Use gamma, alpha, beta, theta, and delta waves to get exactly the experience you need.
6. Sources
[1] Garcia-Argibay, M.; Santed, MA; Reales, JM (2019), Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: a meta-analysis, Psychological Research, Volume 83, Issue 2, p. 357-372, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00426-018-1066-8.
[2] Klimesch, W. (1999), EEG alpha and theta oscillations reflect cognitive and memory performance: a review and analysis, Brain Research: Brain Research Reviews, Volume 29, Issue 2-3, 169-195, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165017398000563?via%3Dihub.
[3] Phneah, SW; Nisar, H. (2017), EEG-based alpha neurofeedback training for mood enhancement, Volume 40, Issue 2, p. 325 - 336, Australasian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13246-017-0538-2.
