A Quick Guide to Binaural Beats

I was recently asked a question by my nephew, regarding binaural beats. Because of my involvement with meditation and relaxation techniques, he felt comfortable asking about the safety of it and what it was, exactly. I provided him with some information that I felt would assist him in his choice, as to whether or not to listen, and I decided to do a little more research on the subject, in order to better educate myself. I know a little about the topic, but I wanted to know more about it.

I learned a heck of a lot more than I thought I knew. So, here's a basic guide for what binaural beats are, how they're used, and most importantly, who can and cannot use them.

Binaural beats are a type of brain entrainment technology. Entrainment, by the way, is a fancy way of saying “matching”. The beats influence your brainwaves, which in turn alter the states of your consciousness. They were first discovered in 1839 by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove, but were considered a scientific oddity until 1973, when Gerald Oster published an article called, “Auditory Beats in the Brain”. Oster’s work offered new insights, as well as some laboratory findings, to Dove’s research; hence, a revolution was started in the field of neurophysiology. Binaural beats are of interest to neurophysiologists investigating the sense of hearing.

Binaural beats affect brainwaves, as previously mentioned. Let’s mention those waves before we proceed:

*Gamma waves are any waves above 40 Hz. They assist with increased mental activity, including perception, fear, problem solving and consciousness.

*Beta waves are waves that range between 13 and 25 Hz. They are responsible for thinking actions, anxiety, and the feeling of being stressed.

*Alpha waves, which range between 7 and 13 Hz, deal with relaxed focus. You’d have relaxed focus if you were watching a movie, daydreaming, or recalling fond memories.

*Theta waves are the ones that help you to sleep and deeply relax. Those who practice most meditation forms find themselves in a theta state, where waves range between 4 and 7 Hz.

*Delta waves, which are found below 4 Hz, induce a very deep sleep, which is what helps the body to repair itself and strengthen the immune system.

(I didn’t mention Mu waves, but they are also noted in the brain, and they are associated with Sensorimotor Rhythm.)

Listening to binaural beats has been shown to assist people in overcoming insomnia, increasing creativity, increasing states of relaxation, and can also have other significant health benefits, including control over pain. It has been proven, in certain studies, to treat addictions and to assist in learning.

Binaural beats are safe for most individuals to enjoy. However, there are some people who really shouldn’t listen to them, including people with the following conditions:

*People who suffer from seizures, because it can increase the probability of having a seizure, due to brain wave change.

*People with heart conditions or who have a pacemaker. Brain waves are responsible for heart rhythms, and any change to heart rhythms can potentially cause a serious condition or situation.

*People who are taking tranquilizers, or who suffer from mental or psychological disorders. Binaural beats can affect a person’s personality by way of changing up the brain waves, so people who suffer from schizophrenia or any personality disorder are cautioned not to use the beats without the approval of a health care professional.

*Children - children who have listened to binaural beats have a higher risk of developing seizures or a seizure disorder, due to the immaturity of the brain.

*Pregnant women are cautioned not to listen to brain wave entrainment, since this can stimulate labor.

*People who are working, driving or operating heavy or large machinery are advised never to listen to binaural beats, as it can put them into a trance-like state and can risk their own personal safety, as well as the safety of those around them.

Listening to binaural beats is not something to be feared, however. In most situations, listening is safe and very enjoyable. Choosing a track from various websites online, as well as some videos on YouTube.com, can assist you in relaxing and can bring about a more restful sleep. Choosing a Beta entrainment can help with alertness and focus, while listening to an Alpha wave track can help you to relax and learn new information. Theta tracks can help to change some negative emotions, or to help you drift off to a sounder sleep. Delta waves will help to accelerate healing. To use them, you must use headphones or earphones, because each ear will hear a different frequency. You should make the commitment and listen daily; consistency is key in order to achieve maximum benefits. However, please don’t listen to binaural beats twenty four hours a day; once daily for a short period of time is perfectly fine. You should also make yourself comfortable; either lying down or sitting in a comfortable chair will help you to relax. You can do them right before sleep, or right upon awakening. Listening during meditation or visualization exercises will help to improve and deepen your practice. If you feel a little blue or you need a break from the daily routine, you can pop a CD in and unplug completely. When you return to whatever you were doing, you will find that you are more refreshed and ready to take on whatever is before you.

I hope this lesson has served you well, grasshopper.