The Binaural sounds Are an auditory phenomenon that has been suggested to alter cognitive and psychological processes, including monitoring and memory performance. That is, they are often used to help us reach a state that is difficult for ourselves by changing the wave pattern.
Research has already revealed a long time ago the utility of binaural sounds or binaural waves in the brain.
Our brain, in its activity, emits through electric activity different types of brain waves that can identify the state of each individual. These brain or binaural waves are measured in hertz (Hz). That is, depending on the state of the brain in which they give rise, will activate some waves or others. They can occur in a state of consciousness or not, or also in a state of watch or during the dream.
He human brain Has practically the same operation as that of a computer. Also, the brain works in 4 states mainly (beta, alpha, gamma, and delta) and each of them emits certain brain wave frequency.
Although in the brain there are different parts that act differently, there is a full consciousness. That is, each region of the brain where a sense is processed emits a different wave frequency and the brain collects the data and unifies it as a single consciousness or individual information.
This is possible by neuronal synchrony. With each cognitive activity, a coordination of various neuronal regions is necessary, with neuronal synchronization.
Origins of binaural waves and relevant research
It was the physicist and meteorologist of Prussian origin Heinrich Wilhelm Dove who carried out the first investigations. In 1839 he discovered that by listening to binaural sounds sounding separately in each ear, there was a sensation of a tone of interference equal to that perceived when these waves are created physically by the brain.
Hans Berger, German neurologist and psychiatrist, was the creator of EEG (Electroencephalograph), and with it could demonstrate the existence of an electrical potential in the human brain. The first frequencies that could be contrasted were alphas (alpha), closely followed by theta waves to complement each other over time (beta, delta and gamma).
William Gray Walter, a neurologist, found that waves between 1 and 20 hz (that is, theta, delta and alpha waves) produced beneficial effects of peace, well-being and relaxation on the individual. Even later, it became clear that if you kept listening for these waves at the same frequency for several minutes, you were induced to anesthesia.
Robert Monroe, a pioneer in the research on the use of brain stimulators, found that by using combinations of binaural waves one could increase states of attention and alertness in the individual or the other extreme, induce a state of deep relaxation or other states Mental
Finally, it is worth mentioning the work of Dr. Gerald Oster, who published an article in 1973 in which he discovered that if the two ears are stimulated simultaneously and separately with stereo sound and with two different frequencies, the brain perceives a "Binaural pulse"whose frequency is the difference between the initial frequencies.
That is, if for example the right ear is stimulated with a frequency of 340 Hz and the left with a frequency of 310 Hz, we will cause a pulse of 30 Hz. This technique is known as binaural beat and with it can alter the functioning of our Brain at our whim according to our needs.
Types of binaural waves
There are different types of waves, each of which intervenes in different processes. Next, I will explain each of them, ordering them from lower number of Hz to greater number of Hz, defining in detail in which process they participate:
Delta waves
We start with the longest, undulating and least frequent waves of all. This varies between 0.2-3.5 Hz. The brain usually produces them in states of transition from wakefulness to sleep, deep sleep and when the individual practices meditation. Later, I will explain how theta waves are characteristic of the states of the subconscious.
In relation to this state, we can say that delta waves prepare the individual for him. If our brain synchronizes with delta waves, we can access information from past and forgotten episodes and make them aware in the mind so that we can visualize it and begin a process of change.
The production of these waves is very important in the healing processes and in the strengthening of the immune system. Besides, they are the ones that usually advise, as you can imagine already, to have a deep and conciliatory dream.
In the full activity of the waves is the right hemisphere of the brain that is working.
Theta waves
They are the second slowest waves, their frequency varies between 3.5 and 7.5 Hz. The brain activity in these waves produces a state of deep relaxation (it is when the relaxation is greater) and of extreme creativity Together with greater learning ability and plastic memory.
The brain activity is in a state practically relative to the dream, and propitiates the induction to the self hypnosis, the programming of the mind and in the Stress reduction . With these waves, there is a balance between both hemispheres.
These waves are characteristic of the human subconscious, so they are very useful for the recovery in memory of memories forgotten or rejected by the mind (as for example can occur in traumatic events lived in the past).
Due to the latter characteristics of theta waves I have highlighted, they are often used for behavior modification processes or in the treatment of certain addictions such as alcoholism.
In metaphysics, these types of waves are called States of creative awareness.
Alpha waves
These waves are produced by the brain in moments of complete relaxation of mental activity, when we are in states of tranquility and rest and body-mind integration. In short, they are slower waves (between 7.5-13 hz).
Due to this state of relaxation so intense that occurs in the activity of the alpha waves, the individual experiences a good moment to exercise his imagination.
In this way it helps to solve problems and propose alternatives to them and to be aware of our authentic inner being. Which in activity of the other binaural waves is not able to reach them. In addition, fears, worries and fears have no place while alpha waves are in operation.
In relation to Hemispheres , A full activity of the left hemisphere And disconnection of the right hemisphere. These waves are the ones that usually advise to concentrate and Study better .
Gamma waves
These waves are electrical signals that emit our neurons in a frequency of 40 Hz, although it can move in a range between 26 Hz to 70 Hz. They are characterized by being the fastest waves and those that have more mental activity.
They are activated mainly in moments of lucidity, maximum concentration or in processes of intuition, that is to say, in activities where high level cognitive activities are carried out. Although they are more characteristic of the processes I just mentioned, they can also be in the REM sleep phase.
Beta waves
Its activity occurs when we stay awake and expectations around us, that is, when we think and work normally in our day to day, in normal surveillance.
Within the beta waves, 2 different states can be given depending on the level of activity: we speak of a positive beta state when the mind is in a moment of high concentration in which the mind is alert focusing on concrete goals. Second, we will speak of a negative beta state when the individual is agitated or nervous due to thoughts, in a state of hyperactivity.
High levels of beta waves are detrimental to the subject, as they can cause stress, irritation, sudden fears, restlessness and anxiety.
Throughout the day, the human brain is changing its cerebral activity happening of binaurales waves to others in a matter of little time. Because of this we can explain how we go from feeling inspired to feeling tired in a short period of time.
The problems that affect our organism and our mood are usually related to a specific binaural wave being dominant most of the time.
For example, a too high and elongated frequency in the time of beta waves can cause states of stress and anxiety in the individual. This is what some scientists say happens in our current society.
In the meditation An important aid has been found to achieve a movement of states to other binaural waves other than beta. By using binaural and isochronic soundings, it is possible to modify that wave pattern.
Benefits of Different binaural sounds
Binaural sounds are brain waves that combine with background music to bring different states into the individual depending on what we want to achieve and depending on the waves he or she hears. These began to study in Century XIX but it was not until Century XX when they began to put in practice by several scientific communities.
Depending on how often you lower or increase brain function thanks to these binaural beats, the effect that will have on our body will be both mind level and body.
Thus, with the binaural sounds the individual can be induced to: a state of altered consciousness, a state of meditation or even a deep relaxation. It has even been contrasted how they can re-establish the chemical levels of sodium and potassium in the brain.
There is a variety of research that states that binaural sounds help the person to change the mental state in which he is found through direct induction on the brain.
For these sounds to synchronize at the same frequency both cerebral hemispheres and have their effectiveness, there is a need for the individual to hear these through headphones (to be good quality stereos).
For best effect, it is advisable to use binaural sounds in original CDs, as it is the best format in which the audio properties are saved. Also, it is of vital importance the constancy in the listening because only in this way we will reach our objective, whatever it is.
There are contraindications for people affected by epilepsy . In these people it is not advisable to use binaural waves since their use may trigger some reaction. Neither should they be used by persons with psychic disorders or Personality changes .
It is important to know that these sounds help in some aspects of our daily life but that, in no case, replace medical treatments or psychological therapy.
In short, binaural sounds are used for many benefits such as: increase creativity, reduce stress, eliminate pain, Reduction of anxiety , To arrive at states of relaxation, to diminish altered states of consciousness or to be able to remember dreams.
As for the possible addiction that these sounds may cause, there is no scientific evidence to support such an effect. There are no physiological mechanisms that can make an individual addicted to these sounds.
References
- Beatty, J.; Greenberg, A.; Deibler, W. P.; Hanlon, J. F. Operant control of occipital theta rhythm affects performance in a radar monitoring task. Science 183: 871-873; 1974.
- Jensen, O., Tesche, C.D., 2002. Frontal theta activity in humans increases with memory load in a working memory task. European Journal of Neuroscience 15, 1395-1399.
- Klimesch, W., Sauseng, P., Hanslmayr, S., 2007. EEG alpha oscillations: the inhibition timing hypothesis. Brain Research Reviews 53, 63-88.
- Lane, J.D., Kasian, S.J., Owens, J.E., Marsh, G.R., 1998. Binaural auditory beats affect monitoring performance and mood. Physiol. Behav. 63, 249-252.
- McPherson, D.L., Starr, A., 1993. Binaural interaction in auditory evoked potentials: brainstem, middle- and long-latency components. Hear. Res. 66, 91-98.
- McAlpine, D., Jiang, D., Palmer, A.R., 1996. Interaural delay sensitivity and the classification of low best-frequency binaural responses in the lower colliculus of guinea pig. Hear. Res. 97, 136-152.