What
are Binaural Beat Recordings?
They
are not a motivational or subliminal or music CD.
What are Binaural Beats?
The sensation of auditory binaural beats occurs when two coherent sounds
of nearly similar frequencies are presented one to each ear with stereo
headphones or speakers.
When the
brain integrates the two signals, it produces a sensation of a third
sound called the binaural beat.
Binaural
beats originate in the brainstem's superior olivary nucleus, the site
of contralateral integration of auditory input. The binaural beat is
neurologically conveyed to the reticular formation which uses neurotransmitters
to initiate changes in brain-wave activity
For
a long time, the scientific community has been aware that certain frequencies
are associated with certain states of mind. For example, the alpha frequency
of 8 to 12Hz is present when individuals are in the "zone",
in "super learning", positive-thinking modes. This frequency
can be verified
through an electroencephalograph (EEG) reading, and can usually only
be obtained through meditation.
Thankfully,
thanks to much scientific research and many thousands of electroencephalograph
reading studies, these frequencies have long been well-known to the
community. And here they are:
DELTA
1-3 Hz: Deep sleep, lucid dreaming, increased immune
functions
THETA
4-7 Hz: Deep relaxation, meditation, increased memory,
focus
ALPHA
8-12 Hz: Light relaxation, "super learning",
positive thinking
BETA
13-25 Hz: Normal state
of alertness, stress, anxiety
Further studies have shown that specific types of exposure to certain
frequencies is better at assisting different mind states. For example,
we know that a 30-minute session at 5 Hz can replace around 2 to 3 hours
of sleep. Insomnia can be assisted with a ten minute dose of between
4 Hz and 6 Hz, then entering frequencies below 3.5 Hz for twenty to
thirty minutes, followed by settling on 2.5 Hz and fading out. Accelerated
learning can take place at between 7 Hz and 9 Hz.
Binaural beats are neither harmful nor addictive. In
fact, it's hard to imagine a safer self-development tool. Simply put
on your headphones, press "Play" on your CD player, and you're
ready to go.