Binaural Beats Can Reduce Anxiety
It may sound unbelievable, but certain kinds of auditory effects known as binaural beats
can reduce anxiety and the symptoms associated with anxiety, according to medical
science researchers. But before we dive into the anti-anxiety benefits of binaural beats
and music associated with them, we first need to examine just what binaural beats are
and what effects they may have on the body. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it!
The Science Behind Binaural Beats
Scientists have actually been aware of the powers of binaural beats for some time now.
In 1839, a Prussian physicist and meteorologist named Heinrich Wilhelm Dove
discovered what we now know as the binaural beat effect. However, public awareness
of the phenomenon did not come into being until late into the 20th century, when
psychologists and auditory scientists began to popularize the use of binaural beats for
assuaging psychological ailments.
Here is the way it works. When your ears are each presented with a slightly different
frequency, your brain has to work out the difference. The result of those processes is
the appearance of a “phantom” beat – the binaural beat. The frequency of this beat is
equal to the difference between the two other beats. In other words, if one of your ears
is presented with a beat that has a frequency of 300 Hz (hertz – the unit which stands
for cycles per second and named for a different Heinrich; Heinrich Hertz) while your
other ear is presented with a beat which has a frequency of 310 Hz, then the binaural
beat that your brain creates will have a beat with a frequency of 10 Hz.
Now, that sounds like a lot of science BS, but here’s what it means for you. When your
brain generates that binaural beat of 10 Hz, your actual brainwaves may begin to take
on that particular frequency. Specific brainwave frequencies are associated with
different states of mind. The idea this: if your brain begins to take on that specific
frequency, then you will achieve a new state of mind. Here is a table based on research
in the field of electroencephalography which charts out the various types of brainwaves
and their correspondence to psychological state:
Binaural Beats Can Reduce Anxiety
Type of
Wave
Frequency
(in Hz)
Psychological State
Delta
Waves
0.05 Hz – 3.99
Hz
Associated with non-REM sleep.
Theta
Waves
4 Hz – 7 Hz
Associated with drowsiness.
Alpha
8 Hz – 15 Hz
Associated with relaxation and
reflection, closed eyes. Meditation.
16 Hz – 31 Hz
Associated with active cognition on
the low end. Anxiety on the high end.
Waves
Beta
Waves
As you can see from this table, if you are in theory able to change your brainwaves to a
specific frequency, then it should be possible to induce states of relaxation and calm in
even the most anxious of minds. As with most things, that is easier said than done, but
there are some interesting directions in which science is going that could possibly be
relevant for us here. In fact, it may be possible just to listen to music with binaural beats
to induce states of calm and relaxation based on the principles we just discussed.
Binaural Beats Can Reduce Anxiety
Can Binaural Beats Cure Anxiety?
Well, “cure” is a pretty big word, don’t you agree? If binaural beats are capable of curing
anxiety, that would not surprise me. But, it’s more likely that these forms of beats will
have at least a marginal effect upon your anxiety symptoms given the current research
in the scientific literature.
Scientists in recent studies and not so recent studies found that binaural beats did in
fact have a major benefit for sufferers of anxiety. In fact, here is their full conclusion
from the abstract of the paper:
Listening to binaural beat tapes in the delta/theta electroencephalogram range may be
beneficial in reducing mild anxiety. Future studies should account for music preference
among participants and include age as a factor in outcomes, incentives to foster tape
listening, and a physiologic measure of anxiety reduction. A controlled trial that includes
binaural beat tapes as an adjunctive treatment to conventional therapy for mild anxiety
may be warranted.
That is very hopeful indeed! Given that a reputable scientific study has found an effect
on anxiety due to binaural beats, this certainly warrants our attention. The final question
you may have is where you can find music which uses binaural beats. Let’s answer that
one now.
Where Can I Find Binaural Beats?
Here is where it gets a bit tricky. Due to the quality standards of major content providers
like YouTube and Vimeo, the sound you are receiving out of those videos may not be
configured properly to give you the stereophonic effects that you need to properly
implement the binaural beat. That is why we recommend you go with a dedicated MP3
collection which you can play on your iPod or other music device. By choosing a
dedicated collection of music, you are ensuring that you receive all the benefits of the
binaural beat effect and its mood-enhancing properties.
Binaural Beats Can Reduce Anxiety
What Do You Recommend?
To that end, I recommend you go with a dedicated binaural beats program or MP3
collection such as what is offered here. You’ll also want to have a good pair of
headphones for ensuring that it all works properly.
That’s right! You’ll need headphones. Your computer’s speakers are simply not good
enough for this task. On this page are some of the products that I created and
recommend to get.