Because REM sleep is more wakeful, it’s mostly composed of beta-frequency waves and other activities that are associated with being alert and awake.ĭeeper forms of meditation produce theta waves, which are slower and have a lower frequency (between 5-8 hertz) than Alpha waves. Theta-frequency brain wave patterns are associated primarily with deep relaxation and some stages of sleep, including lighter stages on non-REM (NREM) sleep. Those who practice yoga have likely experienced this alpha state. As brain waves that are both slower and lower in frequency (between 9-14 hertz), alpha waves occur when you’re calm and collected, but still alert and aware of your surroundings.Īlpha waves are additionally associated with a meditative state and with your ability to be creative. Alpha-Frequency WavesĪlpha-frequency brain waves are associated with relaxation. Beta waves are fast and have a higher frequency (between 15-40 hertz), and higher levels of beta-frequency waves are associated with anxiety. When beta brain waves are dominant, we’re ready to focus, to make decisions, and to think analytically.Īs you analyze an issue in the office or amongst friends, chances are high that you’re in a beta-dominant state. Beta-Frequency Wavesīeta-frequency brain waves are associated with elevated levels of alertness and arousal. Binaural beats can influence these brain waves as well. There are four primary types of brain wave frequencies that will be influenced by your emotions and your world. brain waves are influenced by how we feel and what we do in the world around us. When we think, experience emotion, or act on how we feel, we trigger neural communication. To better understand how binaural beats interact with your brain, we need to take a brief detour to discuss brain waves and what they represent in terms of our emotions, mental activity, and state of consciousness.īrain waves are created by a pulse of electricity that comes from neurons as they communicate with one another.

Listening to different tones that create a singular low-frequency tone will trigger our brain to transition into a state of slow-wave activity - the perfect state for relaxation - lowering anxiety and making it easier to both fall asleep and stay asleep. Why is this exposure to sound waves that we can’t hear so beneficial? Science suggests exposure to binaural beats can create changes in our brain’s state of arousal.

While you won’t be able to hear this tone (10 hertz is so low that you can’t actually hear it), your brain will still be affected by it and benefit from the inaudible auditory beat. If you start to play a binaural beat that sends a 280-hertz tone into your left ear and a 300-hertz tone into your right ear, your brain will naturally process and absorb a 10-hertz tone. To accomplish this task, you’ll need a pair of headphones. Your brain is “tuning” itself into a new frequency. The theory behind such an idea goes something like this: When a different tone is played in each ear, your brain will perceive an entirely new tone that’s essentially the difference between the two separate tones you hear.

Promoted by psychologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals alike, many claim these beats can improve working memory and long-term memory, as well as strengthen connections within the many networks of the brain. With one frequency in each ear, the brain perceives them as a singular tone. What Are Binaural Beats?Īs sophisticated as they may sound, binaural beats are nothing more than two different frequencies playing at the same time. Let’s drop the beat and break down this fascinating topic in greater detail to learn everything there is to know about binaural beats and how they can impact your sleep. What do binaural beats actually do? Why should you use them during sleep? And can you really boost your brain health with a little help from isochronic tones? While it’s true that sound can influence our stress levels and even our cognitive performance, many questions remain about the efficacy of these slow-wave sounds. Let’s take a closer look at one area impacted by binaural beats: sleep. These beats are created by combining different sound frequencies to produce a singular tone, and they’re popular on both music streaming applications and YouTube alike. Binaural beats are a fascinating piece of technology that claims to reduce stress and anxiety while increasing your state of relaxation.

Binaural beats arousal frequency