WHAT ARE BINAURAL SOUNDS? - NEUROPSYCHOLOGY - 2025

The binaural sounds are an auditory phenomenon that has been suggested to alter cognitive and psychological processes, including monitoring and performance memory. They are often used to help us reach a state by changing the wave pattern.

Our brain, in its activity, emits through electrical 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, some waves or others will be activated. They can occur in a state of consciousness or not, or also in a state of vigilance or during sleep.

The human brain has practically the same function as that of a computer. Likewise, the brain works in 4 states mainly (beta, alpha, gamma, and delta) and each of them emits a certain frequency of brain waves.

Although there are different parts of the brain that act differently, there is mindfulness. 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 due to neuronal synchrony. With each cognitive activity a coordination of various neuronal regions is necessary, carrying out a neuronal synchronization.

Origins of binaural waves and relevant research

It was the Prussian-born physicist and meteorologist 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 an interference tone equal to that perceived when these waves are physically created by the brain.

Hans Berger, a German neurologist and psychiatrist, was the creator of the EEG (electroencephalograph), and with it he was able to demonstrate the existence of an electrical potential in the human brain. The first frequencies that could be contrasted were alphas (alpha), very followed by theta waves to complement each other over time (beta, delta and gamma).

Neurologist William Gray Walter discovered that waves ranging from 1 to 20 Hz (ie, theta, delta, and alpha waves) produced beneficial effects of peace, well-being, and relaxation in the individual. Somewhat later, it was even discovered that listening to this type of wave at the same frequency for several minutes would induce states of anesthesia.

Robert Monroe, pioneer in the research on the use of brain stimulators, discovered that by using combinations of binaural waves it was possible to increase the states of attention and alertness in the individual or at the other extreme, induce a state of deep relaxation or other states mental.

Finally, it is worth highlighting the work of Dr. Gerald Oster, who published an article in 1973 in which he discovered that if both ears are stimulated at the same time 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 another of 310 Hz, we will cause a pulse of 30 Hz. This technique is known as binaural beat and with it we can alter the functioning of our brain at will according to our needs.

Types of binaural waves

There are different types of waves, each of which intervenes in different processes. Next, I am going to explain each one of them, ordering them from a lower number of Hz to a higher number of Hz, defining in detail in which process they participate:

Delta waves

We start with the longest, wavy, and lowest-frequency waves of all. This varies between 0.2-3.5 Hz. The brain usually produces them in transition states from wakefulness to sleep, in deep sleep and when the individual practices meditation. Later, I will explain how theta waves are characteristic of states of the subconscious.

In relation to this state, we can say that delta waves prepare the individual for it. If our brain is synchronized with delta-type waves, we can access information from past and forgotten episodes and make them conscious in the mind to be able to visualize it and start a process of change.

The production of these waves is very important in healing processes and in strengthening the immune system. In addition, they are the ones that usually advise, as you can already imagine, to have a deep and conciliatory sleep.

In the full activity of the waves it 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. Brain activity in these waves produces a state of deep relaxation (this is when relaxation is greatest) and extreme creativity along with greater learning capacity and plastic memory.

Brain activity is in a state practically relative to sleep, and favors the induction of self-hypnosis, the programming of the mind and the reduction of stress. With these waves, there is a balance between both hemispheres.

These waves are typical of the human subconscious, so they are very useful for the recovery in memory of forgotten or rejected memories by the mind (as for example, it can occur in traumatic events experienced in the past).

Due to these last characteristics of theta waves that 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 consciousness.

Alpha or 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 intense relaxation that occurs in the activity of alpha waves, the individual experiences a good moment to exercise their 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 the activity of the other binaural waves is not able to reach them. Also, fears, worries and fears have no place while alpha waves are at work.

In relation to the hemispheres, a full activity of the left hemisphere begins and a 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 our neurons emit at 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 with the greatest mental activity.

They are activated above all in moments of lucidity, maximum concentration or in processes of intuition, that is, in activities where high-level cognitive activities are carried out. Although they are more characteristic of the processes that I have just mentioned, they can also occur in the REM sleep phase.

Beta waves

Its activity occurs when we stay awake and expectant of our surroundings, that is, when we think and work normally in our day to day, in a state of normal vigilance.

Within the beta waves, 2 different states can occur 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 specific objectives. 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, since these can cause the appearance of stress, irritation, sudden fears, restlessness and anxiety.

Throughout the day, the human brain varies its brain activity from binaural waves to others in a matter of a short time. Because of this it can be explained how we go from feeling inspired to feeling tired in a short period of time.

The problems that affect our body and our state of mind are usually related to the fact that a specific binaural wave is dominant most of the time.

For example, a frequency that is too high and lengthened in time of beta waves can cause states of stress and anxiety in the individual. This is what some scientists say happens in our society today.

In meditation an important help has been found to achieve a movement of states to other binaural waves different from beta. Using binaural and isochronic listening to sounds it is possible to modify this wave pattern.

Benefits of

Binaural sounds are brain waves that are combined with background music to provoke different states in the individual according to what we want to achieve and according to the waves that he hears. These began to be studied in the 19th century but it was not until the 20th century that they began to be put into practice by various scientific communities.

Depending on how often the brain function goes down or up thanks to these binaural beats, the effect it will have on our body will be both on the mind and on the body.

Thus, with binaural sounds the individual can be induced to: an altered state of consciousness, a state of meditation or even deep relaxation. It has even been proven how these can restore the chemical levels of sodium and potassium in the brain.

There is various research that affirms that binaural sounds help the person to modify the mental state in which they are through direct induction on the brain.

For these sounds to synchronize both cerebral hemispheres at the same frequency and have their effectiveness, there is a need for the individual to listen to these through headphones (preferably good quality stereos).

For a better effect, it is advisable to use binaural sounds in original CDs, since it is the best format in which the audio properties are saved. Also, consistency in listening is vitally important since only in this way will we achieve our goal, whatever it may be.

There are contraindications for people with epilepsy. In these people, it is not recommended that they use binaural waves since their use can trigger a reaction. Nor should they be used by people with mental disorders or personality disorders.

It is important to know that these sounds help in some aspects of our day to day but that, in no case, do they replace medical treatments or psychological therapy.

In short, binaural sounds are used for many benefits, such as: increasing creativity, reducing stress, eliminating pain, reducing anxiety, reaching states of relaxation, to reduce altered states of consciousness or being able to remember dreams.

As for the possible addiction that these sounds can 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

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