There are a stunningly vast array of benefits you can experience from listening to binaural beatsย โ a fascinating form of soundwave therapy.
When one of Americaโs most famous living philosophers, Ken Wilber, was asked what the average person could do to raise their consciousness, he replied:
Thereโs already a technology that can be used to raise human consciousness. Itโs called binaural beats.
Researchers and everyday people alike have mentioned the following benefits:
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- Reduced stress
- Reduced anxiety
- Increased concentration
- Increased focus
- Increased confidence
- Increased motivation
- Enhanced mood
- Deeper sleep
- Deeper meditation
Binaural beats have also been used in more esoteric forms of spiritual practice, such as:
Best of all, it only takes on average around 7 minutes for the brain to entrain (or harmonize with the frequencies), so giving yourself between 7 to 30 minutes will help you to start feeling the effects. So what exactly are binaural beats?
Table of contents
What Are Binaural Beats?
From the trance-inducing sounds of drum beats in tribal shamanic cultures to the repetitive chanting of Tibetan monks, rhythmical sound has extremely powerful healing benefits.
Put simply, binaural beats are a form of rhythmic and repetitive sound frequencies which put you into a meditative state easily. It was a physicist named Heinrich Wilhelm Dove who discovered the way binaural beats work in 1839.
When the binaural beat sounds enter your ears they produce something in your brain called โbrainwave entrainment.โ
What is Brain Entrainment?
Brainwave entrainment is a fancy term that basically means altering your brainwaves to adjust to the pace and rhythm of a sound such as those created by binaural beats. When your brain waves synchronize to the sound waves of the binaural beats, the result is a state of deep relaxation.
How Do Binaural Beats Work?
If youโre the type of person who likes the nitty gritty details of how something works, read this section. BUT if youโre not, skip to the next section. In any case, binaural beats are quite fascinating.
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Why?
Binaural beats work by sending two different frequencies to each of our ears. When hearing these two frequencies simultaneously, our brains create a third โphantomโ tone out of the mathematical difference.
Hereโs an example:
If a 310 hertz sound frequency is sent to one ear, and a 315 hertz frequency is sent to the other ear, your brain will process these sounds in a way that results in hearing one 5 hertz frequency. Your brainwaves will then synchronize to this 5 hertz sound frequency.
Another example:
If you listen to 410 hertz in one ear and 400 hertz in the other, your brain will interpret these two simultaneous frequencies as 10 hertz, and your brainwaves will adjust to this new frequency.
Here’s a picture that depicts the process:
Basically to summarize in the most simple way possible: each of your ears receives two different frequencies, and your brain ‘creates’ a third frequency, which then slowly alters your brainwaves.
Pretty cool, right?
Scientific Support of Binaural Beats
Throughout the past twenty years, numerous scientific studies have been conducted on the physical and mental health impacts of listening to binaural beats.
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If youโre like most people, you probably find poring through academic papers boring or time-consuming. So here is a summary of some of the findings:
- People who suffered from memory, attention, stress, pain, headaches and migraine issues were shown to benefit from brainwave entrainment (based on a summary of 20 peer-reviewed studies found here)
- Binaural beats were found to increase creativity, relaxation, and meditation (study here)
- Brainwave entrainment was found to help increase focus, problem-solving, creativity, memory, learning, sleep induction, pain control, and enhance learning (source)
- Increases IQ and results in dramatic improvements to memory (thesis here)
- Reduces anxiety (study here)
- Deepens and extends sleep quality (study here and here)
- Helps with overcoming addiction (study here)
These are just a select few of the many studies conducted out there.
Are Binaural Beats Safe?
Yes! Numerous studies on brainwave entrainment have shown that listening to binaural beats is perfectly fine and has no reported side effects. But, to err on the side of caution, itโs advised that people with epilepsy or those who suffer from seizures, as well as pregnant woman, should consult a physician first.
Free Downloadย โ Binaural Beats
Youโll find a lot of binaural beats music out there, but not all of it is legitimate or high quality.
The binaural beats that I personally listen to and recommend are from the Binaural Beats Meditation studios. Their music is created by professional sound engineers who have over 17 years of experience! You can download a free sample from their website.
Click here toย get your free Binaural Beats Meditation.
You will need to sign up for the free newsletter to receive the download. Also, another thing. In order for binaural beats to work,ย make sure you wear headphones (any kind). Itโs pretty simple.
One of my habitual ways to unwind, get into an easy meditative state, and let the stress of the day melt away is by listening to binaural beats from these guys. So please do try them out! Their work is of the highest quality. (Note: yes, our website does earn affiliate commissions from them, but I only recommend them because I personally use their music to help relax my mind and reduce nervous tensionย โ and it works!)
The Five Levels of Binaural Beats
There are four known categories, or levels, of binaural beats. Each level provides a different source of healing. Iโll explain below:
30hz-100hz โ Gamma
Spiritual awakening, heightened consciousness, love, and harmony
Gamma brainwaves possess the highest frequency we know of. In this state, our brainwaves are so harmonious that many people report feeling elevated states of consciousness, kundalini awakenings, and even mystical experiences. This frequency is often experienced by monks, nuns, yogis, and experienced meditators. Gamma frequencies also enhance memory, awareness, and mental processing.
Recommended Track: Kundalini Awakening by Binaural Beats Meditation (awaken your spiritual energy)
14-30hz โ Beta
Focus, problem-solving, and enhanced energy
Beta brainwaves are typically those we experience when we are wide awake and full of energy. You can think of this frequency as the equivalent of taking stimulants like caffeine, Adderall, or various nootropics. The Beta frequency is good for generating a concentrated, focused, and analytical mind. In fact, the brainwave you probably possess while reading this is of the Beta frequency.
Recommended Track: Super Brain Power by Binaural Beats Meditation (increases your energy and information retention)
8-14hz – Alpha
Calmness, tranquility, and creativity
Alpha brainwaves create a state of inner relaxation and are powerful ways to reduce stress and tension. The tranquility produced by this frequency also helps to soften the mind and produce states of feeling โin the flow.โ Heightened creativity and abstract thinking are also attributed to the Alpha frequency.
Recommended Track: Anxiety Release by Binaural Beats Meditation (let go of stress, fear, and nervous tension)
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4-8hz – Theta
Inspiration, intuition, and dream recall
Theta frequencies have long been viewed as the doorway to the subconscious mind. Heightened intuition, deep relaxation, extrasensory perception, and vivid dreaming are all connected to this frequency. There is a distinctly dreamy and otherworldly feel that accompanies the Theta brainwave. Many therapists and hypnotherapists make use of the Theta frequency to tap into the subconscious mind and heal core issues. As such, this frequency is a powerful way to change limiting beliefs and do deep inner work.
Recommended Track: Astral Projection by Binaural Beats Meditation (enter the hypnagogic state which is a portal to the astral realm)
0.1-4hz – Delta
Pain relief, healing, and regeneration
The Delta brainwave is experienced by us every night in dreamless sleep. It is also experienced by advanced yogis and monks who can enter the Delta frequency during deep meditation. This frequency assists in both emotional and physical healing, as well as enhanced immune functioning, significant stress reduction, and even anti-aging benefits. The Delta frequency is a terrific way to experience deep repair on the physical, emotional, and psychological levels.
Recommended Tracks: Deep Sleep and Pain Relief by Binaural Beats Meditation
How to Use Binaural Beats
As weโve seen, binaural beats can be used in almost every facet of life. But how do we use them?
Here are some suggestions:
- Choose one frequency you would like to work with (or if you prefer,ย experiment with many)
- Find a quiet and undisturbed place
- Use noise canceling headphones to gain the greatest impact (if you donโt have noise canceling headphones, usual earbuds will be fine, but you need to wear headphones to benefit from binaural beats)
- Incorporate binaural beats into your meditation or relaxation time
- If you need a mental boost, listen to the Beta frequency during study or work hours
- The brain requires about 7 minutes on average to โentrainโ (fall into sync) with the binaural beats, so give yourself at least 15-30 minutes to experience the benefits
- Listen to binaural beats for one month minimum and notice the impacts they have
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I hope this guide has helped to open another doorway to healing. Binaural beats are a simple but powerful way to experience everything from calmness and creativity to increased energy and heightened consciousness.
What is your experience with binaural beats and which is your favorite frequency?
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Luna/Aletheia :
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Thank you so much for sharing! I just learned SO much.
I’m hoping to combine this information with information on Singing Bowls – Any resources you may recommend/have on your site?
Many thanks!
I’m delighted that you learned so much from this article Isabelle. :)
There are a few books on singing bowls out there which you might like to look into (for more complete knowledge). Our article on solfeggio frequencies might be of interest to you too: https://lonerwolf.com/solfeggio-frequencies/
Great article! I learned a lot.
This is a great article. Thank you for sharing. I have a cd with 432 hz. music. It’s my understanding this is the natural and harmonic frequency of the Universe.
I have been browsing on the site you linked and have narrowed it down to ‘Deep Meditation Music’ and/or Chakra Healing Meditation’ I feel that could be good for me. There is only one thing that makes me hesitant. The description of the first one says ‘higher spiritual awareness’. I consider myself to be a spiritual person but my energy is to high, I’m to high in my body. I need to connect with the chakra’s in my lower body, instead of (or in addition to) the upper once(s). So ‘higher spiritual awareness’, what does that means? Does that mean the higher chakra’s will be more stimulated/activated?
PS. If I open this site through one of your links but I don’t stay on the page you linked to but browse to a different page to make a purchase, do you still receive a percentage?
I would personally stay away from higher frequencies (such as Gamma tracks) if the issue is overly-developed upper chakras. Perhaps try lower frequencies such as Delta as they help you to stay more in your body. And yes, if you move onto other pages, provided that the link you originally came from was from our site, a small commission will still be issued at no extra cost to you. :) As for your question about the deep meditation track, you might like to directly get in touch with the creators (as they will be more qualified to answer your question): https://www.binauralbeatsmeditation.com/contact/ I hope this helps, Kim!
Hi, Aletheia,
I have purchased the two meditations I mentioned which are theta and 7 chakra frequencies. I tend to be a bit hesitant to register and/or buy from sites I don’t know, that’s why I asked you. But I got over my trust issues and already wrote the creator. He is most helpful. In case someone is wondering: the โhigher spiritual awarenessโ refers to a deeply meditative experience.
Now I’m in the market for two extra tracks to have some variety. I have narrowed it down to a couple of ones including muscle relaxation which is theta and delta. I have a hard time relaxing my body. The last time my muscles where relaxed was after intensely cleaning my stove. I don’t want to clean every time I want to relax, even though my house will be spotless ;).
Anyway, your response helped for sure. Thank you and take care.
Thanks for this great article! I’ve been using a binaural beat track for some time to help with sleeping but never knew about all the other potential uses for them. Will definitely be trying some of these.
I have a strange reaction to Binaural beats, as well as isochronic beats, and anything similar. After listening, I often feel vey fatigued, nauseous, and sometimes quite depressed. This effect can last a few days. So I stay away from it now, as well as guided meditations that have such beats in the background. Have you heard of this kind of reaction before?
P.s. Not sure if this could be related, but I also have a weird affect on electronics and technology … e.g., computers freeze up when I’m around, the lights go out in the room I’m in, a fuse blows in my room but not anywhere else in the house, etc …
Hi Maureen. Do you know which frequency you are listening to? Not all binaural beats are the same (as mentioned in the article), so it’s likely that one of the wavelengths doesn’t suit you.
I heard that people who had suffered a heart attack in the past should stay away from binaural beats. What do you know about this?
Researchers advise that people who suffer from epilepsy or seizures should ask for professional insight first before using binaural beats. Pregnant women are also advised to seek the advice of their physicians. However, I haven’t heard anything about binaural beats impacting those who have had heart attacks negatively. That being said, I encourage you to do extra research.
Is this the same thing as hemi- syncing by the Monroe Institute or are binaural beats different? If so, how? And is one better than the other?
Long time subscriber, love all your articles.
Thank you!
Yes, from what I have researched they are. Although a little pricey! haha
Thanks for your comment Makura and for being a long-time subscriber <3
I’ve tried most frequencies. Delta is the only one I can somewhat tolerate for more than 2 minutes. Most of them cause an increase in anxiety and I feel my soul cringe in pain. I would love some advice on what might help. I’ll try anything…
It sounds like your brain might have initial trouble adapting to the binaural beats. The same thing happened to me when I listen to the Beta frequency (I got a headache), but then I discovered that I had the volume turned up too loud. I would say experiment with these frequencies, but at a low volume. See how you go. And if you continue to have anxiety, by all means, stop listening. Also, not all binaural beats are created equally. Some are amateurish, but the ones from Binaural Beats Meditation (mentioned and linked to in this article), are professionally created and the ones that I personally listen to. I love them (especially the Theta/Delta ones)! I hope this helps. :)
Thank you, Mr. Satz.