The phenomenon of binaural beats has been known to mankind for a very long time - from the moment when music appeared. Of course, then there was no name for it, although everyone could and can feel it. It must have happened to everyone at least once. So what are binaural beats? Do they harm or benefit a person?
Essence
Who doesn't know the feeling when, for example, when listening to live organ music, suddenly there is a feeling as if the sound is pulsating? One way or another, almost everyone has experienced this effect. This phenomenon has been familiar to musicians and acoustic physicists for quite some time, but it gained immense popularity in certain circles a few decades ago.
The essence of binaural beats is the difference between the frequencies perceived by each ear separately. If there is a difference in this indicator that does not exceed 25-30 Hz, and at the same time the tones are not higher than 1000-1500 Hz, then the human body will feel an unusual effect on itself, which can be described as a beating or pulsation.
This is not a sound because the equipment is onin fact, at low frequencies at this moment it does not register anything at all, but it is perceived by the ear in this way. This effect is easy to observe with ordinary stereo headphones and special tracks that are freely available. However, this phenomenon can also be encountered in more natural conditions, without resorting to such equipment.
History
The rediscovery of binaural beats occurred in the 60s of the XX century, and was made by the American researcher Robert Monroe. By that time, this effect had long been known and described by many scientists, but no one de alt with the topic of its impact on the human body. Meanwhile, this is not only an important, but also an interesting topic that still raises questions.
Monroe's work causes some skepticism among many, since this researcher, among other things, is the author of the famous theory of out-of-body travel. And although modern science denies the possibility of this kind of phenomena, who knows, maybe it's just not studied yet.
Appearance mechanism
So, two monotonous sounds add up, resulting in an effect known as binaural beats. The frequencies at which this pulsation is "heard", according to the equipment, are absolutely pure. How does it work? Is it all about hallucinations? In fact, science has some explanation for this phenomenon.
The ear hears sound due to the mechanical impact of the environment on the eardrums. However, compiling a completepictures and perception already occur in the brain, which processes the information received. It is believed that sounds of close frequencies, given to different ears, as a result "generate" a sensation of pulsation in the human head. This happens due to the fact that there is a certain analogue of the phenomenon called in the physics of light diffraction. The brain itself generates this effect. In this case, the resulting sound in amplitude is equal to the difference between the frequencies of monotonous tones. The brain is truly a unique organ, the possibilities of which are not fully understood. It is believed that the ability to perceive such sound effects was acquired in the process of evolution for better orientation in space. Those who are most acutely aware of these kinds of influences are said to have excellent flair. Thus, such a phenomenon as binaural brain rhythms is outside the sphere of interest of physics and acoustics and is the subject of study by neurophysiologists. What is quite interesting: this effect is perceived subconsciously and can be recorded by the brain even beyond the threshold of conscious hearing.
Effect on the body
First of all, the influence of binaural beats can be traced on the work of the brain - this can be seen with the help of electroencephalography. It has long been known that without any external influence, the main human organ generates its own impulses - in a different state they differ. Neurophysiologists conditionally distinguish between alpha, beta, gamma, delta and theta waves, depending on what phase of activity the brain and body are in.in general: awake and in a state of active mental work or, for example, falling asleep.
It is believed that different hemispheres work at their own frequencies. But they can be synchronized if you use pure binaural beats (monotonous sounds of different amplitudes, superimposed on each other just to achieve this effect). As a result, according to some people, this allows you to use brain resources more efficiently, that is, increase the productivity of thought processes, learn faster, perceive environmental information better, etc.
Use
In certain circles, various mystical properties are attributed to the phenomenon of binaural beats. According to the followers of some areas of yoga, they help to relax and even enter a state of trance. Meditation becomes deeper and more effective. Binaural beats, as it is believed in this environment, can be a serious impetus to self-discovery.
Another category of people who are keenly interested in this topic are fans of various esoteric or religious movements. They attribute great importance to this natural phenomenon and even believe that it can cure many ailments. In fact, the therapeutic effect has not been proven, although no one prevents patients from believing in it, which once again demonstrates such a phenomenon of human psychology as a placebo.
Benefit
There was no clear positive effect recorded by reputable scientists, but this may be due to the fact that notno fundamental research was carried out due to the doubtfulness of the topic from the point of view of modern science.
However, those scientists who have studied the effects of isochronous beating on the human body believe that different frequencies can have different effects. So, a small amplitude difference (up to 8 Hz) relaxes and calms, helps with falling asleep. Higher frequencies (8-25 Hz), on the contrary, tune in to the working mood, allow you to get together, focus on work, improve the productivity of thought processes, activate metabolic processes.
Experimenting, enthusiasts have compiled audio recordings to achieve various effects: a simple and pleasant awakening, increased concentration or complete relaxation. The product of their activity can be used, among other things, as music therapy for various disorders or problems. However, it is worth remembering that the same thing can be both a medicine and a poison, it all depends on the dose. Are binaural beats so good and harmless?
Harm
Serious negative effects of isochronous beats were not identified, although some researchers recorded something like failures in the subjects' encephalograms, which they called paroxysms. What this was expressed from a physical point of view, is unknown. Nevertheless, in one form or another, binaural waves at some point under the guise of digital drugs flooded the entire Internet. Their creators convinced that it was harmless and completely harmless, but is it really so?really?
People don't understand the mechanism by which binaural beats affect the brain. The reviews of those who have tried the effects of this effect on themselves are usually contradictory. Skeptics feel absolutely nothing, while suggestible idealists can easily become a victim of their own susceptibility.
Audiodrugs
Some time ago, tracks were circulating on the net that were said to cause sensations similar to those experienced by a person who has taken psychotropic substances. In fact, no noticeable similar effect was found, audio recordings, as a rule, contained binaural beats in one form or another, and if gullible teenagers did achieve a state of altered consciousness, it was more likely due to autosuggestion. In fact, the tracks did not have any effect and were just a trick of scammers who want to capitalize on someone else's curiosity and craving for the forbidden.
However, some activists have expressed the view that audio drugs are harmful in the sense that they stimulate a person to potentially dangerous experiments on themselves and their psyche, which over time can result in less harmless hobbies.
Ascension Frequencies
Going a little further, some researchers undertook to study how people will be affected by sounds not only with a certain frequency difference, but also with different pitches. And they have identified some specimens that have received a rather original name. Ascension frequency termsand binaural beats are usually considered together, and if the entire article above is devoted to the latter, then a couple of words should be said separately about the former. This phrase refers to several tones that are believed to have a particularly strong effect on a living organism. Their regular listening, according to some people, can not only open psychic abilities, but also heal at the DNA level, give a powerful impetus to the development of intuition, etc.
Instead of a conclusion, we can say that there is still a lot of unexplored in the world. It is possible that what is ridiculed today by the scientific community will become the topic of dissertations in a couple of decades and will be applied systematically. However, at the moment, official science considers binaural beats an artifact of the brain and denies their any significant effect on the body.
