Binaural Beats - What They Are, How They Work
& What They Can Do For You
Binaural bests were first discovered in 1839 by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove. However, Dove didn't realise the full
potential of this technology, he merely observed that it occurred. It was another 134 years before Gerald Oster
penned an article called "Auditory Beats in the Brain" which was published in Scientific American in 1973.
It was proposed that a binaural beat occurs in the brain if you apply slightly different frequency sine waves
independently but simultaneously to each ear. This beat affect is created by the brain itself and is largely due to the
structure of the brain's internal wiring.
These binaural beats are auditory brainstem responses, originating in the superior olivary nucleus of each
hemisphere of the brain due to the interaction of the two different impulses.
The frequency of the two tones is between one and 30 Hz. Lets take the example that the difference between the
two tones is 10 Hz. This 10 Hz difference is experienced within the superior olivary nuclei as a beat . The brain has a
tendency, through the frequency following response, to resonate at the same frequency as the auditory stimuli
being presented. In our example this would be 10 Hz, which is that frequency of the Alpha state. If we offer a
binaural frequency of 5 Hz, the brain will begin to resonate with that and produce Theta brainwaves. If we present a
binaural beat of 3 Hz, Delta brainwaves are detected. Alpha, Theta and Delta brainwaves are connected to altered
states of consciousness that can be used to reprogram the subconscious mind, eliminate negative thought schemas
and release emotional connection to memories.
In layman's terms all this means is that you can relax, put on some stereo headphones and let your mind synchronize
with the binaural beat frequency to create real measurable changes in your mind and body.
There are immediate benefits of using these beats such as the creation of relaxed states, aided sleep or even energy
boosts. However, this is not the limit of binaural beat technology. It is also possible to produce very unusual states of
consciousness like lucid dreaming, creativity, out-of-body experiences, and transcendental meditation, to name but
a few. However, there are also very real permanent benefits from using binaural beat technology. This technology
has been used to create some very dramatic life changes.
The Monroe Institute have over forty years experience changing effects on states of consciousness with the use of
binaural beats in their audio sound patterns, called Hemi-Sync. Centerpointe have conducted a lot of research into
the use of binaural beats also. They created a program called Holosync which concentrates more on self
improvement and achieving a higher level of conscious interaction, by creating desirable emotional, physical and
environmental changes through a reduction in your anxiety threshold. They use their technology to reprogram your
brain, remove old emotional thinking and negative emotional connection to long buried memories. You can even
create your own affirmations later in their course to reprogram your beliefs.
These technologies can be expensive but the overall benefits of there use are immeasurable. However, there are
cheap alternatives to both the above mentioned. Binaural beats in audio technology now come in affordable one CD
sets. These can be used to instantly create a variety of different states such as sleep, meditation, creativity, lucid
dreaming etc. You can also get your hands on software to create your own binaural beats but I believe, when dealing
with brain entrainment, this should be left to those with more experience. The technology is fascinating and it works
but you really won't know that until you try it yourself.