What Are Binaural Beats?
 So... What are Binaural Beats?
I've been using them for three years, done loads of research, and still
find it tricky to get my head around the science and
overblown marketing claims.
It's likely you have encountered the same problems, so let's put an end
to that now.
This
article will:
 Answer the question "What are Binaural Beats?"- Give you a little bit of history and explain the
science
- Explain why people like using them
- Answer some frequently asked questions
- Show you where to
get started
Let's get started...
What are Binaural Beats?
Binaural Beats are a form of brainwave technology, and
are really just a means to an end.
 The
end in question is Brain
Wave Entrainment, which is what happens automatically when your
brain frequency is lowered and the two sides of your brain begin to
operate at the same pace.
This is also known as the rather glamourous-sounding Brainwave
Synchronisation.
This typically results in a deep
sense of relaxation, calm and happiness, which comes about
without any conscious effort on the part of the user.
So, what are Binaural Beats? They are simply a tool to get your
brainwaves slowed down. All technical jargon aside, they command your
brain to rest and go into a more relaxed and positive state, which is a
pretty cool thing to experience.
History & Science
So, what are Binaural Beats - and who stumbled across
this rather grand idea?
Well, a lovely gentleman called Dr Gerald Oster published an article in
an 1973 edition of Scientific American called "Auditory Beats in the
Brain". In this paper, Dr Oster realised that you can change the frequencies of the brain
by playing certain sounds to it. In doing so, he launched a
whole new industry.
 Binaural Beats work by playing two slightly different
frequencies into each ear through headphones. Your brain interprets the
frequencies by entraining (or stabilising) at a level that is the
difference between the two signals.
So, for example, you can play a tone in your left ear at
40Hz, and a tone in your right ear at 44Hz, and your brain will create
a tone of 4Hz. This is a tone you shouldn't actually be able to
consciously "hear".
Why Does This Matter?
This matters because Binaural Beats allow your brain to
operate at frequencies that it normally can't access easily under
waking conditions. It also allows you to "hear" sounds that the
human ear cannot usually perceive.
As such, with Binaural Beats you can easily "drop down" into alpha
brain waves, and theta
brain waves, and maybe even delta
brain waves.
 These are all very good for you to experience, as they
are the natural states you reach when you are very relaxed, napping,
dreaming or in a deep sleep.
Binaural Beats somehow allow you to get to these states
by "confusing" your brain with two different signals. While it sounds a
bit complex, it's really not scary at all.
Think of it like this: when you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
Equally, you can't make orange without red and yellow.
So what are Binaural Beats? They send "red" frequencies to one ear,
"yellow" frequencies to the other, and your brain creates "orange".
Orange is where you are going to be in a very relaxed, peaceful and
alert state, kind of like meditation.
It's nice to be Orange.
Why Do People Use Binaural Beats?
I hope by now you have a satisfactory answer to your
question "What are Binaural Beats". It's worth noting, however, that as
long as you understand that your brain activity is being lowered,
you're ready to start experimenting with them.
Don't worry
yourself too much about the Science - it will neither add to nor take
away from your results.
The next logical place to go with this article is answering why people
use Binaural Beats. Whilst the reasons vary from person to person, here
are some of the key benefits:
- A deep sense of relaxation and inner peace, akin to
meditation
- Positive, vibrant images and visualisations
- A sense of alertness and creativity
- A powerful feeling of "letting go"
- Minor pain relief
- A better night's sleep
If you like, you can stop for a moment and read in more detail about
the proven health
benefits of Binaural Beats. There's lots of articles here which
should help you out.
Binaural Beats FAQs
Here's a few questions I get asked a lot, which may be
on your mind:
Do
They Really Work?
In short, yes, every time. The technology directly affects your brain
frequency. They work, whether you want them to or not. They all come
with a money back guarantee too, but I've not found it necessary to use
it.
Are
they Difficult to Use?
Yes, if "difficult" to you is putting headphones on, pressing play on
your iPod, sitting somewhere comfortable and shutting your eyes for
20-30 minutes.
Seriously, they take very little effort or skill to feel the benefits.
When you've been using them a while, you can experiment with
visualisations and meditations, but this is totally optional and won't
impact on your initial results.
You'll be able to access alpha brain waves straight away, and you
should be able to consciously access theta brain waves within just a
couple of sessions.
Are
Binaural Beats Safe?
Yep. They take your brain frequencies to natural states that you access
every time you relax, nap or sleep. There's no danger and it's very
rare for people to have adverse side effects (i.e. I've heard of a
couple of cases of people who got a mild headache, but this is the
exception to the rule) Instead, expect a deeply relaxing and unusual
experience.
Please do your own research here though, I'm not a
Doctor ;)
Is there any
Proof they Work?
Yes again, and more than you'd think. In clinical trials, Binaural
Beats have been proven to increase relaxation, decrease anxiety,
improve sleep and learning abilities, and much more.
Feel free to read more about all the Binaural
Beats Research that has been carried out now.
Are
they Crazily Expensive?
Some are, but you can also get awesome MP3 downloads from around
$10-15, which provide incredible value for money and will get you
awesome benefits and results.
If you get into Binaural Beats "big time" expect to want a top level
system, costing around $150-350. Otherwise, stick to a few of the MP3s
- they're almost as good, and if you're a beginner they will be more
than strong enough.
You can read my detailed recommendations and reviews in my Top 5 Brain
Wave Toys, or for the best value binaural beats, head straight over
to Unexplainable Store now.
That's it for "What Are Binaural Beats?"
I hope I've answered your questions. If not, just send
me a quick email with your question and the topic "What are Binaural
Beats" and I'll be happy to get back to you within 24 hours.
I'm glad you're researching into this technology. I started this site
because I couldn't find any satisfactory answers to 'what are binaural
beats' when I was looking
into this confusing market, so I genuinely hope I've helped.
Choosing to buy some Binaural Beats could honestly be
one of the best decisions you make, so if I've helped you, I've done my
job!
Read my
Review of the Top 5 Binaural Beats Now
Enjoy your adventure,
Carl
aka Binaural Beats Geek
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