What are Binaural Beats?
When two sounds are played that are close to each other in pitch, we hear an oscillation that is the difference between those two frequencies. These oscillations have been proven in lab research to synchronize and entrain our brains into the corresponding brainwave state — delta, theta, alpha, or gamma. Synchronized brain waves have long been associated with meditative states, and audio with properly embedded binaural beats has been proven induce and improve such states of consciousness.
Active Meditation utilizes binaural beats to help develop a working relationship with our Higher Self. This bond with our Higher Self facilitates relaxation, better sleep, improved learning, enriched creativity and enhanced intuition. Our meditations are excellent for daily use, sleep, focus, creativity, healing and Self-realization. All of our tracks are supported by specifically attuned binaural beats to effortless transition into deep meditative states.
Benefits of Binaural Beats
- Reduce Anxiety
- Increased Focus
- Lower Stress
- Increased Relaxation
- Improve Mood
- Promote Creativity
A prospective, randomised, controlled study including over 100 people about to undergo surgery found that binaural beats were able to significantly reduce preoperative anxiety compared to similar audio without the binaural tones and no audio at all. In the study, anxiety levels were cut in half for people who listened to the binaural beat audio.
How can brainwave entrainment enhance meditation?
There is plenty of definitive clinical research on how sound and music can be used to activate the brain and memory, and create more mental clarity. We know that high frequencies activate the mind. We also know that sounds and music that are changing all the time also activate the mind. Low frequencies calm the body, and repetitive sounds and music allow the left brain to go to sleep. The right brain then takes over and we are able to go into deeper or higher states of consciousness.
Understanding Brainwave Frequencies
Then there is the frequency of the brain. Different parts of the brain vibrate at different rates: delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma. There have been many clinical studies using EEG to measure these brainwave rates, so the science is very definitive. Science has also proven that when you create a frequency or rhythm that falls within one of these brainwave states, your brain will entrain to that frequency within one minute.
Using low frequencies to entrain the brain can help with stress and pain reduction, ADD, ADHD and is helpful for relaxation, meditation, sleep, learning, enhanced creativity and intuition, being more present, telepathy, and connecting to Source. When the frequencies are played on headphones, they also synchronize the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
Empowering your mind with the science of sound
Let’s get a sense for how frequencies sound. Play each frequency to hear a sample. Headphones should be used for the best experience.
The Frequency Following Response
Science has shown that the human brain exhibits a Frequency Following Response (“FFR”). This means that as a particular frequency is heard the brain starts to vibrate at that frequency. Frequencies can be heard either as pulses, beats or tones.
Whenever we experience a vibration within any of these brainwave states our brain will be entrained into the same frequency – normally in less than a minute. In science this is referred to as “the frequency- following response.” Just about all rhythms fall into the brainwave range. Therefore, almost every rhythm in the music we listen to entrains our brain. Our brains are commonly entrained by the rhythms around us.”
*Source: David Gibson, The Complete Guide to Sound Healing
Ancient cultures sensed that altered states of consciousness could be induced through the FFR and induced brainwave frequencies through drumming. Examples of this include Native American drumming, and shaman drumming.
As the drum beat is listened to long enough, the human brain begins to follow the beats, which in scientific terms is called entrainment – brainwave entrainment. If the drums are beating at the right frequency, these beats can induce meditative states.
For example, a drummer may hold a steady drum beat with the intent of inducing a meditative state. Here is an example of a Shamanic Drumming Journey with Martin Duffy from his YouTube channel Shamanism Ireland. He holds a 4 HZ drum beat and then describes the practice.
3 Methods to Entrain the Brain
There are basically three different ways to entrain the human brain: Isochronic Tones, Alternating Isochronic Tones, and Binaural Beats. The latter two are best utilized with headphones.
Mono Isochronic Tones
Single pulses akin to electronic drum beats. Isochronic tones are electronically precise whereas the time (frequency) between drum beats may slightly change due to human limitations.
Alternating Isochronic Tones
A single tone rotating between our ears. To optimize the effect, it is best to use headphones (or speakers on either side of your ears) to take full advantage of these tones.
Binaural Beats
Binaural Beats were discovered in 1839 by a German experimenter, H. W. Dove.
When two sounds are played that are close to each other in pitch, we hear an oscillation that is the difference between those two frequencies. For example, simultaneous 50 hertz and 57 hertz tones produce a combined oscillation of 7 cycles per second. These low frequency oscillations have been proven in lab research to synchronize and entrain our brains into the corresponding brainwave state — delta, theta, alpha, or gamma. Synchronized brain waves have long been associated with meditative states, and audio with properly embedded binaural beats has been proven induce and improve such states of consciousness.
These states range from relaxation, meditation, stress reduction, pain management, improved sleep quality, decrease in sleep requirements, super learning, and enhanced creativity and intuition.
“When listening to speakers with a different frequency in each speaker, the two waves cancel each other out creating the fluctuating volume of the binaural frequency as they physically meet in space. However, when we wear headphones, the two sounds never meet, as the physical brain is in the way. In order to keep reality consistent, our brain creates a third frequency on its own. Because the frequency in the left ear goes to the right brain, and the frequency in the right ear goes to the left brain, this third frequency created by the brain connects the two sides of the brain. When this occurs, the Corpus Callosum, which functions to connect the two sides of the brain, lights up. When the left and right sides of the brain are connected you are operating at your highest potential. Therefore, we commonly use binaural beats with headphones to synchronize the brain and light up the Corpus Callosum.”
*Source: David Gibson, The Complete Guide to Sound Healing
All Active Meditation audio tracks are produced with binaural beats to enhance the verbal guidance by entraining the brain to specific brainwave states.
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