The phenomenon of binaural rhythms has been known to mankind for a very long time - from the moment when music appeared. Of course, then for him there was no name, although everyone could and could feel it. Surely this happened to every person 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, a sensation suddenly appears, as if the sound is pulsating? One way or another, but almost any person has encountered such an effect. This phenomenon has been familiar to musicians and acoustic physicists for a long time, but several decades ago it gained immense popularity in certain circles.
The essence of binaural rhythms is the difference between the frequencies perceived by each ear separately. If in this indicator there is a difference not exceeding 25-30 Hz, and at the same time, tones 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, since the equipment actually at low frequencies at this moment does not register anything at all, but it is perceived by the ear in that way. This effect is easy to observe with ordinary stereo headphones and special tracks that are freely available. However, this phenomenon can be found in more natural conditions, without resorting to such equipment.
History
The second "discovery" of binaural beats occurred in the 60s of the XX century, and was made by American researcher Robert Monroe. By that time, this effect had long been known and described by many scientists, but no one was concerned with the theme of its effect on the human body. Meanwhile, this is not only an important, but also an interesting topic, which still raises questions.
Monroe's work causes some skepticism among many, because 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 such phenomena, who knows, perhaps this has not yet been studied.
Appearance mechanism
So, two monotonous sounds add up, resulting in an effect known as binaural beats. The frequencies at which this ripple is "heard", according to the testimony of the equipment, are absolutely pure. How does this work? Is hallucination to blame? In fact, science has some explanation for this phenomenon.
The ear hears sound due to the mechanical effects of the environment on the eardrum. However, the compilation of the complete picture and perception occur already in the brain, which processes the information received. It is believed that sounds of close frequencies applied to different ears, as a result, “give rise” to the human head a sensation of pulsation. This is due to the fact that there is a certain analogue of the phenomenon called diffraction in light physics. The brain itself produces this effect. In this case, the received sound in amplitude is equal to the difference between the frequencies of monotonous tones. The brain is truly a unique organ whose capabilities are not fully understood. It is believed that the ability to perceive such sound effects was acquired during evolution for better orientation in space. Those who are most acutely aware of these kinds of influences are thought to have excellent flair. Thus, such a phenomenon as binaural brain rhythms is outside the scope of interests of physics and acoustics and is the subject of study by neurophysiologists. What is quite interesting: this effect is perceived subconsciously and can be fixed by the brain even beyond the threshold of conscious audibility.
Effect on the body
First of all, the influence of binaural rhythms can be traced to the work of the brain - this can be seen using 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 alpha, beta, gamma, delta and theta waves depending on what phase of activity the brain and the body as a whole are in: awake and in a state of active mental work or, for example, falling asleep.
It is believed that different hemispheres operate at their frequencies. But they can be synchronized if you use pure binaural beats (monotonous sounds of different amplitudes superimposed on each other precisely to achieve this effect). As a result, according to some people, this allows you to use the brain’s resources more efficiently, that is, increase the productivity of thought processes, learn faster, better perceive the surrounding information, etc.
Using
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 into a state of trance. It becomes deeper and more effective meditation. Binaural rhythms, as it is believed in this environment, can become a serious impetus to self-knowledge.
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
No obvious positive effect recorded by authoritative scientists was observed, however, this can be explained by the fact that no fundamental research was carried out due to the doubtfulness of the topic from the point of view of modern science.
Nevertheless, those scientists who studied the effects of isochronous heartbeat on the human body believe that different frequencies can have different effects. So, a small difference in amplitudes (up to 8 Hz) relaxes and calms, helps with falling asleep. Higher frequencies (8-25 Hz), on the contrary, set up for a working mood, allow you to get together, focus on work, improve the productivity of thought processes, activate metabolic processes.
Experimenting, enthusiasts compiled audio recordings to achieve various effects: simple and pleasant awakening, increase concentration or complete relaxation. The product of their activity can be used, among other things, as music therapy for various kinds of disorders or problems. However, it is worth remembering that the same thing can be both a medicine and poison, it all depends on the dose. Are binaural beats so good and harmless?
Harm
There was no serious negative effect of isochronous beats, although some researchers recorded something like malfunctions in the encephalograms of the subjects, which they called paroxysms. What this was expressed from a physical point of view is not known. 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?
People do not understand the mechanism by which binaural rhythms act on the brain. Reviews of those who have experienced the effects of this effect are usually contradictory. Skeptics feel absolutely nothing, while inspired idealists can easily fall prey to their own impressionability.
Audio drugs
Some time ago, tracks were distributed on the network that were said to produce sensations similar to those experienced by a person who took psychotropic substances. In fact, no noticeable similar effect was detected, audio recordings, as a rule, contained binaural beats in one form or another, and if gullible adolescents reached a state of altered consciousness, then, rather, due to self-hypnosis. In fact, the tracks did not have any influence and were only a ruse of scammers who wanted to capitalize on someone else's curiosity and craving for the forbidden.
Nevertheless, some activists expressed the view that audio drugs are harmful in the sense that they stimulate a person to carry out 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 began to study how sounds will affect people not only with a certain frequency difference, but also with different heights. And they revealed some samples that got a rather original name. The terms of the ascension frequency and binaural beats are usually considered together, and if the last article is devoted to the latter, then a few words should be said separately. This phrase refers to several tones, which are believed to have a particularly strong effect on a living organism. According to some people, their regular listening can not only open extrasensory 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 much unexplored in the world. Perhaps what today is ridiculed by the scientific community in a couple of decades will become the subject of dissertations and will be applied systematically. However, at the moment, official science considers binaural beats an artifact of the brain and denies any significant impact on the body.