![]() ![]() Interestingly, the team assessed changes in the level of growth hormone because the BBT’s producer claimed that listening would increase these levels. The level of dopamine (an excitatory neurotransmitter) was also decreased significantly and may be related to the decrease in trait anxiety scores. The results of a small pilot study published in 2007 found that listening to an hour-long program emphasizing delta BBT for 60 days was associated with a decrease in self-reported trait anxiety and an increase in quality of life among eight healthy adults. Thus, it is difficult to draw a definitive conclusion about the specific utility of BBT from this review.īBT as a Potential Tool for Reducing Anxiety and Pain ![]() ![]() Most of these studies examined photic stimulation (presented via flashing lights) or combined photic and BBT entrainment rather than BBT alone. An alpha-beta protocol improved verbal skills performance and attention, and a beta-gamma protocol showed improved arithmetic skills in children who had learning disabilities or attention-deficit hyperactivity. Beta improved attention, reduced short-term stress, alleviated headaches, reduced behavioral problems, and improved performance on measures of overall intelligence. Alpha stimulation was also linked to pain relief. A single session of alpha stimulation was associated with stress reduction in some settings, but not for those undergoing root canal. However, a 2008 review of the BWE literature found that delta stimulation was associated with improvement in migraines and other headaches and reduction in short-term stress. BWE is not limited to BBT, but discussion of other methods is outside the scope of this article. The deliberate use of BBT to change the predominant brain-wave state is referred to as brain-wave entrainment (BWE). It has been hypothesized that a number of conditions, including chronic stress, chronic and postoperative pain, migraines and other headaches, problems with attention/concentration or learning, and insomnia, to name a few, reflect an imbalance or irregularity in brain-wave states. There is no “best” state to be in however, at different times we will understandably want to be able to shift into one that is appropriate to the task at hand, whether sleeping, working on a project, or relaxing. ![]() Gamma brain-wave states appear to be the least well researched. Types of Brain Waves and Their Associated StatesĪt any given time, our predominant brain wave may be in the frequency associated with deep sleep or deep trance (delta 1-4 Hz), meditation (theta 4-8 Hz), relaxed awareness or daydreaming, (alpha 8-12 Hz), a state of relaxed focus (low-beta, or sensorimotor rhythm 12-15 Hz), alert mental activity/concentration (mid-beta ~15-18 Hz), anxiety (high-beta >18 Hz), or high-level information processing (gamma >30 Hz). Beats played at frequencies that are characteristic of brain wave frequencies are both audible and thought to facilitate alterations in our predominant brain-wave state. Our ears hear tones in terms of hertz (Hz), or cycles (the number of times a wave repeats itself) per second. The term “binaural beat” refers to the brain’s tendency to hear the difference between two similar tones that are played in opposite ears as one new tone. Although the prevalence and popularity of such products has waxed and waned, several studies examining the potential usefulness off BBT have been conducted with a variety of populations. Today, BBT has become more commonplace, as one can download MP3s and smartphone applications in a matter of moments. One such center, the Monroe Institute in Virginia, is well known for their use of Hemi-Sync recordings, which feature BBT. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, BBT audiotapes were primarily found in more esoteric venues, such as New Age bookstores, health food emporia, and retreat centers dedicated to consciousness exploration. In the last four decades, binaural beat audio programs have been touted as tools for reducing stress, improving sleep, enhancing concentration, and even fostering altered states of consciousness.
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