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Just when you think meditation is nothing more than some calming music and mindfulness, you discover binaural tones. We recently discussed how studies have revealed regular meditation to have the power to reduce anxiety by 40% which lead us on a journey to discover more about this simple, natural remedy every sufferer can do to feel better. This is when we came across binaural beats for anxiety, and all the amazing benefits that follow.
What are Binaural Beats for Anxiety?
The basic definition of binaural beats is the measurement of change in brain activity when presented with audio stimulus. In other words, how the brain reacts to audio or stereo sound. The response your brain has is, in turn, a binaural tone.
Binaural beats for anxiety are about hearing and responding to the differences between two different tones, instead of simply hearing the sounds of the different tones. The sounds are heard, one to each ear, which stimulates brain-stem responses. Think of when you’re wearing earphones and a song switches from one ear to the other; binaural audio is quite similar but instead of switching the song from one ear to the other, it presents two different sounds, one to each ear.
How Do Binaural Beats for Anxiety Work On the Brain?
When you hear the different sounds in opposite ears, your brain integrates the two signals which presents a third “beat” or sound. This creates a wavy, hypnotic rhythm as the differences between the “beats” fade in and out, which is believed to change your inner consciousness. Your brain naturally mimics the differences in the sounds, which automatically puts you in a hypnotic trance state, allowing you to sleep, relax, concentrate, meditate, etc.
Now, the type of result you experience, whether sleepiness, relaxation, increased concentration, etc. depends on the type of frequency pattern included within your binaural beats for anxiety. And that’s when the technical side comes in…
Let’s Get Technical: The Different Binaural Tones for Anxiety
If you’re looking for the specific science behind binaural beats for anxiety, here it is! Research has shown that the type of frequency (or sound) heard activates specific systems in the brain, which than provides the desired effect.
There are four known “types” of frequency (sound) patterns – delta patterns, theta patterns, alpha patterns and beta patterns.
- Delta Patterns (dreamless sleep) are a frequency of between 0.1 and 4Hz
- Theta Patterns (REM sleep and meditation) are a frequency of between 4 and 8 Hz
- Alpha Patterns (relaxation) are a frequency of between 8 and 12 Hz
- Beta Patterns (concentration and alertness) are a frequency of above 12 Hz
Benefits of Binaural Beats for Anxiety
Binaural beats therapy comes with many benefits, with some of the most common ones relating to anxiety being:
- Decreases anxiety as a whole
- Alleviates anxiety symptoms
- Reduces stress
- Improves mood
- Increases concentration and focus
- Improves self-confidence
- Increases motivation
- Allows for deeper meditation
How to Use Binaural Beats Sound Therapy for Anxiety
Using binaural beats therapy to overcome anxiety is extremely easy. In fact, it’s as easy as putting in some headphones, downloading binaural beats and listing in. However, in order to maximize the effects, here are the recommended steps to take:
- Download binaural beats from a reputable source
- Avoid using binaural beats for anxiety while doing tasks that require your full attention
- Use stereo headphones to ensure each ear hears the sounds in the different frequencies
- Choose a relaxing, quiet space
- Dedicate 15-30 minutes of listening to binaural beats each day
- Keep at it each and every day
Where to Download Binaural Beats?
Where you download binaural sounds from is extremely important to ensure the proper frequencies are used to alleviate anxiety. Anyone can put calming music online, but as you just discovered, binaural beats therapy is much more than that. You need the frequencies (sounds) to be directed to each ear.
We recommend Binaural Beats Meditation, created by music producer and sound enthusiast, Peter Lix. This is also where we download all of our binaural beats from, and can attest to the music being enjoyable and effective.
