Can Binaural Beats Make You Smarter?

These days, it's becoming increasingly common to use all sorts of tools to improve performance in certain areas. For example, you might be looking for something to help you relax more, reduce stress, boost inspiration, or improve concentration.

In these cases, certain (natural) remedies are often used, but did you know that there's also music that can induce these moods? This is also called Binaural Beats! In this article, I'll explain what Binaural Beats are and how to use them!

Binaural Beats are songs in which you hear two tones, each with a slightly different frequency. One tone in one ear, the other tone in the other. For Binaural Beats to work, the two frequencies must be below 1000 Hz (which stands for hertz), and the difference between the two tones must be no more than 30 Hz.

Because of this difference in pitch, your brain produces a kind of extra tone. It does this to compensate for the difference between the two tones. This tone is called a "difference tone." For example, if you hear 12 Hz on the left and 14 Hz on the right, your brain produces a difference tone of 2 Hz.

The frequency of this difference tone corresponds to a specific brainwave. Brainwaves also vibrate at different frequencies. When you're relaxed, your brain vibrates at a different frequency than when you're stressed.

Research has shown that brainwaves adapt to the frequencies they receive. Listening to Binaural Beats therefore induces a specific emotional state. This emotional state depends on the difference in pitch between the tones.

Different binaural beats stimulate different brainwave patterns, each of which induces different moods. Brainwaves occur in five different patterns:

• Delta pattern (0.1 – 4 Hz)
• Theta pattern (4 – 8 Hz)
• Alpha pattern (8 – 13 Hz)
• Beta pattern (13 – 30 Hz)
• Gamma pattern (30 – 50 Hz)

Binaural beats in the Delta pattern operate at a frequency of 0.1-4 Hz. These waves are most common during deep, dreamless sleep. This frequency induces deep rest, making hypnosis most effective at this frequency.

The 4-8 Hz frequency of the Theta pattern contributes to improved meditation, creativity, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. These waves are most prevalent just before sleep. Daydreaming is also associated with these waves. Theta waves are more likely to occur when you are more relaxed.

Are you deeply relaxed while working on a single task? Then you'll produce waves of the Alpha pattern. Binaural beats in the Alpha pattern have a frequency of 8-13 Hz and can promote relaxation, for example, while making music or studying. Because you're more relaxed, these waves also help you concentrate better.

Binaural beats in the Beta pattern have a frequency of 13-30 Hz. This frequency range can help improve your concentration and alertness. These waves create a calm feeling and make you alert, clear, and energetic. You can focus better on a task because you can think more clearly. Beta pattern waves activate the part of the brain that you actually need at that moment.

Binaural beats in the Gamma pattern have a range of 30-50 Hz. These are the fastest vibrations within the binaural beats. These waves are responsible for cognitive function, learning, memory, and information processing. You enter a higher state of consciousness, making you highly alert and allowing you to perceive much more clearly.

The moods evoked by Binaural Beats depend on the frequency of the difference tone. One study even showed that daily use of 15-18 Hz beta waves over a long period of time could lead to an IQ increase of up to 23%. Furthermore, participants showed significant improvements in memory, cognition, and reduced stress levels. In short, it can definitely be said that Binaural Beats can have a positive effect on mental performance!