Wisdom-Web.com Binaural Beats FAQ
This FAQ is an overview of Binaural Beats Technology, as well as general binaural beats information. Be sure to read any instructional material you receive or contact the manufacturer for any program-specific information or questions you may have regarding the entrainment programs you’ll be using.
Q. What are binaural beats?
A. Binaural beats are specially generated frequencies that can be used to alter your brainwaves and influence your moods. Binaural beats are unique "auditory artifacts" that are "heard" in the brain only. In other words, apparent sounds which arise in the brain independent of physical stimuli. This effect was discovered in 1839 by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove. It has been shown that binaural beats can alter the dominant brainwave frequency of the mind in a process called frequency follows response. By altering ones brainwave frequency one may effectively go into what has been labeled as an alpha, theta, or delta state. Each brain state has been associated with a different state of consciousness, for example; generally the alpha state is associated with relaxation and calmness, and delta is associated with healing deep sleep.
Q. How do binaural beats work?
A. Binaural Beats recordings work by sending certain slightly different tones to the left and right ears. This creates a third "binaural beat" inside the mind at a specific frequency. This frequency is specifically chosen to generate a certain mood, such as relaxation or creativity. The Binaural Beats frequency may change multiple times during a session to give you the best experience possible. Binaural beats are produced when two tones of slightly different frequencies are played separately in each ear. When the brain comes into contact with two slightly different tones a Binaural Beats is produced that is the average and difference between the two original tones. For example, a 100 Hz tone and a 110 Hz tone will form a 105 Hz tone pulsating 10 times per second. One may effectively "hear" a binaural beat, with the aid of stereo headphones, by playing two similar tones in each ear. By altering the tone in each ear a new Binaural Beats may be heard.
The brain produces a phenomenon resulting in low-frequency pulsations in the loudness of a perceived sound when two tones at slightly different frequencies are presented separately, one to each ear, using stereo headphones. A beating tone will be perceived, as if the two tones mixed naturally, out of the brain. The frequency of the tones must be below about 1,000 to 1,500 hertz for the beating to be heard. The difference between the two frequencies must be small (below about 30 Hz) for the effect to occur; otherwise the two tones will be heard separately and no beat will be perceived.
Q. What is Brainwave synchronization?
Brainwave synchronization also referred to as brainwave entrainment, the practice of entraining one's brainwaves to a desired frequency,
Q. What is Entrainment?
Binaural beats influence functions of the brain besides those related to hearing. This phenomenon is called ‘frequency following response.’ The concept is that if you were to receive a stimulus with a frequency in the range of brain waves, the predominant brain wave frequency is said to be likely to move towards the frequency of the stimulus.
In other words, enticing your brainwaves to be changed according to what you feed it. This process and the shift that occurs are known as entrainment.
Q. Are binaural beats safe?
A. Absolutely! In fact, it's hard to imagine a safer self-development tool. Simply put on your headphones, press "Play" on your CD player, and you're ready to go. Binaural beats are neither harmful nor addictive.
Q. Do I need headphones? Can't I just play it through my speakers?
A. Headphones are required to get any results at all. Simply playing them through your stereo, computer or laptop speakers will have no effect. Binaural beats need to travel in separate tones through each isolated ear at the same time. This is not possible through speakers. The higher quality the headphones, the better your experience will be.
Q. What kind of CD/MP3 player should I use?
A. Most conventional CD/MP3 players will playback MP3 files fine, yet the better quality equipment you use the better overall experience you will have. We’re not in the habit of endorsing specific companies, but recommend you try using a quality CD/MP3 player with sufficient bass response and headphones that will reproduce lower frequencies more accurately.
Q. What can I do to eliminate listening fatigue?
A. Adjust the volume level to your liking that is comfortable. Binaural Beats will provide the desired stimulus at lower volume levels. Users who've been diagnosed with hearing loss can still experience the effects due to its "vibratory" stimulus on the inner ear and specific parts of the brain. You can also adjust the EQ on your stereo to reduce listening fatigue as this will allow you to shape your sound to a comfortable listening level. The most important aspect of adjusting the sound is "feeling" the lower tones to produce the most optimum results and at the same time, reduce listening fatigue.
Q. How should I listen to Binaural Beats recordings?
A. Get into a comfortable sitting or lying position, slip on your headphones and listen. You don't need to do anything special. Just let the Binaural Beats recordings guide you. Please note that we don't advise use of the recordings while driving, operating machinery, or cycling. Relax and concentrate.
Q. Are Binaural Beats good for people with ADD/ADHD?
A. Use caution with which areas of the brain you are targeting and what sort of programs you are using. People with attention disorders actually produce an unbalanced ratio of slower brain waves, so they should not be stimulating more slow brain waves. Make sure to check with the company if you have any such disorders before using these.
Q. Can I use Binaural Beats if I have a tendency towards seizures? Binaural beats stimulate neural activity. This stimulation may not be beneficial for someone with epilepsy or other seizures, once again check with the manufacturer.
Q. Can children Binaural Beats?
A. Children produce different brainwave patterns to adults, so it’s always wise to research the intended effect and check with the manufacturer before attempting.
Q. When using some recordings I am aware of a buzzing pressure in my forehead and also an acceleration of my heartbeat. Is this normal?
A. A light buzzing or pressure happens frequently to some people. It means that you are responding to the entrainment process. However, if you are experiencing a great degree of discomfort, you may have the volume too loud. You’re expanding your state of awareness; consequently, you’re more conscious of your heartbeat, breathing, etc. This is a phenomenon common to the shift in energy level you may experience. If it feels uncomfortable, stop and try again later. The intensity of the experience may take a little time to get accustomed to.
Q. Is God appearing when I see a flood of light during an exercise?
A. The perception of light suggests that your potential for nonphysical awareness is developing but it is up to you to decide on its meaning. Such light is widely reported by explores of higher consciousness and people who have had near-death experiences. It is often accompanied by euphoria, a feeling of oneness with the universe, and a sense of overwhelming love. A Buddhist might associate this with Buddha; a Christian with Christ. We don’t endorse any particular interpretation and encourages you to find your own.
Q. Where can I find free Binaural Beats?
A. Well, you can find free hamburgers in the dumpster behind McDonald’s, does that mean their any good? Be careful where you get these from, you are affecting change in your brain patterns and this should be done by professionals, not a sixteen year old kid with a computer program and high speed internet access. If you want free Binaural Beats we recommend getting them from us or by trying out the free samples offered by Deep Zen Meditation, Mind Sync, or The Unexplainable Store.