Binaural Beats cOMPLETE GUIDE
Brainwave Entrainment Resources
Article by Stefan Burns - Updated July 2022. Join the Wild Free Organic email newsletter!
What are Binaural Beats
Binaural beats are a type of auditory stimulation that expose each ear to a different frequency of sound. The difference between the two frequencies creates a beat frequency. The beat you hear is of a lower frequency than the original two sound waves, and after propagating through the structures of the ears it is digitalized into an electromagnetic wave that entrains brainwaves of the same frequency.
How do Binaural Beats Work?
For example a 95 Hz soundwave is played alongside a 88 Hz soundwave. The two deconstruct and construct together into a 7 Hz soundwave known as a acoustic beat or beat frequency. It’s physics!
As the sound waves propagate through the fluid of the spiral-shaped cochlea (an ear bone), sensitive hairs inside the fluid filled chamber vibrate with the waves, producing ions which trigger neurotransmitters at the auditory nerve to produce electromagnetic waves headed towards the brain. The brain registers these electromagnetic waves as the sound that you hear. I made a 4 minute explainer video that explains the science of how binaural beats works and goes into the structures of the human ear, give it a watch to learn more.
Binaural Beats 4 Minute Experiment and Explainer Video
Binaural Beats for Brainwave Entrainment
All sound waves produce brainwaves of the same frequency, and the amplitude of the brainwaves produced depends on the amplitude of the sounds experienced. If out at the park for example, all the sounds of life around you will construct and deconstruct together into a unified waveform of varying frequency and amplitude, which produces a continuous brainwave we experience as the varying soundscape.
All sounds are entraining brainwaves, and what makes binaural beats special is that they can be used to entrain specific frequency brainwaves of our choosing. Where the nice soundscape of a park entrains a soothing unified brainwave of varying power and frequency that affects consciousness by promoting feelings of relaxation, play, joy, and peace, a 7Hz binaural beat will entrain very specifically a 7 Hz brainwave. Every brainwave frequency in the typical range of 0-40 Hz has certain consciousness altering attributes. A 4 Hz delta wave is very relaxing and promotes deep restorative sleep. A 7 Hz theta wave is relaxing, enhances creativity, boosts learning, and enhances memory. A 14 Hz beta wave is calming, increases focus, and enhances problem solving.
Binaural beats are so effective at brainwave entrainment because when using headphones other noise sources are greatly reduced in amplitude, changing the unified brainwave the auditory nerve sends into the brain to be almost exclusively the frequency of the binaural beat used. The volume (amplitude) of a binaural beat is typically stable too so the entrained brainwaves are more stable and coherent in their propagation.
Schumann Resonances 7.8 ➞ 33 Hz Binaural Beat Progression
Binaural beats are most effective with headphones or a large speaker, but can also be played from a laptop, phone, or tablet effectively. Be careful not to turn the volume up too high in order to not damage the electronics and for your own safety. A good volume to have is for the binaural beats to be just at the edge of your auditory perception, disappearing when focused on something else.
Historical Use of Brainwave Entrainment
In ancient times before modern technology, our ancestors used instruments, drumming, singing, and dancing to entrain their brainwaves through sound into transcendental states of consciousness. Native Americans during healing ceremonies maintained a rhythm of 200-220 beats per minute, which stimulated and entrained brainwaves of the same frequency. The typical brainwave range is 0-40 Hz, and to observe brainwaves of a higher frequency of any significant strength is rare. By congregating into a large group with many players, an overwhelming mass of sound with an approximate frequency of 200 Hz was propagated for many hours or even days. Everyone present at the ceremony would entrain their brain to the ~200 Hz beat as well as each other’s human biofields, and mystical states of consciousness were experienced. Trained shamans were especially practiced at entraining their brain to produce very high frequency brainwaves from the soundwaves all around them, and in this elevated state of consciousness they performed their healings, divinations, and prayers.
Binaural Beats on YouTube
Below are a selection of binaural beats of specific frequencies that I created and uploaded to my YouTube. Use the brainwave graphic above and the short descriptions below to choose a video that best suits your desired outcome, whether that’s deep sleep, enhanced creativity, more focus when studying, or transcendental states of consciousness.
Binaural beats are especially useful when experimenting with hypnagogic naps.
Binaural Beats YouTube Playlist
Note - I have ads turned off on all my binaural beat videos so you should experience no interruptions
5.55 Hz Theta Brain Binaural Beats
5.55 Hz theta brainwaves are excellent for promoting deep sleep and relaxation, as well as deeply creative states of being. If played before bed and into the night, lucid dreams of consciousness may be experienced because brainwaves will be increased in power and coherency.
7.83 Hz Schumann Binaural Beats
7.83 Hz is the main Schumann resonance in auditory format. As an upper theta brainwave, the foundational mode of the Schumann resonances brings to the surface creative forces of manifestation. It’s a highly calming binaural beat capable of being played for long periods of time.
14 Hz Schumann Binaural Beats - 5 Minute Guided Meditation
This 5 minute 14 Hz beta brainwave guided meditation is quickly grounding while keeping energy elevated and focused. The perfect deep breath reminder, use it daily for maximum effect in enhancing mindfulness.
42 Hz Binaural Beats
42 Hz binaural beats will entrain 42 Hz gamma brainwaves. With practice learn to become highly focused and productive without any distractions. Snatch inspiration and ideas out of thing air once entrained, perfect for while working on a project or while meditating.