There is no doubt that music is good for our health, and science is the one who says so. There are several studies that prove that music can contribute to brain development and emotional health. An essay published in 2019, in the Literartes Magazine, from USP, shows that music acts as an improving factor in several diseases, especially depression and Alzheimer's.

Another study, conducted in 2018 in a partnership between Unesp/Marília, Faculdade de Juazeiro do Norte (CE), Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, and Oxford Brookes University (England), revealed that music helps to enhance the drug treatment of hypertension.

And it is not only the songs themselves that are good for you, but sounds in general have the power to provoke various sensations.

Who has never felt relaxed by the sound of rain, birds singing, or the rustle of the wind? And there are sounds that have specific benefits for our health, such as binaural frequencies, also called binaural sounds, binaural beats, or binaural beats.

In this article, we will further explain this phenomenon and its benefits for our physical and mental health.

First, however, an explanation...

For you to better understand what binaural frequencies are, let's start from the basics: What is sound frequency? Sound is a wave that propagates through the air by means of vibrations. Every sound has a frequency, which is the speed at which these vibrations propagate.

Frequency determines the pitch (number of cycles) of the sound, that is, the higher the frequency, the higher the sound will be. On the other hand, the lower the frequency, the lower it will be. We should not confuse pitch with volume (the latter, measured in decibels).

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Frequencies are measured in hertz (Hz) and the healthy human ear can only perceive a certain hertz range: between 20 Hz and 20,000 kHz. This range is called audible sound. Sounds below 20 Hz are in the infrasound range (examples: sounds emitted by lightning, earthquakes). Those above 20,000 Hz are classified as ultrasound (yes! imaging scans are included in this range).

Although we cannot hear frequencies below 20 Hz, they can, yes, affect our hearing And, if they can cause harm, when applied in specific ways, they are capable of causing benefits as well. This is where some healing, relaxing, and attractive frequencies come in, among them the binaural frequencies.

What are binaural frequencies?

Binaural frequencies are a type of auditory "illusion" in which the brain picks up and perceives two slightly different sound frequencies reproduced in each ear, hence the name "binaural" ("bi": "two"; "aural": "ear"). It is believed that these sounds are capable of altering brain frequency, and may even have effects on our behavior and state of mind.

When these two distinct frequencies are perceived, the brain creates a third sound, resulting from the difference between the two. Then our focus turns to this third generated sound, as a form of compensation.

Simply put: if we hear two different frequencies, one for each ear, for example, 140 Hz and 146 Hz, respectively, the difference between the two (6 Hz) becomes "tuned" by the brain. And so the binaural beats are formed.

What are the benefits of binaural sounds?

The benefits of binaural beats have been researched for over a century. One of the most relevant studies is the article "Auditory Beats in the Brain" (In this study, the beats are used to prove that auditory stimuli improve brain function.

Other research, published in 2005 in the Association of Anaesthesiologists (England), suggested that binaural audio has the potential to significantly reduce acute preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing general anesthesia.

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In addition to this study, it is believed that certain ranges have a specific effect. And among the various benefits are stress and anxiety reduction, increased concentration and memory, mental coordination, memory enhancement, among others. Check out, below, each type of frequency and the benefits of each one.

What are the binaural frequencies?

As we said above, there are different types of frequencies, each with a different Hertz range and a number of specific benefits. We call these categories waves or patterns, and according to research done on the subject, 5 frequency patterns have been created:

Delta - 0.5 to 4 Hz

It is the lowest frequency of all, and is associated with healing and regeneration - physical, mental, and spiritual. Anti-aging and growth hormones are released at this frequency. The waves act to maintain skin and bone density and good joint health, and can also help with healing processes and the healing of physical pain.

Theta - 4 to 7 Hz

Waves are used to aid meditation, stimulate creativity and learning, and reduce stress and anxiety, as well as for spontaneous healing. This is a frequency range that enables spiritual connection and is associated with astral projection and lucid dreaming.

Alpha - 7 to 13 Hz

A pattern that helps in stress and depression states by increasing vital energy, makes meditation lighter, and generates better mental coordination. These waves keep us focused, and are very effective in processing and storing information, as well as in learning processes.

Beta - 13 to 40 Hz

Binaural beats that put the brain in a state of alertness, which is essential for concentration, logical thinking, and problem solving, but are not highly recommended for those suffering from anxiety, since it can increase this state.

Range - above 40 Hz

It is the fastest and most useful frequency range for those who need to be hyper-focused and concentrated, helping to process large amounts of information in a short time. These waves are conducive to memory enhancement and are associated with high levels of perception.

Check below a playlist with some binaural frequencies:

How to use binaural sounds?

You can listen to binaural beats according to your purpose, based on the benefits we listed in the previous topic. For example, the best binaural frequency for sleep may be delta. And when the question is related to which type of wave is best for studying, higher frequencies are the ideas, especially beta waves.

Now, an important piece of information: Since sound propagates in the air, blending with it, it is not possible to make each frequency reach each ear distinctly, which thus prevents the binaural illusion from happening. Therefore, it is recommended to use headphones for the process to work.

Where to hear the binaural beats

Nowadays, with the various streaming services, it is very easy to find various binaural sound playlists - from albums to podcasts. You can find these sounds on platforms such as YouTube, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud. There are even these sounds mixed with nature sounds, such as rain, thunder, wind, ocean waves, which help you relax even more.

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The fact is that music has great benefits for our life. Science proves it, our body attests it. So, take all possible advantage of the information we have brought to you and start looking for ways to improve your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. You will feel renewed, motivated and at peace with yourself!

As we mentioned above, there are other frequencies besides the binaural ones that promote physical and emotional improvements. If you want to know more about the subject, take the time to explore more of our content on the subject, such as this one: The Hertz Frequencies.