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The Impact of Binaural Beat on Brain Function

Since the mid-1970s a significant amount of research has been undertaken in regard to binaural beat. Even as the study of the binaural beat is becoming more prevalent, a significant segment of the general population has not real idea what binaural beat is all about. In fact, the vast majority of people simply have not heard the term binaural beat. This is despite the fact that the whole concept of and research into binaural beat actually has very important and significant implications on many levels. Research has explored the impact of binaural beat on brain function

Through this article, you are presented with a general overview of the relationship between binaural beat and brain function. Before exploring the interaction between binaural beat and brain function, it is important to understand at least on some level the basics of binaural beat.

Binaural beats are defined as the auditory processing artifacts, or apparent sounds, whose perception arises in the brain independently of physical stimuli.

In layperson’s terms, what this means is that through a binaural beat, the brain reacts or responds in a certain manner. Many researchers believe that the binaural beat influences certain functions of the brain beyond those simply related to hearing. In scientific terms, this influence to the binaural beat is called a frequency following response. Researchers describe this as a concept in which one receives the stimulus with a certain frequency in a range of brain waves,and the predominant brainwave frequency is likely to move toward the frequency of that stimulus. This process is called entrainment.

The hearing ability of a human is limited in its range. Human hearing has a limit in the range of frequencies from 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz. On the other hand, the frequency of human brainwaves are below around 40 Hz.

In order to account for this apparent disparity, binaural beat are utilized, in fact must be utilized. Researchers have concluded that the binaural beat frequency ends up corresponding with the delta, alpha, beta, or theta ranges associated with brainwave frequency. By way of example, a 315 Hz wave is played in one ear at the same time a 325 Hz is played in the opposite ear, the brain is said to entrain the beat frequency. The differential will impact the brainwave frequency closest to that disparity.

There are two organizations in the world today that are making significant use of the binaural beat concept in developing meditation and relaxation techniques and programs. This includes the Monroe Institute and the Centerpointe Research Institute. More and more similar organizations and associations are making use of the binaural beat as well.