Can addictions be removed with sound using Binaural Beats? (video)
The frequencies of sound and music stimulate the brain to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which help reduce pain. Serotonin is also shown to improve moods and can create feelings of happiness
Can sound create healing? Can addictions be removed using sound and binaural beats?
Psycho-acoustic medicine is a relatively new field and has only been researched increasingly in recent years. However, the use of sound and frequencies is as old as time itself. Sound, in many different cultures, has been used as a catalyst for healing, meditation and wellness. People have used sound and music to stimulate the body and mind with songs in churches or chants like those of the Tibetan monks.
Brain physiology is impacted by music and sound.
Metal and hard rock songs tend to put a brain into a high beta state which is stressful and can cause cortisol levels to rise. High cortisol levels have been shown to increase body fat, decrease nutrient assimilation and accelerate aging. In contrast, classical, harp, and piano music will often shift the mind to a relaxed alpha or theta state.
What are Binaural Beats?
The science of sound has fascinating possibilities, and one branch of this science is the study of Binaural Beats. Binaural Beats were first theorized in 1839 by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove who discovered that sound waves can alter states of consciousness. Many years later in 1973, Dr. Gerald Oster conducted a Binaural Beats study and published his findings in Auditory Beat: The Metabolic Syndrome of the Nervous System.
The study proved that sounds and sound frequencies have a profound effect on many aspects of life. Whether it is how quickly people learn and absorb new information or regulating sleep cycle patterns and healing processes, it became clear that humans depend on sound for so much when it comes to performing at our best.
How do Binaural Beats impact the Mind and Body?
The brain is highly electrically active and can be influenced by sound frequencies. Any electrochemical activity in the brain will cause electromagnetic waveforms that can be measured by sensitive equipment.
Research (by Dr. Suzanne Evans Morris, Ph.D.) shows that when different frequencies are presented to each ear (through stereo headphones) a new tone (binaural beat) is created in the brain as it puts the two separate tones together.
The frequency of 200 Hz and 210 Hz produce a binaural beat frequency of 10 Hz. This 10Hz difference prompts the brain to make up the difference and create balance. Monitoring of the brain's electricity using an EEG shows that it produces the missing 10 Hz activity with equal frequency and amplitude of the wave form making both halves of the brain align.
Slowing down brainwaves is called "brainwave entrainment", and this can lead to a state of deep relaxation. For an example, when someone is feeling tired or in the midst of an anxiety attack, it can be beneficial to introduce a theta frequency wave at 5 Hz. It will induce the brain to rest and after a brief period of time.
Binaural Beats Experiments and Research.
Much has been done in the research of Binaural Beats. It has been shown that different brainwave patterns are linked to chemical releases in the brain ranging from a stress response to relaxation and increases in creativity. These neuro-chemicals include serotonin, vasopressin, acetylcholine, and beta-endorphins, and can lead to improved memory and many other beneficial effects.
Each region of the brain generates impulses at specific frequencies based on the predominant neurotransmitters. The brain’s internal communication system is based upon these frequencies. A 10 Hz electrical energy wave will trigger a response in the lower brain stem because cells in area they normally fire in that range.
Experiments by Dr. Ifor Capel and Dr. Margaret Patterson demonstrated how a 4Hz frequency stimulates the production of catecholamines, which are important for memory and learning. It was also discovered that a 10 Hz frequency brainwave increased the production of serotonin. This neuro-chemical eases pain and fosters relaxation.
The frequencies of sound and music stimulate the brain to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which help reduce pain. Serotonin is also shown to improve moods and can create feelings of happiness.
Dr. Candice Pert proved that positive and negative thoughts directly effect our emotions and accordingly will impact our well being. Energy and vibration go all the way down to a molecular level. We have 70 different receptors on molecules and when vibration at a certain frequency reaches them they begin to react in new ways directly impacting human body cells. Thoughts and emotions impact the chemicals that the body releases to provide cells with nourishment.
In order for any message to be received by a cell, the cell's frequency must match the frequency stimulus. For example, brainwaves at 8-14 Hz are on par for receiving messages in Theta state.
The following list shows of some of the brainwaves and how they impact the body:
Beta waves (14 - 30 Hz)
- Short term memory
- Routine jobs
- Fear, stress, anxiety
- Left brain
Alpha waves (8 - 13.9 Hz)
- Mental coordination
- Long-term memory
- Creativity and visualization
- Light meditation
Theta waves (4 - 7.9 Hz)
- Deep meditation
- Intuition and insight
- Learning and memory
- High creativity and inspiration
- Spontaneous healing
Delta Waves (1 - 3.9 Hz)
- Deep sleep
- Growth hormone release
- Deep relaxation
- Access to the collective mind
How Can This Therapy Be Used?
It is known and proven that by exercising our brain, we have better mental and emotional health and increased intellectual functioning. Accordingly, there are many potential applications for the use of Binaural Beats mind therapy, such as providing relief from stress, pain and headaches as well as improving memory, learning and recall. Using this therapy has been shown to help in the following ways: better sleep cycles; addiction recovery; and better cognitive abilities due to the synchronization of the left and right brain hemispheres.
How about cancer? Yes, these binaural beat therapies have been shown to reverse and prevent cancer and much more. So beyond the enhancements overall well-being, this therapy could be an effective tool to help avoid and recover from many of the illnesses that are prevalent in society today.
“[Binaural beats] have been observed by us to be an excellent neuro-pathway exerciser…it has great potential for use in promoting…maintaining and improving cerebral performance throughout life...” Dr. Robert Cosgrove, Jr., Ph.D., M.D.
Binaural Beats Headphones
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Relaxation and Learning.
As stated above, if one wants to relax and release stress, listening to Alpha wave Binaural Beat produce Alpha (8 and 14 Hz) will trigger production of serotonin as well as more endorphins. This can help to reduce physical and emotional pain and increase feelings of relaxation and happiness.
Listening to an Alpha Binaural Beat can also help to increase learning abilities. Dr. Georgi Lozanov showed that students in the alpha state can learn as much as five times the amount of information in less time per day, and with greater long-term retention.
Recalling from earlier in the article, we see that theta waves (between 4 and 8 Hz) stimulates the release of catecholamines, which are essential for learning and memory. Theta also dramatically helps to synchronize, or increase communication, between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which helps to activate more parts of the brain and can lead to greater cognitive function.
If a person is needing to relax or wants to learn and recall more effectively, listening to either an Alpha or Theta frequency Binaural Beat can be tremendously helpful.
Can Binaural Beats Help with Alcoholism and Addiction?
Can Binaural Beats Help with Alcoholism and Addiction?
Dealing with alcoholism and addiction is very challenging and many people have struggled with these issues for years. Recovery programs and support groups have been shown to help greatly and offer many people a way out of the addiction cycle. The question is whether the use of sound therapy could deliver and positive results in the challenge of addiction. Theta and Alpha frequencies have been shown to help with behavior modification, so a study was conducted by the University of Southern Colorado to determine whether they could also help with addiction recovery. The results from this study by Dr. Paul Kulkosky and Dr. Eugene Peniston were impressive.
They helped a group of alcoholics enter the Alpha and Theta states. The experiment involved two groups of alcoholics; a control group was sent to a regular 12 step AA program for help, and an experimental group received no counseling but was sent for 15 sessions of Theta and Alpha Binaural Beats therapy, each session lasting 20 minutes. What was the outcome? 13 months after the test, the AA program control group showed an alcoholism relapse rate of 80%, and there was no change in level of depression in this group as measured by Beck’s Depression Inventory. Within the Binaural Beat experimental group, 13 months after the treatments, there was only a 20% relapse rate, and levels of depression were reduced to one third that of AA control group.
Having a support group and working with others seeking recovery can be a very important and effective tool particularly when it comes to dealing with the emotions and potential damage done to others by those involved in addictions. This study does point out, though, that there are more methods to help heal the mind and create new patterns for thinking and living.
“If we can help a person to experience different brain-wave states consciously…This may help them develop the ability to shift gears…and move them away from habit patterns of behavior to become more flexible and creative, and to develop elegant strategies of functioning.” Dr. Gene Brockopp
Can Binaural Beats Help with Sleep?
The state of deep sleep has been shown to be the Delta state. It is crucial to get good, deep sleep so that the body can repair and recover optimally each night. Helping people get into this state can improve their sleep and overall quality of life. Certain medicinal herbs can help a person get deep, restful sleep. however, pharmaceutical sleeping aids actually prevent the body from making certain neurotransmitters and actually destroy brain function when used either briefly or over long periods of time time. They also prevent the brain from dipping down into the Delta state.
The use of Binaural Beats in the In the Delta frequency could be used to fall asleep more quickly and deeply. The relaxation benefits of this frequency could also help the body and repair and recover more quickly from injury, exercise and daily physical stress. Human growth hormone (HGH) is released when our brains are in the delta state and this hormone is known to help maintain tissues and organs throughout a persons life.
Summary
It has been shown that psycho-acoustic medicine is tremendously beneficial and can be used to help improve a wide range of challenges. There are numerous other possible uses and benefits that could be achieve using these sound therapies. Incorporating Binaural Beats into one’s life can be beneficial in many ways, especially when working through challenges or trauma.
This article is intended to spur your curiosity and help uncover alternative ways to heal the body. This is not medical advice, but there is great potential and promise in learning to activate the brain tap into the healing power that is already found in the human body and mind. It has been said that doctors do not heal people because the body will heal itself. Doctors can help and assist, but the body is it’s own healer. If you or someone you know is struggling with an illness they might consider including some Binaural Beat therapy in their health care regimen. Patience and a positive state of mind can also do wonders.
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