Binaural music for ADHD and sleep problems

That different EEG frequencies of the brain correlate with different emotional states has long been scientifically recognized.
⇒ Neurofeedback as ADHD therapy

The fact that the EEG frequencies of the brain can also be influenced by binaural music was initially thought to be an esoteric gimmick. However, our first self-experiments with binaural music, obtained via headphones from YouTube, impressed us so much that we discussed the topic with occupational therapists, psychotherapists and doctors. Their reports of effects on their patients confirmed our experience.

Basically, binaural music uses the effect that the body tends to synchronize to predetermined rhythms and frequencies.

• 1. How binaural music works
  • 1.1. Body synchronization to conventional music (rhythm)
  • 1.2. Wave interference synchronization with binaural music
• 2. “Binaural” visual stimulation
• 3. Measurement of brain frequencies under binaural music

1. How binaural music works¶

1.1. Body synchronization to conventional music (rhythm)¶

The body adjusts its reactions to perceived rhythmic stimuli. It is well known that music with slower rhythms tends to calm and music with faster rhythms tends to stimulate. However, this concerns audible frequencies (20 Hz upwards; music usually has rhythms between 60 and 140 bpm) and affects heart rate and blood pressure, among other things.¹²³

1.2. Wave interference synchronization with binaural music¶

In contrast, binaural music does not rely on synchronization to an audible or perceptible rhythm, but on an indirect synchronization of frequency interferences.

The slowest brain waves (theta) start at 4 Hz. 4 oscillations per second as a music rhythm would correspond to 240 bpm. Such a fast rhythm is hardly resolvable acoustically - and would in any case conflict with the function of slow theta waves (deep relaxation, meditation, sleep).
As sound vibrations themselves, rhythm signals below 30 Hz are hardly perceptible (and hardly transmittable with conventional loudspeakers or headphones).

Binaural music therefore does not work via direct acoustic perception, but indirectly. With binaural music, the frequency of the music is shifted between the left and right ear by the frequency that is to be addressed. To stimulate a frequency of 10 Hz, a tone of e.g. 440 Hz is decreased by 5 Hz for one ear and increased by 5 Hz for the other ear. This results in a perceived frequency of 10 Hz in the brain - the so-called binaural beat.

It has been scientifically proven that binaural music is able to specifically influence brain frequencies and thus emotional states.⁴⁵ See our own measurements below under 3.
Frequencies in the higher alpha and low beta range can increase concentration and decrease the error rate in tasks.⁶

It is sometimes questioned whether the effect is really mediated by the binaurality. One randomized study (n = 141) showed significant anxiety reduction in anxiety patients equally for music and binaural music compared to nonmusic.⁷ In contrast, in another study, the analgesic effect of binaural theta music was evident compared to non-binaural music.⁸

If you search for Binaural Alpha on Youtube, you will find several offers of music whose frequencies between the left and the right ear have been pulled apart by 8 to 12 Hz. This music is supposed to help with concentration and learning.

2. “Binaural” visual stimulation¶

The mode of action of binaural music, that frequency differences between the music fed to the right and left ear cause a “beat”, i.e. a differential rhythm in the brain, leads to the question whether this beat can be caused only by acoustic perception or also by other perceptions that address the left and right brain hemispheres with different frequencies.

Studies indicate that an optical stimulus with corresponding frequency differentiation triggers the same effect as an acoustic stimulus.⁹

The mode of action of binaural stimuli reminds us of the mechanisms of action of EMDR therapy (Shapiro). There, too, it is ultimately irrelevant whether the body-side alternating stimuli are mediated by eye movements, alternating touches of the body halves, or acoustic stimuli. However, EMDR is arguably not dependent on the use of specific frequencies, nor are different frequencies used on the two body hemispheres.

3. Measurement of brain frequencies under binaural music¶

In a self-experiment, we investigated the changes in brain frequencies caused by binaural music. The measurement was made by means of a medical frequency meter, as it is also used for neurofeedback. The experiment included three modes: no music, binaural theta music, and binaural alpha music. The neurofeedback therapist who analyzed the results did not know when a change was made and which music was used.

The measurement results show:

• The changes can be seen to the minute.
• The frequency changes have an immediate and constant effect, i.e. even after 15 minutes there are no further changes
• There are no changes in the ratio of the frequencies (e.g. theta-beta ratio or other ratio)
• The change in EEG when switching between the 3 test modes (theta, alpha, no binaural music) was clearly visible.
• The change between the two types of music (theta and alpha) was clearly noticeable.
  • Theta music did not cause an increase in the level of theta frequencies.
    However, a reduction of the deflections in the theta band was noticeable. The frequency response became more uniform.
  • Alpha music caused an overall increase in the level of alpha frequencies.

ATTENTION: This study of a single person on a single day with binaural music from Youtube in no way meets any scientific requirements. This would require a measurement of a large number of test persons with music created by themselves according to specific standards. Unfortunately, we cannot do this due to our limited resources.