BINAURAL BEATS

BINAURAL BEATSDo binaural beats cause measurable physiological changes?

A Simple IntroductionThe theory behind binaural beats is that an auditory stimulus can elicit an effect on brainwave frequency. It is said that if one listens to these binaural tones that their brain will naturally synchronize with the heard beats frequency. Our question is whether or not the bodys natural physiological responses to differing brainwave frequencies will also be elicited.Introduction: A Deeper LookThe human brain has 4 states of normal frequency syncopation: Beta (13-40 Hz) awake and alertAlpha (7-13 Hz) awake but relaxed Theta (4-7 Hz) deep relaxation / REM sleepDelta (less than 4 Hz) deep sleepThe human ear can typically hear frequencies between 20 and 20,000Hz (so most brainwave frequencies wont register). To create binaural beats, a pure tone of 400Hz for example, is presented to the right ear, and a pure tone of 410Hz is presented to the left ear (using stereo headphones). The brain recognizes, the difference between the two tones producing a third binaural beat of 10Hz.Making Binaural BeatsOur HypothesisIt is expected that an increase from a 10 Hz to a 40 Hz frequency will cause an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate. Likewise, it is expected that a decrease from a 10 Hz frequency to a 4 Hz frequency will cause a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate.Materials and MethodsMaterialsMattress and pillow for relaxation Headphones and iPod to play binaural beatsFinger Pulse Transducer to measure heart rateRespiratory belt to measure respiration rateAutomatic blood pressure monitor- to measure blood pressureMaterials and MethodsProcedureTo test our hypothesis we conducted an experiment that would measure change in blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate.We had the subject lie down on a comfortable mattress and listen to frequencies of 4 Hz, 10 Hz and 40 Hz, for 4 minutes each (measuring heart rate, blood pressure and respiration rate during the last 30 secondsData was collected based on changes from our baseline readings at 10 Hz.DiscussionOur results suggest that there is a physiological response to changes in binaural beat frequencies. It is therefore implicated that binaural beats cause the brainwaves to synchronize with the auditory stimulus and that the body undergoes the respective physiological response associated with that brainwave frequency.Literature Cited"The Characteristics of Sleep |." Healthy Sleep. 06 May 2009 . "EEG Frequencies." Brown University. 06 May 2009 . "How Binaural Beats Work." Binaural Beats. 17 Apr. 2009 http://www.binauralbeats.com/binaural-beats/background.aspx Lane, J. D., S. J. Kasian, J. E. Owens, and G. R. Marsh. "Binaural auditory beats affect vigilance performance and mood." PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR 63 (1998): 249-52. "The Science of Binaural Beats." Sounds Like Sleep. 2009. 18 Apr. 2009