Binaural beats is the term for the pulse created when one ear hears something slightly different from the other ear, and this effect can only be realized when wearing headphones.

For example, if you set the frequency of sound in the right ear to 100 Hz and the frequency in the left ear to 105 Hz, the brain automatically synthesizes those two frequencies and produces the sensations of a third beat — which is the difference between the two (5 Hz in this example). The brain then entrains itself to that third beat. In this example, the brain entrains to 5 Hz which is a Theta brainwave.

Binaural beats is the term for the pulse created when one ear hears something slightly different from the other ear, and this effect can only be realized when wearing headphones. For example, if you set the frequency of sound in the right ear to 100 Hz and the frequency in the left ear to 105 Hz, the brain automatically synthesizes those two frequencies and produces the sensations of a third beat — which is the difference between the two (5 Hz in this example). The brain then entrains itself to that third beat. In this example, the brain entrains to 5 Hz which is a Theta brainwave.

Through this process, the right and left brain must communicate in order to create this “difference” beat — also known as the binaural beat. Listening to binaural beats in this way increases right/left brain hemisphere synchronization, something that does not often occur in waking consciousness.

Left hemisphere thinking is more detailed, logical, practical, mathematical, scientific, and analytical. Right hemisphere thinking is more creative, intuitive, abstract, and “big-picture” focused. Most people use one hemisphere more dominantly than the other. Meditation works to balance both hemispheres of the brain, producing what doctors call whole brain functioning. Brainwave Entrainment immediately creates this balance through the use of binaural beats. The benefits of creating synchronization and balance in the hemispheres are profound – the mind becomes more powerful and more focused; memory is improved; creativity and intuition are increased; cognitive performance is enhanced; and overall mental health is improved.

This is summed up by the following quote by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson in Neuroacoustics: The Healing Power of Sound: “By entraining brainwaves with binaural beats using headphones, it is possible to float the brain in this state of hemispheric synchronization for prolonged periods. Each time we do this, it is like exercising a new brain function, which makes the brain more able to engage this function as it’s normal repertoire of behavior.”

As described by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, most people have been given three Delta brainwave states by birth, each dedicated to physical healing and rejuvenation. Each night we spend time in the Delta brain state, healing the body from the day and preparing it for the next day’s work and activity. We also spend time in the Theta and Alpha states healing, repairing, and rejuvenating ourselves emotionally and mentally.

If deprived of adequate time and quality of rest in any of these brainwave states, one eventually suffers the consequences. Without adequate time and quality of time in the Delta realm, for example, eventually the body begins to deteriorate physically. We become physically tired and/or ill in one way or another. If time spent in the Theta state is insufficient in quantity and/or quality, emotional challenges become more obvious. The same is true with the Alpha state and our ability to think and speak clearly, with a natural flow.

We spend time in these brainwave states during sleep and also during waking hours. Each brainwave state has certain characteristics and benefits. See the sections below for additional information on each of these brainwave states.

Delta brainwave frequencies range from 0.5 to 3.5 Hz and are associated with the deepest stage of sleep which focuses on physical body repair and rejuvenation. Heart rate slows, blood pressure lowers, respiration slows, body temperature lowers and metabolic activity slows. The body is completely still during this stage of sleep because the body is in its most relaxed state possible. This state is the most difficult one to be awakened from and therefore is considered the most vulnerable state. There is no dreaming or awareness occurring during Delta sleep.

This Delta stage of sleep is commonly lacking in those individuals who experience chronic stress conditions where the fight/flight response is locked in a vicious cycle. The body considers itself to be in a high state of alert with this chronic level of stress and often does not allow itself to enter into this most vulnerable state of sleep. This type of person unfortunately misses the portion of sleep that is focused on physical body repair and healing. Those who suffer from chronic insomnia can also benefit greatly from Delta brainwave entrainment.

Very experienced meditators can reach a Delta state of consciousness during waking hours. In the wakeful state, Delta is associated with a detached awareness and a “mind awake / body asleep” state. Awareness of bodily sensations ceases in this deeply spiritual state where we can connect with divine inspiration and guidance.

Theta brainwave frequencies range from 3.5 to 7.5 Hz and are associated with emotional healing, heightened intuition, deep creativity, and improved memory. While asleep, Theta is the stage of sleep where dreams occur (also known as REM sleep). We process and release emotions through our dreams, and Theta is an important brainwave frequency for dreaming and being emotionally rejuvenated at night. Without adequate sleep or presence in the Theta brain state, a person may begin to have emotional challenges or emotional stress. Tempers may flare more easily, patience may wane, and sadness may prevail. This could also result in feelings of anxiousness.

Upper brainwave ranges of Theta tend to be associated with more superficial dream material and deep Theta brainwave activity tends to be associated with much deeper subconscious material of the unconscious mind. This is where past emotional traumas are stored.

Since Theta is the gateway to the subconscious, this is an ideal state for reprogramming limiting beliefs held at the subconscious level. Hypnotherapists often utilize the Theta state because this access to the subconscious places us in a highly receptive state for reprogramming of beliefs and behaviors that do not serve us.

In waking consciousness, Theta is also where all creativity takes place: art, music, dance, etc. When the brain hemispheres synchronize in Theta, intuition is heightened and deeply creative, out-of-the-box thinking occurs. And because of the access Theta brings to the subconscious mind as well as long term memory, Theta is an ideal state for learning and memorization.

In meditative states, Theta is associated with Shamanic Journeying, visualization work, Kundalini/Chakra experiences, and Christian prayer states.

Alpha brainwave frequencies, which range from 7.5 to 13 Hz, are the first frequencies beneath Beta.

In a wakeful state, Alpha brainwave frequencies are associated with being in a calm, alert, and internally-directed state. Compared to the highly productive and alert Beta state which often comes with anxiety and increased worries, Alpha allows us to be productive, focused, and alert without the unnecessary distractions and anxious feelings. In Alpha, our brainwaves are slowed down just enough to be centered and focused but remain at a high enough frequency to maintain alertness and tremendous focus.

Alpha is also associated with light sleep, as it's one of three brainwaves that we cycle in and out of while we sleep each night. When our brains are in Alpha and we're asleep, we often feel like we're in a "transition" zone between waking and sleeping. This is when we are processing past mental thoughts & activities and rebalancing our mental patterns for the next day.  

Alpha is an exceptional state for creative problem solving. Rather than trying to force a solution during a faster Beta brain state, in Alpha we allow the solution to intuitively come to us by being present, mindful and alert, allowing us easier access to the creative genius within.

Alpha is also an ideal state for peak performance. Whether you’re an athlete, a dancer, an executive, a public speaker, or just someone preparing for a job interview or other important ‘performance”, being completely present in a state of calm alertness is the secret to getting into your flow. Or as athletes often call it … getting into the zone.

In meditative states, Alpha is associated with Zen meditation and mindfulness states. This is a great brain state to explore your real purpose in this life, the reason for your being. As Dr. Jeffrey Thompson at the Center for Neuroacoustic Research describes it, the Alpha brainwave state helps to uncover not only the major goal of your life, but also the type of work which facilitates the fulfillment of your true purpose.

Beta brainwave frequencies range from 13 to 38 Hz are are associated with “waking” consciousness. You do not go into Beta states during sleep. This is the state we are in when we experience linear thinking (conversations, jobs, paperwork, money, banking, etc.). In Beta, our mental attention is focused externally rather than internally. Your brainwave states are likely in the Beta range right now as you’re reading this.

Beta is an important brainwave state because it is our “thinking” state and helps us execute the items on our to-do list and get things done. However, in today’s modern-day stressful society, most people spend too much time in the Beta go-go-go mode and not enough time in the slower brainwave states that keep us grounded and connected to our intuition and creativity. If more people would slow down and spend more time in Alpha and Theta, it’s quite possible that the high anxiety levels we see today would begin to normalize once again.

Gamma brainwave frequencies are typically between 40 to 100 Hz.  Dr. Joe Dispenza, internationally acclaimed neuroscientist,  refers to Gamma brainwaves as "super consciousness." Gamma waves have been associated with ecstatic states of consciousness (think out-of-body experiences, moments of extreme inspiration, and kundalini awakening).  

Research at the University of Wisconsin with the Dalai Lama showed extremely high Gamma activity in the brains of his monks in higher states of consciousness through meditation. Previously these prolonged states of expanded consciousness were only attainable after years of meditation practice. Thanks to advances in medical science and brain research, these brainwave states are accessible to anyone now through brainwave entrainment.

Gamma frequencies can also be beneficial for sensory issues. An important function of Gamma waves is to “bind” all the sensory data of the five senses into one general zone and synchronize them all together. This “binding” is necessary so that our sensory experiences coordinate together and make sense. For example, a glass falling to the floor makes a crashing sound when it hits. We then associate the falling glass with the sound it makes because these events are “bound” together with Gamma processing. A person deficient in Gamma processing might suddenly hear the sound and become disturbed because they do not associate it with the glass falling, since the “binding” effect is not functioning properly. This could lead to sensory disorders.

Dr. Jeffrey Thompson at the Center for Neuroacoustic Research explains that deficiencies in Gamma activity would lead to the type of dissociative symptoms you might see in a psychiatric conditions and with severe forms of Autism. Dr. Thompson reports great success in reducing symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders since adding Gamma brainwave entrainment to his custom Bio-Tuning® process.

Sounds waves have been used for tens of thousands of years for healing. The shamanic drum, rattles, Tibetan singing bowls, and the didgeridoo are all ancient sound healing tools used to alter states of consciousness to affect healing. They knew intuitively about the power of sound frequencies to entrain brainwaves and didn't need to see the proof on an EEG!

In today’s modern medical system, sound waves have been using in healing applications for decades. For example, ultrasound waves with high-intensity vibrations are used to break up kidney stones and can often replace surgery. These sound waves are also being use to target some brain tumors with extreme precision while leaving surrounding tissues intact. And we are all familiar with maternal ultrasounds used to check on a developing fetus.

The NeuroTōnz brainwave entrainment soundtracks are a beautiful combination of the old and the new. NeuroTōnz uses the ancient principles of resonance and brainwave entrainment to altar states of consciousness across various brain frequencies, and it uses the modern application of split left / right audio through headphones to create brain hemisphere synchronization across the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Here are some recommended research studies and articles for more information on Brainwave Entrainment and Binaural Beats.

The Link between binaural beats in Theta and long term memory performance (PubMed)

The Effect of Binaural Beat Technology on the Cardiovascular Stress Response in Military Service Members with Postdeployment Stress (PubMed)

Auditory Beats in the Brain (this is the famous report from 1973 - requires subscription toScientific American)

Alpha-Theta Brain Wave Training and B-Endorphine Levels in Alcoholics (PubMed)

Acoustic Brainwave Entrainment with Binaural Beats

The Clinical Use of Sound

Methods for Stimulation fo Brainwave Function Using Sound

Sounds - Medicine for the New Millennium

Brain Wave Synchronization and Entrainment to Periodic Acoustic Stimuli (PubMed)

Long Term Meditators Self-Induce High Amplitude Gamma Synchrony During Mental Practice

The Buddhist and the Neuroscientist: What Compassion Does to the Brain

The Effect of Gamma-Enhancing Binaural Beats on the Control of Feature Bindings

Gamma Band Neural Stimulation in Humans and the Promise of a New Modality to Prevent & Treat Alzheimer's Disease