What Are Binaural Beats?
Photo by Kindel Media via PEXELS
The Sleep Foundation says “Binaural beats are a perception of sound created by your brain. If you listen to two tones, each at a different frequency and each in a different ear, your brain creates an additional tone you can hear. This third tone is called a binaural beat. You hear it at the frequency difference between the two tones.” Binaural beats are meant to be listened to with headphones or ear buds and over a period of time they can synchronize your brain waves in order to alter brain activity. Binaural beats can be created at different frequencies to correspond with different levels of brain activity, for example gamma waves can be used to help with concentration and alertness, while theta waves can help with sleep, relaxation and meditation.
When each of your ears hears a slightly different frequency, your brain works to reconcile the difference—creating a third sound. This process is linked to the same brain functions that help you determine where sounds are coming from in your environment. When you listen for a longer period of time, your brain waves begin to sync with the beat. This synchronization can influence your mental state, altering brain wave activity and even affecting levels of arousal and focus.
I often recommend binaural beats for people with jaw pain that stems from jaw clenching or teeth grinding, general anxiety and sleep problems. I remember many years ago when I was traveling back to New York on a long flight from Asia, I had a sinus infection and only had access to binaural beats for sinus headaches and though it did not ‘cure’ the infection, it gave me significant relief of pain enough for me to make it through 20+ hours of plane travel. Since then I will never forget the healing effects of using them!
Research on Binaual Beats
A systemic review conducted in 2024 on binaural beats for anxiety and depression showed that it can be helpful and easy to use and self administer. (Baseanu et. al)
Photo by Kindel Media via PEXELS
A 2019 meta-analysis of 22 studies found that there was a significant reduction of anxiety using binaural beats exposure often when used before or both before and during times of stress. (Garcia-Argibay et. al)
In 2017 a small study was done on 60 patients who were having impacted molars removed. All patients were informed of the operation and had their anxiety levels recorded while they were given local anesthetic. All patients waited 10 minutes before their surgery, while half of the patients listened to binaural beats during their wait time. Their anxiety levels were recorded again before surgery and showed a significant reduction of anxiety. (Gao et. al, 2017)
A 2025 study on perioperative pain and anxiety showed that binaural beats significantly reduced anxiety, alleviated pain and also stabilized blood pressure and heart rate.
Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM, L.Ac. on 4/27/25 posted on 5/18/25
Use the code ‘PREPARE’ for $20 off an already discounted acupuncture 3 pack that can be used for your first three visits.
Sources
Baseanu, I.C.C., Roman, N.A., Minzatanu, D., Manaila, A., Tuchel, V.I., Basalic, E.B., Miclaus, R.S. (2024) The Efficiency of Binaural Beats on Anxiety and Depression—A Systematic Review Applied Sciences 14(13), 5675
Gao, X., Chen, J., & Cai, Y. (2017). The effect of binaural beats on cognitive performance: A meta-analysis. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 31(5), 593–601.
Garcia-Argibay, M., Santed, M. A., & Reales, J. M. (2019). Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: A meta-analysis. Psychological Research, 83(2), 357–372.
Summer, J.V. & Cotlier, D. (2023) Can Binaural Beats Help You Fall Asleep? SleepFoundation.org