Lucid dreaming combined with binaural beats is part of what is known as “brainwave entrainment”. Simply said, you listen to the right tones and your brain will resonate to a specific brainwave frequency, resulting in a specific mental state. At least, that is what “binaural beatboxers” claim that happens.
Some neurophysiologists are interested in this phenomenon by investigating the sense of hearing, writes www.yorux.com. Also, users and experimenters report that binaural beats influence the brain in more subtle ways through the ”entrainment” of brain waves and can be used in a variety of good use (e.g. pain relief, reduction of anxiety, relaxation and provide other health benefits such as control over pain).
How does it work?
You need a stereo headphones. And obviously, a binaural beat “track” (there are hundreds of binaural beats available for free online nowadays). These kinds of soundtracks work by playing a different frequency into each ear, for example, 235Hz in the left ear, and 241Hz in the right (hence the name “binaural” beat as opposed to “monaural” beats), by which your brain aligns itself auditory to the difference in tone frequency, consequently generating an internal (neurological) brainwave frequency in accordance to that particular frequency difference. In this example, brainwaves are in accordance with 6 Hz (241 Hz – 235 Hz = 6 Hz). Six hertz is located in the theta wave band frequencies, brainwaves associated with dreaming, meditation, and REM sleep.
Though both tones separately are just perceived as mere “tones” when you hear them isolated from each other, when played simultaneously a beating tone will be perceived, as if the two tones are mixed, out of the brain. This phenomenon only occurs when the frequency of the tones is below about 1,000 to 1,500 Hz and the difference between the two frequencies is small (below about 30 Hz) for the effect to occur. Otherwise, you just hear two separate tones, and the “beat” is not heard.
Lucid dreaming and binaural beats
Lucid dream experimenters, therefore, need to select the brainwaves that are usually associated with the state of lucid dreaming and consequently create a binaural beat that generates that differential “beating” tone, more about the topic you can find here https://www.luciddreamsnews.com/post/lucid-dreaming-tips-and-tricks.
Different brain wave frequencies are associated with different kinds of mental states. So you can say that if you measure general beta waves around an individual’s skull, that that person is likely to be involved in serious thinking. Could you also say this the other way around? Like, if you induce beta waves in anyone’s brain, that that would also result in serious thinking? Hmm, seems shaky. And that is precisely the claim that the camp of binaural beats tries to validate and promote.
Binaural beats and WILD technique?
Now, if you put your mind to it, you could hypothesize on the following: if the mental state of lucidity is associated with gamma brain wave frequencies, then if I listen to a binaural beat that generates a > 40 Hz internal tone while I attempt the WILD technique, I should have much more chance of succeeding in becoming lucid in my dreams.
The idea is intriguing. Unfortunately, only a few studies have been dedicated to investigating the phenomenon of binaural beats in relation to lucid dreaming. It would be cool to see more. Also, on part of the effect of binaural beats within the context of merely “relaxing the mind” (by use of alpha waves) still a lot more studies need to be conducted to say anything grounded or to draw any conclusions on the validity and effectiveness of binaural beats in any domain. Currently, there are too many online advertisements and websites claiming that binaural beats are the next thing in the world of lucid dreaming.
Power of suggestion
Lucid dreaming is highly dependent upon the suggestive power of the lucid dreamer’s mind. If you honestly believe you will induce more lucid dreams by hitting your head against the wall each time before attempting WBTB, chances are you might even succeed by doing so. Of course, this can be easily tested experimentally in a research setting. But since that is not happening anytime soon, it needs just one convincing fellow to post a thread on any lucid dream forum, that listening to binaural beats helped him to induce lucid dreams and the whole community swarms towards the world of binaural beats.
Believing that eating healthy increases your chances of becoming lucid, might be a bit cheaper and more profitable in the long run. Anyway, in short, if YOU believe that binaural beats will work for you … it might just work. But know that it is not the beat that is doing the work but actually your own auto-suggestive capabilities. Nothing wrong with that either! But you could just as well ditch the binaural beats from the very beginning and start working on the basis of your auto-suggestion and save some money in the end.
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