May 5, 2012
Most of us know that workout songs and music can help you to exercise harder.
But if you understand how sound and music actually change your brain waves, you can use this knowledge to alter your mental and physical performance states with laser accuracy.
It sounds geeky, but I'm going to explain how…
At first glance, brain waves seem a bit like “woo-woo” science, and it can be a bit intimidating and confusing to understand how they work.
But here's the basics, which will really help you when you're listening to today's interview with Dr. Jeffrey Thompson about how sound affects your brain.
Your brain is made up of billions of brain cells called neurons, and your neurons (just like the rest of your body) use electricity to communicate with each other. As you can probably imagine, these millions of neurons sending signals all at once produces an enormous amount of electrical activity in your brain, and this can actually be detected using medical equipment like an electroencephalography (EEG), which measuring electricity levels over areas of your scalp.
When you graph the electrical activity of your brain using EEG, you generate what is called a brainwave pattern, which is called a “wave” pattern because of its cyclic, wave-like nature.
And the brainwave patterns are generally categorized like this:
Most of us live the majority of our lives in a state of primarily beta brain waves – aroused, alert, concentrated, but also somewhat stressed.
When we lower the brain wave frequency to alpha, we can put ourselves in an ideal condition to learn new information, perform more elaborate tasks, learn languages, analyze complex situations and even be in what sports psychologists call “The Zone”, which is a state of improved focus and performance in athletic competitions or exercise. Part of this is because being the slightly decreased electrical activity in the brain can lead to significant increases in feel-good brain chemicals like endorphins, noroepinephrine and dopamine.
So, for example, when you meditate, you are focusing on something, whether it's a candle flame or your breath going in or out, or a mantra or a prayer. When you focus like that, the electrical patterns in your brain slow down and relax, and the amplitude of your brain-waves generally stabilizes in the alpha wave range.
But it turns out that you don't need to be a trained monk or meditate for weeks on end to be able to achieve this state of alpha brain wave relaxation.
Instead, you can use a concept called “brainwave entrainment” to get the same effect.
Brainwave entrainment is any method that causes your brainwave frequencies to fall into step with a specific frequency. It's based on the concept that the human brain has a tendency to change its dominant EEG frequency towards the frequency of a dominant external stimulus (such as music, or sound).
The type of sound frequencies that are typically used in brainwave entrainment are called “binaural” beats. The way that these work is that two tones close in frequency generate a beat frequency at the difference of the frequencies.
I know this sounds complicated, but it's pretty simple to understand when you think about it. For example, a 495 Hz audio tone and 505 Hz audio tone (whether overlaid in music or in a sound frequency) will produce a 10 Hz beat, roughly in the middle of the alpha brain wave range, like this:
OK, so now we get to the cool, practical application of using sound and music to enhance your brain and change your brain wave frequences.
I hunted down an expert, Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, from NeuroAcoustic.com, which produces and educates on using sound for stress reduction, relaxation, sleep enhancement, mega-learning, creativity, peak performance, meditation and higher states of consciousness.
Click here for the full written transcript of this audio interview.
In this interview with Dr. Thompson, we discuss:
-How sounds and frequencies affect human physiology…
-How sound can be used to enhance health…
-How sound can be used to enhance performance…
-How ancient cultures used sound for healing and enhancing well-being…
-Whether there's a difference between music, vibrations, sounds, and other frequencies…
-Audios, CD's and other resources that you can use to enhance your brain waves…
Click here to check out Dr. Thompson's CD's, which include tracks that train you for deep sleep, enhanced mental focus, or better athletic performance.
Pretty cool stuff, eh?
By the way, if you want to geek out on this even more, you can check out audio–visual entrainment, which takes the concept of sound one step further, combines it with visual stimulation, and uses flashes of lights and pulses of tones to guide the brain into various states of brainwave activity.
There's an interesting device called the MindAlive Light Therapy Device that does this.
And there are certainly other ways that sound can affect the human body, such as by amplifying the frequency of your heart's electrical signals, but we'll save that discussion for another day, since I think today's blog post and interview was a big enough knowledge dump.
If you have questions, comments or feedback – or you own experience with brainwave entrainment – leave them below.
And be sure to check out my new Ben Recommends page, where I'm logging many of the other cutting-edge techniques I've been researching to enhance your physical and mental performance.
I know this web site gives quality dependent articles and other information, is there any other website which offers these kinds of data in quality?
How does the constant noise of a 60hz high voltage power line affect the brain? One was put up near our house a week ago and every night the noise brings horrible waves of depression along with sleeplessness. Is this normal?
Thankyou for your wonderful information…I have confusion about binaural beats since last two weeks. Now I finally understand how binaural beats works on mind.
The best way to proceed would be reaching out through this link: BenGreenfieldFitness.com/contact
Mr Greenfield
Thanks. I’ll go look for that page.
In the meantime, Would you please remove my request to you from this page. Thank you. (the page at this
Link?
https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/brain-podcasts/how-you-can-use-sound-and-music-to-change-your-brain-waves-with-laser-accuracy-and-achieve-huge-focus-and-performance-gains/#comment-874504
U should research these cases effects on a astronomical level threw cellular development and the scales its ability. To broadcast frequency without noticeable awareness of it being a factor of possibility. To everyone that has a cellphone and is lost to what they are capable of affecting in standard living entity’s as we develop harmful experimental technology that is of higher intelligence than most men or woman existing today. Hope we notice the possible outcomes before we are so diminished as human beings science is life and psychology is experience but perception is knowledge to encounter truthful lession for others to prosper from generation to generations to come. Sad thing is im not college graduate im a 9th grade drop out that had a hard life and never used my intelligence to peruse a involvement in educational aspects for others that are as of the same placement as myself.hope somebody can use my knowledge to become a valuable existence in our world use the time u have here to matter not to be a ignorance hope u achieve greatness and have a wonderful life thanks.
Hi, I have %60 loss in my right ear. Would it effect the frequency? Plus would it work whenyou listen with bluetooth ear buds? And allegedly, YouTube videos were squeezed which means loss, is that true? I need to solve this frequency loss or change issue, thanks in advance…
Things I learned in 2018, and lessons I admittedly should not repeat….
Hi Desire,
My first question for you would be to ask where in particular does your interest in using sound lie? Do you want it for physical performance enhancement, for relaxation, to help cure a physical injury? As this will inevitably have an impact on how you can best use the sound.
From my work using sound with people who have hearing loss, it is based on the law that for any sound to be activated it also evokes a physical vibration. Thus, I actually use instruments in real life over and around the body of a person with hearing loss and they can actually feel the vibration physically in their body, which is even better than the sound as the vibration travels better in water than air, and since the body is 80% water…
So for example, the pounding of a big deep drum sends a vibration directly through the body and entire room, even changing the vibration in the room and energy fields.
Also if a drum was beaten slow enough (similar idea to a fast bpm or slow bpm song; beats/minute) it will induce deep Theta and even Delta brainwave states. That process is called entrainment and can be used to even slow down your heart rate (great if you are an archery player and need a steady hand) or slow down breath rate or even used to get a rhythm back into people with erratic breathing patterns through anxiety.
There are also other elements to the sound we can apply to induce other effects, For example instruments that are low in pitch such as an oboe will inevitably slow down the brainwaves, than say a high pitched sound from a flute which instead gives alertness. Humming a note also calms down your central nervous system, as do long smooth tones… such as the long tones that come out of a flute or when you sing an extended note Ahhhhhh. These long tones have a calming effect on your nervous system and can be great tools to use when you are nervous and need to calm down and you don’t have any other instrument but your voice. Look up Vagus Nerve and singing… it’s a nerve that runs through your vocal chords to the base of your stomach, and when activated can have profound calming response through the body.
As for your hearing loss that won’t have any effect on changing the actual frequency/pitch of the sound, as the frequency comes from the actual instrument playing the sound, not from the way it is process in the ear canal. So once the instrument/sound is played the frequency does not alter. Although what may happen, is that you will hear a distorted version of the sound and that may inadvertently have a different effect on your emotional response and limbic system.
Can I ask if your hearing loss was from birth? And have you ever had a frequency analysis of your hearing? Where they identify what particular frequencies you are not actually hearing? As some people have hearing loss at the top end/high frequencies, others at low ends, and some in the mid frequency levels, and to a certain point we can actually re-train ourselves to hear these frequencies. BUT it would depend on the reason for your hearing loss.
I seem to have rambled on quite a bit, I apologise, and hope I have been somewhat helpful, it’s my passion to use sound to help people and I get overly excited about it. But most of all try different things out and see what works for you. Wishing you all best in your journey of sound exploration, Nicole :)
you should never use bluetooth…it is extremely high level microwave radiation akin to putting your head in a microwave oven on low power, not very clever..
I have yet to find any reputable scientific research backing up claims like this. Can you point me to some data that has proven Bluetooth is dangerous? Thanks!
Any relation to epilepsies?
Do you mind clarifying further? That's too broad to give a solid reply.
recite it by heart.
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What does this have to do with Quantum Physics?
Or just Physics?
How do we know what we are using is safe?
And can our consciousness be exposed in any way?
I don’t know why I feel this way particularly about these tones and frequencies. But it makes me angry, uneasy, and unable to sleep without them. 😡😐🙂
its not , no one said it is… its something way bigger beyond our current understanding
Physics. It’s electrical pressure mediation.
& https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4930268/
I believe this is due to usage of the frequencies and how often you use them I listen to theta wave frequencies once a week when I sleep usually on Saturdays, also I am even more curious to find out if these 4 types of frequencies used in the brain can in fact heal other than just release chemicals to block pain or anxiety. This entrigues me, I want to learn more!
Hey do you have an email I could contact you at, I’m only 19 but I’ve been fascinated by the way brains work, especially when it comes to pain sensations and the effect that different pains have on the healing process. I’d love to talk and have like an open debate with theories and ideas on this sort of stuff
Hi Jonathan,
I too am fascinated with how the brain works! Once you start reading, the rabbit hole gets deeper and there’s so much more to learn and understand.
I can sort of answer one question of yours with regards to pain… from my experience using sound with my terminally ill patients who are in physical pain, when I play the sounds for them for the purpose of relaxation their pain goes away from immediately in the moment, to sometimes up to a few days after. I am yet to fully understand what is happening and how the pain disappears, besides my gut feeling that while the sounds are playing, I ask them to put their full attention on the sound and in that way they are focused on the sound and vibration which, one, takes them into a deeper more relaxed brain state, and, two, brings them into the present moment fully, where I have an inkling that pain only exists in past or future… but still need to do more work on understanding how this is working.
Good luck in your further research, it’s a fascinating field and once you start you’ll want to read and learn more and more.
You should look up the spiritual teacher Ramtha. He teaches in depth about the brain, and how to move to different parts of it that we dont normally use. I do it every am and it works works works. From a state of anxiety to calm centred peace afterward. We are powerful beings…
Hi there, I would like to know what free sounds u could recommend, I don’t have much money or credit card. I’m very low on dopamine and have insomnia :( I am a mum of 3 I need help!
Check this out! https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/brain-po…
Hey Mary, you can just go to youtube and type in your desired frequency and binarual beat. So if you want deep sleep look up the delta hz.
Or you can look mynoise.net there is some really good stuff there. It was because I saw something like this on there that I looked this up.
Very intresting, Ben i have wondered about the sound waves from transmitters, does our body work similar as a radar interceptor. What effects or defects can we expect.
I play Steel guitar in many bands. Normally im in the middle. Frequency flying from both sides. I have been to the place of almost loosing concience.
Of course i sleep good, 68 yrs old and feel pretty good.
Suppose these frequencies have any effect there.
Thx .
Steelman, I would be more concerned with the amplitude doing damage to your actual ear drums and hearing, more so than the frequencies doing any damage. As you know being a musician though, that when it comes to music there is more of an emotional response that occurs through use of intervals such as a Perfect Fifth, as opposed to a Minor Second etc… or through slow/fast tempos etc… unless your band is somehow using binaural beats in your live sets? ;) But having said that the vibration through the speakers would also run through your bodies and give you a good massage! ha ha! ;)
I was given a music track to listen to on headphones.it was an act of terrorisim and caused my brain to feel like it had ripped apart.the track was an instrumental music type but with different frequencies on each l and r side and it had very negative subliminals spoken in the centre field of the stereo imgage. These were almost inperceptable untill after many listens. I got very bad migraine and then tinnitus.my head feels electrified and i think a compensatory interference wave that has been generated and is making the tinnitus worse. The bi aural beats bounced from l to r in the track and listening to that resulted in a sensation of my brain being ripped apart. How can i cancel these effects? i am not entirely sure how its done its damage but i was ok until then..these people have tried to damage every area of my life and are part of a crime syndicate.any sound at all seems to add to the tinnitus even more. Does anyone know how this has been done? Thanks T.
Wow. I have never heard of this. Anyways, I'd be happy to help you via a personal one-on-one consult. Just go to https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/coaching. and then choose a 20 or 60 minute consult, whichever you'd prefer. I can schedule ASAP after you get that.
I suffer from the same! I think the vibrations are made by amplification with a pc/or other device. I hear high pitched sounds and at the same time low pounding. Or vice versa. The high pitched burn my skin, my eyes and even my throat. low pitched gives me a murderous headache, as well as joint pain. With bruising the next day.
I have put it down to aircraft noise when landing. Or heavy traffic.
Right now there is a whining sound and a beat like from a drum.
I have been to a Psychiatrist first for depression and then for this nerve pain. Depression is under control, yet the nerve pain appears whenever I feel those vibrations from my toes to my brain. They can start at midday and last until midnight.
I was given medication for psychosis and nerve pain, made no difference and I suffer for hours until I fall finally asleep.
I also makes me angry and I agree with you that this is created by some very evil and sick minded people in my neighborhood. It does not help that my husband does neither hear nor feel any of this.
I am a cancer survivor and have also wondered if this occurrence are not the late side effect from Chemo and Radiation?
all this comes free with your brain yuppppppppppppp
Doug here..
Thnks Ben for bringing Dr J Thompson to the Mic !!
I’m 68 and joints like rt shoulder hv
Taken beatings .. Would like to hv sound table used on my bod..
I will go to neuroaccustic..com
May the the Lord Bless you for using
the wisdom and giftings; writing and
physical / bio inf o to me.
Email: [email protected]
Do sound effects in yhe change in body systems such as skeleton system ,change in eye colour…etc..
Here’s probably the best Binaural Beat and Isochronic Tone generator out there, at least in terms of designing your own beats, and cost (it is free!):
http://gnaural.sourceforge.net/
Ben, I know this interview was 3 years old, but just stumbled across this & I was curious about the mind alive device?
Do you have much experience with it ?
Is it worth it?
Hi there from Sydney, Aus ))
I have been listening to BB’S for around 6 Months. I have a Q: that ha been plaguing me the whole time! How do Binaural Beats aid/target specific ailments IE, Depression, Anxiety, Love, Weight loss, DNA Regeneration & all other manner of things?
Yours Truly ;)
There's not a huge amount of research on using them to treat specific medical conditions but I'm working on a podcast about how music, so stay tuned.
Having sleep issues and pain issues,due to lay offs back stocking groceries at 60 years old.Stayed on Basketball courts till I was 38,now I cant run to get out of the rain. I refuse to have any kind of knee surgery. So far have purchased recovery boots and earth pulse. Still not sleeping great after 2 months with Earth Pulse,but recovery boots are helping with the throbbing I had from knees down after work.My question -is the Mind Alive device the best option or the LFC Brain wave glasses that Nick Delgado sells.There is little info on Brain Wave glasses on net.
David MIndAlive is best. But I"d also try https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/deltasleeper
Thanks
Thank you so much for providing this information! It was so helpful!
Great podcast, very interesting topic. Do you have any reccomended readings that provide more insights and how to use brainwave therapy? I am looking for directions such as how long to use each day and also what frequencies to use for specific stimulations. Keep up the good work!
This would be a great question for Dr Jeffery Thompson: https://www.scientificsounds.com/
I have been experiencing health problems due to long term exposure to amplified frequencies in my home. I live in a housing community in St. Croix USVI. Tenants in the next building, that is very close to mine have alot of parties and play music, watch TV and use their playstation for games. All the electronic equipment is being played through an amplified device. “When I lockdown my house, making it a confined space. I hear a low tone of a pounding rythem and not the loud music. I started to experience an erratic heart rythem that led to chest pain and my head felt like someone hit me with a 2×4. My nerves are about shot. I found out the hard way how to detect these frequecies by shutting down my house (in order to make it confined and listening for low tone pounding noise. I have 1 safe place to go in my house where I don’t get the effects from the amplified frequencies. I have had to investigate health issues in the community to find out if I was the only tenant experiencing health problem. I was horrified with the results of my findings. Can you give me any information that I may use to educate the community and the government about the exposure and long term effects of these damaging frequencies.
I'd start with all the info in this book: https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/product/how-…
thanks u really helped me understand more for my science project
I BROUGHT MY GRANDSUN BRYCE (AGE 4 MONTHS) A HARMONICA YESTERDAY. HE LOVED IT UNTIL HIS MOM PLAYED THE LOW NOTES. HIS BOTTOM LIP STUCK OUT, IT SHOOK A LITTLE, THEN HE CRIED HIS HEART OUT. WHEN SHE PLAYED THE HIGH AND MEDIUM NOTES, HE LAUGHED! GO FIGURE! WE DID IT SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME REACTION!
Hey can you check out my youtube link where I talk about the Effects of Sound and Music!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpupqu1R78E
can you help me out i am doing a class progect on this stuff and need a few pointers
You made some good points there. I looked on the web to
learn more about the issue and found most people will
go along with your views on this web site.
Does anyone know if the MP3s on Amazon are in the format Dr. Thompson mentioned?
No, but I've used the Amazon ones and they work fine for me!
I was thinking about buying the Earth Pulse electromagnetic pulse system, But some of the claims made on the podcast seemed too good to be true. Have you tried the Earth Pulse? If so did your recovery, and ability to heal improve?
Yes, I swear by it now!
Ben, which device for sleep would you recommend more, the mind alive or the earth pulse? Would love to try one out but not sure which one is best for sleep/insomnia. Thanks for all the great information!
Earth Pulse, Tricia, for sure.
ben< i am friends w David Turnble who is training for triathol. he gave me this link recently so i stayed up all night and morning reading your free book. i stopped using nicotine march the 7th. i weighed in at 245 pounds. i weigh 205 pounds today. i use gallon water jugs similar to milk carton style for my weights and cannot believe how well they work and how many reps i can do w them and virtually any kind of excercise. i dont have the same body. i appreciate what you share
i wonder why i cannot get the free book anymore. went back to take hand written notes and cant find it.much information was already in my current lifestyle change but much hadnt been incorperated yet and seems very helpful. thanks again
Thanks for the kind words, Greg. The reason I got rid of the free book is because it is outdated and I no longer agree with much of the advice in it, such as eating whole grains. However, you should be able to still get it at Pacificfit.net.
Thank you so much for yet another educational and helpful article!
As soon as I read this, I clicked on the link for the CDs -bought Dr Thompson's awakened mind system (mp3album) and got back to work, listening to my new music :)
Within half an hour I solved a problem I'd been looking at for days!
Thank you Dr Thompson and Ben!!
Nice job Danni!
Great interview. I've experimented with binaural beats and some of Thompson's CDs and found them beneficial. I also use an iPod app that allows one to select different programs. Used one today for a post MTB, post lunch recovery nap and it was awesome.
Ben – Big time fan here. Your link to neuroacoustic.com isn't working – looks like it should be neuroacoustic.com (no "s").
Thanks Jim, I'll fix it!