At first, it may look sound a bunch of hocus-pocus - listening to audio can cure depression? Yeah, right... but surprisingly, it has a strong foundation in science, and you don’t have to go very far to find many examples of people who use brainwave music regularly to improve their studies, work, and general well-being.
And if finding brainwave music linked to spiritual practices makes you uneasy, don’t worry - the practice itself is not exclusive to any religion. In fact, it’s been largely used to help on the treatment of ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, anxiety, depression, and chronic headaches.
Related: 5 Mantras Successful People Follow for a Stress-Free Life
What is Brainwave Music?
Simple: an instrumental piece of music - usually a mix of ambient soundscapes and low-tempo electronic music, combined with specific tones and frequencies that stimulate brain waves, resulting in a change of mood. Brainwave music is essentially a shortcut to meditation.
How Does It Work?
The neural activity in your brain generates electrical activity. When measured with the right instruments, this activity clearly shows a wave-like pattern - hence why we call them brainwaves.
During the day, your brainwaves change depending on what you do and how you’re feeling (as seen in the image above) - Beta brainwaves are the most agitated patterns, common when we’re active and fully awake, while Theta brainwaves are expected when you’re sleeping.
Brainwave music contains tones with these frequencies, and by listening to them, your brain will more or less automatically synchronize.
If you can meditate by yourself, the wave patterns in your brain naturally slow down, but for some, it can be hard to relax and put yourself there - and that’s when brainwave music can help.
What Are the Benefits?
Some of the most notable health benefits are:
- Reducing anxiety
- Helping with insomnia
- Soothing ADD and ADHD
- Improving concentration
- Alleviating stress and depression
- Increasing general well-being
- Reducing chronic pain
Related: 15 Foods to Add to Your Diet that Will Help You Fall Asleep
A word of warning: you will find many examples promising to cure all sorts of conditions, and although it can be used to great effect, brainwave music should not be used in place of medical therapy without talking to your doctor first. It will certainly help and, for some, lead to incredible results, but it won’t work the same way for everyone, and it isn’t a miracle worker.
Should I Use It?
If you suffer from anxiety, depression, ADHD, or simply have trouble concentrating while working or studying, you’re free to try brainwave music and see if it works for you.
Just know that this method is not a replacement for professional medical treatment and should be used with caution (or not at all) if you’re prone to having convulsions or seizures.
If you decide to try out brainwave music for yourself, follow these instructions:
- Wear the best headphones you have - they’re required to hear the frequencies correctly
- For relaxation, it’s best if you sit on a comfortable chair, or on your bed
- For concentration, you can listen while you study or work - but if that’s distracting, you can also have a brainwave music session before studying or working
Did you try brainwave music? Let us know your experience in the comments below. We love to hear from you!
