Isochronic Tones – How They Work, the Benefits and the Research
Isochronic tones are a fast and effective audio-based way to stimulate your brain. Among many of the benefits, they can help improve focus, relaxation, energy levels, sleep and more, without taking drugs or needing any special equipment.
What isochronic tones essentially do, is guide your dominant brainwave activity to a different frequency while you are listening to them, allowing you to influence and change your mental state and how you feel.
The effects can be felt within a few minutes and all you literally have to do is click play and listen.
What You Need to Know About Isochronic Tones
You may have heard of binaural beats which are similar, but an older method of stimulating your brain. In this in-depth article you will discover:
- The key benefits of isochronic tones and how they work
- How isochronic tones are different and more effective than binaural beats
- How different tone/beat frequencies affect your mental state and the way you feel
- What frequencies do what, and what to look out for
- Are isochronic tones as effective when combined with music?
- How to use isochronic tones effectively and how long the effects last for
- Any potential safety concerns or side effects
- Isochronic tones and binaural beats research and where to find it
How Do You Use Isochronic Tones and What Are The Benefits?
Isochronic tones can be used in many different ways for multiple benefits. When I first discovered them around 2006 their most popular use was for meditation and relaxation. While they are still very popular for meditation, an increasing number of people are using them to help with studying, to improve focus and concentration in particular.
The main concept behind isochronic tones and brainwave entrainment methods, in general, is the ability to change your dominant brainwave frequency and guide your brain to a preferred or optimum mental state.
Stress or Anxiety Relief – When you are feeling stressed, agitated, anxious or angry your brain will usually be producing an increased amount of high beta activity. Low beta or alpha frequency isochronic tones will help to lower your dominant frequency, reducing feelings of stress or anxiety.
Meditation and Relaxation – Sometimes it can be hard to really relax properly, and it can be even more difficult to reach a deeper state of meditation, especially for those new to meditation. Using low alpha and theta frequencies will help guide your brain to these deeply relaxing and sometimes enlightening mental states.
Increase Focus, Cognition and Memory – When it's time to study or work, our brain isn't always firing on all cylinders and ready to focus. If you are feeling tired, unmotivated and distracted, isochronic tones in the beta range will elevate your brainwaves up to a more optimal high focused state, and keep your mind there for the duration.
Research has shown that Alpha stimulation can also be helpful in improving your ability to memorize and retain information. So it has become very popular among students, who listen to it while revising and memorizing information for tests and exams.
Improving Sleep and for Power Napping – When you're struggling to get to sleep, it's very likely that your brain is producing too much beta activity. Brainwave entrainment tones can be used to reduce beta activity and increase more in the low delta frequency range. Helping you get to sleep faster.
Energy and Motivation – Increasing the amount of higher beta and gamma brainwave activity can help boost your energy levels, and make you feel more alert. It's a great chemical-free alternative to caffeine and energy drinks.
What are Isochronic Tones and What Do They Look and Sound Like?
Isochronic tones are consistent regular beats of a single tone. To explain it in the simplest of terms, an isochronic tone is a tone being switched on and off very quickly.
The speed at which the tone is switched on and off is measured in terms of Hertz (Hz). The image below shows the waveform of a 10Hz isochronic tone.
Example 10Hz Isochronic Tone
1 Minute demo of a 10Hz isochronic tone:
The example above shows a 1-second snapshot of a 10Hz isochronic tone. If you count the waveforms you'll see they are repeated 10 times over this 1 second time period.
How Do Isochronic Tones Work and Affect Your Brain?
Isochronic tones utilize a process known as brainwave entrainment, which can influence and drive brainwave activity to a more desired mental state. Entrainment occurs when the brainwave frequency starts to replicate that of the stimulus. With isochronic tones, the stimulus is in the form of a clear and repetitive beat/tone.
The distinct and repetitive beat of isochronic tones produce what's known as an evoked potential, or evoked response in the brain. This is an electrical potential recorded from the nervous system, following the presentation of a stimulus. These electrical potentials can be seen and recorded using an Electroencephalograph (EEG).
Brainwave Synchronization
The process of brainwave entrainment relies on the natural phenomena of synchronization. Entrainment is defined as a ‘synchronization of two or more rhythmic cycles’ and you may already have seen or experienced it yourself, without knowing what was going on.
Here a few examples of natural synchronization:
Tuning forks – When you strike a tuning fork and then place another one next to it, the second tuning fork will automatically start to vibrate at the same frequency.
Pendulum clocks and metronomes – If you placed a number of pendulum clocks or metronomes in close proximity to each other, and set them all off swinging at different times, within a few minutes they will all start to swing together in unison.
Fireflies – If you are ever lucky enough to witness fireflies in action, you will notice that as the night wears on they will start to flash in unison.
Brainwave Activity – The frequency of your brainwave electrical pulses can be stimulated and influenced, by repetitive light flashing or sound rhythms and become synchronized to the same frequency of the light flashing or sound rhythms.
Frequency Following Response
When brainwaves become entrained and synchronized with the same frequency of an isochronic beat, this is known as frequency following response (FFR). The frequency of the stimulus/beats can then be changed and your dominant brainwave frequency follows along in step with it.
By using the power of FFR, your brainwave activity can be guided to a more optimum frequency, to enhance or improve your mental states.
For example, when you are very stressed or anxious, your brain will usually be producing an elevated amount of the higher beta brainwave activity. By stimulating your brain with lower alpha frequencies you can reduce the frequency of your dominant brainwave activity, helping to calm your mind and reduce the feeling of stress.
Isochronic Tones vs Binaural Beats
The discovery of binaural beats can be traced back to 1839, by German scientist Heinrich Wilhelm Dove. Whereas isochronic tones is a much newer discovery, with the first study being published by Arturo Manns in 1981, which showed that isochronic tones produce a much stronger brainwave entrainment effect, compared to binaural beats.
Because binaural beats were discovered first and have been around for so long, many people incorrectly label isochronic tones as a type of binaural beat. In actual fact they are both just different methods of audio brainwave stimulation.
Isochronic Tones
- They produce a more distinct tone/beat, which results in a stronger ‘cortical evoked response' in the brain, making the stimulation more effective.
- Standard sessions/tracks don't require headphones.
- With advanced sessions that require headphones, you have the ability to stimulate each side of the brain with a different frequency of beat, allowing you to lower or increase the activity in one side of the brain.
Binaural Beats
- You always need headphones to hear Binaural Beats tracks effectively.
- Produces a very shallow waveform which can be more pleasant to listen to, but it only produces a very small ‘cortical evoked response' in the brain.
- Not effective in the higher beta and gamma range frequencies
- You can't target a specific side of the brain, just the whole brain.
How Do Binaural Beats Work?
A binaural beat is created by sending tones of a slightly different frequency into each ear, which results in the listener hearing a ‘perceived' beat at the frequency equal to the difference between the two tone frequencies. To put that more simply, here's an example:
A tone of 200Hz is sent to the left ear
A tone of 210Hz is sent to the right ear
The difference between both frequencies is 10Hz, so the listener perceives a tone beating at a rate of 10 times per second, i.e. 10Hz.
Again using the above example, if the second tone in the right ear was increased to 220Hz, the difference would be 20Hz, so a 20Hz beat would be heard.
Why are Binaural Beats ‘Perceived' and Not Just Heard Like Normal Beats?
Good question. With binaural beats, the resulting beat you hear is a type of auditory illusion, created and heard inside your head. No actual beat is sent into your ears, just two plain tones at different frequencies. The brain recognises that the tones are different in each ear and somehow produces a resulting beat after processing them.
Looking at the snapshot above there isn't a visible beat, just 2 continuous waveforms for each left and right channel/ear. After the 2 tones are sent to each ear and heard inside your brain, a binaural beat waveform will look something like this:
A 1-minute demo of a 10Hz binaural beat:
As you can see from the diagram above the depth of the waveform is very shallow, especially when compared to the very clear and distinct space in between each isochronic beat.
In a research article by David Siever 2009, Entraining Tones and Binaural Beats, Siever noted that the modulation depth (the difference between loud and quiet) is very small at just 3db, a 2 to 1 ratio. Compared to isochronic tones that easily produce 50db, which is a 100,000 to 1 ratio.
In layman's terms, this means that isochronic tones produce a much more pronounced and distinct sounding beat. When measured on an EEG, binaural beats only produce a small response in the brain, and little to no impact on brainwave driving. So for brainwave entrainment purposes, isochronic tones are more effective and superior.
This is why I always use isochronic tones on all my brainwave entrainment tracks and no longer use binaural beats.
How to use Isochronic Tones
The most common way to use Isochronic Tones is for a short-term benefit. They provide a chemical-free alternative to things like coffee, energy drinks, alcohol, pills and other forms of medication. The key word here is ‘alternative'. They are not meant to replace any prescribed medication by a Doctor or medical professional.
How Long Do the Effects From Isochronic Tones Last For?
The most common way to use a brainwave entrainment is for a short-term benefit, to help guide your brain into a particular mental state at the time you need it. In a similar way to how you might take a sleeping pill before bed to help you get to sleep, or maybe drink some coffee or an energy drink to help wake you up and give you a boost of energy.
The effects are strongest while you are listening to the tones because your brainwaves are synchronized and tuned into the frequency range you desire at that time. After you've stopped listening the effects can still linger for a while afterwards. The timescale will vary from person to person and be affected by what you do after you've stopped listening.
As an example, if you use a mediation session to deeply relax you, you might stay feeling chilled out for a few hours afterwards. But if you jump on a roller-coaster after listening, your brainwaves are going explode with beta and gamma activity from the adrenalin rush.
Some research suggests that the benefits from brainwave entrainment can last a lot longer, and still be seen for some time after you've stopped using it. Study participants have still maintained improved test scores a few weeks after the stimulation had ceased. Research on the long-term benefits has so far been minimal though, so how long the effects last is still up for debate.
The Importance of Being Hydrated
It's important to make sure you are well hydrated before listening to Isochronic Tones, especially when using the higher Beta and Gamma frequency tracks. Around 75% of the brain consists of water, and you need to keep it hydrated to function well, especially when you are doing things that require a higher level of concentration.
Headphones are Not Required for ‘Standard' Isochronic Tones Tracks
One of the main promoted benefits of using isochronic tones compared to binaural beats is that you don't need to use headphones. That said, using headphones can help to intensify the effect of an isochronic tones track, and the over-ear type can be very useful for blocking out external noises and distractions.
You will notice with some of my isochronic tones tracks that I say you need headphones. This is required on the more advanced sessions, where a different ‘frequency of beat' is sent to each ear.
What's the Best Volume Level to Listen to Them?
There isn't an actual ‘peak volume' level I can recommend for everyone because you'll notice the beats will sound different depending on the equipment you use.
With many portable devices like laptops, mobile/cell phones and tablets etc. they don't produce a lot of bass, so it can be hard to hear the tones on them and the volume often needs to be fairly high. If you listen with headphones on, you'll often find you can have the volume a lot lower for the tones to be effective.
My best advice is to start off with the volume around halfway and adjust it up or down from there to suit your preference. You'll want the volume loud enough to hear the tones quite clearly, but never so loud that it hurts your ears.
Increasing the volume level can have some impact on the power of the tones. So sometimes if you find a track not having a strong effect on you, try increasing the volume a little bit, or try using headphones if you haven't done so before.
Are Isochronic Tones as Effective When Combined with Music?
For many people, isochronic tones can sound quite harsh to listen to on their own, especially when you are first getting used to the sound. To help improve the sound, they can be combined with music or ambient nature sounds, which is the most common way people listen to them.
A popular opinion in the brainwave entrainment community is that listening to isochronic tones without music produces a much stronger effect. However, in the study by Doherty, Cormac. “A comparison of alpha brainwave entrainment, with and without musical accompaniment” (2014), it was concluded that brainwave entrainment was equally effective for isochronic tones, both with and without music.
Music Can Enhance the Experience
If you combine the right soundtrack with isochronic tones, it can have a positive effect on your mood and how well you receive the stimulation from the tones.
Music taste varies from person to person, and as individuals, our mood and situation will often dictate a preference for different styles of music.
This can have some impact on how effective isochronic tones can be. If you dislike a particular music genre, you are going to find it hard to sit through and respond to a track, which contains that type of music. No matter how effective and useful you believe the isochronic tones are going to be.
Likewise, if you like a particular music genre, it's going to make you feel more comfortable and relaxed, and put you in a better and more receptive mental state.
This is one of the key reasons why I provide a wide variety of different soundtracks with each of my products. So you can pick and choose which soundtrack suits your preference and mood.
Varying the Soundtrack You Use Can Help Prevent Habituation
One of the potential drawbacks of brainwave entrainment is that over time your brain can start to get used to the stimulation and it can become less effective. This is referred to as habituation.
Habituation is a common issue in many areas of our life, and it's one of the reasons people have to switch long-term medication sometimes, as their brain and body become less sensitive to the same stimulus over time.
There are a few different ways to help prevent and overcome the problem of habituation.
- One way would be to not listen to the exact same track all the time, over and over, by mixing up your playlist with different isochronic tones sessions.
- Make slightly different versions of the same session, by varying the pitch or beat frequency of the tones, or both.
- Even listening to different volume levels can help in a small way.
- Mix different music tracks with the tones.
Note: with all of the isochronic tones products I sell, I provide a ‘just tones‘ version, along with 6 alternative background sounds. This gives you plenty of variety so you don't get bored, but it also gives you the ability to change things up and help prevent habitation when you listen to the same isochronic tones session regularly.
Why ‘Some' Advanced Isochronic Tones Tracks Require Headphones
In most cases, standard isochronic tones tracks don't require headphones to be effective.
However, some isochronic tones tracks use what's known as split hemisphere stimulation, to help influence a specific side of the brain. In order to do that each ear needs to be isolated and stimulated with a different frequency of ‘beat'. Hence the need for headphones.
Before I get into that and how it works, I should explain a little bit about why you would want to target and stimulate a specific side of your brain, and some of the benefits in doing that.
The Left or Right Brained Myth Explained
There is a well-known myth where people are believed to be predominantly left or right-brained. In a 2013 study by Utah University neuroscientists that theory was debunked, and it was proven that we use both sides of the brain equally.
However, although we don't favour or mainly use a particular side of the brain in general, it’s absolutely true that some brain functions occur in one or the other side of the brain, or that certain brain functions result in much higher activity on one side, compared to the other.
Quoted from Wikipedia:
The lateralization of brain function refers to how some neural functions, or cognitive processes tend to be more dominant in one hemisphere than the other.
To give you an example in layman's terms, while we are being creative our right brain is probably showing the most activity because that's where most people's brain processes creative functioning. Likewise, most people tend to process language using their left brain.
Example Isochronic Tone for Split Hemisphere Stimulation
1 Minute demo of a split-hemisphere isochronic tone, 10Hz left ear, 20Hz right ear:
Split hemisphere tones example
The picture above shows an example of an isochronic tones track used for split-hemisphere stimulation, where a different speed of beat is sent to each channel. In this case, the left channel/ear will receive a 10Hz beat and the right channel/ear a 20Hz beat.
To hear the difference in beat speed use headphones and flip each side on and off your ear to compare the difference.
These split-hemisphere isochronic tones tracks use a more advanced method of stimulation. Each ear/channel is stimulated with a different speed of beat. This enables you to target a specific side of the brain and increase or decrease the brainwave frequency on that side compared to the other.
The brain works in a cross-wired way, with the left brain controlling the right side of the body, and the right brain controls the left. Brainwave stimulation works in a similar way.
Although a beat sent to one ear will produce a reaction in both sides of the brain, EEG researchers have noticed that the first and strongest response, is seen in the opposite side of the brain.
So using the example track above, the right ear is sent a 20Hz beat, compared to a 10Hz beat in the left ear. As the right ear receives the higher frequency of beat, this works to increase the speed of the left brain hemisphere, which can be helpful for people with conditions like ADHD, who are often found to have an abundance of slow-wave activity in the left brain.
Some of the Benefits of Using Split Hemisphere Isochronic Tones
One of the most notable and common uses of split-hemisphere stimulation is for ADHD. People with ADHD are usually found to have an overabundance of slow-wave brain activity, particularly in the left frontal region.
ADD/ADHD
With my Cognition Enhancer and ADHD Intense Relief tracks, the left brain is stimulated with a higher frequency of beat, to help address this imbalance by increasing the frequency of the activity on that side of the brain.
Performance Anxiety
It's also common for people to experience a hemispheric imbalance before an anxiety-producing event, like a test or public speaking. With my Public Speaking Anxiety product (which is also useful for pre-test/exam anxiety), the left brain is stimulated with a slightly higher frequency.
About Brainwave Frequencies
Brainwave frequencies are generally categorized into 5 states. Each state reflects a range of frequencies which are associated with it.
Brainwave speed is measured in Hertz (Hz) and relates to how many times they cycle per second. A 5Hz brainwave simply means that it is cycling at a rate of 5 times per second.
Dominant Brainwave Frequency
If you were hooked up to an EEG, you would notice that your brain is constantly producing brainwaves across the whole spectrum. So even when you are deeply asleep, your brain will still be producing some of the faster beta frequency brainwaves, but your dominant brainwave activity will be in the much lower delta range.
Our brainwave activity reflects how we are feeling and what we are doing. If slower brainwaves are dominant we can feel tired, sleepy, very relaxed or dreamy. If faster, higher frequency brainwaves are dominant, we can feel more alert, energized or highly focused.
With brainwave entrainment methods like isochronic tones, they are used to stimulate and produce more brainwave activity of a specific frequency or range, making that more dominant. If you were very stressed for example, your dominant brainwave frequency would probably be very high.
In that situation, you could seek to reduce that by listening to slower speed isochronic tones, which would help calm your mind and bring down your stress levels.
Delta Waves
0.5Hz-4Hz – Delta waves are very slow and low in frequency. You produce the most delta activity during your deepest sleep. It's during delta that your body does most of it's healing and regenerating of cells.
Theta Waves
4Hz to 8Hz – Theta waves are also mainly dominant during sleep, or in a state of deep relaxation or when we are drifting in and out of sleep.
Alpha Waves
8Hz to 12Hz – When in an alpha state we are usually very relaxed, calm and resting. Increasing alpha waves can help us reduce stress and anxiety. It's also a mental state where we can stimulate creativity, visualize and improve our ability to absorb and commit information to memory.
Beta Waves
12Hz to 40Hz – Beta is a faster and more dominant when we are consciously awake during the day. We are in beta when we are focused, energized and alert.
Gamma Waves
40Hz+ – Gamma is the fastest in the brainwave range. It has been connected to mental states of high focus, cognitive enhancement and information processing.
Isochronic Tones and Brainwave Entrainment Research Resources
There have been numerous studies into brainwave entrainment, isochronic tones and binaural beats over the years and you can find some of this research by searching with Google's Scholar search engine.
The following places are the best and most useful brainwave entrainment research resources:
Update: TransparentCorp.com was one of the best resources for brainwave entrainment software, information and research. Sadly, it closed down around October 2018.
Transparent Corp's Research Area is arguably the most comprehensive resource for collated brainwave entrainment research. Update: the main research area on Transparent Corp's website is currently being updated, so it is offline. However, you can still access their peer-reviewed research paper as a PDF here: “A Comprehensive Review of the Psychological Effects of Brainwave Entrainment”.
The Transparent Corp forum – This forum is an invaluable resource for any brainwave entrainment user or enthusiast. Most of the feedback is obviously focused on the Transparent Corp software, but with over 20,000+ posts now you can find answers to the whole array of brainwave entrainment questions on there. (UPDATE: Sadly, the Transparent Corp forum has now been taken offline)
The Neuro-Programmer software help menu – The Neuro-Programmer software has long been the most popular and widely used software for creating isochronic tones, binaural and monaural beats, as well as photic/light brainwave entrainment tracks.
You can download and use the full version of the software on a 2-week free trial, without filling out any forms. Once installed you'll have access to the huge list of help files and tutorials. Most of the content focuses on how to use the software with tutorials etc.
But alongside that, you'll get invaluable insight into how and why brainwave entrainment tracks are created the way they are, how they can help you. This is one of those great hidden resources you'd never know was there unless you've installed and used the software.
White paper commissioned and published by Transparent Corp titled: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF BRAINWAVE ENTRAINMENT
Mind Place is one of the market leaders in light and sound stimulation devices and equipment. I own and recommend their flagship mind media system called the Kasina.
Mind Place has a very useful support area, which again, like Transparent Corp's, focuses mainly on using their own products. But hidden beneath the surface are a number of useful brainwave entrainment research resources.
On their support articles page, you can download PDFs of Michael Hutchison's MegaBrain report. Although it's a bit dated now, Michael's MegaBrain book was quite revolutionary when it came out in 1986, and it's an interesting read.
You'll also find a number of other downloadable PDFs relating to AVS (Audio Visual Stimulation) research and insight.
The Mind Place Forum is mainly focused on their Light and Sound Meditation Systems, but even if you don't have any of their products yet, it's a friendly and helpful place to check out and pick up BWE (brainwave entrainment) information.
Mind Alive is a site run by David Siever, one of the pioneers in the brainwave entrainment industry. They focus on selling light and sound machines and don't supply individual audio tracks. They have a comprehensive brainwave entrainment research area, where they detail the various studies which they have conducted and have been involved with.
Are Isochronic Tones Safe to Use?
Isochronic tones and binaural beats are deemed as a safe technology to use. You may come across a few precautionary warning online, but I have yet to find any actual research studies showing that isochronic tones can be problematic for any particular medical condition.
Do isochronic tones cause seizures?
The most common precautionary warning you may find regarding isochronic tones is for people who are epileptic or prone to seizures. The warning originated regarding the use of photic brainwave entrainment stimulation (which uses flashing light), not because of audio stimulation.
To quote David Seiver again (one of the pioneers in brainwave entrainment research from MindAlive.com):
Auditory entrainment (AE) is a safe alternative for people who have a history of seizures or believe that they might be susceptible to seizures using photic entrainment.
Although I'm not aware of any scientific research suggesting isochronic tones can cause a seizure, if you are someone who is prone to them or in a group at risk of them and you are concerned about it, I recommend that you consult a doctor or medical professional before using them, just to put your mind at rest.
You are great
Thanks. 🙂
Hi
I am looking for sound to synchronize my left and right brain. During a deep chakra meditation experience I realised that my left brain is empty and right brain is full ( of waves). I am also a natural left hander. My natural attention for instrumental/ isochrnic music is 15-17″. I liked the metal crystal and rain sounds on spotify. Do guide me what music will work magic 🙂
The way standard isochronic tones tracks work, they automatically help to balance both sides of the brain because they stimulate each side of the brain with the same frequency. You don’t need a specific isochronic tones track to balance the brain. I have some split-hemisphere isochronic tones tracks for ADHD and anxiety, where I send a different frequency into each ear. Those types of tracks won’t be what you’re looking for, so avoid anything where I say you need headphones in the description. All the other isochronic tones tracks that don’t require headphones will balance the left/right brain hemispheres.
Hi jason, quick qhestion:
I listen to a holy hindu mantra which is @ 432 Hz.
Now please do suggest me that wheather i should listen to this frequency range or not ??? ( it is not mentione in the description of the video about the tune used; just mentioned that its 432 Hz ).
Hi Palak,
It sounds like you are talking about a normal Hindu mantra track which the creator has tuned to 432Hz. Normal music tracks and musical instruments are tuned to 440Hz. Some people believe that 432Hz is more in tune with the laws of nature. Which is why some people creating meditation or mantra tracks like to tune them to 432Hz. It’s hard for me to know exactly how someone has created their track and what they have in it. So I suggest trying to contact the video creator or post a message on their video and ask them more about it.
Can i listen to a holy hindu mantra which is at 432Hz ???
I have been using Isochronic Tones for years, and the principle is that it’s always different frequencies in each ear which leads the brain to naturally take the difference between the two, and THAT’S the frequency which coincides with whatever state you are trying to get into to.
Your brain “settles” into this state. I don’t know what this guy is trying to sell, but I wouldn’t trust him. Reading what he just said makes me nervous.
There was an app on Apple that I got that was wonderful. It even had a option of adding nature sounds to the background, which I often ended up using just to create an atmosphere at my work desk, or at home when I studied (something like a rainforest or river scene usually). I wish I could remember it’s name. I no longer use iPhones, and it’s been a while. Windows has a decent one, but it was only one.
I’m weary of what this guy is trying to sell people based off of this one comment alone, because it’s complete bupkiss.
Hi Claude,
You seem to have got your wires crossed here and missunderstood what I have written. You are describing how binaural beats work, not isochronic tones. Binaural beats work differently to isochronic tones and I’ve explained all of that in this article, with sample audio and images. You would be correct in saying that binaural beats require headphones to work but isochronic tones do not need headphones, so I’m afraid you’ve got that wrong.
There is some conflicting information out there and sometimes people do get confused about the differences between isochronic tones and binaural beats. So I can understand why you got your wires crossed.
However, it is a shame that you decided to jump straight in calling me a grifter, a charlatan, full of horseshit etc., when you could have just have posted some constructive criticism, pointing out where you thought I was wrong in an adult like manner. Now your comments just make you look bad. If you do a Google search on how isochronic tones work, you will quickly find out that you’ve made a mistake in your accusations. I hope you will take a breath next time and double-check your research before shooting off damaging comments like this. You can harm someone’s reptation with false accusations like that. I hope once you’ve taken the time to properly research this that you are big enough to come back and post an apology.
Yo, okay, this site is DEFINITELY horseshit. This is seriously the ONLY guy on the internet who claims Isochronic Tones don’t require different frequencies or headphones. This has to be an intentional lie to sell garbage.
Grifters like this site are immensely angering!
Yikes, Claudio. Looks like you had a lot to say about something you don’t understand. The difference between Binaural Beats and Isochronic tones is quite simple and straightforward. Not to mention it’s clearly explained all over this website. I would suggest you find a frequency that increases reading comprehension. Too bad There’s not one that improves manners though.
It’s ironic of you to say that because YOU are the only person I ever came across that confuses Isochronic Tones for Binaural Beats.
I hope you’ve took the time to do some googling aswell as being more mature and appropriate with your approaches instead of being rude and disrespectful.
Inrwcom you try and reduce less beta brainwaves by inducing more alpha because that should help you relax and be less rude.
Hi. This article contains a lot of information about brainwave entertainment. Thanks. I have a question. I downloaded an Android app that plays isochronic tones. I like to use an Isochronic tone at 2.5Hz that is in Delta range and is supposed to help me get a deep and dreamless sleep. I use it without headphones and just keep the smartphone next to my pillow. But I do not know if I should keep the tone playing all the time while I sleep or put it on timer to shut off after some specified time. A custom timer is possible with the app. Can you please guide me.
To get a full answer you should really get in touch with the owner of the app, because it does really depend on how their track is constructed and how they intend it to work. I have one 50-minute sleep track which takes you down into delta (https://www.mindamend.com/shop/sleeping-and-dreaming/sleep-induction-isochronic-tones/) and that is designed to just get you to sleep, so you just let play until the end. If you played that track on repeat it might make you jump and wake you up, as the track begins at a higher frequency. I have another 8-hour sleep track which is meant to be played all throughout the night (https://www.mindamend.com/shop/sleeping-and-dreaming/deep-sleep-8-hour-sleep-cycle/). So it does depend on the individual track you are using.
Hi, a quick question here. In this video (link removed)
it says the following: “Running a delta sleep session throughout the night is not recommended as it can interrupt the normal sleep cycle”. I’ve been looping pure delta isochronic tones for about 5 days now, and have had quality sleep. Should I continue looping delta or should I let the videos play out without looping them? Will it will harm my health to do loop delta while I sleep?
Hi Marko, that isn’t one of my videos you referred to, so I can’t really answer you properly as I don’t know how their track was created. For the best answer, you should really contact the video creator. There isn’t any research that I’ve seen to suggest that you could harm your health by looping a delta track. During a typical sleep cycle, your brainwave activity will usually go up and down between the delta and theta range. It may be that you won’t experience the same quality of sleep if you spend most of your time producing mainly delta activity. With my 8-hour sleep track, I fluctuate the frequency range to try and emulate a typical sleep cycle https://www.mindamend.com/shop/sleeping-and-dreaming/deep-sleep-8-hour-sleep-cycle/.
Could You inform the name of this app?
The app I use to make isochronic tones is called Mind Workstation. However, I’m afraid that was taken off the market last year and is no longer available. Another alternative is Sharm Studio from thesharm.com.
Is garage band a good option to create some loops
Sorry, I’ve no idea as I’ve never used it. You’ll probably get a better answer on somewhere like a subreddit for audio editing or an Apple user forum, where you will be more likely to find GarageBand users.
It will only work if you isolate the different frequencies in each ear; hence you need headphones. You should also make sure that this app actually does that.
I’m now convinced this dude is a charlatan if he doesn’t immediately tell you you need headphones for it to work.
DO NOT BUY FROM THIS MAN! Just find apps. There are some good ones out there.
Quick question,
I heard in a couple of places that isotonic waves are not effective in the Delta state. Is this true?
Thanks,
Greg
Isochronic tones work just the same in delta as they do in alpha, theta and beta and they are widely used in the brainwave entrainment community to help people sleep. Like you, I’ve also seen some websites saying they don’t work in delta, but it’s a bit like the game of Chinese Whispers, where someone makes a comment and then after it gets passed around and shared a lot the message gets distorted and appears to be a fact. I don’t know of any scientific reason why they wouldn’t work in delta. I remember some people talking about this on a brainwave entrainment forum many years ago. They were saying they found isochronic tones a bit too abrupt for using to help them sleep and they preferred binaural beats, as they thought they were a more soothing sound. That was just a personal preference shared by a couple of prominent forum members at the time and some people then took that as a fact for everyone. That’s where I think that belief originated from.
I can confirm that Isochronic Tones are perfect for sleep. I used your track ”Sleep induction” which I bought long time many times and it always helped me and my partner to fall asleep.
I’m testing different tracks for ma ADD now and I will see.
Hi Jason,
I’m new to Isochronic tone brainwave entrainment, but not to brainwave entrainment in general. When using Iscochronic tone beats, does it matter the frequency of sound used?
Potentially speaking, if one wants to entrain to say gamma or hyper gamma, where you flash a sound 100 times in a second–would it increase the effectiveness at all, to use a 100 Hertz sound frequency to do the beat?
Also, don’t you think that the inherent hemispheric synchronization using binaural beats might be a positive benefit within itself? While it’s true that the huge majority of us use both sides of our brains most of the time, it’s also true that many of us are a bit polarized to one side or the other in general, or when doing a particular kind of activity or focus. I’ve found stimulating a more equally and consistently whole brain activity has it’s own benefits other than the entrainment aspect.
Do you think that Isochronic tones and binaural beats could be combined to get the best of both worlds?
Thanks for any feedback
From a brainwave entrainment effectiveness perspective, it’s my understanding that the response from isochronic tones stimulation starts to diminish over 30Hz and that 40Hz is about the limit for using them. So from what I’ve read on the topic a 100Hz beat wouldn’t work, probably because it’s too fast for the brain to process and synchronise with it.
Because of the way they are created, there may be a positive benefit from listening to binaural beats without considering the brainwave entrainment aspect, but I haven’t seen any research on that. I first discovered brainwave entrainment through binaural beats about 10 years ago now, but they didn’t do anything for me. So I’ve never been a regular user of them. I believe isochronic tones are a more effective way to produce hemispheric synchronisation because they produce a much stronger response in the brain
The brain will entrain to the strongest stimulus. If you combine binaural beats with isochronic tones, your brainwaves will entrain to the isochronic tones. If anything, when you combine the two I believe it makes the track less effective because it makes it harder for the brain to decipher between the two and synchronise to a single beat. There are lots of websites with compelling marketing about the benefits of combining the two together in some funky way, but I haven’t seen any research or lots of anecdotal feedback even to suggest it’s effective to combine them.
Jason
Really great stuff here, man. Well done! Without taking anything away from the article it would have been great to have under one “roof” similar information about hypnotherapy and subliminals. I invested quite a lot in buying binaural cd’s but after reading your material I think that for short term effects isochronic tones rather than binaurals are the technology to go for now. For longer lasting and possibly permanent effects I’m not sure whether I should go for hypnosis or subliminals (or both). An article as well written and comprehensive as yours but focusing on hypnosis vs subliminals would have completed the circle for me. The stuff I’ve read so far on binaurals vs isochronics hasn’t really done it for me. Any chance you could give it a shot?
Regards
Henry.
I appreciate your compliment on my article Henry. I’ve been using and reading up on isochronic tones and brainwave entrainment for many years, so it was just a case of trying to put a lot of what I’ve learnt into one article. I don’t have a great deal of knowledge or experience in using hypnosis and subliminals, so I’m afraid I wouldn’t be in a position to create something so extensive in reviewing them.
Binaural beats do work – I’ve used Holysync CD’s for years & can vouch for their effectiveness; it’s just that the latest research seems to suggest that isochronic tones do it better. As it happens I am a skilled meditation [holding a diploma in meditation teacher training] & also have a diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy. Both methodologies will take your brain into altered states that are known to be beneficial but not everyone takes readily to meditation and hypnotherapy is not cheap – so utilizing sound therapy which is known to be effective, makes good financial sense.
If anybody would like to look over the scientific evidence concerning brainwave entrainment and isochronic tones, I’ve done a lot of research over the years which I’ve collected at the PubMed website of NCBI – a branch of the National Institute of Health – that provides access to a large library of medical journal articles. I’ve made my list public so you can look through the journal articles that were published concerning this topic. Here’s the link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1tmDFOl0XtyA4/collections/51531796/public/. Most of the collection only gives access to abstracts or summaries unless you’re at some kind of educational institution that has a subscription to the particular journal that article is in, but I actually find abstracts really helpful. So have at it, read away. And if your psychiatrist/therapist thinks you’re nuts for feeling better after listening to isochronic tones, just whip out your 82-page collection of scientific journal abstracts written by her peers and give it to her to read. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your research resource Susanna.
Thanks for sharing your research, knowledge and resoyrcrs
Jason, do you have an app that can be downloaded for iPhone?
No, I’m afraid I don’t have an app.
Veey good article! I was sceptical and looking for scientific clarification, after reading this I am pretty prone to believe it works!
Just one question: the web offers a wide variety of tracks, even to boost metabolism and burn fats. Do you think it could be effective? I’m unable to rely brain frequencies with metabolism speed…
Thanks for your compliment on my article. 🙂 There are some frequency lists which reference and quote some links to metabolism, but I don’t know how effective or reliable that information is. One of the good things but also a drawback of this technology is how accessible it is to use and create tracks. That makes it unattractive for big companies to invest in large-scale research because it’s hard to patent and protect any product they produce based on the research. As soon as they released the frequency data, people like me would produce free videos and cheap MP3s to utilise the research, so they wouldn’t be able to get a good return on their research investment. So to try and gain some insight into what is working for people, at the moment, we are relying upon assessing anecdotal feedback in many areas. Before buying any products/tracks for increasing metabolism, I would look for and try out free videos on YouTube first, to try and gauge how those particular tracks and frequencies work for you.
Here is my anecdotal feedback. I’ve been trying different audio meditation/binaural beats/positive affirmations/subliminal messaging/hypnosis methods for decades (anyone remember the Sony Walkman?) Jason’s work is exemplary and is now my daily/nightly ritual as it works. I am very interested in the combination of light and sound therapy. I was trying to find a budget-priced tool to do so and was even considering trying to build my own, until I followed Jason to the Kasina device. I think that will accomplish my goal nicely and is workable. Thanks Jason for all your efforts and obvious caring. Now, does anyone need some outdated cassette tapes?
Thank you for your kind words Christopher.
Quick question: is there any benefit to do both isochronic and binaural at the same frequency at the same time?
Generally speaking, the brain will usually entrain to the strongest stimulus which would be isochronic tones over binaural beats. So when you see people add binaural beats at a different frequency to the isochronic tones, that would not produce additional brainwave entrainment at another frequency. If they are both at the same frequency I haven’t seen any research to indicate whether that would be beneficial or not, but my belief is that it would weaken the potential for entrainment. When you look at the waveform of an isochronic tone there is a distinct empty space between each beat, making it very pronounced and effective. When you add binaural beats at the same frequency it looks like this: https://www.mindamend.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/isochronic-tones-binaural-beats-combined-waveform.jpg. The depth of the waveform is now half as deep and less effective. This is before the binaural beats are formed inside your head, where the waveform is hard to determine and measure. From listening to that type of combination the beats sound much less pronounced, which has to make them much less effective in terms of a brainwave entrainment stimulus, compared to isochronic tones on their own.
Quick question : There are a lot of videos on youtube on isochronic tones . I don’t know whether they are truly isochronic tones or not . So should I believe them and can listen them while studying. Please tell .
Hi Sahil, it’s hard for me to speak about other people’s tracks and videos, as I don’t know how they created them either. If you’re interested in a particular track/video and unsure about it, try asking the creator a question or two about the track, what frequencies were used and for how long, what software they used etc. Then make your own judgement based on how they reply to you. Jason
Thanks for the article! Is there any upper limit for as to how many minutes a day you can expose yourself to these sessions? I study immensely, but I don’t want to wear my brain down, so to speak.
Hi EJ, at the moment, there hasn’t been any research to give an indication of how long you should or shouldn’t listen for. Over time, I’ve seen people use my tracks for longer and longer. I started off providing 30-minute study tracks, but through demand, I extended them to 3-hours. I know from the many thousands of comments I’ve had on YouTube that a large number of people play those 3-hour tracks on repeat, or listen to different ones, one after the other throughout the day. I’ve also seen apps where you can play tracks like mine on continuous repeat. So it’s common for people to listen to them all day while they are studying.
That all said, we are all different and have our own different limits. So I generally advise that you just be aware of how you are feeling, and if you feel like you are getting a bit fatigued from it, it’s probably time to stop or at least take a break. When listening over long extended periods, I recommend that you keep yourself well-hydrated. Your brain needs a good supply of water to function well, especially if you are studying hard and increasing your brainwave electrical activity.
Hi Jason, I just want to say THANK YOU for sharing this information, and specially for answering the questions so accurately, in one of them I found what was looking for: If isochronic tones work for generating Delta brainwaves.
Thanks again and best regards.
Carlos
Thanks for your appreciation Carlos, if there’s anything else you want to know I’ll be glad to try and help.
Actually, a question came across: For creating an isochronic tone in Audacity, you generate a tone and then apply the “IsoMod” effect to it, is it possible to do the same thing from white, pink or brownian noise, or from music instead of a tone and obtain good results?
Thanks!
Carlos
I’m afraid I’ve never heard or used the IsoMod effect in Audacity, so I don’t know how effective it would be for doing that, or how it works. I’ve been using Mind Workstation for 10 years and Neuroprogrammer for a few years before that. That’s all I’ve ever used to create isochronic tones.
Gosh! Mind Work looks like the best choice to create isochronics, thanks for metioning it, and for sure I’m using it from now on. So, do you know if it is possible to use it to generate isochronic tones from the noises instead of a tone?. Thanks for being so patient.
Carlos
Isochronic tones are basically just a single tone with the volume being turned on and off at regular intervals. When you apply the same effects to music or a noise, it’s usually referred to as amplitude entrainment effects (in Mind Workstation anyway). When you apply the on/off effect to music or noise it’s usually done by targeting a specific frequency range in the sound and only turning that part on/off, leaving the rest of the music/noise untouched. What that does is allow parts of the music/noise to play without being distorted/interrupted, making it sound more pleasant to listen to. It produces a kind of fluttering sound as I like to call it and you can adjust the level of intensity.
What about the fact that the human ear cannot perceive sounds below 20 hz? That rules out isochronic beats below that range, and argues for binaural beats which aren’t ‘heard’ per se but created by the brain.
Please un-confuse me? Thanks.
What you are referring to there relates to what the tones sound like, i.e. the pitch frequency. Also referred to as the carrier frequency. With isochronic tones, the frequency quoted usually relates to how many times the tone/waveform/beat cycles per second. So a 10Hz isochronic tone, simply means it’s beating at a rate of 10 times per second. It’s a bit like BPM (beats per minute) but instead, beats per second. That’s how I would prefer everyone referred to it to avoid confusion but the standard in the industry is to refer to them in terms of Hz.
The pitch or carrier frequency I use for my isochronic tones, doesn’t usually go below 100Hz for the very deep sounding ones. I often use around 120 to 180Hz tones, depending on the soundtrack I’m mixing them with. So well within the human hearing range. Most isochronic tones creators don’t refer to the carrier frequency very often. The Hz you see quoted is nearly always describing how many times they beat per second.
I hope that explains things better for you.
THANX JASON FOR THIS WONDERFUL POST.
GOD BLESS YOU.
Thanks for your appreciation Turki! 🙂
Do you personally utilize other methods such as lights or anything else to help with brain frequencies?
How do you feel about using Isochronic Tones to help with Astral Projection and other OBE. Do you have an experience with Astral Projections?
I have a Kasina from MindPlace.com which uses light and sound stimulation, but I haven’t used it a great deal as light stimulation glasses aren’t helpful for how I mainly use this technology. I first discovered brainwave entrainment after looking for something to help me focus, and that’s always been the main thing I use isochronic tones for.
I don’t have any experiences with astral projection or having an OBE, as I don’t personally spend time trying to achieve those kinds of mental states. If that’s something you want to try and pursue I would try using very low theta frequencies. You’d need to try and float around in the sweet spot where you are just hovering on the edge of sleep.
What’s been the most effective track/thing at helping increase focus for you?
ADHD relief track? simple Beta track? Something else?
Hi Jason, thanks for all the uploads to youtube. I’ve been using them in work recently to help me concentrate and relax. I like the music tracks that you’ve chosen to overlay the tones. A couple of times in the last 2 weeks I’ve experienced the wavy pulse like sound, similar to the tones in my left ear. I wasn’t listening to tracks at the time or that day. It doesn’t last but it feels a bit strange. I wondered if I might have been listening to the tracks too loudly and that it was almost like a type of tinnitus. I’m curious to know if anyone has been in touch with you in the past to say they’ve had a similar experience?
Hi Rona, thanks for your compliments on my videos and the music I use, I’m pleased you’ve found them helpful. Regarding the pulse-like sound you’ve been hearing, I’ve never had anyone report something similar to that before. I also haven’t heard anyone on brainwave entrainment forums mention it. That is very unusual and because I’ve never come across it before, I’m afraid I don’t know what would cause that.
It may be that you had the volume too loud, but I would expect you to hear the effects of that straight after you’ve stopped listening, not on a day you haven’t used them. It might be something similar to muscle memory, where you suddenly remembered the sound and sensations it gives you as if you were hearing it again. I don’t know how long you’ve been using this type of thing for, but maybe it’s something that will settle down and disappear once you become more accustomed to the sound.
I enjoy this one called: Cognition Enhancer For Clearer and Faster Thinking – Isochronic Tones (Electronic) … I seem to enjoy it. Any harm in just listening to this one every day for 30 minutes as a routine daily thing, just like brushing your teeth and making your bed. I would just use it at times when I’m working at my desk, maybe even reading the online news etc…Thoughts?
There isn’t any research or feedback I’ve had to suggest there’s any harm in doing that Steve. I’ve had people tell me they’ve been listening to that track for years. I also have a 3-hour extended version of that track as well, which lots of people say they use regularly every day while studying.
Finally someone who explained it so that the mere mortals can understand it. Thank you. You get isochronic tones on youtube for ie ant aging, fat loss, to attract people etc etc. Do you know if there is any truth to this? Thanks a mil for your insight into this.
Thanks Lorita. There hasn’t been any isochronic tones research that I’m aware of, for anti-aging, fat loss or attracting people, or any significant anecdotal feedback. You could combine positive affirmations or hypnosis scripts with isochronic tones to try and change habits and that could help with fat loss or build confidence to attract people. But it would be the affirmations and hypnosis doing most of the work, the isochronic tones would just be used to help relax the listener and put them in a more suggestible state. I don’t believe isochronic tones can affect those things, without being used in combination with some kind of vocal mental programming.
I do notice it says to be well hydrated before listening? Is it dangerous if you are dehydrated because I did go out for a bunch of red wine with friends and then listened the next day and I’m sure I was dehydrated before realizing it said to be hydrated?
Hi Jason,
I have been using brain entrainment technology for several years, mostly to enhance my journey into the mind and all it has to offer (meditation, lucidology, sleep health, cognitive flexibility, memory , creative thinking, etc etc ) Currently , exploring gamma wave effects on myself.
I admire your clarity and depth of understanding of this technology, and especially your sincere efforts to help others ..Thanks Jason..there should be more folks like you…it’ll be a far better world.
I would appreciate your advice pertaining to my grandson…he’s 7 years old, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ( mild) with dominant symptoms of hyperactivity and low concentration. Do you recommend any application here to help him using brain entrainment
Hi Eugene,
Thanks for your appreciation of what I’m doing. I’ve been asked for help with autism a number of times over the years, so it’s something that I’ve often looked into and tried to find new information about. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to find any specific research relating to it and using the type of brainwave entrainment tones I use. There are a number of opinions and claims out here, but I’ve often found them to be conflicting. While some are recommending higher frequency gamma waves, others are recommending lower frequency alpha and theta waves while meditating.
However, those with ASD are sometimes also diagnosed with ADHD. Although they are different conditions, some of the symptoms can be intertwined, which it appears may be the case with your grandson. So I would start by trying out my tracks for ADHD. You can try those out for free on my YouTube channel and I’ve put them together in a playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKao2oZZPnw&list=PLveg0IEcZWN5iVmMduR9UjLzX_YgCetds. The corresponding MP3 versions for those tracks can be found on my site here: https://www.mindamend.com/intelligence-and-brain-power/. I hope that helps.
Hello Jason, this is an unusually thoughtful discussion. Thank you for all your expertise and your kind manner of presenting and moderating it. I’m wondering if you have any experience with this: ever since I’ve been exposed to theta wave music, without headphones, I have found it irritating. And this is in spite of the fact that when I was first handed a CD by someone I knew well and trusted he was so confident I’d love it It didn’t occur to either of us that I might not. This happened again recently, which is about 10 years later, when I heard it playing overhead at an acupuncture clinic. I felt restless and even irritated, unable to zone out, which is unusual for me, during the treatment. I realized that the quality of my irritation was similar to what I’d felt listening to that CD a decade ago.So I asked if it was theta wave music and she said yes. The acupuncturist said that some people, but a vast minority, really dislike the music. She said that the few people who dislike it are not simply neutral, but actively dislike it. And she also said, but most people like it a lot. I’m just wondering what kind of factors might be present that would make a person feel so irritated by this music?
Hi Et, In all the feedback and studies I’ve read and looked into over the years, I’ve seen lots of feedback from people talking about how they don’t like the sound of the tones, or they find them irritating in some way. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any particular reason why one person likes it and the next doesn’t. It’s a bit like normal music, one person’s sweet symphony is another person pneumatic drill. It’s common for people to find it weird and maybe annoying at first, which is how I felt in the beginning. But usually after a few listens you can start to get used to it and appreciate the sound, and especially the feeling it gives you. Personally, I think it can help if you try to embrace the sound, psychologically speaking beforehand. It can also help to have the sound playing at a very low volume, to begin with, then building it up as you get more used to it.
With regard to listening without headphones specifically, you might find it irritating if you are someone who suffers from motion sickness, depending on how the track is created. If you were listening to binaural beats, they really need headphones to work properly. If you are in a room and closer to one speaker you may not even hear binaural beats properly, and if sitting off centre in the room generally, that may have unsettled you if you have motion sickness as the tones try to form a beat in your head. If it was just a standard isochronic tones theta track that shouldn’t be irritating if you have motion sickness.
Good morning. I am not an English user, but I have a question with the help of a translator. Is the musical imagination of isochronic tones affecting the body or mind? Are the frequencies designed to reach specific cells safe? I stopped using it because I felt fatigue. The effect is also felt when the track is not in use. Is it tingling?
Isochronic tones work by influencing your brainwave activity and they can’t directly affect the body. That said, the brain does control the body, so sensations and feelings can sometimes be felt in the body after stimulating your brainwave activity. Some people who are new listeners of this type of audio can sometimes feel tingling sensations in their body. Not everyone feels this and these sensations usually stop once you get more used to using the audios. Isochronic tones are considered as a safe technology. However, sometimes they can leave you feeling temporarily fatigued, especially if you listen to them for an extended period (hours) when you first start using them. If you felt fatigued, I would recommend using them for a much shorter period while you are getting used to them and ensure you are well-hydrated.
Hi Jason, Thank you for your answer. I think isochronic tones are a safe technology. Many people use it safely. I use only stable frequency. Will not I have a recall tht effect if I stop using some frequencies? The hallucination frequency is said to cause flashback. I do not know about it and do not use it.
I was careful about the frequency. Many people like frequency therapy without problems. People who are familiar with the frequency use it for a long time. Tingling in non-use may be my misunderstanding.
If you use split isochronic tones …do you not end up with binaural beat…eg say left ear 10 Hz and right ear 15Hz ..result 5 Hz difference?
I am still trying to understand how the low isochronic beats are ‘heard’.
Our hearing is supposedly restricted to bottom end of 20Hz…are we just being made aware of on ..off switching of the freq ?
What you are referring to is the ‘pitch frequency’ where most adults can’t hear below 20Hz. All of my isochronic tones have a pitch frequency that’s usually in the range between 120Hz-200Hz; well within the human hearing range. With isochronic tones, the pitch frequency is rarely referred to.
Binaural beats are created from two different continuous tones, which when sent separately to each ear create a single beat inside your head. Isochronic tones are basically a single tone which is switched on and off at regular intervals. Imagine a single continuous tone playing on a stereo system and you’ve got your hand on the volume switch. Then once per second, you turn the volume off for half a second and keep doing that every second. For half a second the volume is off, for the other half a beat waveform is formed. The beat is cycling once per second per second, i.e. at a rate of 1Hz.
With isochronic tones, the Hz frequency relates to how many times the beat waveform cycles per second. See the example above; a 10Hz isochronic tone means the tone is switched on and off 10 times per second, which for simplicity, is referred to as a 10Hz beat in the brainwave entrainment community.
Thanks for the reply. I am now clearer on ‘what’ is heard. Can you expand or point me in direction ..a bit more about ‘pitch frequency’ and frequency spoken about and what exactly is the difference ..and how we use the higher pitch frequencies to ‘hear’ or become aware of them? Would you only pick up the low freq on a EEG?. sorry for being pedantic ..it still does not clear up split isochronics and possibly creating same situation as binaural beats..
The pitch frequency measures and describes what a beat sounds like, i.e. does the isochronic beat have a deeper bass sound, or is it high pitched and sharper sounding? The beat waveform frequency describes how many times the beat is repeating per second, i.e. how fast it is beating. You don’t really need to concern yourself about the pitch frequency, as that doesn’t have a direct influence on brainwave entrainment and doesn’t play a part on the measurement on an EEG. I only mentioned it because you were referring to humans not being able to hear below 20Hz. I change the pitch frequency just to suit the mood of the track. For tracks that are to be relaxing, for meditation or sleep, I tend to use a lower pitch frequency so it sounds deeper and more relaxing and I never have that lower than 100Hz. For an energizing, high focus track I might use a more higher pitched 200Hz isochronic tone, because that is sharper sounding and less likely to make you feel sleepy. That’s all you really need to know about the pitch frequency.
Regarding split hemisphere isochronic tones. Think of this as two separate isochronic tones tracks playing independently of each other, one playing in one ear and the other one in the opposite ear. Better still, imagine someone playing and recording a drum beat at a rate of 5 taps per second (5Hz – 5 cycles per second). Then a separate recording of a drum beat is made at a rate of 10 taps per second (10 Hz). You then make an audio track where the left ear/channel hears the 5 drum beats recording and the right ear/channel hears the 10 beat recording. With headphones on, each ear can only hear each respective drum beat and not the other. So you are hearing two different beat recordings at the same time, but it’s different in each ear. A split hemisphere isochronic tones track works just the same. You hear two beats at the same time, not two tones as with binaural beats that create a single beat, but two different speeds of beats in each ear. This is what enables you to stimulate and influence each side of the brain with a different frequency of beat. Binaural beats can only stimulate and influence a whole brain effect using a single beat.
Thanks for the reply.
Thanks for a detailed article .
I have been using isochronic tunes for some years now and probably got habituated by it ..need to change .Any
Thanks for a detailed article .
I have been using isochronic tunes for some years now and probably got habituated by it ..need to change .Any authentic source to use this in combination and particular app you recommend .
Hi Ulka, thanks for your compliment on my article. Unfortunately, I haven’t come across any studies or much discussion about the problem with habituation and isochronic tones and how to overcome it. The consensus among experienced users is to regularly change the frequencies and music soundtracks you listen to. Adding music to the tones does change the waveform you are stimulated with, so that’s one of the main reasons why I provide different soundtracks for my isochronic tones sessions. I have released some tracks which use amplitude modulations in the music, instead of isochronic tones. It might be worth giving them a try if you haven’t already. I have them in a playlist on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj5tHl2cuWw&list=PLveg0IEcZWN6OIRZyLkv0BJADY7Q6xFCl.
Can i prevent hanituation of binural beats of changing carrier frequency?
Can i prevent habituation of binural beats by changing carrier frequency each time
I’m not aware of any official research into habituation when using binaural beats, so I don’t know how exactly well it works. However, I know that is a popular method used to try and avoid it and I’ve heard people report that it can work quite well.
One more think ii want to ask actually i am on Psychiatric medications for depression. I am not getting full effects of bwe after being on medications. Is itdue to tablets which i take. How bwe affects brain when someone is on medications. I ask from the doctor he said he doesnt have any idea of bwe so cant tell exactly
I’m sorry Rahul, I’ve been asked this type of question a number of times over years but I’m afraid I haven’t been able to find any research or reliable information about the effects when combined with any type of medication.
Hi
may i please ask you, which frequency is the ideal one for bodybuilding, increasing energy?
also which frequency that trigger testosterone hormone and what is the ideal time to listen to it?
I haven’t seen any research relating to using brainwave entrainment/isochronic tones and bodybuilding, so I’m afraid I don’t know how effective it would be to help with that. I have a few different tracks for increasing energy but I recommend this 1-hour track, which would fit better than my shorter tracks for a training session: https://www.mindamend.com/shop/energy-and-motivation/high-energy-builder/. The effects from these tracks are mainly felt while you listen to them, so I recommend listening to the energy tracks while you are training/lifting weights etc. I don’t currently have any tracks to help trigger the testosterone hormone.
oh ok, thank you so much for replaying. what do you think about the delta 1.5 Hz for HGH (Human growth hormone)? have you read any research related to that? also which brain wave is the idealist for producing energy/physical energy like working out? is it gamma or beta? i cant find information about gamma brain wave.
I have seen 1.5Hz being linked to HGH, but also 4 or 5 other frequencies as well, so it’s difficult to know what may work if any. I haven’t seen any research relating to HGH and brainwave entrainment. It’s widely believed that 40Hz is the limit for achieving a brainwave entrainment effect, which is also where many believe the gamma frequency range begins. Once you get over 40Hz into gamma your brainwave activity isn’t likely to stay in sync with it. So from a brainwave entrainment perspective, I recommend high beta frequencies for increasing energy during workouts.
I listened to an isochronic tone on youtube once for 5min. a month ago, since then i can listen it in my brain repeating itself and it is also causing problems like either my left or right nostril works continously. So either the body gets cold or increased temp.
Is there any way to stop it….
Isochronic tones have only been proven to have an effect while you are listening to them, that’s why you won’t find me claiming anywhere that there are potentially positive long-term effects. Once the tones stop, your brainwaves are no longer being stimulated by the sound and so they stop being in sync with the tone frequency. For you to think you are still feeling the effects after all this time and from such a short time listening to them, I think it may be linked to anxiety. I know that some people who are new to this type of thing can build up a strong feeling of anxiety, after worrying about the potential effects brought on by fear of the unknown. I suspect the problem may be psychological with you worrying about the potential effects and keep repeating the experience from memory in your head. When you keep going over the same thing in your head like that and worrying about it, it’s easy to then spot other potential side-effects like how your nostrils and body temp is feeling, then making links back to that experience and labelling that as the reason. I think the best way to overcome this is to realise that the side-effects you are mentioning are completely unrelated, so there is nothing to worry about. These tracks are literally listened to for millions of hours a month on YouTube across loads of channels. If the effects lasted for a long time people would just listen for 5 minutes and come back in a couple of weeks. But people keep coming back to listen because that’s the only way to feel the benefit and effects…while you are listening to them. If you are unable to stop thinking and worrying about this on our own, I recommend that you speak to your doctor about it or a specialist in dealing with anxiety issues. I hope that helps.
hello friend, I was listening for about half a year sound wave delta for depression and others,but now it has created a brain problem.the brain after months I will again become my brain as it was;
I want you to answer me and discuss this.sry for my english
I wouldn’t personally recommend listening to delta wave frequencies for depression, so I’m not sure who advised you to do that? People with depression usually have a higher ratio of theta and delta wave activity, so I would normally recommend listening to high alpha wave and low beta wave frequencies, to help balance things. I have some 10Hz alpha tracks for serotonin release, which you can try for free on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NSUcuzpRcY&list=PLveg0IEcZWN6T86nhmSrdwG2kMQtcLRou. I also recommend you give these SMR (low beta wave) tracks a try: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGTvBbrEwZQ&list=PLveg0IEcZWN7yaMaKr8F-eWHALk2_zGqY. I hope that helps.
HI, you are doing a great job Jason. I really like how you explain how does isochronic waves work on our brains. I have few questions. 10.4 alpha wave is best to rememering things right? Why are then theta waves used for studying foregin languages? which one of your record do you recomend for kids doing there homework and studiyng for tests?
I have read something different about theta waves and learning languages. A University of Washington study tested students resting brainwave activity before learning French. They found that students with a higher amount beta/gamma and a lower amount of delta/theta activity were better at acquiring a second language. When you are dominant in theta, that is the lowest and most deeply relaxed awakened state you can be in. I think it would be much harder to really concentrate, fully understand and learn new information while in a theta state, so I would personally consider using theta while studying.
There isn’t really a one-size-fits-all track or frequency range which is right for all kids while doing homework. So that does make it difficult to recommend one thing in particular, and why I have a number of tracks for studying and focus. If they have already learnt and understood the information, but are just trying to commit it to memory for a test, then I would recommend an alpha track, like the Memorization Study Aid product I have with the 10.4Hz frequency you referred to. If they are still trying to fully understand what is being taught in a workbook, then I would recommend a track that is mainly beta frequencies, like my Study Focus tracks. In the middle, I have a number of tracks which use a combination of beta and alpha wave frequencies, like Study Booster, Study Enhancer and Cognition Enhancer. The last 3 use similar frequencies but deliver the tones and brainwave entrainment effects in different ways. As we are all wired a little differently it does sometimes take a bit of trial and error, to see what method or frequency range works best for the individual. These types of tracks are made for a general audience. In an ideal world, you would hook up to an EEG and see in real time exactly what a person responds to best, depending on the goal and current state of mind.
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…
Thanks for the information. It was very insightful
Thanks Nick.
Hello!
I would like to know about the safety of using this type of sound while going off of those toxic and brain-damaging SSRI’s:
Good fro stress reduction and for combatting ennnnhanced anxiety and depression caused by withdrawal, yes, but safe?
Isochronic tones are considered a safe technology to use. I’ve seen lots of anecdotal feedback over the years where people said they used isochronic tones as an alternative to taking or reducing some of their medication intake. However, I haven’t seen any studies where these types of sounds where tested as an alternative to medication. So there isn’t any scientific research that I know of that can confirm if it can be a reliable alternative to medication. You would really need to ask your doctor to determine how advisable it would be for you to come off antidepressants.
If someone is deaf from one ear, will binaural beats or isochronic tones be still effective?
Binaural beats won’t work as they need a separate tone to be sent into each ear. You will be able to use isochronic tones though, which is what I specialise in.
I do have some ‘dual hemisphere’ isochronic tones tracks where I say you need headphones. With those tracks, they won’t work exactly as advertised for you as you do need to hear out of both ears for them to work effectively. Those tracks are like listening to two different isochronic tones tracks at the same time, with each one playing in a different ear, at a different speed. With those, one ear receives faster tones to speed up the opposite side of the brain.
If you can only hear out of one ear you won’t be able to isolate and target a specific side of the brain in that way. You will only hear it in one ear and get a whole brain effect.
On all of my isochronic tones tracks either on my website or on my YouTube videos, I always let you know if you need headphones. If I say you don’t need headphones in the description, then that track will work just the same for you as it would for someone with hearing in both ears.
I hope that helps.
Yes. It helps. Thank you so much!
Hi Jason,
First thank you so much for this article, I found it really helpful.
I would like to know if it is safe for a child under 7 years old to listen to isochronic or binaural beats as I read that, at that age, children are in Theta state. My son is 2 years old and both him and my wife have sleeping issues, I would like to put isochronic music in the bedroom to help them but I want to be sure it is safe for him.
Thank you for your help
Hi Nicolas,
Isochronic tones are widely considered to be a safe technology to use. However, I’m afraid I can’t give you a definitive answer because I have yet to come across any research indicating the recommended age limit for isochronic tones or binaural beats. I’ve read different opinions over the years but nothing based on any actual research. Anecdotally, I’ve been getting feedback from my own listeners for over 10 years, who use my tracks to help their children and babies get to sleep. I deliberately don’t market them for babies and young children because I can’t point to any research to show that it’s safe, for those people like yourself who have concerns. On a personal level, I think my youngest was about 6 when I first played him a track to help him sleep, which was a long time ago now when I first started using them myself.
Hi Jason, a huge thank you for this resource and all the research that’s gone into it. My question is about the appropriate brainwave to engage with. I was thinking specifically about my husband who is an academic and assumed initially he’d benefit from some of the faster brainwaves to induce activity and concentration etc. But at the same time there’s a lot of adrenaline being used when he’s very busy and thinking and working a lot can be very stressful, so would a more relaxing brainwave be useful to help keep him calm while working?
Thank you
Hi Selina, I recommend giving my Cognition Enhancer tracks a try. They combine both beta and alpha wave frequencies in the same track, via a rotating cycle. The higher beta frequencies help to increase concentration, while the lower 10Hz in alpha parts help to keep the listener relaxed. 10Hz in alpha is also linked to improved memorization. This combination of beta and alpha frequencies can produce a state of relaxed focus, which is helpful when trying to work while under stress. I have a 30-minute version – https://www.mindamend.com/shop/intelligence-and-brain-power/cognition-enhancer-isochronic-tones/, 3-hour version – https://www.mindamend.com/shop/intelligence-and-brain-power/cognition-enhancer-extended-version-isochronic-tones/, plus a playlist on YouTube you can try – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJuW28OiZc4&list=PLveg0IEcZWN6oXPrgpuZWTND4jvPjfRlY. I hope that helps.
What is the effect of any of these tracks, if one only hears on one ear ( left )? How does the Mozart Effect compare with these tracks?
Thank you for your reply.
Traude
P.S. I’m a 82 year old woman
Standard isochronic tones tracks will work just as well if you can only hear out of your left ear. The ones to avoid in your case will be the tracks using split hemisphere stimulation, which consist of two different isochronic tone frequencies, with a different speed in each ear. For those to work effectively, you need headphones and the ability to hear out of both ears.
To explain that in layman’s terms if any of my tracks say you need headphones, those particular tracks won’t be suitable in your case. Most of them don’t need headphones though.
The Mozart effect was based on a 1991 study. There have been numerous follow-up studies since then, including a couple of meta-analysis studies, which pool the data from multiple smaller studies to get a bigger picture. The follow-up studies have concluded that Mozart music doesn’t help you perform any better than normal music. In the last study I read about it was out-performed by pop music. So although the term still lives on, I don’t believe there is any real Mozart effect that’s any better than normal music.
You do a magistral work…Thanks
Do you know a list of research centers working on ADD/ADHD with music frequencies?
Thanks
Georges Paquet
Hi Georges, thanks for your compliment on my work, much appreciated.
I’m afraid there isn’t really a list of research centres working on music frequencies in any specific area. It tends to be smaller studies in different areas spread around. So it’s usually a case of keeping an eye out and trying to spot new studies as they get published and talked about.
I am just getting started building Isochronic Tones with Audacity. The instructions are very vague and not much for backup support with any of the Frequency Lists…. When I see a string of Frequencies, (and will use this for an example )
• Rocky Mtn. Spotted Fever and Lyme(v)- 7989 1590 239 846 422 417 1455 39975 40439 884 797 758 693 673 577 4870 4880 578 128 579
If I am just guessing 5 minutes (since there arent any benchmarks or guidelines to follow) Do I have to do each Tone one at a time, or can I combine them and play all at once ?
It seems like with so much popularity there would be some instructions somewhere. I have been following this for years and havent ever seen any. But now that I do need to use it, I think it would be alot more useful to the whole program making it more popular if there was some simple instructions to follow.
thanks for your support
Hi Jeb, I appreciate and understand your frustration with the lack of information available out there. Particularly how to interpret the best way to use specific frequencies when creating tracks for yourself. It’s still considered as a developing field. Without any further information on a frequency list like that, with how to use use the frequencies, timescales etc., I would just consider the frequencies listed as something to experiment with.
The strongest audio entrainment effect comes from listening to the beats without any additional sound. However, the majority of people find them harder and less pleasant to listen to that way. They are combined with music and other sounds to make them sound nicer to listen to, which does reduce the strength of the effect. So it’s a trade-off.
Very informative article. Question: at least one naysayer on the web claims that a Schumann like 7.83Hz soundtrack created by audio manipulation is not really the same entity as the Schumann radio frequency of 7.83Hz produced by lightning strikes. Therefore, maintains the naysayer, there’s no reason to believe that Schumann like soundtracks have any effects on the human organism that one might see through radio frequency. Furthermore, the Schumann resonance is rather minute compared to the massive energy of solar resonances in the earth’s atmosphere, so then, what’s all the hubbub bub (heavily paraphrased).
I’d like to know your thoughts on those two points. Thanks.
Thanks for your compliment on my article, much appreciated. I haven’t spent a great deal of time studying or learning specifically about Schumann Resonance and the various opinions and claims regarding it. I wasn’t aware of the lightning strikes claim you referred to. So I can’t claim to be any kind of expert on it. The way I approach it is I know there are lots of people who want to experience and listen to the 7.83Hz audio frequency version, so I provide tracks to fulfil that demand. It’s in the crossover area between the theta and alpha ranges, sometimes known as ‘thalpha’. So it’s within a popular and well-used frequency range among many brainwave entrainment enthusiasts.
Actually, the synchronization of menstrual cycles has been debunked (the original study was flawed).
But other than that, I’m getting a lot of benefit from your tracks.
Thanks, I wasn’t up on the change of opinion on menstrual cycle synchronisation since I originally read about it. I have just read about another more recent smaller study in 2017, which did again suggest it might be still actually be a thing. However, as there is more doubt about it that I wasn’t originally aware of I have removed references to that on my site. Thanks for the heads up.
Hi Jason
Thanks for a nice article
I have one question. If I look with spectrum analyzer (I use Adobe Audition) at an isochronic tone let’s say with the pitch 100Hz and the modulation 10Hz, I see not one 100Hz wave with 10 impulses per second but instead 3 waves: 100Hz, 90Hz, 110Hz.
Why is it so?
Thanks for your compliment on my article.
I don’t use a standard type DAW like Audition to create my isochronic tones. I use Mind Workstation (that sadly, is no longer available), which was created specifically for the purpose of creating isochronic tones/binaural beats etc. I’ve never encountered any similar issues using that. I don’t have any experience of trying to make them in Audition or similar software, so I haven’t had to deal with any of the nuances and issues you are talking about. It seems like something in the setup you have is not quite right but I’m afraid I can’t point you in the right direction.
Thanks a lot for your reply.
I’m making isochronic tones using Gnaural
I’m using Adobe Audition just to look at the resulting spectrum using Spectrum analyzer.
And there I see 3 waves: 100Hz, 90Hz, 110Hz when I program just one wave 100 Hz (10Hz)
The question is if it’s ok?
I downloaded Gnaural about 10 years ago and I only spent about 10 minutes testing it. It wasn’t as feature rich as the software I had then and still use. So I never spent any time to see what type of tracks it produced or to study the waveforms etc.
From what you’ve said it does sound off. It you are creating a 10Hz modulation, you should see 10 waveforms per second not 3. I change the pitch on my tracks but never for every waveform like you also described. If they have one, I would ask the question on the Gnaural support forum, or contact the developer, as they will know the software best and any glitches that may happen.
I am profoundly deaf in my right ear. With headphones on, I hear nothing in my right ear unless I am wearing a hearing aid that bluetooths to a hearing aid in my left ear, where I actually take in the sound.
Am I likely to derive any benefit from the Cognition Enhancer, which appears to operate largely by stimulating the different sides of the brain at different levels?
Unfortunately, you do need to hear properly out of both ears for the Cognition Enhancer track to work effectively. It relies on sending a different speed of beat into each ear, with the aim of stimulating the left brain with a higher frequency. If you only hear out of one ear, it will still have an effect but it will be a whole-brain effect.
Hi Jason,
I keep enjoying your research as I am adding it to my conflict resolution book coming up. I do have a question: Are these waves appropriate for kids? I myself have a 6 year old who is hyperactive and I wonder if waves would help him absorb material better?
And I wanted to add Jason for my 10 year old daughter who is very anxious. After a separation of parents, she is very stressed, the one that absorbs most of the problem. What can help her relax and feel safe again?
Hi Thalia, I have yet to come across any research identifying recommendations regarding age. So I can’t give you an answer on whether it’s ok or not ok for any specific age because there isn’t any data on that. What I can say, is I get feedback from people who’s young children listen to my tracks and videos, and that hasn’t given me any cause for concern.
For your daughter who gets anxious, I recommend you try out some tracks in my anxiety and stress playlist on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzMmJ-YD2BE&list=PLveg0IEcZWN42oxMrPz7I3zAFF_1GezEp. They can help her feel more relaxed and less stressed while listening. I’m afraid it isn’t possible to target specific feelings like not feeling safe though.
Hi Jason,
Thank you so much for these. I was wondering about the long-term effects of isochronic tones? Can listening to isochronic tones cause a dependency on these videos/tones? Can there be long-term improvements to the brain with isochronic tones – in the sense that by listening to these beats you are literally entraining your brain to find it easier to tap into these brainwaves states naturally and without stimulus? That would be amazing if this was the case.
Thank you! xx
Hi Sara, I think I also replied to you on YouTube yesterday. So far, there hasn’t been enough research to indicate if you can experience long-term benefits from listening to isochronic tones. Until more is discovered, I view them as mainly providing a short-term benefit or effect. As essentially, once the sound stops your brainwave activity stops being entrained to the sound. It’s not known as being addictive or to cause dependency. However, it’s possible to build up a psychological dependency on almost anything that provides you with a benefit or that helps you in some way to do something. After a while, you can start to think that you can’t do something without the aid of the thing you have been relying on to help you. That’s why some people still use a stick to help them walk, long after their leg has fully healed. It’s not the stick, it’s the person’s reliance on it that is a potential issue. Some people are more susceptible to this than others. If you are concerned you may be, awareness and prevention is the key. I would advise that you try to vary how often you use a particular track, and try not to get to a stage where you are using the same thing every day, day in day out.
Hi Jason!
How could I have access to the researches you mentioned and used in this article?
I couldn’t find the one made by David Siever anywhere.
I’m excited for your response.
And thank you for this article! It’s the fist time I hear about isochronic tones.
Sorry, I didn’t realise that some of the links to parts of David’s site were broken. He’s changed some of his URLs since I wrote this article in 2016. I’ve just updated the links to his site in this article. There’s lots of interesting stuff on his website, including a research area, which is linked to at the top of his website: MindAlive.com.
Hi Jason,
I’m chronically ill and over a year ago, I succumbed to septic shock twice along with various complications, both physical and cognitive. I find it hard to write and speak and my brain is very often inflamed – and the nature of my illness makes it very difficult for me to do the usual recommended exercises. Is there anything particular you’d recommend for this? It seems like a somewhat gentle way to try to gain some headway on the issue,
Many thanks,
Kate
Hi Kate,
I’m sorry to hear about the health issues you’ve had to go through. I’m afraid it’s difficult to advise you on this as I haven’t come across any research where this technology was used to treat or help someone with similar issues. I recommend giving my Cognition Enhancer videos on YouTube a try to see if they help you in some way. You can find those in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJuW28OiZc4&list=PLveg0IEcZWN6oXPrgpuZWTND4jvPjfRlY.
So, which is better for studying? Alpha or Beta? Studies of the two show improvement of memory retention. I thought Beta is what we needed to avoid. Most of adult human population is ALREADY predominantly in Beta. Contradictions.
I’ve known about memory retention with alpha for some time but only recently read about an MIT study that suggested that beta rhythms control access to working memory. I haven’t seen anything about beta and memory retention, but I’m sure there’s a lot I don’t know about.
It’s true, that most adults are dominant in beta while awake and alert during the daytime. This is why we are usually more focused during the daytime. However, sometimes we are feeling tired or not in a very focused state, where we may be producing more alpha or theta and lower beta. That’s when increasing more beta wave activity can help improve focus. You get the best and most noticeable results with this type of stimulation if you use it when you need it. If you are already feeling pretty focused, you probably already have enough beta wave activity and won’t likely see a great improvement. So if you listen to beta activity if you are struggling to focus.
Alpha is helpful for committing what you have already understood to memory. It’s also helpful to use alpha/beta wave combination tracks to induce a state of relaxed focus, where you can cycle through both states and get the benefits of both. That can be useful while studying, and especially if you are stressed from work or exam pressure.
There is still so much more to be learned about brainwave activity and I’m afraid there will be contradictions along the way, as new research comes out and we try to refine our knowledge and what we think we know.
Happy 2022 Jason.. I need help pls. I don’t know what to download on your products. I can’t focus my attention. I can’t finish a book, I can’t finish my building my website, and a lot more. I want to have laser focus attention without taking coffee or drugs. which product should I buy?
Hi AJ, I recommend my Peak Focus for Complex Tasks tracks, found here: https://www.mindamend.com/shop/study-and-learning/peak-focus-complex-tasks/.
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Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for providing these details.
Hello. I messaged you onYoutube before, about half a year ago? It was about a song you had on Youtube.
“Upbeat music – Doberman dog”
You said that you needed to take it down. (so noone can listen to it now)
But i really want that song, is there anyway you can send it?
I am studying at the university, and it helps me to focus =)
//cheers
By the way, these two are really good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCq1FPGi8lU&t=3287s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcwA5h85AvA&t=2621s
I’m sorry Matthias, I will not be able to re upload that audio/video again.
Hello. I purchased two of your ADD/ADHD tones. I love all that you’re providing.
Would you be able to provide a source for the lack of left brain wave activity regarding ADHD?
Everything I’ve seen seems right hemisphere
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894421/#:~:text=Studies%20have%20found%20that%20ADHD,hemisphere%20specialized%20for%20behavioral%20inhibition.
Hi Casey, thanks for your appreciation of what I’m doing.
I first learnt about how ADHD brains function differently from Transparent Corp, who were the leaders in brainwave entrainment software when I got started, back in 2006. They had links to ADHD studies on their research page and it was discussed on the 4 day training session I took with them. Sadly, they switched over to running Brain.fm and took their old website and research page offline in 2018. So I don’t have links to the original studies where I first learnt about this.
I have seen studies where they talk about increased theta in the right brain. From the various ADHD studies I’ve read, the general consensus is that people with ADHD produce higher than average theta wave activity in general.
In a recent ADHD study from March 2023, their results showed a significant reduction of alpha and beta waves in the left brain. Which would by default mean that there would be an increase of theta in the left brain. They just worded it in a different way.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/brb3.2951
My ADHD tracks increase alpha and more specifically beta wave activity in both brain hemispheres. The left-brain is targeted with a higher beta wave frequency, as the left brain is associated with being more active during logical, rational, calculating and language tasks and thought processes. Which is often the types of tasks children and adults with ADHD may appear to struggle more with at school or in work environments.
Wow I appreciate such a thorough response. I’ll look further into beta and alpha wave activity.
Thank you! I’m already suggesting your site to friends.