Binaural Beats: The Science-y (But Simple) Sound Hack That Actually Works

Let’s talk about something that sounds a bit nerdy, but is actually pretty awesome: binaural beats.

You’ve probably heard of people using specific sound tracks/frequencies to help with sleep, reduce anxiety, get into deep focus, or meditate more easily. One of the tools that can create these effects is something called binaural beats. But what exactly are they, and why do they work? Let’s break it down – no physics degree required (I promise).

What Are Binaural Beats (In Plain English)?

Binaural beats are a kind of a sound illusion. Here’s how it works:

You put on headphones. One ear hears a tone at, say, 200 Hz. The other ear hears a tone at 207 Hz. Your brain doesn’t just hear two different notes – it also hears the difference between them (in this case, 7 Hz which is in the Theta brain waves range). That beat isn’t actually playing out loud – it’s generated inside your brain.

That 7 Hz frequency your brain picks up on? That’s a binaural beat.

Why does this matter? Because your brainwave activity (yes, your actual thoughts and mental states) happens in frequency ranges too. So by listening to a beat at a certain frequency, your brain is gently nudged to match it. That’s called entrainment.

In other words, you're helping your brain tune itself.

Why People Use Them (And What They Help With)

Different brainwave states are associated with different things:

• Delta (0.5–4 Hz): deep sleep, physical restoration

• Theta (4–7 Hz): light sleep, deep meditation, creativity

• Alpha (8–12 Hz): relaxed alertness, calm focus

• Beta (13–30 Hz): active thinking, stress response, overdrive when too high

• Gamma (30–100 Hz): associated with a very high-level cognitive processing

So, depending on what you’re aiming for, you can listen to binaural beats that target that brainwave range.

People use them to:

• Fall asleep faster (Theta or Delta)

• Reduce anxiety (Alpha or Theta)

• Improve focus and attention (Alpha or Low Beta)

• Meditate more easily (Theta)

• etc.

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It’s not a magic bullet, and some people cannot stand listening to it (as it has a bit of a humming buzzing sound), but it helps a lot of people get into the state they’re aiming for.

How to Use Binaural Beats

Super simple:

1. Find a track and set your intention – Start by deciding what you want to support: are you trying to focus, sleep, or relax? Then choose a track that matches that intention. I personally love the ones from EquiSync. Not affiliated, just a big fan. They’ve been tested and refined, and they actually work. But you can also play around with free stuff on Spotify and see if it works for you.

   
   

2. Use headphones – This part is key. No headphones = no binaural effect. That’s because each ear needs to hear a slightly different frequency for your brain to create the beat – it only works when the sound is isolated and separate in each ear.

   
   

3. Listen for at least 10–15 minutes – You can go longer, but even short sessions can be powerful.

   
   

That's it. very simple. You don’t have to "try" to do anything. Just press play and let your brain do the rest.

Bonus: What I Do In Private Sessions (It’s Like Live Binaural Beats)

In private sound healing sessions, I use a similar principle – but instead of a digital track, I create the effect in real-time with instruments like tuning forks and singing bowls.

The difference? You’re not just hearing it – you’re feeling it. The vibrations move through your body and nervous system, not just your ears.

This makes the effect more immersive and often more powerful. I use different sound protocols depending on what you’re working through, like:

• Sleep Issues

• Nervous system reset

• Digestion support

• Emotional release (grief, anger, anxiety)

  
  

It’s like giving your whole system a tune-up. Not by forcing it, but by giving it the right frequencies to remember how to regulate itself. The impact is much deeper

and long-lasting as it helps your body imprint this into the cells.

Binaural Tuning Fork Session

Curious to try sound healing in person or explore how binaural-style work can support you?

Check out our Private Sessions or find your own beat.

Sometimes all it takes is the right sound at the right time.