What are binaural beats and how do they work?
Many think of binaural beats as soothing music that makes you calmer and encourages relaxation, but there’s a lot more to binaural beats than meets the eye.
First of all, if you are just playing binaural beats on regular speakers, you should have some serious FOMO (fear of missing out,) because these recordings are meant for your two ears individually as in “bi (two) -n- aural (ears.) beats.”
What is the third tone?
Here’s what I mean … for true binaural beats recordings, there is a one tone (vibration) that goes into your left ear and a different tone (vibration) that goes into your right ear.
And when this duet of vibrational tones hits the eardrums, a third tone is formed. And that third tone is what we’re looking for … in fact, it is the essence of binaural beats.
Research has shown that it is this third tone that can be used to improve your brain’s performance and allow for personal transformation to occur.
As the brain is exposed to this new (third) tone, it begins to match and vibrate along with that tone.
And this is called “entrainment,” the goal of which is to balance (sync) the two sides — or hemispheres — of the brain: to get the separate parts of the brainfully in sync (synchronized.)
Research into Binaural Beats
In point of fact, when researched and developed by the Monroe Institute, binaural beats became the linchpin of their “Hemi-sync” system. And before you write this off as WooWoo (questionable science,) you should know that the binaural beats system has been studied extensively with the use of EEG technology.
Originally discovered by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove in 1839, Robert Monroe (a broadcast executive) and his Monroe Institute (formed in the 70’s) took up the binaural beats banner.
And after much testing, binaural beats — along with other sound technologies – became Hemi-sync, the inspired background for guided meditations and exercises that encourage the brain to develop positive, uplifting ways of being.
Historically, rhythmic vibrations, such as those created by shamanic drumming, have been used in many cultures to help people switch gears and transform the everyday mindset into an altered state of consciousness …
And this transformation of consciousness can be used to focus the mind on inner peace and help you develop a greater sense of self awareness.
Be Sure to Wear the right headphones
But like I said above, to avoid missing out you need to use the appropriate headphones.
Then you can get the full effect and experience that third tone/vibration. It’s also important to use headphones that have magnets in them, because in the process of converting signal to sound, the magnets produce vibrations that act on the ear to produce the third tone/vibration.
For myself, when I listen to Hemi-sync — using some serious over-the-ear headphones — it feels like a total rebirth for my brain.
Also, the Hemi-sync experience often makes me feel emotionally renewed … For me, It almost feels like flipping an emotional reset switch: something that would benefit anyone.
I had an interesting experience when I first began listening to Hemi-sync recordings, and I think it proves that using Hemi-sync is helpful for brain function.
in fact, it was several days after my first Hemi-sync listening session when I saw a commercial that had annoyed me many times. I thought is was complicated, and I just couldn’t understand it.
So, the commercial again came on TV and all of a sudden, I understood it completely and even thought it was funny! And I was like … that’s brain synchronization for you!
There is actually a Hemi-sync.com and for a great book about Hemi-sync technology, check out The Gateway Experience.
And Joe Gallenberger’s products can be found on the website: Synccreations.com, and he has a great book (and recorded meditation) called Liquid Luck that explains how important positive thinking is for manifesting good luck and building your “lucky vibe!”
Gallenberger also teaches a class in which he and all of the students take a trip to Vegas to experiment with dice rolling and Psychokinesis (moving objects with only the mind) … all explained in his book, Inner Vegas.
Click here to access Joe Gallenberger’s recordings on Mp3
This article was written by Vanna Silverwood, medical writer and outspoken advocate for natural medicine. See more at simplynaturalmedicine.com. Encouraging stability, helping you clarify your health goals … we are always “Natural by Nature.”
Sources
Bietman, B.D. (2024). The Consciousness Code: Sound Frequency and Synchronicity. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/connecting-with-coincidence/202401/the-consciousness-code-sound-frequency-and-synchronicity
Kahn, N. (2025). The Monroe Institute: Where neuroscience meets mysticism for real-world transformation. Mindvalley Blog. https://blog.mindvalley.com/the-monroe-institute/#h-what-is-the-monroe-institute