But there is another, more recent drug that has gained a substantial cult following. That drug is binaural beats. The concept of binaural beats is easy enough to understand: two different frequencies (usually operating below 1500 hz) with around 40 hz difference between them, when listened to, the two frequencies seem to produce a third tone i.e. the binaural beat. The third tone has the frequency of the difference of the two pure tones. For example, if the two pure tones are, respectively, 500 Hz and 460 Hz, then the third tone (the binaural beat) is perceived to be 40 Hz.
Hold on to your harddrives , this is going to get a bit heavy.
Though there hasn't been much research into the effects of binaural beats, the speculations of the effects of listening to binaural beats is based upon known facts. It is known that the brain consists of billions of neurons, the synchronized activity of bundles of neurons creates macroscopic oscillations, known commonly as brainwaves. These brainwaves, much like light waves and sound waves, have their own frequencies, amplitudes, and phases. The brainwaves and their frequencies are as follows:
- Gamma, 30 to 50 Hz
- Beta, 14 to 30 Hz
- Alpha, 8 to 14 Hz
- Theta, 4 to 8 Hz
- Delta, 0.1 to 4 Hz
Moreover, each of these brainwaves corresponds with a certain type of mental state. Gamma waves relate to expanded consciousness and spiritual awareness; Beta waves relate to normal brain function and focused thought; Alpha waves relate to mindfulness and a mixture of calmness and alertness; Theta waves relate to intuition, insight, and dream-like imagery; Delta waves are associated with deep, dreamless, sleep, healing, and regeneration. Now, it is known that brainwaves can be influenced by auditory and visual stimuli. So, the entire premise behind binaural beats as mind-altering substance is to produce a third tone that aligns with the frequency of a brainwave, in order to produce that brainwave in the user and allow the user to gain its respective benefits. Essentially, the user wants to get some kind of "high" by having binaural beats influence his brainwaves. It should be called audio doping™.
But is there any evidence that suggests binaural beats can trigger the desired high? Not really or, more accurately, no certain evidence uninfluenced by the placebo effect. But Among the scientific community, it is known that audio and visual stimuli influence brain activity and, therefore, brainwaves. Music has even been shown to boost the immune system, improve mood, facilitate relaxation, and aid in the alleviation of stress, especially music with percussive elements i.e. drums. Still, it's doubtful whether listening to binaural beats can actually synchronize brainwaves to the desired frequency. However, this hasn't stopped people from experimenting with this new-age drug. Some fans of audio doping have reported experiencing other, more interesting, effects as well.
Most users have reported experiencing increased concentration, enhanced creativity, and a complete awareness or mindfulness. All of these, however, may be attributed to the reduced stress produced by listening to binaural beats. Some users, however, have reported experiencing hallucinations, both visual and audible. While self-reporting has it's own demons, unreliability and inconsistency to name a couple, these reported effects are interesting and make binaural beats a "hot" commodity among people looking for a cheap and legal high.
Years ago, I was an avid user of binaural beats. And I do recall becoming more focused during a listening session. But that might just be my own biased reporting speaking. Unfortunately, I didn't experience any auditory or visual hallucinations. Perhaps I just didn't listen long enough. Whatever the case, I did reap some benefit from listening to binaural beats. I often listen to music while writing, however, I haven't habitually listened to binaural beats in a couple years. Why did I stop? I don't find listening to binaural beats to be particularly pleasant. The pure tones can be somewhat aggravating and grating if I listen to them for longer than five minutes. I need other tones thrown into the mix to take the edge off the pure tones. This, of course, muddies the reports about whether binaural beats are causing the benefits alone.
For the purposes of this post, I did revisit binaural beats. And, once again, I did experience the oft-reported benefits. Of course, these weren't pure tones alone, but a mixture of tones with the perceivable pure tones in the background, so the results are muddied. Was I responding to the binaural beat or to the other tones? Or maybe both? It's difficult to tell. But why question it? I could just sit back and enjoy the beat, and I think I will. But there is still more to be said.
Heh, I just realized this post is getting bogged down in the technical aspects of binaural beats, which won't do at all. Technical stuff isn't all that interesting, though a good writer can make it painless to read. Unfortunately, I ain't that great of a writer. So onward to the more interesting points.
What do binaural beats mean for the future of drug use? If nothing else, its just one more drug on the market, but this drug has a very futuristic spin on it. Its absolute dependency on technology makes it very endearing in the context of an increasingly cyberpunk world. And there's more.
I get the impression that binaural beats is really just a sign of things to come in drug culture. In a way, they are the perfect drug. They are easily transmittable, consumable, and, if the reports are to be believed, effective. Most are free to use -- provided you have an Internet connection -- and they are completely legal. I can't see them becoming illegal anytime soon, not when lawmakers are so focused on placing restrictions on e-cigarettes and knock-off marijuana. Binaural beats as mind-altering substance are flying completely under the political and media radar. Even in the limitless sea of the Internet, articles about them are a rarity.
Will there be more drugs that abuse the human senses in order to render the desired high? Human nature says "Yes". Binaural beats have set an interesting and entirely necessary precedent. All that's left to be done is for people to discover the next big digital drug.
Given that binaural beats is a "no-strings-attached" drug, it makes sense that it should become rather popular and gain a cult following. I suspect we'll hear more about this drug in the future. Hopefully we'll also see some new scientific studies about it too. I hope I'm not subjecting myself to more pseudoscience. It wouldn't be the first time, though. You can never have too much pseudoscience in your life.
*http://www.electric-design.co.uk/music-to-our-ears-sound-wave-jewellery/sound-wave/
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