The Science Behind Binaural Beats: A Natural Aid for Anxiety, OCD, and ADHD
Binaural beats are a form of soundwave therapy that’s gaining attention for its potential to support mental health—especially in reducing symptoms of anxiety, OCD, and ADHD in both children and adults.
Binaural beats occur when two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear. The brain perceives a third tone—a beat—that isn’t actually present but is created by the difference between the two tones. For example, if one ear hears 200 Hz and the other 210 Hz, the brain perceives a 10 Hz beat. This difference can influence brainwave activity.
How Do They Work?
The human brain operates at different frequencies depending on mental state:
Delta (0.5–4 Hz): Deep sleep
Theta (4–8 Hz): Relaxation, meditation
Alpha (8–14 Hz): Calm, alertness
Beta (14–30 Hz): Active thinking, focus
Gamma (30+ Hz): High-level cognition
By using binaural beats that align with specific frequencies, it's believed we can “entrain” the brain to move toward a desired state. For anxiety and OCD, alpha and theta waves are most often used to induce calm and reduce obsessive thought patterns. For ADHD, beta waves can help increase alertness and concentration.
What Does the Research Say?
While more large-scale studies are needed, early research and anecdotal evidence suggest:
Anxiety: Several studies have shown that binaural beats in the theta and alpha ranges can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
ADHD: Some studies have reported improved focus and reduced impulsivity in children and adults with ADHD after regular exposure to specific binaural beat frequencies.
OCD: Though less extensively studied, binaural beats may help reduce the compulsive thought patterns associated with OCD by promoting calm and mental flexibility.
Safe and Non-Invasive
One of the major benefits of binaural beats is that they are non-invasive, drug-free, and easy to use. All that’s needed is a good pair of headphones and a quiet environment. Sessions as short as 10–30 minutes a day can be beneficial.
Final Thoughts
While binaural beats aren’t a cure, they offer a promising complementary therapy for managing symptoms of anxiety, OCD, and ADHD. When combined with other treatments—like cognitive behavioral therapy, medication (when prescribed), and mindfulness—they can be a gentle, science-backed way to support mental wellness in both children and adults.
Scientific Papers & Reviews
Binaural auditory beats vs music of choice as audio distraction behaviour guidance technique among children: A randomized controlled trial
Bhuvanesh Nitin Bhusari 1, Shivayogi M Hugar 1, Neha Kohli 1, Sanika Karmarkar 1, Niraj Gokhale 1, Nivedita Saxena 1
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 37635475
- DOI: 10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_104_23
Free article
Abstract
Background: Binaural auditory beat is an auditory illusion perceived when two different pure-tone sine waves with less than a 30 Hz difference are presented to a listener dichotically. Monaural beat stimulation is achieved by the superposition of amplitude-modulated signals of nearby frequencies to both ears simultaneously.
Aim: The study aims to evaluate and compare anxiety level during restorative treatment using no music, monaural beats, and binaural auditory beats as audio distraction behavior guidance techniques in children aged 6-12 years.
Settings and design: Three-arm, parallel-group randomized study was conducted in the department of pediatric and preventive dentistry.
Materials and methods: The sample size of 45 participants was calculated and allocated into three groups as no music, monaural beats, and binaural auditory beats group. Teeth with Class I cavity in primary or permanent molars were prepared and restored. Anxiety was measured pre and postintervention using pulse oximeter and Venham's picture test.
Statistical analysis used: Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS software version 20.0 and were carried out using one-way analysis of variance and dependent t-test and significance value < 0.05 was considered.
Results: Binaural auditory beats and monaural beats showed a better reduction in anxiety levels as per Venham's picture test scores with statistically significant "P" value 0.0001 and 0.064, respectively. Likewise, binaural auditory beats showed better reduction in anxiety levels as per pulse rate scores with statistically significant "P" value 0.0001 as compared to conventional treatment technique.
Conclusion: Binaural auditory beat was found to be the most effective followed by the monaural beat compared to the control group. Thus, binaural auditory beats and monaural beats can be used effectively as an essential aid to reduce anxiety in children.
Keywords: Anxiety; audio analgesia; behavior guidance technique; binaural auditory beats; children; monaural beats.
The Effect of Brainwave Synchronization Using Binaural Beats on Improving Working Memory and Reducing the Severity of Symptoms in Women With Obsessive compulsive Disorder
Zahra Hodhodi 1, Mehrangiz Pyvastegar 1,*, Peyman Hassani Abharian 1,2, Azam Farah Bidjari 1, Batool Ahadi 1
- Author information
- Article notes
- Copyright and License information
PMCID: PMC11367219 PMID: 39228455
Abstract
Introduction:
Binaural beats are one of the new methods of brainwave synchronization. However, there is little knowledge about its clinical applications. The positive effect of this method on executive functions, such as attention and working memory, in the γ band has been mainly confirmed in healthy individuals. Still, its effectiveness on disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with a prominent cognitive profile, has not been established. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the effect of binaural beats on working memory and the severity of OCD symptoms in the γ band in the affected women.
Methods:
Twenty-nine OCD women aged 25–40 years referring to psychological clinics in Tehran City, Iran, were selected by convenience sampling. After completing the symptom checklist 90 (SCL90) and the Yale-Brown severity scale (SS), the participants were given the Wechsler memory scale (WMS) digit repetition subtests. Then, they were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=15) and control (n=14) groups. The audio file of the binaural beats in the γ band was provided to the experimental group. The participants in the control group listened to the normal (no-wave) audio file. Both groups listened to the audio files for two weeks, three times a week, for 30 minutes each time. The Yale-Brown SS and digit repetition in post-test and one-month follow-up periods were obtained from both groups.
Results:
According to the results, the severity of OCD symptoms was significantly reduced in the post-test and follow-up stages by the γ binaural beats (P<0.05). Also, the working memory function was improved, although it was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion:
The results of this study show that binaural beats can be used as a complementary treatment to reduce the severity of OCD symptoms. Also, it seems that the patients’ working memory is strengthened with this method.
Effectiveness of brainwave entrainment on pre-operative fear and anxiety in pediatric dental patients: a randomized controlled trial
F Shehani 1, V Samuel 2, R Kavitha 1, R Mani 3
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 38982009
- DOI: 10.1007/s40368-024-00921-7
Abstract
Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of brainwave entrainment on pre-operative fear and anxiety in pediatric dental patients.
Methods: The study protocol received approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee under reference number 3010/IEC/2021. Pediatric patients (252) aged from 7 to 12 years, who reported to the dental department were randomized pre-operatively and presented either with brainwave entrainment (experimental), delivered using a "David delight plus device" or a standard behavior management protocol (control). Baseline and post-assessment of anxiety and fear levels were done using the Visual Facial Anxiety Scale and Frankl's behavior rating scale with Wright's modification. Vitals such as blood pressure and pulse rate were also measured.
Results: The study sample (n = 252) comprised 118 females and 134 males. The non-significant differences for values of (VFAS1, FRS1, HR1, and BP1) indicated similar baseline characteristics. In the brainwave entrainment group, the p values of the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test (p < 0.01) between the two-timepoints indicated a statistical difference for the values of (VFAS1, FBRS1, HR1, BP1) and (VFAS2, FBRS2, HR2, BP2).
Conclusions: Brainwave entrainment effectively reduces pre-operative fear and anxiety in pediatric dental patients. Therefore, they can be a non-pharmacological and non-invasive behavior management aid.
Trial registration: Clinical Trial Registry of India database CTRI/2023/03/051066.
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