Using Binaural Beats & Isochronic Tones As a Study Aid - Learning to Harness Your Brain Waves

One area in which the induction of brain waves through binaural beats or isochronic tones can be best utlised is in the form of a study aid. In the chaotic realm of higher education, it is common for the student to be inundated by up to five assignments at once; a scenario for which they must plan for effectively, leaving enough time to complete each assignment to the best of their ability.

Problems arise however when the student procrastinates on one assignment, leaving insufficient time for the remaining assignments to be completed.

When involved in activities of mental endurance, such as the typing up of an epic 10,000 word essay, the mind has a nasty habit of wandering, choosing to focus on matters which detract from the task at hand.

The process of brain wave entrainment can be used to focus the mind single-pointedly at the task at hand, so that the analytic and creative faculties of the mind can operate at full flow. In the altered state that is induced by the binaural beat or isochronic tone, the mind is rooted firmly in the present, or ''in the zone''. All great writers and poets are able to achieve this state, in which a sea of creative abstractions relating to the area of contemplation are formalised into concrete thought.

Through the use of a study aid, the student's mind can be diverted from worries concerning other factors, such as looming deadlines for example. Worries and frustrations can be eliminated altogether, because again, the mind is focused solely on the task at hand.

Of course, you may be one of those students who is able to zone into your work without being distracted by a wondering mind. But brain wave entrainment can still benefit you in terms of increasing creative flow, thus adding that extra zeal to your assignments.

So how do binaural beats work exactly?

They work through a scientific concept known as the 'frequency following response', in which the brain's wave-frequency is entrained to that of an audible tone.

To create this tone, two different frequencies are played - one in each ear. For the sake of discussion, we'll say 400hz is played to the left ear, while 430hz is played to the right.

The brain then perceives the difference between the two; in this case a 30hz beta wave; ideal for focus and concentration. The fascinating thing is that this process of differentiation provides an ingenious way of perceiving audio below the human hearing threshold!