Binaural beats

Binaural beats or binaural tones is a technology where tones of slightly different frequencies are played seperately to each ear through binaural headphones. This creates the perception of interference beats at the same rate as would be physically created. When the perceived beat frequency corresponds to the Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta or Gamma range of brainwave frequencies, this causes the brainwaves to entrain to or move towards the beat frequency. This is sometimes used as an aid for meditation, altered states of consciousness or recovery of repressed memories.

Binaural beats were discovered in 1839 by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove .

See also: Brainwave