Do Music and Binaural Beats Help Reduce Migraine Pain?

When you simultaneously listen to two tones with slightly different frequencies, your brain will produce an illusion known as a binaural beat.

Binaural Beats and Your Brain

The two tones are perceived as one beat by your brain. Your brain waves and the two tones combine to create a beat with a different frequency. The difference between the two tones’ frequencies, expressed in hertz (Hz), is this frequency.

You would hear a 4 Hz tone, for instance, if you were listening to a 440 Hz tone with your left ear and a 444 Hz tone with your right ear.

Your brain activity matches the frequency established by the beat’s frequency when you listen to binaural beats. It is known as the frequency-following effect. This means that you can teach your mind to achieve a particular state of consciousness via binaural beats.

The superior olivary complex and binaural beats

The superior olivary complex, which is found in the brain stem, is the first area of the brain to interpret sound information coming from both ears. The many neurons in the brain’s cortex are coordinated by the superior olivary complex. When it detects two similar frequencies, this complex reacts by producing a binaural beat that alters the brain waves. Entrainment is the term used to describe the synchronization of neuronal processes across the brain.

Binaural beats are only one aspect of entrainment. It is a typical aspect of how the brain works. Some researchers claim that specific binaural beats can strengthen particular brain waves when you listen to them. The various brain processes that regulate thinking and feeling can be accelerated or retarded as a result.

Five Different Brain Wave Types That Influence Binaural Beats

Your brain’s neurons employ electrical signals to generate thoughts, feelings, and actions. Brain waves are produced by the synchronization of neurons. The electroencephalography (EEG) technology can be used to measure brain waves. To record electric signals, this method places electrodes on the scalp.

Low frequency to high amplitude and high frequency to low amplitude brain waves are also possible. Binaural beats are produced by brain waves. This results in various mental states that have various effects on the brain.

Five distinct brain waves exist:

Delta: 1 to 4 Hz

The lowest frequency state, known as delta, is associated with:

• Healing and pain alleviation
• deep sleep
• Reduced cortisol and increased DHEA – anti-aging
• gaining access to your unconscious mind

Theta: 4 to 8 Hz

The advantages of theta binaural beats include:

• Deep relaxation
• Meditation
• Creativity

Alpha: 8–14 Hz

Your brain is attentive and productive while you are in an alpha state of mind. Using alpha brain waves, you can:

• Unwind and concentrate.
• Reduced tension
• Continue to think positively.
• Boost your learning capacity.
• Because you are in a state of flow, you can interact with things and your surroundings with ease.

Beta: 14–30 Hz

Beta is a brainwave with a higher frequency that aids in:

• Keeping your eyes and ears open (staying focused)
• thinking analytically and resolving issues
• stimulating energy and action
• higher-level cognition

Gamma: 30-100 Hz

These brain waves, which have a frequency greater than beta, aid in:

• Greater cognitive improvement
• Paying close attention to detail increases memory recall.
• A new perspective, which is also a sign of creativity.

Are binaural beats effective in treating migraines?

Neural entrainment is the process by which the brain synchronizes the activity of the two hemispheres in response to binaural beats. However, there is not much proof that it has any effect.

Binaural beat treatment has without a doubt been associated with some electroencephalographic alterations, and there are anecdotal reports of pain or anxiety relief. It is likely that binaural beats can help prevent or lessen the severity of migraine since stress is frequently the cause of migraines.

Numerous additional supposed advantages, such as enhanced long-term memory, have not yet been supported by data from studies. It is possible that binaural beats and music alone have the same calming effect. Experts concur that binaural beats are a safe kind of alternative medicine, even though there is little evidence to prove their efficacy in treating migraines. If stress is the cause of your migraines, binaural beats might help.

Consult your doctor to learn about your treatment choices if your headaches are severe, persistent, and challenging to manage.

Does music therapy for migraines work?

Research has indicated that depending on the person and the type of migraine, music may be able to reduce an attack, even if audio treatment for migraines may not be beneficial for everyone. Numerous studies have shown that music listening can lessen the severity of migraines. This is supposed to happen because music’s vibrations help to release physical stress. Strong migraines might make you more sensitive to all outside sounds, even those that you ordinarily find pleasant. You could discover that relaxing music helps you unwind and lessens some of the pain if you have a mild or severe headache.

What advantages do binaural beats provide for treating migraine pain?

Similar to music therapy, little research has been done on binaural beats’ effects on migraine.

The findings of a study involving 21 migraine sufferers were published in 2019. For three months, participants listened to music with binaural beats every night.

The average monthly number of headache days was 14.9 at the beginning of the trial. The average monthly headache days fell to 13.3 at the conclusion of the three months. Nine subjects experienced a reduction of at least 30% in the monthly average of headache days.

When contrasting the outcomes of the group listening to binaural beats with those of the group listening to a music track without binaural beats, no appreciable difference was discovered.

Binaural beats may lessen the frequency or severity of chronic pain, according to other studies. There was a lot of variation in the replies, although migraine sufferers were not expressly included in this research.

These findings collectively imply that not everyone may experience migraine relief after listening to binaural beats.

The ideal frequency for migraines?

Which frequency is optimum is unknown because there are so few studies on binaural beats and migraine.

A frequency that coincides with the brain’s natural waves has been recommended by certain authorities. Different states of consciousness, attention, and relaxation are associated with various brain waves that beat at various frequencies.

Can binaural beats do harm or make migraines worse?

The possible dangers of binaural beats in those with migraine are unknown because there has been so little research done in this area.

Two patients in the study experienced worsening migraine attacks following binaural beats therapy. Only a small number of individuals took part in the study, though.

Alterations in typical brain wave activity may also be related to other health issues.

Theta and delta brain wave activity in excess might make it harder to focus. People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been found to have high levels of theta activity. Depression may result from insufficient alpha activity. It is unclear how binaural beats may impact these various facets of mental and emotional wellness because there is little study on their impacts on the brain.

When you get a migraine, what kind of sounds should you avoid?

When you experience a migraine, your perception of sound is altered. Some migraine sufferers may find it unpleasant to hear noises other people find pleasant, such as birds chirping in the wild.

Every migraine sufferer is unique. You might want to stay away from loud or abrasive noises (such as automobile alarms). Higher-frequency sounds (>400 Hz) may aggravate migraine sufferers more than others. When a migraine attack is occurring or when you feel one coming on, try to avoid certain noises, such as music or binaural beats, if they make migraine discomfort worse.

What side effects do binaural beats have?

Depression is one of the binaural beats’ side effects. Binaural beats have been associated in several studies with heightened depressive symptoms.

Those that listened to binaural beats occasionally went through brief periods of anxiety, rage, and disorientation.

Research on binaural beat as a standalone medical treatment tool, however, remains unconvincing. Although binaural beat therapy cannot replace traditional therapy, it may be used in conjunction with it if it is addressed with a physician. According to research, binary beats are helpful for mental health because they are associated with promoting pleasant emotions.

Since there are so many free binaural beats available, each person’s response to the moments is unique. To find binary beats that work for them, people need to explore a variety of them. The listener determines whether binaural beats are effective. The moments will work for some folks. They could be perceived as annoying and ineffective by others.