Is there any actual science behind binaural beats? They do nothing in my experience…

Quick google search… from Popular Science:

“Among the 14 studies reviewed, five supported the idea, eight contradicted it, and one ended with mixed results.”

They talk about a few studies with positive results, but then share this:

“not every study shows positive effects. One 2023 study of 1,000 people found that listening to binaural beats at home while taking a test reduced their performance, while silence or listening to other sounds had no impact.”

(Here’s the study referred to: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372220600_Reverse_e...)

https://www.popsci.com/science/do-binaural-beats-work-focus/

WebMD has no clear results either, summarizing:

“Some early research suggests they may affect your brainwaves in ways that may help with attention, anxiety, sleep, and more. But other studies found unclear and mixed results. There aren't scientifically proven guidelines for how best to use binaural beats, or whether they can improve your mental health and thinking.”

It also mentions “they didn’t stop attention from declining over time.”

https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-are-binaural-beats

When asked if binaural beats work, Google’s AI answer confidently starts with the word “Yes”, but fails to back it up with scientific references. And I found some commercial sales listicles (e.g., Ohm Store) and YouTube videos that strongly claim binaural beats are amazing, but also have little to back it up.

My personal experience listening to binaural beats is it helps with focus on coding about the same amount as listening to color noise or rain & thunder or other non-musical audio tracks. Listening to anything masks office chatter and distracting noises.

“nothing”, how?

Nothing as in lasting effects, or “nothing” as in you can’t hear the bineurality.

If the latter, it could be your headphones- and I assume you are using headphones, or the compression, or your ears might be non-equivalent in hearing capability.

If the former, then thats the point OP is making.

At least for me, the sound is strangely pleasurable, not incredibly dissimilar to the kind of “multiple audio sources colliding into one nice stream” that you get from a real life orchestra.

I successfully used it during college (over 10 years ago) to regulate my general brain state, particularly at deadlines. I mainly used beats to maintain focus, trigger creativity/reflection and for power naps. Got me through some tough times.

There use to be one Google video (out of many) that would completely fix my migraine in 3 minutes. Used it about 200 times for that. Hangovers, lack of sleep and spontaneous headaches. At other times it just gave great clarity, very refreshing regardless of the time of day.

I didn't use headphones. I had the link at the top of my blog menu. It was that important.

When Google video shut down I forgot to download it. Caused a slight panic lol The headaches now remind me of it but it is not the right mood to search and the videos online are all useless garbage.

I played it for a friend one time. He instantly put both hands on his head and screamed that I should shut it of immediately. He was really upset and thought I did it on purpose. Also didn't understand how I wasn't negativity affected like him.

If I didn't find that video I'd be convinced it's bullshit.

go visit a doctor.

edit: lol. downvotes on friendly reminder, what a classic.

my friend was not sure what everyone sees on 3d TVs. then got rid of it. later it turned out it was because of eye cancer.

take care.