How binaural beats work
A binaural beat is an illusion your brain creates. Play a tone of 200 Hz in one ear and 210 Hz in the other, and you perceive a slow pulse at the difference, 10 Hz, even though neither ear hears it. Because each ear must get its own tone, binaural beats only work with headphones.
Beats are usually grouped by the brainwave bands they are named after. Focuship generates four:
- Theta, 6 Hz: associated with drowsiness and daydreaming; often used for relaxation.
- Alpha, 10 Hz: associated with relaxed alertness; a popular choice for calm focus.
- Beta, 16 Hz: associated with active, engaged thinking.
- Gamma, 40 Hz: associated with high-level processing; the most studied band in recent research.
What the research says
The idea is that a beat can nudge brain activity toward the matching band, an effect called entrainment. The evidence is mixed: some studies report small effects on attention, anxiety or memory, while others find none, and a 2023 systematic review described the results as inconsistent. Treat binaural beats as something to try, not a proven treatment.
What is clear is that they are a gentle, steady sound that many people find pleasant to work to. If you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, talk to a doctor before using rhythmic audio.
How to use them
- Wear headphones and keep the volume low; the beat should be a soft pulse, not a buzz.
- Layer a beat under brown noise or rain. The Deep work preset pairs alpha with brown noise.
- Give it a full session, such as a 25 minute timer, before judging whether it helps you.
All four tones are generated on your device as two pure tones, one per ear, so they loop seamlessly and work offline.
Questions
- Do I need headphones for binaural beats?
- Yes. Each ear must receive its own tone for the beat to form. On speakers the two tones mix in the air and the effect disappears.
- Which binaural beat is best for focus?
- Alpha (10 Hz) and beta (16 Hz) are the usual choices for focus, and gamma (40 Hz) is popular for demanding work. Evidence for any one band is limited, so try each for a session.
- Are binaural beats safe?
- At a comfortable volume they are generally considered safe. People with epilepsy or a seizure disorder should check with a doctor first.
- Can I mix binaural beats with other sounds?
- Yes. Add rain, noise or a café from the Sounds tab, and keep the beat a little quieter than the other layers.