Binaural beats became popular back in the 2000s, but the mechanism of their effect on the brain has not been fully understood. Australian scientists first decided to figure out who uses digital drugs and why.
They analyzed data from the 2021 Global Drug Survey. It was attended by 30 thousand people from 22 countries, writes Science Daily.
???? Binaural beats are a kind of digital drug. The illusion is created by the brain when two tones, slightly different in frequency, are given separately to each ear. As a result, imaginary sounds are perceived as real. It is believed that binaural beats can have a psychoactive effect. There is no evidence for this.
What Scientists Have Found
- Approximately 72% of respondents listened to binaural beats to relax or fall asleep; 35% – to change your mood; 12% – to achieve an effect comparable to taking psychedelic drugs.
- More often, audio drugs are listened to by younger people who have recently used illicit substances.
- Most digital drug users wanted to feel real or blend into something more through this experience.
- In altered states, regarding 5% of respondents listened to binaural beats – for more vivid experiences.
- Most digital drug users have already used illicit drugs.
- The most popular platforms for listening to digital drugs are YouTube and Vimeo. They are followed by Spotify and other streaming music services.
The researchers intend to further study the phenomenon of audio drugs. They suggest that binaural beats might be used in therapy alongside traditional methods.