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You are here: Home / Binaural Beats / How to Use Binaural Beats – 8 Tips from an Expert

How to Use Binaural Beats – 8 Tips from an Expert

Although binaural beats entrain the brain, which essentially means there is nothing you need to do except slip on your headphones and relax, there are a few practical things you can do to improve your listening experience and maximize the benefits.

If you've purchased some binaural beats and are wondering how best to use them, this guide will give you my personal tried and tested tips.

And if you're yet to make a decision on where to download some great audios, you can check out my best stores post.

Some of the tips in this post could be applied to general meditating too, and relaxing even, and what you'll come to realize is that this practice is similar to meditation in a number of ways.

Let's get started.

how-to-use-binaural-beats

Relax, put on your headphones and press play. Easy.

How to Use Binaural Beats Like a Pro

1. Make Sure You're Seated Comfortably

For the most part listening to binaural beats resembles meditating – being relaxed and present and undistracted.

Of course, this isn't always true because some tracks can be listened to while working on a computer, or reading, but even then we do want to be in a “flow-like” state.

For the purpose of this point, let's say we are listening to a track designed for deep relaxation.

You don’t need to force yourself to sit cross-legged if you find it uncomfortable. This really isn't necessary, unless you want that full meditation experience and you are flexible enough to feel comfortable when seated this way. In which case, go for it.

Sitting in the traditional lotus position is positive because it helps properly aligns the spine (and chakras) and creates a well-balanced centre of gravity. But it’s pointless doing so if you feel irritated in this position because of long legs or general inflexibility.

Sitting down on a comfortable chair or bed, or even lying down, is fine.

However, try to lie down somewhere other than your bed. The reason for this is that you don’t want to fall asleep, unless of course you are using a track designed to help you sleep, in which case you can lie on your bed.

lotus-position-meditation

You don't have to sit like a monk, but if you're into yoga/meditation and you find it comfortable, then by all means do.

2. Wear Loose Clothing

Loose clothes are great for meditation in general because they feel freer. Tight garments can make sitting or lying down awkward, and also make you more aware of your clothing rubbing against you or restricting your body.

Anything that makes you feel slightly awkward or acutely aware of its presence can become a distraction, which is what we are trying to eliminate for optimum effectiveness.

If you have a favorite nightshirt or pair of slouch pants, put them on, as your mind will associate such items with comfort and relaxation. A comfortable loose top and some fisherman's pants (like those you get in Thailand) are my go to chill clothes.

Additionally, although tight to the skin, leggings/workout pants work well because the material is comfortable and flexible. If the room is warm enough, pair these with a light t-shirt or vest.

This information might seems a little over the top and detailed, but it's worth making the point that you don't want to be sitting with heavy layers on, or your work suit.

Quite often we rush to get things done, including activities where we are supposed to be relaxed; so we jump straight in and not think to change into something more appropriate. It's like going jogging with your jeans and a jumper on!

In summary: put on something comfortable and find a comfortable sitting position.

Let's move on.

3. Turn Off Digital Devices

At the very least you probably own a mobile phone, and if you’re like most people, you probably own a tablet and a laptop computer, too. Whatever digital devices you have, if they are likely to distract you during your listening session, turn them off.

In theory, you can listen to binaural beats while working, reading, gardening and other activities, but it depends on the purpose of the program. You should always behave in accordance with the outcome you want to achieve.

So if you want to concentrate deeply on your work, then you could listen to a focus-targeted program, and if you're listening to a program that induces a mindful state or reduces anxiety, then you will want to be in a relaxed position.

As a general rule, any program that targets relaxation, mindfulness, or healing should be done with minimal distraction, which segues nicely into my next point.

4. Let Others Know Not to Disturb You

There's nothing more annoying than being disturbed when you're in full concentration mode, and the same applies when you're deep into listening to something and enjoying the escapism. It's akin to being woken from a fun deep dream.

Consider that when listening to a binaural beats session we are trying to entrain the brain to a specific state. So if you get disturbed by someone, you will be interrupting this process, in the same way you would be if you were meditating.

So, if there is someone who is likely to disturb you, just let them know that you're doing a session for 30 minutes (or however long you choose).

5. Go Mobile to Escape

By default you'll probably download your tracks to your computer for permanent storage. You should then transfer the tracks to your phone, tablet, or mp3 player (or iPod) so that you have the option to listen anywhere you go.

This means you can go into the garden or to park in the summer, or to a cafe, perhaps. You'll want to do this for when you travel on the train or bus or go on holiday, too.

use binaural beats

Find a place away from the noise of everyday life.

6. Set a Comfortable Listening Volume

Contrary to popular belief, turning up your binaural beats music won't make it any more effective. You just need to listen at the same volume you would to any other music.

It should be audible and comfortable: not too low and not too loud.

Meditation music and nature-inspired sounds like rainfall or ocean waves tend not to sound pleasant at a high volume anyway – unlike dance music which is designed to make you feel more energetic the louder you listen.

By design, this type of music is soft and relaxing and meant to be listened to at a comfortable volume.

7. Don't Try to Force Anything

By this I mean not trying to control thoughts or trying to force the process. Don't sit there waiting for something to happen because you'll just create anxiety around listening.

Just let go and listen and let the magic happen :). Enjoy the session as “me time”. This is something you're doing for yourself, something you look forward to, a mind sanctuary you escape to for a brain massage.

8. Make Sure You Like the Music!

It might sound silly but this is the most important tip on this list.

The fact is: the main reason binaural beats frequencies are usually laid under meditation-style music is because they aren't very appealing to listen to on their own.

The raw tones just sound like a constant frequency hum with a slight pulsation. The frequency playing determines the pitch and tone of the sound. Some people can dig it but for most it's annoying and actually repels rather than entices you to listen.

Equally, you'll find that some providers just lay the same low quality rainfall, rainforest-nature, or ocean waves sounds over the top. While this can work for some tracks, if the source sounds are not of high quality, it just doesn't sound very good – primarily because these sounds tend to have a lot of thin high frequency content.

Not to mention of course that you want some variation in sound design; you don't always want to be listening to the same sounds.

The key to a pleasant listening experience is obviously to enjoy what you are listening to. And my advice is to invest in high quality audio with a good sound design. The music should be relaxing and designed to complement and enhance the brainwave entrainment process.

The best producers of this genre of music know how to achieve that.

You can find out where I get my tracks from here.

————-

I hope these tips on how to use binaural beats will come in handy. I guess it's mostly pretty obvious, but sometimes we ignore the obvious because we're convinced there must be more to something than there is.

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Comments

  1. Xamantha says

    June 15, 2023 at 8:37 pm

    Hi, I loved your article. Thank you. I have always been confused as to when I should or should I say when I COULD listen to SF. I was relived to read
    “In theory, you can listen to binaural beats while working, reading, gardening and other activities, but it depends on the purpose of the program. You should always behave in accordance with the outcome you want to achieve”.

    I wondered if you might answer the following 2 questions:

    1) I have been listening to 417 hz and 528 hz for DNA repair and past trauma…..while I sleep. Am I benefitting from it if Im sleeping?

    2) I have recently started listening to 777hz and 888hz for abundance of creativity and finding my artistic voice/style (im an artist)…while I am painting. Am I benefiting from this as it seems to fall under “….behave in accordance to the outcome you wish to achieve”. Im curious what your input is on this as those are th times I am most relaxed and have time.

    Thank you in advance

    Reply
    • bbfreak says

      June 16, 2023 at 12:04 pm

      Hey Xamantha,

      just to be clear, the frequencies you are talking about are Solfeggio frequencies, not binaural beats frequencies. The solfeggio frequencies are taken from an ancient scale of the same name. The frequency refers to the tuning of the overall musical composition. However, there might also be a type of tone (similar sounding to a binaural beat) of the same frequency underneath the music (usually a monaural or pure frequency tone).

      You will benefit listening while you sleep because you are still hearing the music.

      When listening to a binaural beats track you need headphones to fully benefit, as that is how the technology works. Please see here for an explanation: https://www.binauralbeatsmeditation.com/the-science/

      2. You can listen passively or actively to these frequencies. But yes, listening to 777 while being creative, for example, would be a good idea. These two frequencies are not on the Solfeggio scale, and are not possible with binaural beats. I’m not sure who popularized these frequencies, but they seem to be trending 🙂

      Let me know if you need me to explain anything, as it can get a little confusing!

      Reply
  2. Camee says

    June 21, 2018 at 10:17 am

    Hi, I find your webpage informative and detailed.
    I would like to start a daily ‘system’. I was wondering would be the best programs to kickstart the healing of the body and mind for over 40 years old ladies?
    Cheers

    Reply
    • bbfreak says

      June 21, 2018 at 11:58 am

      Hi Camee, have a look at the Mega Meditation Pack. It’s good value and you can make a custom pack of 12 of your own downloads too. I’d recommend reading the free guide first, as this will help you get the most out of your listening experience.

      Reply
  3. Mike Henderson says

    July 23, 2014 at 8:09 am

    Very informative article. I agree completely. All of these things listed are a must to get the full experience of binaural beats!

    Reply
  4. candi says

    March 27, 2014 at 12:21 am

    Nice. You do get the full effects when your mind is fully tuned in. I mean, doesn’t your subconscious keep some of the subliminal suggestions in mind?

    Reply
    • bbfreak says

      March 27, 2014 at 3:31 am

      Hye Candi, If the recordings contain subliminal messaging then yes, these suggestions will be embedded in the subconscious and will continue to manifest once the recording is over. This will occur in addition to the binaural beats frequencies entraining the brain to the particular state (frequency level).

      Reply

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lawrenceI'm Lawrence. Welcome on board! I'm a brainwave entrainment enthusiast and sound engineer interested in all aspects of mental improvement through sound.

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