It may be surprising to discover that there is only 1 group of sound frequencies proven to have benefits using multiple research models over 50 years, that is the Solfeggio Frequencies. Learn more about that here. All other sound offerings are to be viewed with healthy caution as binaural beats have hit popularity with 'POP PSYCHOLOGY' and those who have no accreditations wanting to offer something at higher prices. Unfortunately many 'spiritual' or 'healing' practices aren't not validated but are sold on the basis of offering a deeper experience.
As practitioners is it important to understand a few common practices that are essentially rip offs or actively disruptive. This article comes from a number of clients over the years who have tried and experienced poor practices that actively did them some damage, and when seeking answers for their issues find that they are given a range of gobbledygook that are unverifiable and in some cases actively dishonest to cover a lack of knowledge. Where knowledge is lacking there can be no teaching or instruction. In short it is a sad fact that in 2025 people in spiritual circles are still just making it up even when shown reality. Auras is a point to note as almost daily I find myself answering questions about the 'higher self of colours that surrounds the body' Almost as often there will be someone commenting to queries like that 'auras don't exist.
Sound has frequency just as light does. It moves a bit slower and our brain doesn't 'hear' sound. It has a more significant sine wave than light meaning it literally vibrates in measurable way. By that I mean by your body. If you have ever been to a concert you will have felt the vibration of the music through your body and/or through the ground or furniture nearby. This may be an extreme example but sound moves through water being amplified in H20. The frequencies have been seen visibly using salt on a stable platform.
Resonance is vibrational compatibility and can be complex or simple but sound always has an effect and this is something to be aware of for yourself and your clients. Not all the effects are good or even meant to be used in attempts to bring balance.
I personally haven't been keen on crystal singing bowls since the 90s when the UK creator first went around the world promoting them. We learned that the crystals were smashed into sand and then heated to high temperatures, coloured artificially (many not all some were left natural) and then essentially glued back together to form bowls. The destructive nature of it turned me off. I did use singing bowls made of metal, just one, and then only for toning in a group.
This is usually a pleasant tone that the instructor likes and does tend to bring a group of strangers into resonance fast. If playing around with different tones, it breaks that commonality so probably not too beneficial. With hypnosis training I did discover that resonance in a group was as simple as playing nice music that suited the style or goals of the group. I stopped using any bowls and carried on happily.
So lets talk about what is often on offer for 'healing'. Science is interesting in the area of sound because humans have a visceral reaction/response allowing us to see at nominal sound levels what the body does with certain tones. It has overwhelmingly been proven that music not tones is integral to 'feeling good' when it comes to sound healing. Using certain tones within that music improves it's specific efficacy for purpose. If any sound is 'annoying' it really isn't going to do you or your clients any good. Our brain is hard wired to sound for safety and information intake, something annoying is disnnonant not resonant. Below is a recent article I came across that got me thinking. As practitioners we all need to evolve with newer knowledge and accomodate what we understand rather than stubbornly hang on to older concepts even if they may be harmful or even pointless.
I have always thought that many 'spiritual' practices are a misunderstanding of older knowledge and practices. We develop an understanding of components but still miss the vital information held within. IE Amethyst spiritually is often referred to as a healing crystal but only for spiritual ideals and truthfully, without actively engaging a different frequency, we are incapable of using it. All earth frequencies are a part of our makeup but more importantly all of earths components are found to some degree in our bodies, our food and the air we breathe. It is the balance of these that determines good health phsyically and mentally.
In reality when it comes to amethyst, Iron is a component but so is managnese both vital for good health and as essential elements requred daily in any diet. Back in the pre pharma and pre doctors taking over medicine days, many crystals were used to make elixers as were herbs. Amethyst used as an elixer in a person low in either or both iron and manganese would have near miraculously fast results in providing energy, resilience and especially with iron, prevent a person feeling dizzy, fainting and more. x Great stuff as it is common for resistence to provable truth in 'spiritual' communities can be agressive.
American white sage was used to cleanse houses and is done to this day in some Indian communities. There is a bug that after heavy rains becomes prevalent, it has a toxic bite much like a mosquito on steroids. It can make the recipient of that bite very sick. Mosquitos and other insects were a problem in outdoor ceremonies at certain times of the year and burning sage acts as a repellent. Over time and with new age influences or more modern insect repellents, it is seen as an integral part of ceremonies for some but most understand the significance is not of spiritual origins but practicality. New agers aren't the only ones to derail practical reasoning, religions across the world have done the same finding it ever harder to justify these practices in a modern world.
Back to singing crystal bowls.
Science of singing bowls and why they are dangerous.
Quartz has a universal energy constant. As beautiful as the sound of singing bowls are, singing bowls are actually dangerous. Singing bowls are disruptive to all quartz because tapping or rubbing A rubber mallet on quartz causes A pulse amplification energy wave vibration disturbance ( It's called A " Pulse amplification energy wave " in simplistic terms meaning crystals vibrating more than they are allowed to. " This is because the singing bowl is already vibrating at the vibrational constant quartz vibrates at all naturally, When rubbing the singing bowl with A rubber mallet it changes the vibrational frequency to A higher vibrational frequency than quartz is that causes disturbances to all other quartz that are most close due to similar atomic structure particles of others quartz. " Vibrating the quartz at A higher frequency to all other quartz crystals that are most close to it " That is what causes A disturbance of energy fields ". ( This can cause people to drop their quartz or feel A little dizzy from the pulse amplification energy wave form from singing bowl vibrations. ) Then as the sound stops the crystal returns to its vibrational constant ( The vibration quartz all naturally vibrates at. )
Metal singing bowls are not meant to use with crystals that have metal elements. They are not compatible types of metals that are actually disturbances " Example most singing bowls are made from the metals bronze, brass, copper or tin, Amethyst contains the metal iron that is why it is purple, The metals of bronze copper and tin are not compatible with the crystal amethyst that contains iron. Another example is aquamarine composed of minerals and elements Beryllium , aluminium, silicon, and oxygen. Using singing bowls around aquamarine is disruptive to those in the near vicinity. If you use a metal singing bowl it's best to use it by itself not around any crystals.
Crystals like to be in their all natural energy constant. Music tones that resonate are shown to be much more efficient than using singing bowls and do not disturb energy fields.
What do you think of that? Very interesting indeed.
Are Binaural Beats Dangerous?
Frequently referred to as a digital drug, Frequently referred to as a digital drug by marketers the popularity of binaural beats is a tribute to great marketing, mostly on youtube. The thing is, you can't experience binaural beats on any computer back then and even today, if a recording isn't on two channels, you can only hear it as a single recording. Youtube never had the capability of stereo, I'm not sure if it does now. Video and audio recording are two completely different things, even if a recording is 2 channel ( how I do my hypnosis and meditations) this is often lost when uploaded to sites.
How it is described by practitioners: they are Frequently referred to as a digital drug, binaural beats alter brainwave patterns, creating a hypnotic response, a ‘high’ if you like. They work by playing two different tones or auditory impulses in each ear, which then activates various centres in the brain, increasing mental clarity.
To note, hypnotic relaxation is not a high for most people, it is an altered state of consciousness. The reality of binaural beats is quite different and sometimes disasterous. The concern? Practitioners trying to explain away these responses as 'spiritual events' they are not.
Neuro Beats is geared to the brain and how it responds to anything. It is a site operated by neural specialists who like to offer clarity for people like me and maybe you. While science isn't everything, we can and do measure brain activity and while we don't understand much of it, we can 'see' when things aren't going well or when there is a damaging outcome for practices both medical and psychological. Below is their breakdown on Binaural beats.
The Hidden Drawbacks of Binaural Beats: 10 Considerations Before You Listen
- Potential for Overstimulation
Mental Fatigue: It’s crucial to use binaural beats in moderation. Prolonged exposure, especially when used frequently or for extended periods, can lead to mental exhaustion.
Difficulty Sleeping: Some users report trouble falling asleep after listening to binaural beats, particularly those designed for focus or alertness. To mitigate this, it’s advisable to use binaural beats in moderation and avoid them close to bedtime. The brain may remain activated, making it challenging to wind down naturally. - Headaches and Discomfort
For some individuals, binaural beats can trigger headaches or general discomfort. This may be due to:
The constant auditory stimulation
Sensitivity to certain frequencies
Extended use of headphones
“After trying binaural beats for a week, I noticed more frequent headaches, especially when listening before bed.” – Sarah, 32
- Dependence and Reduced Natural Abilities
Reliance on External Stimuli: Regular use of binaural beats might lead to a dependency on external tools for relaxation or focus, potentially weakening natural abilities to achieve these states.
Decreased Self-Regulation Skills: Over-reliance on binaural beats may hinder the development of internal self-regulation It could make it harder to manage stress or concentrate without audio assistance. - Interference with Medication
Binaural beats may interact with certain medications, particularly those affecting brain function or mood. It’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional if you’re on medication and considering using binaural beats. - Lack of Scientific Consensus
Limited Research: While some studies suggest benefits, the scientific evidence supporting binaural beats remains limited and sometimes contradictory.
Placebo Effect: In some cases, the perceived benefits of binaural beats might be attributed to the placebo effect. It raises questions about their true efficacy beyond subjective experiences. - Distraction from Underlying Issues
Relying on binaural beats as a quick fix may mask deeper psychological or physiological issues that require professional attention. It could delay seeking appropriate help or addressing root causes of stress, anxiety, or focus problems. - Auditory Health Concerns
Potential Hearing Damage: Prolonged exposure to any audio, including binaural beats, at high volumes can damage hearing. Users may be tempted to increase volume for better effect, risking hearing health.
Tinnitus Aggravation: Certain frequencies in binaural beats might exacerbate symptoms for individuals with tinnitus. - Incompatibility with Certain Activities
Binaural beats require focused listening, often with headphones, which can be impractical or unsafe during:
- Quality and Consistency Issues
Varied Production Standards
The quality of binaural beats can vary significantly between producers.
Low-quality recordings may be ineffective or even counterproductive.
Inconsistent Results
Different individuals may experience varying results, making it difficult to predict effectiveness or recommend universally. - Cost Considerations
While some binaural beats are freely available, high-quality or specialized tracks often come at a cost. This ongoing expense can add up, especially if using multiple types of beats for different purposes.
Ultimately this all means that if a practitioner doesn't provide these warnings, they are misleading at best, dishonest somewhere in the middle and completely unaware which to me is the worst when implying that there is specialist knowledge.
*To note all meditative or hypnotic technqieus are not compatible with other activities. You can run, look after the kids or drive while listening but won't gain any effective outcomes and of course if focus and of course it is recommended not to undertake these practices while concentrating on other tasks. Beats however, can be dangerous if you lose concentration because you can't tune it out.
How Binaural Beats Affect Sleep?
Binaural beats can influence brainwave patterns, which play a crucial role in sleep cycles. The brain naturally cycles through different brainwave states during sleep:
Delta waves (0.5-4 Hz): Deep, dreamless sleep
Theta waves (4-8 Hz): Light sleep and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep
Alpha waves (8-13 Hz): Relaxed, awake state
Binaural beats designed to induce specific brainwave states can potentially interfere with the natural progression of these sleep cycles.
Potential Sleep-Related Issues
Difficulty falling asleep: Using high-frequency binaural beats (beta or gamma) close to bedtime can increase alertness and make it harder to fall asleep.
Interrupted sleep cycles: Listening to binaural beats throughout the night may prevent the brain from naturally transitioning between sleep stages.
Reduced sleep quality: Overuse of sleep-inducing binaural beats might lead to an overreliance on external stimuli for sleep, potentially reducing the quality of natural sleep.
Recommendations for Safe Use
To minimize the risk of sleep disruption:
Avoid using binaural beats within 1-2 hours of bedtime
Limit nighttime sessions to 30 minutes or less
Use lower frequency beats (delta or theta) for sleep-related purposes
Allow for natural sleep cycles without continuous binaural beat exposure
Cognitive Overload is common in poor practices of any type including meditation that demands mindlessness and purports (mis
*To Note: Delta or Theta are not sound waves but brain wave states. Delta is a wave that runs between 1-4 hertz and Theta is a state we all find ourselves in at or without will, you guessed it, this is the state of hypnosis and deep meditation but without even trying, when your mind wanders, you daydream or extreme boredom leaves you with a blank and finding yourself asking the other person to repeat, or getting a little fright when you realize you can't remember the last 5-10 minutes.
Delta is when we are still controlling our thoughts in some way and in hypnosis or meditation is used during the induction phase. Theta is the goal often felt as drifting or being immersed (as in a daydream) in a scenario created by your mind. Great fun!
From NHI (National Health Institute) a complex but interesting study on sound and the body. It is quite long so here are a few exerpts and the link if you want to take a deeper dive. HERE
Research (on the solfeggio page but here in more detail) conducted by Dr. Glen Rein, Ph.D., was done using a Solfeggio frequency (528 Hz). Solfeggio frequencies have been widely used in sacred music for thousands of years and are based on the karmic chakras. In vitro experiments were conducted to determine DNA light absorption following sound stimulation. Audible sound waves at 528 Hz were played from a diversity of music genres and were found to create resonance in DNA with healing effects. What’s fascinating is the impact of the different genres:
- Rock: -1.8%
- Classical: +1.1%
- Sanskrit mantras: +5.8%-8.26%
- Gregorian chants: +5%-9.1%
While the implications of this study are still being determined for broader uses, the fact that sound is powerful enough to demonstrate clear scientific impacts on DNA—the building blocks of all life—is an exciting finding for the future of sound applications, particularly those in the field of sound design and engineering.
Sound, and the science behind it, is truly amazing—and there is still much to learn. As new research continues to unlock our understanding of sound, its applications and how we experience it in our everyday lives will only continue to expand. The potential impact of future sound technologies cannot be overstated, and one can expect that these emerging technologies will revolutionize entertainment, healthcare, retail, the workplace and beyond, which we’ll explore in greater detail in future articles.
What often gets lost in the science are origins, the measurable body differences are in the music we listen to, what we like and what we don't. Resonance or Dissonance maybe be more personal due to our resting state to start with. This is why listening to a single tone has less efficacy than the music itself because the complexity of music and our brains response to it, can't be mimicked without creating music, HA!
Pychic information is oftem physiological reality rather than spiritual. Ignore this at your peril in an age where RF signals are everywhere. Every transmission of anything visual or audio is passing through your body. EVERY SINGLE TRANSMISSION! Every sound wave we detect may not be in the range of 'hearing' but we are listening, It is how we anticipate events which most people who aren't mired in their activity or thoughts at the moment do pick up on. They can 'feel' something isn't right, and this is exactly true. We sense sound with our skin long before it is loud enough to hear. You may have experienced this in the past as goosebumps or an eerie feeling or even that sense of 'someone walking over your grave' as your body shudders in response to a very low sound stimulous it didn't like.
Like photons, (your eyes see absolutely everything but your brain discerns what is noteworthy,conscious awareness) and what doesn't matter (subconscious). Your brain does the same with sound. The difference between a 'psychic' and 'non psychic' is awareness not extra sensory skills.
Every sound we hear begins as sound waves or vibrations which enter our ear canals and are transformed into signals that our brains can understand and translate. However, instead of processing every single sound wave around us at all times, the human brain has developed an audible frequency range, also known as the human hearing range, to register sounds within specific frequencies.
Generally, the range of human hearing spans 0 decibels (dB) to 120-130 dB. The human hearing range in Hz (hertz) usually includes sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). While the upper limit for the average adult is 20,000 Hz, the highest-pitched sounds most people can hear fall between 15,000 to 17,000. Human infants can actually hear slightly above standard human hearing frequency range, picking up on some frequencies over the 20,000 Hz limit. However, they usually lose that high-frequency perception as they grow older.
Every sound we hear begins as sound waves or vibrations which enter our ear canals and are transformed into signals that our brains can understand and translate. However, instead of processing every single sound wave around us at all times, the human brain has developed an audible frequency range, also known as the human hearing range, to register sounds within specific frequencies.
Generally, the range of human hearing spans 0 decibels (dB) to 120-130 dB. The human hearing range in Hz (hertz) usually includes sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). While the upper limit for the average adult is 20,000 Hz, the highest-pitched sounds most people can hear fall between 15,000 to 17,000. Human infants can actually hear slightly above standard human hearing frequency range, picking up on some frequencies over the 20,000 Hz limit. However, they usually lose that high-frequency perception as they grow older.
While 20 to 20,000 Hz is considered to be the normal human hearing frequency range, this set of numbers isn’t the same for everyone—the frequency range of human hearing can change depending on age, continued exposure to loud noises or other hearing loss risk factors. As we age, the upper limit of the human range of hearing can decrease to around 14,000 Hz or lower.
In the most basic terms, sound is energy that travels in waves, and is scientifically defined as vibrations that move through a medium. So, sound is created by energy vibrating in waves through a substance such as water or air. These waves are measured in two ways: frequency (Hz) and amplitude (dB). What is the difference between hertz and decibels, and how do they affect how we understand sound?
- Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz) and calculates the number of sound vibrations in a single second. The number of vibrations per second relates to how low- or high-pitched a sound is. If the vibration number per second is high, then the sound is considered high-pitched. On the other hand, if the number of vibrations per second is low, then the sound is deemed low-pitched. Hz is also a more fixed type of measurement; it has basic dimensions per time and is an absolute unit, meaning that external factors don’t impact its measurements.
- Amplitude is measured in decibels (dB) and measures the pressure or force of the sound waves. This translates to the volume or intensity of the sound. Unlike hertz, decibels are measured logarithmically, a calculation of something that increases exponentially. For example, if a sound is measured at 0 dB, a sound expressed as 10 dB is actually 10 times louder than the first sound. Decibels can also be impacted by factors like air pressure and what kind of medium the sound is traveling through. For example, a sound traveling through water will have a different decibel measurement than a sound traveling through the air.
Because everyone’s hearing range is slightly different, there is not an absolute cut-off point between the normal hearing range and sounds below the lowest audible frequency. However, the human hearing range is generally thought to start at the lowest hertz humans can hear: 20 Hz. Anything below that frequency is considered infrasound. While these sounds are beyond the lowest frequency humans can hear, there are many sources that both produce and perceive sound in this range.
Infrasound sources are often found in nature, with forces of nature, such as volcanoes, avalanches, wind, thunder, waterfalls and earthquakes all produce infrasonic waves. Many animal species use this type of sound for communication, such as elephants, whales, giraffes and alligators. While we cannot hear them, some human activities, such as propellers of large ships, sonic booms and low-speed wind turbines, can also produce infrasonic sound waves.
On the other end of the spectrum, the highest Hz humans can hear is considered to be 20,000 Hz. While this is the highest audible frequency for adults, some children and young adults can hear sounds above this level. Known as ultrasound, this type of sound includes frequencies above the highest frequency humans can hear. Similarly to infrasound, ultrasound is understood and utilized by animals, including bats, whales, dolphins and dogs. For humans, these very high-frequency waves are used in fields like navigation, medicine, imaging, cleaning and communication. ~Dr. Thomas Tedeschi, Au.D.
Sound as a frequency is not necessarily heard making tonal emphasis a bit of a non starter. We can't accurately measure what we 'hear' outside of the normal range but it is acknowledged that we respond to the frequencies of sound we can't hear. It could be argued that all Clairaudience is tuning into a compilation or specific set of sounds currently in the environment below the ear drum range, but within frequency range allowing the brain to interpret common combinations that we interpret as sound. These could be radiowaves, or actual auditory vibrations too far away to hear but still easy to feel for those who are listening in.
