High-Frequency Binaural Beats Increase Cognitive Flexibility: Evidence from Dual-Task Crosstalk

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that cognitive-control processes can be configured to optimize either persistence of information processing (by amplifying competition between decision-making alternatives and top-down biasing of this competition) or flexibility (by dampening competition and biasing). We investigated whether high-frequency binaural beats, an auditory illusion suspected to act as a cognitive enhancer, have an impact on cognitive-control configuration. We hypothesized that binaural beats in the gamma range bias the cognitive-control style toward flexibility, which in turn should increase the crosstalk between tasks in a dual-task paradigm. We replicated earlier findings that the reaction time in the first-performed task is sensitive to the compatibility between the responses in the first and the second task—an indication of crosstalk. As predicted, exposing participants to binaural beats in the gamma range increased this effect as compared to a control condition in which participants were exposed to a continuous tone of 340 Hz. These findings provide converging evidence that the cognitive-control style can be systematically biased by inducing particular internal states; that high-frequency binaural beats bias the control style toward more flexibility; and that different styles are implemented by changing the strength of local competition and top-down bias.

Candyflipping and Other Combinations: Identifying Drug–Drug Combinations from an Online Forum

“…Posts to Lycaeum frequently described listening to binaural beats while using substances to enhance the experience. Binaural sound may enhance concentration on a task when compared to silence ( 18 ). It has not been demonstrated to alter emotional arousal ( 19 ).…”

40-Hz Binaural beats enhance training to mitigate the attentional blink

“…The focus on 40-Hz oscillations is in line with several reports about the positive effects of gamma-frequency BB. For example, 40-Hz BB improved working memory recall 27 , gamma-band BB impacted the control of visual feature binding 68 , and 40-Hz BB supported cognitive control of decision making 69 . Another study showed that 20-Hz BB improved long term memory while 5-Hz BB impaired memory compared to a white noise control condition 26 .…”

Reduced pain and analgesic use after acoustic binaural beats therapy in chronic pain ‐ A double‐blind randomized control cross‐over trial

“…Via the process of entrainment, the relative power of the brain electrocortical activity tends to synchronize to the externally applied frequency (Vernon, Peryer, Louch, & Shaw, 2014). Higher function beta (16 and 24 Hz) or gamma (40 Hz) rhythm frequency binaural beats have been used to improve performance in vigilance tasks (Colzato et al, 2017;Hommel et al, 2016;Lane et al, 1998), whereas lower rhythm in the delta/theta range to reduce anxiety (Isik, Esen, Büyükerkmen, Kilinç, & Menziletoglu, 2017;Le Scouarnec et al, 2001). Brain entrainment to a, lower than the predominant, 5-Hz theta rhythm using BB appears to induce relaxation and reduce pain intensity perception.…”

“…Binaural beats can therefore purportedly entrain brain activity to a particular frequency, exerting the desired per occasion effect. Alpha (8-13 Hz) or beta (13-40 Hz) rhythm frequencies have been implemented to improve vigilance, mood, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Colzato, Barone, Sellaro, & Hommel, 2017;Hommel, Sellaro, Fischer, Borg, & Colzato, 2016;Kennel, Taylor, Lyon, & Bourguignon, 2010;Lane, Kasian, Owens, & Marsh, 1998) or inversely delta (1-3 Hz) or theta (4-7 Hz) have been used to decrease anxiety or induce relaxation and sleep (Le Scouarnec et al, 2001;McConnell, Froeliger, Garland, Ives, & Sforzo, 2014;Padmanabhan, Hildreth, & Laws, 2005;Wahbeh, Calabrese, & Zwickey, 2007).…”