Binaural beats are also referred to as binaural tones or hemisphere synchronization waves (hemisync for short). Despite the fact that the human mind perceives binaural beats under certain circumstances, this peripheral phenomenon does not technically exist outside of the auditory processing lobes of the brain. Fascinatingly enough, binaural beats are the result of two slightly different, but similar tones (within 40 hertz of one another) that have been separated into the left and right earpieces of a pair of stereo headphones. When the human brain starts to process these slightly different pitches, it will generate an auditory pulsating vibration (or beat) in response to the oscillation of the two different frequencies. In essence, a binaural beat is the result of the human mind filling in missing information, and synchronizing two non synchronized noises into a single tone.

Evidence suggests that the binaural beats are generated in the brainstem’s superior olivary nucleus, the first site of contralateral integration in the auditory system (Oster, 1973). Studies also indicate that the frequency-following response originates from the inferior colliculus (Smith, Marsh, & Brown, 1975)" (Owens & Atwater, 1995). This activity is directed to the main cortex where it can be recorded by scalp electrodes.

One of the most exciting physiological impacts that binaural beats have been scientifically demonstrated to produce in the brain system is associated with relief from mental fatigue. Your brain constantly modulates its potassium and sodium levels to allow for maximum osmosis and the transport of chemicals, hormones, nutrients, and information. When the brain has spent an extended amount of time in a beta wave state the ratio of sodium to potassium becomes unbalanced, thereby decreasing neurological processing and functional efficiency. 5 to 15 minutes of theta brainwave stimulation resets your sodium potassium ratio and dramatically enhances mental clarity.

One of the most impressive and important tenants of emerging binaural beat technology and experimentation are the constant fresh possibilities and unexplored territory. Since 1839, binaural beats have been classically used to assist with the creation of five primary brain wave types, each one with its different results:

Frequency range Name: Usually associated with:

> 40 Hz Gamma waves: Higher mental activity, including perception, problem solving, fear, and consciousness

13–40 Hz Beta waves: Active, busy or anxious thinking and active concentration, arousal, cognition

7–13 Hz Alpha waves: Relaxation (while awake), pre-sleep and pre-wake drowsiness

4–7 Hz Theta waves: Dreams, deep meditation, REM sleep

< 4 Hz Delta waves: Deep dreamless sleep, loss of body awareness

There are a variety of studies which have been performed using binaural beat technology that have focused on relaxation, concentration, and states of consciousness. All these studies have indicated and validated the capacity of binaural beats to dramatically assist with asymmetric hemisphere balancing and the achievement of predeterminable states of consciousness and emotion.

Major studies have included the binaurally generated utilization of alpha-theta bursts for overcoming depression, anxiety, preoperative discomfort, and repressed memories. Beta waves have been utilized to increase focus, memory, decrease learning times, and to increase desirable hormones such as endorphins and dopamine. (Monroe, 1985, Kennerly, 1994) Theta waves have been evidenced to significantly decrease sleeping necessities, engineer youthful brain function, and entrain meditative/psychic/out of body states. Delta waves have been shown to decrease depression, enhance healing times, decrease trait anxiety and general anxiety (Hiew, 1995). Gamma waves are the least studied but have been linked to mental clarity, hyper awareness, and re-occurring epiphanies.

Binaural beats can be used to balance hemisphere coordination within the brain lobes and create an organized neurological system with a unified brain wave pattern. Therefore, any experience, emotion, or result associated either with a singular brain wave or a combination of brain waves over time is achievable with the assistance of binaural beat utilization. You can tune binaural beats to reflect a sleep pattern, a relaxation pattern, a meditation pattern, an alert focus pattern, an epiphany pattern or you can investigate the subtleties of professional and artesian quality binaural beats that are crafted to impact major life patterns, including optimism levels, goal setting/follow through, addiction management, spirituality enhancement, lucid dreaming and more. You can elect to listen to unadulterated binaural beats, or you can pair them with enjoyable ambient music and three dimensional sound scapes for enhanced stimulation and contemplation. The options are endless and infinitely customizable!

"Music, relaxation exercises, guided imagery, and verbal suggestion have all been used to enhance the state-changing effects of the binaural beat" (Owens & Atwater, 1995).

Binaural beats are a phenomenal tool for sharing consciousness states between meditators and positively impacting your general quality of life and overall performance. With all of the electrical signals, television sets, electromagnetic waves, and disorienting chemicals surrounding us in the modern urban environment, its a logical and reasonable decision to assist brain functioning and mind synchronization with any tools at your disposal. Many established master meditators have taken their practice to an entirely new level in a surprisingly short amount of time by incorporating binaural beat synchronization into their routine. If you’re looking to reach the highest peaks or simply breakthrough to the next level, binaural beats are an easy, enjoyable, safe, and proven method to maximize your potential and reach deeper levels of self awareness.

No, absolutely not, you may not want to stop listening but there are no physiological mechanisms which could make a human addicted to binaural beats.

There are no known or clinically evidenced potential negative ramifications associated with occasional or heavy binaural beat utilization.

Binaural beats are completely safe for anyone at any age. But I do not recommend using them on any child who is unaware that they are listening to binaural beats, like children under 3. Whoever is listening to binaural beats should be aware that they are listening to brain wave altering frequencies, otherwise one might feel different and not know why.

The short answer:
MP3 Encoding, in most cases, does not effect your ability to be entrained by binaural beats.

In sum:
I wouldn't worry about mp3 encoding interfering with binaural beats unless the encoding was very low (sub 128) and there is a background voice to the track.

Explanation:
Binaural beats tend to be very simple tracks, and the encoding doesn't really degrade the track in any perceivable way. Of course a very lower bit rate mp3 encoding (like 112kbps or 96kpbs) will sound a bit more choppy than a higher bit rate encoding, so one should look for higher bit-rate mp3's, around the 192kps to 320kps, for absolute best results. MP3 encoding preserves the binaural beat very well. As long as you can hear the "wawawa" sound of the binaural beat the recording is good and working.

To test your track:
Listen with one headphone in one ear, you should hear just a simple tone; 'eeeee' then listen with the other headphone in the other ear you should also hear a simple tone, but slightly different; 'deeeee'. Now listen to them both together and you should hear a "waawaawaa" sound, that is the binaural beat. If you hear that the track is working and the mp3 encoding has not effected the track (99% the case).

Low bit-rate mp3 encoding might effect tracks with background music/noise:
If your track has background music or background white/brown/pink noise, then concentrate on the tones and try to ignore the background noise. If its hard for you to hear any tones at all then yes, maybe, the encoding is to low and at some points the important tones have been cut out by the mp3 encoding. Though this is very hard to tell with the naked ear, as binaural beats have shown to be effective even at the threshold of human hearing (i.e. really low volumes).

For a more in depth analysis of your track check out Bavsa, made by Jim Peters of SBaGen fame; http://uazu.net/bavsa/ this tool will show you, definitely if your track has been effected by mp3 encoding.

You don't have to listen to the full recording, but for the best results it is best to listen for at least 8 minutes as this is the time needed for the binaural beats to take effect. For a short session I recommend at least 10 to 15 minutes.