Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of binaural beats, ambient music, and a combination of the two on psychological and physiological indices of stress. Music has long been recognized to have effects on human behavior. In the last two centuries, humans have invented and utilized electronic music synthesis. Electronic music synthesis has given humans the capability to produce pure sound waves (i.e., sine, triangle, square, and sawtooth waves), introducing new ways for sound to be experienced. Binaural beats involve two sine waves, less than 1500hz and less than 40hz apart played, played in opposite each using stereo headphones which creates beat that is the difference between the two frequencies being played into either ear. Studies prove this has an effect, but the degree to which it is effective for each individual has been debated. Music and Binaural beats have primarily been studied apart from one another. This research study combines a selection of ambient music composed by Brian Eno and theta frequency binaural beats together to examine if there can be a greater effect on self reported states of relaxation, anxiety, and interoception when the two are combined. The results found that no significant change in state anxiety across groups, significant changes in interoceptive subscale of noticing between groups and significant change in body listening across time and groups. All groups showed a significant increase in perceived relaxation but there was no significant difference between groups.

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