Claim reviewed: Binaural beats entrain brain waves to the beat frequency (brainwave entrainment).
What do we know?
The brainstem responds at the two tone frequencies, while a measurable EEG response at the beat frequency can occur in the cortex; for binaural beats it is weaker than for monaural beats and weakens further under white-noise masking.
What don't we know?
In a review of 14 EEG studies, only 5 were consistent with the entrainment hypothesis and 8 contradicted it. It has not been shown that this response reliably changes mental state; in one study mood did not change at all.
Wording we use in the app: The brain may show a weak response at the beat frequency; this response has not been shown to reliably change mental state.
Sources (3)
Ingendoh ve ark. 2023 · Systematic review · 14 studies
Of 14 EEG studies on binaural beats and brain oscillations, 5 were consistent with the entrainment hypothesis, 8 contradicted it and 1 was mixed. The studies differed greatly in method, which limits comparison; the authors call for standardized approaches.
No pooled effect; of 14 EEG studies, 5 were consistent with entrainment, 8 contradicted it and 1 was mixed
Ingendoh RM, Posny ES, Heine A. Binaural beats to entrain the brain? A systematic review of the effects of binaural beat stimulation on brain oscillatory activity, and the implications for psychological research and intervention. PLoS One. 2023;18(5):e0286023. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0286023 PMID 37205669 Go to source
Orozco Perez ve ark. 2020 · Experiment · 16 participants
In a 16-person EEG experiment, both binaural and monaural beats produced a brainstem response at the tone frequencies and a cortical response at the beat frequency; the cortical response to binaural beats was weaker than to monaural beats. Neither stimulus changed mood.
Orozco Perez HD, Dumas G, Lehmann A. Binaural Beats through the Auditory Pathway: From Brainstem to Connectivity Patterns. eNeuro. 2020;7(2):ENEURO.0232-19.2020. doi:10.1523/ENEURO.0232-19.2020 PMID 32066611 Go to source
Melnichuk ve ark. 2025 · Experiment · 80 participants
Sixteen parameter conditions were tested; 80 undergraduates were randomized and 64 analysed. 40 Hz binaural beats with a low (340 Hz) carrier improved general attention performance but did not prevent the decline of attention over time. EEG showed a response at the beat frequency that varied with parameters and weakened under white-noise masking. The authors say the finding needs replication.
Higher hit rate than a pure tone for 40 Hz beats with a 340 Hz carrier (p = 0.002); no effect on the vigilance decrement
Melnichuk A, Cooper RK, Hawk LW. A parametric investigation of binaural beats for brain entrainment and enhancing sustained attention. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):4308. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-88517-z PMID 39910150 Go to source
Last reviewed: 3 October 2026 · Next review: 3 April 2027