Can Sound Improve Our Memory?
In today's article we want to look at the connection between sound, entrainment and memory enhancement. This is the long-term version of memory, such as memories of childhood.
As you may have heard, sounds of crystal singing bowls (and various other vibrations) have an impact on our brain waves. During sound meditation or sound therapy, our brain can go from a beta state to alpha/theta and even delta states. Our brainwaves synchronize with the frequencies of the sounds, slowing them down. This process is called "entrainment".
Through entrainment, the brain is tuned to a certain brainwave pattern, like the theta state, and thus our brain is trained to "work" with different frequencies. But now we are interested in the question of whether such a brainwave shift to the theta range can improve our memory. This will be clarified below, based on the article "Boosting Brain Waves Improves Memory".
The theta range includes very slow brain waves, with a frequency of 4-6 Hz, the state of which you enter when sleeping, relaxing and meditating. As studies show, these are associated with memory and recall. Specifically in the above study, research was done on these theta waves to see if entrainment can improve memory by enhancing theta waves.
To answer this question, two experiments were conducted in this study. Audio-visual "instruments" were used: on the one hand lights and on the other hand sounds that amplified the theta waves.
In the first experiment, the study subjects had to try to remember 200 words in a short time. Between learning and the subsequent memory test, there was a 36-minute period of exposure to lights and tones. "The experimental group received lights and sounds that boosted theta waves (5 Hz). The control group received a random pattern of flickering lights and sounds (white noise), and this group was used as a comparison.”
In the second experiment, one group received theta entrainment (5 Hz) and the other group received beta entrainment (14 Hz). This was done to ensure that memory enhancement was specific to the amplification of theta waves.
Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure electrical brain activity. The article of the study "Boosting Brain Waves Improves Memory" states: “Our earlier studies found that theta waves in the front part of the brain predicted successful memory. So, in these experiments, we also looked for theta activity in the front of the brain during the time of the experiments when people were remembering.”
Now let's move on to the results of the study.
The results of the first experiment showed that theta entrainment leads to improved memory.
The results of the second experiment showed that only the group that received theta stimulation showed memory improvement and not the group with beta stimulation.
“Results of the EEG showed that people’s brainwaves were boosted in the same patterns that they were receiving from the entrainment devices.”
Nevertheless, the article emphasizes that not everything is clear yet. Such as the required duration of entrainment for the amplified theta waves to lead to better memory or increased recall. Also, it is not clear how long the memory improvement lasts and how the whole thing works in children.
As you can see, the study gives hope that sound will find more and more application in different fields in the future. If entrainment of theta waves can lead to better memory, this could be very interesting for people who have problems with memory and recall. Likewise, it is also very exciting for healthy people as it can lead to higher memory performance in learning, working and sports.
If you want more details about the above experiments, feel free to check out the study:
You want to learn more about how you can combine sound with other healing methods or learn more about sound healing, crystal singing bowls and sound meditation in general? Then find out now about one of my certified Sound Healing trainings at the Sound Medicine Institute Germany. It offers online and face-to-face trainings worldwide.