With the extreme weather of the last year, we might start to listen differently to rain. If you look superficially at the world we are either in desperate need of rain or we have too much of it. Rain in the end is a fundamental meteorological phenomenon. It has captured the imagination and reverence of diverse cultures throughout history. Its multifaceted impact and our dependency on it extends beyond its role in sustaining life and ecosystems; it resonates deeply within our emotions, perceptions, and physiological responses.
Let’s look at rain outside the need to sustain life and ecosystems and look into the effects on the auditory system, and the psychological impact of listening to rain.
Cultural Perceptions of Rain
Rain is more than mere droplets from the sky; it carries symbolism and cultural significance across the globe. In Indian culture, monsoon rains are celebrated as a divine blessing, bringing relief from heat and rejuvenating the lands. Similarly, Native American tribes associate rain with renewal and cleansing, reinforcing the spiritual connection between nature and humanity. Rain dances and rituals in various cultures illustrate the reverence accorded to rain’s life-giving properties. It’s in this significance of rain that the sound of rain and the rhythmic of rain is often mimicked in music and engraved in our brain.
Auditory Experience of Rain
The auditory system’s response to rain is intricate and intriguing. Rainfall produces a rhythmic sound that varies based on factors like drop size, velocity, and surface impact. Studies (see below this article) have shown that the sound of rain engages the brain’s auditory cortex and limbic system, triggering emotional responses. Rain can also be perceived as kind of white noise, which can mask external disturbances and promoting a sense of tranquility. The reason it can qualify as a white noise as it contains all frequencies in equal proportion and the sound is made by uncorrelated samples.
Psychological Impact of Listening to Rain
Listening to rain has garnered attention for its potential psychological benefits. There is more and more research to be found on the topic. Research by Alvarsson et al. (2010)1 suggests that nature sounds, including rain, have stress-reducing effects also supporting the above claim that the noise of rain can have tranquil effect. The main conclusion from the article is that stress recovery goes faster while listening to nature sounds. Rain sounds can evoke feelings of safety, comfort, and nostalgia, potentially aiding in sleep and concentration. Important to notice is the word CAN. As the perception of sound is always a personal one, when for instance less pleasant memories are triggered the sound in general can be calming but will not have that effect.
Interesting is that in many nature studies on the effect of nature that there is always a small group of people who don’t describe any benefits from listening or being in nature. The estimated guess is that a group of people just don’t like nature, don’t like bugs, or have unpleasant memories associated with nature. This effect is described in relation to multiple nature research in the book The Nature Fix by Florence Williams.
Types of Rain and Their Effects
Different types of rain can also create different and distinct psychological responses. A light drizzle, akin to a gentle tapping, can create a cocooning sensation conducive to introspection and meditation. Heavy rainfall, with its dynamic and enveloping sound, might evoke a sense of coziness and encourage productivity. A soft rain accompanied by distant thunder could enhance the feeling of security by emphasising the power and unpredictability of nature.
Neurologically, listening to rain can influence the release of neurotransmitters associated with relaxation, such as dopamine and serotonin. Apparently the repetitive and gentle nature of rain’s sound contributes to activating the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing a relaxation response. Therefor physiologically, rain sounds can lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and decrease cortisol levels, collectively contributing to reduced stress and anxiety. If you search across the internet many people use rain sounds to help them fall asleep or calm them down in general.
In work environments, the rain’s rhythmic cadence may promote focus and creativity. Research2 shows that extroverts while listening to heavy rain sounds can do calculations better. < https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821317/
Conclusion
The effects of listening to rain is highly personal. Listening to rain can be beneficial. In short the possible positive effects of listening to rain are:
The may reduce anxiety and stress levels
The may enhance creativity and cognitive abilities
The may enhance focus or sleep by masking (white noise) other disturbing sounds
If you like to experiment with listening to Rain sounds? As Flower of Sound we recorded several rain experiences. They are recorded in high order ambisonics sound, which means when you listen them you can perceive yourself in the middle of the rain giving the experience of listening to rain extra impact ( IMMERSIVE ). You can listen: Rain, sounding nature here: <insert player>
Want to listen the whole experience? You can purchase the album here: <insert link>
Research to read more
On how you can benefit from listening to nature sounds: Alvarsson et al. (2010)1. <pdf link>
On how Natural sounds can be used as a non-pharmacological way to reduce the anxiety of patients undergoing CABG. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5688625/
On playing ‘natural sounds’ affects the bodily systems that control the flight-or-fright and rest-digest autonomic nervous systems, with associated effects in the resting activity of the brain. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170330132354.htm
On when listening to rain sounds boosts arithmetic ability https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821317/
Where do technology and sound meet and can actually influence our brainwaves? Binaural beats offer a realm of potential and have an ability to influence or more exactly entrain our mental states through electrical brainwave activity.
Science Behind Binaural Beats
The effect of binaural beats lies in their ability to tap into frequencies that are perceived, not heard, by the human ear. By playing two slightly different frequencies in each ear, the brain generates a third tone, unlocking aural illusions that influence brainwave activity to that frequency. For optimal effectiveness to produce these beats they require frequencies under 1000 Hz. By listening to specific binaural beats they can entrain your brain to a specific brainwave state.
Decoding Brainwaves
The interplay of neurons within our brains forms the basis of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. These brainwaves show that these neurons seem to converse with one another. They can be detected through sensors placed upon the scalp, ( EEG ) the measured oscillations are then categorized into bandwidths/brainwaves. Each brainwave range represents a different state offering a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of human consciousness. To give an example beta waves stand for alertness and are necessary for the normal busyness of life while delta waves often represent deep sleep. A bit below you can find a list with the different brainwaves and the binaural beats to possibly experiment with:
Unraveling the Historical Thread
The history of binaural beats traces back to the 19th century, gaining comprehensive recognition through Oster’s meticulous study in 1973. This auditory investigator capitalized on the brain’s response to subtly varying frequencies, producing vibrations now known as binaural beats. The difference between the two sounds must have a frequency difference of less than 30 Hz to allow our brain to perceive the third frequency consciously. Above 30hz it becomes a normal listening experience because beyond frequency differences of 30 Hz, the two tones are perceived separately. This threshold seems to vary depending on the stimulation technique that is used.
The Main Brainwaves
Delta: 1-4 Hz.
Delta is the lowest frequency state, and it’s linked to:
Deep sleep
Meditation
Cortisol reduction/DHEA increase
Theta: 4-8 Hz. Theta binaural beats are linked to:
Meditation
Deep relaxation
Creativity
Alpha: 8-14 Hz. Alpha brain waves are linked to:
Relax and focus
Reduce Stress
Increase learning capabilities
Flow
Beta: 14-30 Hz. Beta brainwaves are linked to:
Keeping your attention focused
Analytical thinking and solving problems
Stimulating energy and action
Gamma: 30-100 Hz. Is linked to:
Increased cognitive enhancement
Attention to detail, helping in memory recall <interesting research with Alzheimer>
A different way of thinking
Best for gamma up to 40HZ based on different research. And above 40 HZ the binaural beta is technically not a beat anymore.
Mental health
Our brainwave profile weaves with our daily experiences, shaping our emotional and neuro-physical health. Brainwave patterns can give us insight in a multitude of conditions, from anxiety disorders and sleep problems to depression and ADHD. Brainwaves offer insight into these facets of our mental and emotional health. To give a very simplified example if you have a lot of beta waves while you supposed to sleeping it will be difficult to sleep. This offers the door to improved well-being by experimenting with brainwave entrainment using binaural beats.
Using binaural beats
There is more and more research on using binaural beats (some is enlisted below this article). There are no documented side effects of using binaural beats but we do advice to use your common sense. Ensuring that your headphone sound levels remain safe is for instance crucial to avoid long-term hearing loss. (Yes you do need headphones to perceive the binaural beats). Consultation before using them with a medical professional is advisable for those with epilepsy, as research in this area is ongoing. Some studies hint at increased sensations of sadness or short bursts of anxiety during binaural beat listening, although the full extent of their therapeutic impact is still being researched.
Although binaural beats have been linked to enhanced emotions, and entraining brainwave states the response is subjective, making it essential to explore and find beats that resonate with one’s individual needs. So the real advice is experiment with the time, volume, the kind of beats and the individual frequency. To assist you in this as Flower of Sound, there is an album available with all of the individual pure frequencies per brainwave and an album that puts the whole frequency range within a specific brainwave in one track. Binaural Beats Full Spectrum Range can be categorised as a non-ordinary listening experience to experiment further with the power of sound.
Brainwaves and Immersive Soundscapes
This field of brainwave entrainment, also offers a new possibility where brainwaves merge harmoniously with immersive nature soundscapes. As listening to nature sounds comes with its own set of benefits. <read this blog> Nature Brainwaves merges these nature soundscapes by using microphones capable to record full 360 soundscapes in combination with binaural beats.
The idea behind this union is an immersive auditory listening experience that guides listeners to desired states of consciousness. As we listen to the binaural beats, the ambient immersive soundscape envelops us, mimicking the way living beings perceive acoustic spaces. This fusion offers a natural and less stressful alternative to traditional stereo signals so it can be used for medium to long listening sessions. Unlike some platforms that reduce the volume of these frequencies to minimize “annoyance,” Nature Brainwaves embraces their presence, allowing the binaural signal to be consciously and physically perceived.
Nature brainwaves and Binaural Beats Full Spectrum Range use 200 hz as a more pleasant and low but still hearable tone than higher frequencies that are less comfortable to listen.
Researches
About entrainment:
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
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