The Good Life: Can Certain Audio Frequencies Help you Focus?

Newsweek

15-05-2025

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Welcome to the Good Life!
In this week's edition, we're talking how an auditory illusion could potentially make you more productive, rethinking the way we eat, Americans' growing concerns about retirement and more!
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Hz to Help: Can Audio Frequencies Make You Productive?
By Cameron Schoppa
I use an internet browser called Opera, and the other day I got an interesting pop-up: Download Opera Air. It was promoted as "the world's first browser with mindfulness at its core," promising a "focused, balanced, and stress-free web."
I thought, sure—why not. I've been diagnosed with ADHD before, I could use all the help I can get when it comes to focus.
The browser's main feature? A tab that implements ambient music mixed with certain audio frequencies. That caught my attention. I used the feature and I kind of started to believe there were some magical focusing powers being pushed into my brain.
But then I noticed a mobile app in my Instagram feed pushing the same concept just a few days later—using sound frequencies to boost productivity—which got me questioning: Can frequencies really improve focus and productivity?
After some research, the answer seems to be: potentially yes. And these tones might even be able to help in more ways than expected.
While the scientific evidence is mixed, one commonly discussed method is the use of binaural beats. These are auditory illusions that occur when you listen to two slightly different frequencies—one in each ear—through headphones. In return, your brain perceives a third tone.
So what does that have to do with productivity? According to some, binaural beats can lead to something called brainwave entrainment—essentially using sensory stimulations to affect brain's electrical activity. This could help calm a cluttered mind, which many of us experience in our day-to-day lives.
Frequencies between 14 and 30 Hz are believed to enhance beta brainwave activity, which is associated with focus and productivity. A commonly cited 40 Hz tone is linked to gamma brainwave activity, which some claim supports memory, attention and mental clarity.
But that's not all. We've long known that white/pink noise can aid sleep, but some evidence suggests certain binaural beats—using theta (4–7 Hz) or delta (<4 Hz) waves—may promote deep sleep or meditative states. One preliminary study found that listening to 6 Hz theta binaural beats for 10 minutes daily over a few weeks may "enhance certain aspects of cognitive function."
So, let's get to the most important part of this 'binaural beats journey.' Do these tones actually work?
It depends.
Music incorporating rapid amplitude modulations, especially within the beta frequency range (~14–30 Hz), was found to improve attention, particularly in those with ADHD.
But here comes a potential problem with this. Some trials suggest these strategies may have the opposite effect—potentially impairing cognitive performance rather than enhancing it. A study from 2023 found that regular use of binaural beats actually decreased performance on fluid intelligence tests, scoring lower than those exposed to silence or control sounds.
On its face, it seems like a life hack; a cheat code to enhance your everyday life. But experts actually suggest treading lightly against viewing this method as a cure-all.
"While I can appreciate the fact that a lot of the strategies that are most strongly supported by research take time and consistent effort (two things people might be frustrated with if they want immediate alleviation from their symptoms) before substantial results are seen," Jessica McCarthy, PsyD, said in a comment to health and wellness website VeryWellMind, "a sole and passive strategy such as this one will not yield the results that people are looking for."
There's plenty of research still left to be done. But If you're curious and want to give this strategy a try, here are some tips to get started:
Use stereo headphones
Don't turn up the volume very loud, lower volume is better.
Set a timer. 15–30 minutes is generally recommended for a session.
And of course, be in a quiet room while doing this.
At the end of the day, despite the debate, if it works for you—maybe that's what matters most.
marilyna/Getty Images
Rethinking What We Eat
By: Alex Backus
You've probably seen the videos: Americans in Europe indulging in croissants, cheese, pasta, wine—yet somehow feeling lighter, less bloated, and even healthier.
That was the case for Kayleigh Donahue.
The 27-year-old grew up in Rhode Island and experienced a remarkable transformation in her health and lifestyle upon moving to Ireland.
"For some reason, the weight started falling off of me. I ended up losing close to 50 pounds within the first six months of living in Ireland," she told Newsweek. "I was shocked by this because I didn't feel like I drastically changed my eating."
Donahue credits both the higher food quality and a different mindset around eating, where better products are more accessible and affordable.
"I felt so much healthier," she said. "My skin was glowing and I lost the weight I was struggling with my whole life."
Pictures from the viral video posted by Kayleigh that showed the difference in her appearance after a year living in Europe.
Pictures from the viral video posted by Kayleigh that showed the difference in her appearance after a year living in Europe.
@kayshaynee/TikTok
Back in the U.S., the contrast is stark.
American food has become increasingly processed and expensive—and our medical system often defaults to prescriptions instead of prevention and holistic solutions. One-minute ads showing a smiling man or woman spinning in circles thanks to (insert prescription drug here) are the norm. That doesn't happen in Europe.
The issue goes beyond "just" food, but let's refocus there. While making meaningful changes to a nation's entire food supply is a mammoth undertaking, it starts small. This is one area where we've seen common ground when it comes to RFK Jr.'s Make American Healthy Again agenda. A YouGov survey found most Americans agree with Kennedy on at least one health or nutrition-related issue.
The agenda includes fake additives and the Trump administration announced a plan to phase these eight synthetic food dyes out of the nation's food supply by the end of 2026. Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved three new natural color additives as part of a push to eliminate synthetic dyes from the food supply.
"For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks," Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. "We're removing these dyes and approving safe, natural alternatives—to protect families and support healthier choices."
KarinaBost
These dyes include galdieria extract blue, derived from red algae, and calcium phosphate, a white coloring.
What's being phased out? Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2 and Orange B. You've likely seen these in the ingredient list of various processed foods, like cereal, candy and desserts. Some have been linked to hyperactivity, allergic reactions and cancer risks in animal studies.
Fixing America's food system will take more than cutting synthetic dyes, but it's a step in the right direction. Clean, healthy food shouldn't be a luxury, or something you have to fly to Europe to find.
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