If there’s one universal constant to the universe, it’s that teens will always find new way to fry their brains.
The latest craze(?) is something called binaural beats. By listening to specifically programmed audio of this type for around 30 minutes, you’re supposed to feel "high".
Weird? You bet.
The site that provides this stuff is I-Doser. As to whether these binaural beats actually work or not for the desired effect, I couldn’t tell you because I’m not about to try it.
If you do happen to come across I-Doser products however, at least you now know their intended purpose.
As far as I’m aware, there are no studies present stating whether binaural beats are addictive or not. If you elect to try them, do so at your own risk.
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I stumbled across it a few years ago. Apparently it does actually work – but I can't say I trust the person that told me, and like you, I'm not about to try it. Far too scary.
It does work and has been done in some form for thousands of years. It can also work through sight. One similiar tool people use is Light Sound Machines. Light Sound Machines use the beat along with glasses that contain LEDs in them. They are synchronized to blink lights and wobble sound to stimulate your brain into changing between various levels of awareness – BETA, THETA, ALPHA, & DELTA. Each of these states can be related to different hertz frequencies of brain functioning. These devices use site & sounds to achieve a technique called brainwave ramping or entrainment. Which just means taking your from one hertz frequency to another hertz frequency over a period of time in order to achieve a desired effect. The effects can be altered states of consciousness (feeling light or airy or at peace or “high”), meditation, pain relief, stress reduction, addiction, PTSD/ADHD/Depression relief, improved cognitive functioning (helping you to learn faster & better and to help you retain memory longer), helping people perform better in sports and to help sleep.
Binaural Beats – like those used in the I-Doser work by playing one sound (which is an on-off sound that is one hertz frequency) in the left ear and another sound (another on-off sound that is a different hertz frequency) in the right ear. The brain interprets these sounds as an entirely different sound which is the difference of the left and right hertz frequencies. The brain then tries to change it's own frequency to match this new frequency it is hearing. This is called the frequency following response.
This has been done long before the technology used today came to market. Native Americans and other Tribal People would use drums, chanting, didgeridoo drones and similiar sounds along with other techniques to create altered states of consciousness and allow people to enter trance states. They did this for personal development, religious/spiritual experiences and even to help those who were sick or in pain to feel less pain. They would also use glowing rocks and the heated/glowing coals of a fire for a visual focal point to help entrance the brain.
Usually these techniques, machines and sounds are safe to use, when used safely. However people with some psychiatric disorders can experience problems using these methods. Anyone with neurological disorders, like epilepsy, should stay away from these tools or only use them under direct doctor care. For most people however it is safe. Of course you shouldn't do anything which requires your complete focus – like driving or using heavy machinery.
I know so much because I've had a light sound machine for over 15 years, when the first came out. I also own just about every cd that has been created with Binaural Beats, BrainSyncing & Brainwave Awareness. Back in the day these devices came in big boxes or connected to a PC and cost anywhere from $300 to $1000. You can find these devices in small packages and for around $100.
The iDoser stuff is interesting, but the names of the programs (their sound files) is misleading. They have programs called Vicodine, Morphine, Marijuana, and Orgasm don't make you feel like your high on morphine or marijuana. They just create an altered state of consciousness. iDose is just one company using this technology. Unfortunately they're just marketing a fantastic method for personal and spiritual development in very misleading ways and to people not interested in using these devices for growth. But to each their own I guess.
Lastly, these sounds/devices/techniques are not addictive, but they can be overused and used inappropriately to avoid your life and problems. They could be considered “addictive” in much the same way the Internet/Video Games, TV, music, and sleep could be considered unhealthy.