Pink Noise and Its Effects on the Brain

There are many colors of sound discovered up until now, and each color of sound affects our brain in a unique way. The color of noise is dependent upon the distribution of energy over different frequencies. The white noise consists of all sound frequencies that are distributed at equal levels, while the pink noise frequencies are not distributed at equal levels. Pink noise energy is greater for low frequencies, resulting in deeper sound and being more well-balanced than white noise. 

Pink noise sounds less intrusive than white noise because humans do not hear linearly; our ears hear in octaves, indicating we recognize as much sonic space between 40-80 Hz as between 5,000-10,000 Hz. 

Also, the human ear is more sensitive to higher frequencies, so white noise tends to have the same intensity at even the highest tones, and it might sound very bright to our ears. The energy in pink noise drifts off by one-half as the frequency doubles, so every octave has equal power, which sounds calmer and smoother.

Perhaps we hear pink noise at all times. These are a couple of examples of sounds that create pink noise: 

• Sound of steady rainfall
• Sound of wind rustling through leaves
• Sound of peaceful ocean waves
• The sound created by low rumbling thunder
• The sound produced by a low thriving waterfall

How Pink Noise Affects the Human Brain?

Sound is a powerful force, just like air, electricity, and the force of gravity. Just because sound can not be seen, we do not recognize its impact on our lives; sound can produce a powerful reaction for the listener. 

Sound is a sequence of vibrations that travel into the ear, later on, are converted into electrical signals sent to the brain through the vestibulocochlear nerve. Your brain then detects that sound and tells you that you are hearing a sound and what kind of sound that is.

The sound of laughter of a child can make you smile and brings a feeling of joy, while a crying sound can make you feel gloomy. The sound of rainfall and slow ocean waves can have a calmer effect on your mood, while constant traffic horns or louder sounds can make you feel irritated and have a harsh impact on your brain.

Music has a very profound impact on our state of mind. Music can develop strong emotional reactions, either happiness, sadness, reminiscence, or anxiety. So, sounds can have an emotional impact on humans, but some sounds can affect you physically. Pink noise is one of the most profound sounds. Pink noise is also known as 1/f noise. According to a study, pink noise increased deep sleep and improved memory in older adults.

Another study was carried out in 2012 on the hypothesis that persistent pink noise can change the complexity of brain operations at a peculiar level and may have a substantial effect on sleep quality.

Initially, the researchers carried out a brain synchronization test. The electroencephalogram (EEG) signals of 6 people (subjects) were recorded. The experiment was carried out with 5 breaks. The subjects were subjected to 10 minutes of a quiet environment and 10 minutes of an environment with pink noise. After 5 sessions in a quiet environment and noise, the researchers found out that the EEG signals complexity decreased with the exposure to pink noise. This shows that pink noise synchronised brain waves, and they reached a low level after this experiment.

Now for testing the effect of pink noise on sleep, 40 people were enrolled in the group of nocturnal sleep experiments, and 10 people were enrolled for a nap test experiment. 

Each participant slept for two straight, uninterrupted periods, one quiet and the other pink noise-exposed one. The result of subjects (nocturnal sleep and nap test), the group exposed to pink noise showed measurable improvement in the percentage of stable sleep time compared to the subjects of the other group who slept in a quiet environment. 

This study proves that constant pink noise has a substantial impact on reducing brain wave complexity and producing more stable sleep time to enhance the sleep quality of human beings.

A further advantage of pink noise is that it contains all frequencies and can help cover up/ conceal the sounds that might disrupt sleep contrarily.

Another study carried out in 2017 shows that the effect of pink noise on sleep quality can also affect memory. The researchers played pink noise in sync with delta waves and found out that subjects who were exposed to pink noise performed 26% better in memory tests the day after the experiment.

One more study in 2019 revealed that exposure to pink noise improved deep sleep and the ability to revoke memory in people with a mild learning disability, the very early stage of dementia.

Where to Get Pink Noise From?

As pink noise is believed to improve the quality of sleep, you should add it to your sleep rituals. 

The sources you can get pink noise from:

• Download a noise app from your phone, laptop, or Ipad app store and play it before sleep time.
• You can play or download pink noise from YouTube or any other online video or audio platform.
• You can also find pink noise online on apps like SoundCloud or Spotify. Download a looping track from these apps and add it to your night routine.
• Buy a sound machine or noise generator that specifically plays pink noise. It could work as a sound therapy machine for you.

How to Get the Most Out of Pink Noise?

Pink noise could be of help in enjoying a longer and sound sleep. But nothing will come out of it if you have poor and irregular sleep habits. 

Make these few habits part of your nightly ritual To get the most out of pink noise:

• Follow a sleep schedule strictly. Go to bed at a fixed time and wake up at a set time each day. Follow this routine even on weekends or holidays.
• Stay active during day time. Additionally, workout during the daytime helps you fall asleep faster at night.
• Create a sleep-friendly bedroom environment that is quiet, dark, and at comfortable temperature.
• Avoid things that interrupt your sleep. Limit caffeine, alcohol, and heavy and spicy meals before you go to bed. Limit screen time before bedtime.
• Use a humidifier.
• You can also enhance the quality of your sleep by using soothing scents. Use aromatic oils for relaxation (bergamot, sweet orange, valerian, lemon, rose, cedar, e.tc.). Pillow mists (lavender, rose, chamomile, e.t.c. ) may help induce sleep and decrease depression.

All the research above shows the connection between pink noise, sleep, and memory. Yet, there is much more to be discovered and proved about pink noise and its effects on the human brain. Maybe in the future, doctors will treat sleep, memory, and depression disorders not just by capsules or tablets but also by using sound therapy. For those still struggling with sleep or memory issues, even after trying several medications, sound and brain stimulation therapies give hope through these innovative options. The point is, would you like to give it a try? Remember to leave a review about your experience.