Insomnia – Review of White Sound Versus Entrainment

This is a review of two non-medicine therapies for insomnia; white sound versus entrainment. This insomnia review aims to help you become aware of the technological advances addressing the problem of insomnia.

White Sound
There are people who complain that they find it hard to sleep in the city but when they go on a vacation to the country or near a beach, they are able to sleep like a baby. Such is the relaxing effect of the sounds of nature. Unfortunately, people cannot bring those sounds back when they return to the city but they can have the second best thing which is white sound or white noise. This refers to sounds that mimic the sounds of nature. The sound is either produced by a machine or it can come recorded on a CD to be played on any standard CD player. Downloadable MP3 audios are available.

White sound comes in many varieties. There are tracks that mimic ocean waves, rain, forest animals, fans and even vacuum cleaners! The options are actually limitless. White sound is a natural alternative or supplement to prescription sleeping pills which may very well be addictive with long-term use; not to mention potential side effects. White sound actually uses one of the most potent sleeping aids available – the sound of nature – and packages it in a portable format. The downside to this product is that not everyone is actually fond of natural sounds, some people find white sound annoying and disturbing.

Always try to sample a white sound CD or MP3 before buying, or be sure there is a money-back guarantee. If you are an insomniac who is not really a nature tripper then you may be better off with another product.

Brainwave Entrainment
If you would rather treat your insomnia in the subconscious level then brainwave entrainment (an accurate, but horrible term) could be more effective for you.

In the 1930s researchers discovered that brain waves could be “entrained” actually synchronized with an external stimulus. At first researchers used flickering light to induce entrainment; later finding that sound was also very effective. Studies continue, each new study shedding more light on the process and its uses. Entrainment is now known to be useful in treating numerous conditions including ADHD, chronic pain, various types of depression and headaches, PMS and, of course, insomnia.

Dr. Gerard Oster published a landmark article in Scientific American in 1972 relating to brain entrainment. In 1981 Dr. Arturo Mans published another notable study showing that certain beats were able to produce brain wave entrainment much more strongly than other beats.

Why isn’t brain wave entrainment more widely known and used for insomnia? After all it can be used inexpensively at home. Perhaps that is the answer. Cheap home remedies, particularly cheap remedies that are purchased only once instead of on a recurring basis, do not make anyone much money.

Like the use of white sound, brainwave entrainment is also safe and does not have any side effects. Neither one requires headphones – distinctively uncomfortable when going to sleep – although both need to be listened to in stereo mode.

If you are not too fond of the sound of chirping birds or of rain fall then you should consider brainwave entrainment instead of white sound. Controlled clinical studies and empirical tracking indicate that brain entrainment is effective in approximately 75% of the insomnia sufferers using it.

May this insomnia review of two of the most innovative products relieving insomnia help you choose the most effective, safest and least expensive product.

Brain Entrainment