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Question About Low Frequency Sounds

I came across the following info on the internet and I can't figure out whether it makes any sense or not.

Sound frequencies below 20Hz (even up to 30Hz) can directly affect states of consciousness. For those of you who don't know, our brains vibrate at different frequencies depending on the level of awareness (consciousness) we are in. Consciousness lies on a continuum. The scale is as follows:

.5-3Hz - Delta. This is the sleep state.
4-7Hz - Theta. The meditative/hypnotic state.
8-12Hz - Alpha. The "relaxed alert" state.
13-20Hz - Beta. Normal wakeful consciousness.
20-32Hz - High beta. Manic states.

Does anybody know anything about this? If true, it's implications on music reproduction could be profound.
128x128onhwy61
ikarus
113 posts
 
I saw this in Reuters this morning :

http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=3401200
karls
332 posts
 
Hey 2001Impala, thanks for the laugh, that was a good one!
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Aircraft designers have learned that any tendancy for the plane to oscillate (say in pitch attitude) at 1 to 2 Hz should be avoided. Humans (and that includes pilots) can't cope with that frequency, and when they try to do so they induce worse oscillations. Slower, they can follow, and faster they can average.
Flashing lights and sound at certain frequencies can also be distracting.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61 OP
5,136 posts
 
Thanks for all the intelligent responses. Here's a link to the site where I found the info. Someone named "MusicMedicine" is the main contributor.

I've experienced nausea when exposed to low frequency sounds, so I have an inkling about how powerful sound can be. I'm just wondering if this effect is used in movie theaters or dance clubs to elicit emotional responses in the audience. Also, vinyl playback can produce all sorts of low frequency resonances and I wonder how this might influence the emotional states of the listener.
slappy
903 posts
 
Lugnut,

thats a sonic distupter, i saw something about them on the discovery channel a while back. Its an interesting design, you can even make a DYI project out of this.

Its about a 3 foot metal cylinder about 8inches to a foot in diameter. One end is sealed and has a sparkplug type igniter in the center facing inward to the tube. gasoline is fed to it and the spark plug causes the gas to explode.
The resulting ultra-low frequency resonation can be aimed and directed (isnt it supposed to be non directional?) by the open end of the tube

the effects are usually a combination of nervousness, severe nausea and vomiting, loss of conciseness, confusion, and dimentia, depending on range of target.

I dont think they are allowed to use these yet, i think they are still in prototype stages because they are worried about possible long term effects and even the lethality of it.

hehehehe. mount one of these puppys in the bed of my truck, next poor sap who tailgates me will blow mcdonalds all over his nice lexus. hahahahaha

dont quote me on any of this, it was about a month ago i saw this, but this is what i remember. it might not be 100% accurate
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