|
Minstrel
Man of Science



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 1,974
Loc: Hogtown
|
Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds
#8782395 - 08/16/08 01:38 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
USAtoday: Web delivers new worry for parents: Digital drugs
Quote:
We all know that music can alter your mood. Sad songs can make you cry. Upbeat songs may give you an energy boost. But can music create the same effects as illegal drugs?
This seems like a ridiculous question. But websites are targeting your children with so-called digital drugs. These are audio files designed to induce drug-like effects.
All your child needs is a music player and headphones.
Understanding binaural beats
There are different slang terms for digital drugs. They're often called "idozers" or "idosers." All rely on the concept of binaural beats.
It is incorrect to call binaural beats music. They're really ambient sounds designed to affect your brain waves. FIND MORE STORIES IN: Internet | Phoenix | YouTube | Duke University | Pied Piper | Barrow Neurological Institute
For binaural beats to work, you must use headphones. Different sounds are played in each ear. The sounds combine in your brain to create a new frequency. This frequency corresponds to brain wave frequencies.
There are different brain wave frequencies. These frequencies are related to different states like relaxation and alertness.
Digital drugs supposedly synchronize your brain waves with the sound. Hence, they allegedly alter your mental state.
Binaural beats create a beating sound. Other noises may be included with binaural beats. This is intended to mask their unpleasant sound.
Different types of digital drugs
Some sites provide binaural beats that have innocuous effects. For example, some claim to help you develop extrasensory powers like telepathy and psychokinesis.
Other sites offer therapeutic binaural beats. They help you relax or meditate. Some allegedly help you overcome addiction or anxiety. Others purport to help you lose weight or eliminate gray hair.
However, most sites are more sinister. They sell audio files ("doses") that supposedly mimic the effects of alcohol and marijuana.
But it doesn't end there. You'll find doses that purportedly mimic the effects of LSD, crack, heroin and other hard drugs. There are also doses of a sexual nature. I even found ones that supposedly simulate heaven and hell.
Do digital drugs work?
Many are skeptical about the effects of digital drugs. Few scientific studies have been conducted on binaural beats. However, a Duke University study suggests that they can affect mood and motor performance.
Dr. Nicholas Theodore, a brain surgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, said there is no real evidence that idosers work. But he noted that musical preference is indicative of emotional vulnerability. Trying idosers could indicate a willingness to experiment with drugs and other dangerous behavior.
Theodore added that idosers are another reason to monitor kids' Internet usage. And, he said, kids need frank talks with their parents about correct choices.
"I suspect this 'Pied Piper' phenomenon will pass rapidly and quietly," he said.
Online, many people have posted their experiences with digital drugs. They tout the effectiveness of binaural beats.
Or, go to YouTube. You'll see videos of teens experimenting with digital drugs. You can decide for yourself if binaural beats induce drug-like effects.
Companies that sell digital drugs take both sides of the argument. They say that the doses are extremely powerful. Some are recommended only for experienced users.
But they often hedge their bets. Some users may be immune to binaural beats, they say. They also say the situation must be right to feel the effects.
Should you worry about digital drugs?
Companies that sell digital drugs claim they're safe. Supposedly, they won't affect your physical health.
Let's think about this for a moment. The sites claim binaural beats cause the same effects as illegal drugs. These drugs impair coordination and can cause hallucinations. They've caused countless fatal accidents, like traffic collisions.
If binaural beats work as promised, they are not safe. They could also create a placebo effect. The expectation elicits the response. Again, this is unsafe.
At the very least, digital drugs promote drug use. Some sites say binaural beats can be used with illegal drugs.
The sites also look favorably on the effects of illegal drugs. So, talk to your children. Make sure they understand the dangers of this culture. It could be a small jump from digital drugs to the real thing.
Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about computers and the Internet. To get the podcast or find the station nearest you, visit: www.komando.com/listen. To subscribe to Kim's free e-mail newsletters, sign up at: www.komando.com/newsletters. Contact her at gnstech@gns.gannett.com.
I've used binaural beats before to potentiate lucid dreams. They work well. I found it interesting that this opinion piece didn't really seek to inform about the sounds, but had a clear intent to incite fear. Refering to them as 'digital drugs' is even more absurd.
If they claim that regular drugs are bad and dangerous, and hence, illegal, because they alter our mood and perception, then why shouldn't sounds which can accomplish the same thing also be made illegal? Think of the children. This also ties into the issue of monitoring/regulating the internet.
Edited by Minstrel (08/16/08 01:50 PM)
|
lines
Stranger


Registered: 08/06/08
Posts: 1,409
Loc: USA
Last seen: 3 years, 9 months
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Minstrel]
#8784205 - 08/16/08 09:18 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
I have never heard of idosers before... it sounds interesting. Idosers seem similar to mantras.
|
Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Minstrel]
#8784254 - 08/16/08 09:31 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
At the very least, digital drugs promote drug use. Some sites say binaural beats can be used with illegal drugs.
|
zouden
Neuroscientist


Registered: 11/12/07
Posts: 7,091
Loc: Australia
Last seen: 14 years, 3 months
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Minstrel]
#8784328 - 08/16/08 09:53 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Coming up next: The Internet: what you don't know could kill you
-------------------- I know... that just the smallest part of the world belongs to me You know... I'm not a blind man but truth is the hardest thing to see
|
Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: zouden]
#8784587 - 08/16/08 11:03 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
|
golden1



Registered: 06/18/08
Posts: 1,707
Loc: north korea
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Prisoner#1]
#8787267 - 08/17/08 03:37 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
The way that article is written makes it really annoying to read. Also, full of opinions and rumors.
"Let's think about this for a moment. The sites claim binaural beats cause the same effects as illegal drugs. These drugs impair coordination and can cause hallucinations. They've caused countless fatal accidents, like traffic collisions.
If binaural beats work as promised, they are not safe. They could also create a placebo effect. The expectation elicits the response. Again, this is unsafe."
lol what. I feel like the article is geared towards 4th graders in DARE. who is going to be listening to these while driving or doing anything? The only reason it would be dangerous driving is because you can't hear anything else.. OMG! PANIC, DRUGS FROM THE INTERNET! ! !
|
Baby_Hitler
Errorist




Registered: 03/06/02
Posts: 27,587
Loc: To the limit!
Last seen: 5 hours, 26 minutes
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: golden1]
#8793307 - 08/18/08 10:41 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Soon to be banned in Ohio.
-------------------- Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ (•_•) <) )~ ANTIFA / \ \(•_•) ( (> SUPER / \ (•_•) <) )> SOLDIERS / \
|
Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
Last seen: 2 months, 19 days
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Baby_Hitler]
#8794153 - 08/19/08 04:41 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
> But websites are targeting your children with so-called digital drugs.
Oh, noes! Save teh children! Save teh Children! 
Life would be a lot more simple if we outlawed children and legalized all the things that might harm children.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
|
johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Seuss]
#8794184 - 08/19/08 04:58 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
I decided to have children and now its everybody else's problem.
I'll be at the mall, make sure johnny doesn't watch anything naughty online.
|
ScavengerType


Registered: 01/24/08
Posts: 5,784
Loc: The North
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: johnm214]
#8797437 - 08/19/08 05:28 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Alright But I can't remember the procedures for hacking into your computer and stoping your kid from watching porn from the procedures for hacking into it and turning it into a bomb. Either way it should be effective
Anyone know anything about these? I like to learn a lot about brainwashing through audio methods because I am a musician. I've studied a lot of subliminal message styles but this could be used as a method to enforce positive or negative association with a liminal statement. It definitely sounds like a new approach that could be interesting.
-------------------- "Have you ever seen what happens when a grenade goes off in a school? Do you really know what you’re doing when you order shock and awe? Are you prepared to kneel beside a dying soldier and tell him why he went to Iraq, or why he went to any war?" "The things that are done in the name of the shareholder are, to me, as terrifying as the things that are done—dare I say it—in the name of God. Montesquieu said, "There have never been so many civil wars as in the Kingdom of God." And I begin to feel that’s true. The shareholder is the excuse for everything." - Author and former M6/M5 agent John le Carré on Democracy Now. Conquer's Club
|
Minstrel
Man of Science



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 1,974
Loc: Hogtown
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: ScavengerType]
#8797500 - 08/19/08 05:40 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Yes, I know a great deal about binaural sounds. I don't think you'd have much success trying to manipulate people feeling positive or negative. It works more on alterness or relaxation aspects of the brain, rather than emotions. I don't know how well it might work for getting high, but I do know for sure certain binaural frequencies affect my sleep patterns. I guess if you can find patterns which can affect you while you meditate, you could have more success on certain goals (be they getting high, or quitting smoking).
The program I use is called brainwavegenerator (http://www.bwgen.com/). You might be able to get a trial version (or if you are clandestine, download a cracked version via torrents), or buy it legit. Anyways, its powerful; you can make any range of sounds you want, and there is a vast library of programs other people have put together for various things like concentration or dreaming.
Edited by Minstrel (08/19/08 05:45 PM)
|
ScavengerType


Registered: 01/24/08
Posts: 5,784
Loc: The North
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Minstrel]
#8797953 - 08/19/08 07:34 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
cool anyone know about where I could find documentation on the neauromechanics or psychological study data of it?
-------------------- "Have you ever seen what happens when a grenade goes off in a school? Do you really know what you’re doing when you order shock and awe? Are you prepared to kneel beside a dying soldier and tell him why he went to Iraq, or why he went to any war?" "The things that are done in the name of the shareholder are, to me, as terrifying as the things that are done—dare I say it—in the name of God. Montesquieu said, "There have never been so many civil wars as in the Kingdom of God." And I begin to feel that’s true. The shareholder is the excuse for everything." - Author and former M6/M5 agent John le Carré on Democracy Now. Conquer's Club
|
Minstrel
Man of Science



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 1,974
Loc: Hogtown
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: ScavengerType]
#8799857 - 08/20/08 07:12 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
I'm sure you are aware of scientific/medical journals. There aught to be no shortage of data.
|
ScavengerType


Registered: 01/24/08
Posts: 5,784
Loc: The North
Last seen: 10 years, 3 months
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Minstrel]
#8800753 - 08/20/08 12:02 PM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
My professional ambitions are in economics and resource management not psychology. I'm basically going to Google it when I get around to it I was hoping someone had some more info on it so I wouldn't have to sort through BS.
-------------------- "Have you ever seen what happens when a grenade goes off in a school? Do you really know what you’re doing when you order shock and awe? Are you prepared to kneel beside a dying soldier and tell him why he went to Iraq, or why he went to any war?" "The things that are done in the name of the shareholder are, to me, as terrifying as the things that are done—dare I say it—in the name of God. Montesquieu said, "There have never been so many civil wars as in the Kingdom of God." And I begin to feel that’s true. The shareholder is the excuse for everything." - Author and former M6/M5 agent John le Carré on Democracy Now. Conquer's Club
|
numonkei
Back! From thedigestive tractof dave theiguana!

Registered: 04/12/06
Posts: 2,500
Loc: A Tree
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
|
Re: Fear the Dangerous, Mind Altering sounds [Re: Seuss]
#8823895 - 08/25/08 09:44 AM (15 years, 5 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Seuss said: > But websites are targeting your children with so-called digital drugs.
Oh, noes! Save teh children! Save teh Children! 
Life would be a lot more simple if we outlawed children and legalized all the things that might harm children.

You mean like China does?
~Monk
|
|