Does Pink Noise Harm the Brain? A Recent Study Answers
Despite its widespread popularity as a magical solution for deep sleep and relaxation, a recent scientific study revealed that what is known as pink noise may be a double-edged sword, potentially carrying hidden risks to body and brain health, especially in children.
Pink noise devices are widely used to produce natural sounds such as flowing water, falling rain, or rustling leaves, which are sound frequencies that cover most ranges of human hearing. Many believe that it helps with quiet sleep and improves its quality.
But science now says: the picture is not entirely rosy.
* What Does the Study Say?
The study conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine involved 25 adult participants, each spending seven nights in a specialized sleep study lab. During the experiment, participants were exposed to various sound stimuli, including:
• Airplane noise
• Pink noise
• Sleeping with earplugs
Depth of sleep, its different stages, and concentration levels after waking were measured.
* Concerning Results
The results, published in the scientific journal Sleep, showed that:
_ Airplane noise caused a loss of about 23 minutes of deep sleep each night, which is the stage where the brain eliminates waste produced by daily biological processes.
_ In contrast, wearing earplugs helped protect deep sleep and prevent this loss.
But the biggest surprise was with pink noise.
* Pink Noise... The Silent Danger
The study revealed that exposure to pink noise led to a loss of about 19 minutes of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a crucial stage characterized by intense brain activity, and is associated with:
• Dreams and emotions
• Motor skill development
• Brain growth and memory enhancement
This stage is named for the rapid movement of the eyes under closed eyelids during sleep.
* The Worst When Combining Noises
When participants were exposed to both airplane noise and pink noise together, sleep quality deteriorated further:
• Noticeable decrease in deep sleep and REM sleep
• Increased wakefulness periods
• Delayed onset of sleep
* Special Warning for Children
The medical research site HealthDay reported the study leader's warning that sounds with broad auditory ranges, including pink noise, may be harmful to health, especially in children, because:
_ Their brains are still developing
_ They spend more time in REM sleep compared to adults
* Conclusion
What is marketed as a safe means for relaxation and sleep may not be suitable for everyone.
While some may feel comfortable using pink noise, scientific evidence suggests a need to rethink its use, especially for children, and to pay attention to its long-term effects on the brain and sleep quality.
