Does Pink Noise Harm the Brain? A New Study Raises Concerns

Despite its popularity as a remedy for deep sleep and relaxation, a recent scientific study suggests that what is known as pink noise may carry hidden health risks for the body and brain, particularly in children.

Devices that produce pink noise typically generate natural sounds like flowing water, falling rain, or rustling leaves. These sound frequencies cover a broad range of human hearing, and many believe they contribute to restful sleep and improved sleep quality.

However, recent findings indicate that the situation may not be as beneficial as it seems.

* What Does the Study Say?

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's medical school, involved 25 adults who spent seven nights in a specialized sleep lab. During the experiment, participants were exposed to various acoustic influences, including:

• Airplane noise

• Pink noise

• Sleeping with earplugs

The depth of sleep, various sleep phases, and concentration levels upon waking were measured.

* Concerning Results

Results published in the journal Sleep revealed that:

_ Airplane noise led to a loss of approximately 23 minutes of deep sleep per night, a crucial phase for the brain to eliminate waste products from daily biological processes.

_ In contrast, wearing earplugs helped protect deep sleep and prevent this loss.

However, the most surprising finding involved pink noise.

* Pink Noise: The Hidden Danger

The study found that exposure to pink noise resulted in a loss of about 19 minutes in the REM sleep phase, characterized by intense brain activity and linked to:

• Dreaming and emotional processing

• Development of motor skills

• Brain growth and memory enhancement

This phase is named for the rapid movement of the eyes beneath closed eyelids during sleep.

* Worse When Noise is Combined

When participants were exposed to both airplane noise and pink noise simultaneously, sleep quality deteriorated further:

• Significant reduction in deep sleep and REM sleep

• Increased wakefulness

• Delayed sleep onset

* Special Warning for Children

The medical research website HealthDay reported that the study leader cautioned that sounds with broad frequency ranges, including pink noise, could pose health risks, particularly for children, because:

_ Their brains are still developing

_ They spend more time in the REM sleep phase compared to adults

* Conclusion

What is marketed as a safe method for relaxation and sleep may not be suitable for everyone. While some individuals may feel comfortable using pink noise, scientific evidence suggests that a reevaluation of its use, especially for children, is necessary, and attention should be paid to the long-term effects on brain health and sleep quality.