Does Pink Noise Harm the Brain? Recent Study Raises Concerns

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

Devices that produce pink noise often mimic natural sounds like flowing water, falling rain, or rustling leaves. These sound frequencies cover most of the human hearing range, and many believe they promote peaceful sleep and enhance sleep quality.

However, scientific findings indicate that the situation may not be so favorable.

* What Does the Study Say?

Conducted by a team from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine, the study involved 25 adults who spent seven nights in a specialized sleep lab. During the experiment, participants were exposed to various sound stimuli, including:

• Airplane noise

• Pink noise

• Sleeping with earplugs

The depth of sleep, its various phases, and post-wake concentration levels were measured.

* Concerning Results

Findings published in the journal Sleep revealed that:

_ Airplane noise resulted in a loss of approximately 23 minutes of deep sleep each night, a phase during which the brain eliminates waste produced by daily vital processes.

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

However, the most surprising outcome involved pink noise.

* Pink Noise: The Silent Danger

The study found that exposure to pink noise led to a loss of about 19 minutes of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a crucial phase characterized by intense brain activity and linked to:

• Dreams and emotions

• Motor skill development

• Brain growth and memory enhancement

This phase is named for the rapid eye movements occurring under closed eyelids during sleep.

* The Worst Effects When Noises Combine

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

• Notable reduction in deep and REM sleep

• Increased wakefulness

• Delayed sleep onset

* Special Warning for Children

HealthDay, a medical research site, reported that the study's lead researcher cautioned that broad-spectrum sounds, including pink noise, could be detrimental 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 method for relaxation and sleep may not be suitable for everyone. While some individuals may find comfort in using pink noise, scientific evidence suggests a need to reconsider its use, particularly in children, and to pay attention to its long-term effects on brain health and sleep quality.