What Is Brown Noise And Why Does TikTok Keep Raving About It?
Millions of people in the U.S. are currently diagnosed with ADHD.
About 6 million kids from the ages of 2-17 have attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), while studies state that adult ADHD prevalence rates are anywhere from 2.5% and 4.4%. Having ADHD can be difficult to overcome at times, especially when you’re trying your best to not get distracted during work or class. While many people have opted for Adderall or Ritalin, drugs that are often prescribed to patients with ADHD, not everyone wants to rely on medication to accomplish tasks.
About 6 million kids from the ages of 2-17 have attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder.
This year, brown noise trended on TikTok due to its apparent success in calming individuals with anxiety and ADHD. @natalyabubb reenacts the first time she’s ever listened to brown noise. The short clip, which has 1.2 million likes, shows the text: “Where did the thoughts go?” The comments were eager to agree with Natalya’s sentiment, with one of the top-liked comments stating, “Why is this just the perfect sound?”
I wasn’t sure what the rave was about at first. Sure, I love binaural beats and Solfeggio frequencies, but I’ve never tried brown noise myself. So, I put it to the test. In my noisy (albeit lovely) apartment in Mexico, where sleepless nights were the norm, I put on some headphones and played some brown noise. Then, without even remembering how or when I dozed off the night before, I woke up the next morning from a deep rest. I repeated this process every night after that until I moved out. Here’s the nice part: Brown noise isn’t the only background noise you can listen to - there’s also white, pink, and blue noise and they all help with different things besides falling asleep, like giving you better focus or concentration. To find out more about which noise you should listen to, keep reading!
Brown Noise
Brown noise has a deeper tone compared to other sounds. This is because it’s a lower frequency compared to white noise or pink noise, giving it a gentler and more relaxing feel. People found brown noise to be effective in helping them relax or calm down - which I can obviously attest to. Next time you’re feeling restless or on edge, search up “brown noise” on YouTube or Soundcloud and give it a try.
Pink Noise
Like brown noise, pink noise may help with the ruminating thoughts in your mind, allowing you to focus and concentrate. Pink noise has more of a bass and mid-range tone and excludes higher frequency sounds. A study in 2012 found that participants who steadily listened to pink noise at night had deeper sleep. From my experience with pink noise, it has a higher-pitched sound compared to brown noise, which I find helpful in increasing concentration.
A study in 2012 found that participants who steadily listened to pink noise at night had deeper sleep.
White Noise
White noise has been studied for years, so it’s probably the one you’re most familiar with. It’s the fan going on at night time, or the television static that plays when you accidentally hit the wrong button on your remote. White noise has helped counteract symptoms of ADHD and is known to reduce the crying of infants. It has a higher tone compared to pink noise and can help you focus. Studies show mixed results when it comes to white noise and sleep, and in a recent study, 38% of adults fell asleep faster while listening to it. It may or may not help you sleep, but it can be used as a tool to silence the outside world.
Blue Noise
Lastly, let’s go over blue noise! It’s basically the opposite of brown noise - so some people either love it or hate it. Because it’s a much higher frequency, it doesn’t really help much with sleep. However, it's great for keeping you alert. Blue noise may sound the harshest out of all of the sounds listed in this article, so it may not be for everyone. Perhaps it’s worth a try if you’re trying to cut back on coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
Closing Thoughts
The best way to find out which noise is best for you is through trial and error. YouTube, SoundCloud, and other music apps all have these sounds available for you to listen to.
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