Many people find brown noise to be more soothing and less disruptive than white noise — its natural sound qualities make it easier on the ears and create a lullaby-like feeling. Brown noise also has low frequencies that are helpful for calming the mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep.
"Brown noise also has been shown to improve deep sleep and slow wave sleep — two types of sleep that are important for memory consolidation and learning — compared with other types of sounds or even, silence," Martin tells us. "The researchers found that listening to brown noise helped people stay asleep longer."
Studies show that brown noise can help induce sleep and relaxation, making it a strong fit for those struggling to fall asleep in noisy areas or drown out their own internal thoughts.
Brown noise triggers relaxation because of its similarities to the brain's resting state, Sarow says. The low frequencies of brown noise create a deeper sound that many people find soothing. There are even brown noise playlists curated with babies in mind because it's said to mimic the sound inside a mother's womb.
Brown noise lowers the higher frequencies even more. It's a bit “rougher” than pink noise and resembles the roar of a river current or strong wind. Common benefits associated with brown noise are relaxation, improved focus, and of course, sleep improvement.
One way to think of brown noise is as white noise's more relaxed cousin. Its consistent low-level rumble brings things like rainstorms and the comforting sounds of crashing waves to mind. As such, it's become a popular tool for managing A.D.H.D, anxiety, insomnia, and other stress conditions.
White noise can be one of the best colors to help with anxiety, especially if you have trouble sleeping at night. The steady drone of white noise is wonderful for insomnia. You may also want to try pink noise for the same ailments.
Background noise, particularly brown noise, drowns out the distracting chatter of their thoughts. Background noise in general can help people with ADHD when they struggle to focus or relax, because it helps them concentrate on what they're doing rather than racing thoughts or other distractions.
Psychologist and primary care physician Dr. Laura Purdy explains green noise as “ambient noise in nature, so some people do find it more soothing than brown noise.” She adds that it sounds distinct from other colors of noise, and is therefore more relaxing for troubled sleepers.
For many people with ADHD, steady background noises will improve concentration and fixation on given tasks1 because it blocks out otherwise distracting and unwanted background noises. At the same time, white noise is suspected to stimulate dopamine production in the brain.
Brown noise, which contains lower frequencies many find soothing, is similar to the brain's resting state, which is why it helps people to relax. Brown noise playlists have also been created to help babies, since it mimics the sound inside a mother's womb.
Often, having a 'standby' sound keep your brain company as you fall asleep is better than silence because silence is more easily and effectively broken with random sounds. When you have sounds playing, the interruption is less noticeable and may not interrupt your sleep at all.
Though many experts find nighttime white noise to be a safe and effective treatment for restlessness, some studies have suggested that repeated use of white noise could be harmful to the body, especially for those who suffer from tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.
You could be at an especially high risk for hearing loss if you listen to sounds with the volume cranked, which can cause damage to the ear's delicate hearing structures.
There isn't likely to be any danger in listening to brown noise for, say, eight hours at a time, Dr. Berlau said, unless someone plays the sound at unsafe volumes (listening to noise above 70 decibels over a long period of time can damage your hearing).
Gray noise is used to treat hyperacusis (intense sensitivity to everyday sounds,) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears.) It is also useful in hearing studies, helping researchers assess how a particular person's hearing differs from the average.
More recently brown noise gathered attention that this may be helpful for ADHD symptoms and sleep. Brown noise is mainly using lower frequencies, creating lower-pitched noises that sound more pleasant to some.
People who find their focus or concentration improves with low-level background brown noise may just be benefiting from “sound masking”: “The sound blocks out other sounds so you're less distracted.” This is probably also why people report improved sleep with brown noise. There may be some placebo effect, too.
White noise has positive effects on ADHD and cognitive performance.
Green – Quiet and restful, green is a soothing color that can invite harmony and diffuse anxiety. Blue – A highly peaceful color, blue can be especially helpful for stress management because it can encourage a powerful sense of calm. Purple – In many cultures, shades of violet represent strength, wisdom and peace.
Brown boost
Because the emphasis is more on base notes, brown noise helps build the architecture of sleep. It also helps ease a tired mind, making it most suitable for people who are prone to overthinking. “Brown noise such as the sound of strong winds, thunder, or a heavy downpour is recommended.
Many people with tinnitus, a condition that causes a constant ringing in your ears, prefer the "softer" sounds of brown noise over the sharper frequencies found in white noise, Sarow says. Depending on the severity of your tinnitus, brown noise may reduce the ringing, or eliminate it altogether.
Green noise is a natural and effective way to improve sleep quality and promote relaxation. Its unique sound profile mimics the natural environment, making it a soothing and calming sound that can mask unwanted noises and promote deep sleep.
Rainstorms are a natural form of white noise, helping you block out distractions and relax. You can also use the rain storms for sleeping, studying or to help with stress relief.