Digital Drugs: Reality or Just a Psychological Illusion?

Digital Drugs Rely on Dual-Frequency Music                                                                            

Digital Drugs: Reality or Just a Psychological Illusion?

A phenomenon known as digital drugs has emerged. These are audio clips with mysterious frequencies, which promoters claim can put the listener in a state of euphoria similar to the effects of traditional drugs. This phenomenon has raised questions about the authenticity of this effect.

Gamal Farweez, a professor of psychiatry at Cairo University, described digital drugs as "audio clips containing dual-frequency sound, known as binaural beats, which are listened to using headphones by sending different frequencies to each ear. It is believed that the difference between the two frequencies leads to a change in brain activity, causing feelings of euphoria, relaxation, or even hallucinations—conditions similar to the effects of traditional drugs."

He added that with the rise of short video platforms like TikTok and YouTube, these clips have found their way to teenagers on a massive scale. Videos with provocative titles like "Try Ecstasy Without Drugs" or "Legal Use Through Earphones" are circulating. These catchy titles have fueled the curiosity of thousands of teenagers to try it, and from there, the debate began to expand.

Psychological Impact

Farouz pointed out that the greatest danger in this phenomenon is not biological, but rather psychological and social. He explained, "So far, reliable scientific studies have not proven that these frequencies have a chemical effect on the brain similar to drugs.

 What happens in many cases is that the teenager enters the experience convinced by what they have heard about the effects of these sounds. This creates what is known as autosuggestion, meaning that the mind convinces the body that it is experiencing a state of euphoria or relaxation."

He added, "This psychological suggestion may later push some to seek out more powerful and realistic experiences, which could open the door to actual drug use. Hence, the danger becomes more social and educational than medical."

From a technical perspective, technology and digital content expert Muhammad Hussein believes that the spread of the phenomenon is due to the working mechanisms of digital platforms. He explains that "controversial phenomena always quickly find their way to the trend, because TikTok and YouTube algorithms reward content that arouses curiosity and achieves high viewership rates. Clips like digital drugs fulfill this condition perfectly, as users log in to try them themselves, even if they don't believe in their effects."

He points out that most of those who watch these clips do so out of curiosity, not for the purpose of entertainment. He notes that "human curiosity is the fuel for the spread of this phenomenon, and with the absence of parental oversight or weak digital awareness in schools, teenagers become more likely to believe everything published online."

To date, neither the World Health Organization nor major medical centers have included digital drugs on their list of scientifically proven health risks. Some small studies have indicated that they may help reduce anxiety or improve sleep when used correctly, but they have not confirmed their ability to induce euphoria similar to that of drugs.