White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014) • Hacker News Board

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#11

Post by tyjen » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 5:20 PM UTC

Noise in general helps in several area in my life:

  - Working out, pump up music for motivation. 
  - Cleaning or chores, enjoyable music or podcasts for motivation or filling space.
  - Light, shallow work, lo-fi to upbeat chill without vocals for motivation and masking environmental noise.
  - Deep, concentrated work, white or pink noise for masking environmental noise. Depending on the task, I will opt for silence.

To further explain white or pink noise use benefits in my case, they provide subtle stimulation and are minor distractions if I concentrate on them. However, the utility gained from masking environmental noise exceeds the utility loss in the rare moments that I shift focus to the white or pink noise, so I think it's a net positive for me.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#12

Post by usrbinbash » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 5:21 PM UTC

White noise is fine and all, but nothing beats a good old 10h Server-Room Humming video.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#13

Post by bduerst » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 5:33 PM UTC

usrbinbash wrote: post #12

White noise is fine and all, but nothing beats a good old 10h Server-Room Humming video.

The Star Trek: TNG engine room ambiance is up there.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#14

Post by tyjen » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 5:33 PM UTC

amelius wrote: post #4

> dopaminergic midbrain Could white noise also help with addiction?

I don't think so.

Any music can stimulate the release of dopamine and I would argue that white noise would be on the lower end of that comparison. Plus, the amount of dopamine released from listening to music or white noise would be trivial compared to drugs, alcohol, binge eating, nicotine, video games, or binge-watching TV. And, the tricky thing about addictions is that they're easier to replace than to simply stop, so it's important to find a healthier replacement and then try to taper the newer behavior. I don't see white noise helping directly with addictions because of how imbalanced they are as stimulation sources.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#15

Post by earedpiece » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 5:34 PM UTC

Makes sense, since Nikola Tesla said, "If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration".

Probably sound vibrations, create an orchestra which is pleasant for the mind, althogh this is pure speculation.

I would love top scientist to do more research in this area.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#16

Post by SubiculumCode » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 5:48 PM UTC

There are several instances that I know about of machine learning / signal processing methods ( for example empirical mode decomposition) that purposely inject noise into the algorithm to improve accuracy / fidelity / independence. I'm sure that others here can provide better examples than I.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#17

Post by amelius » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 5:52 PM UTC

tyjen wrote: post #14

amelius wrote: post #4

> dopaminergic midbrain Could white noise also help with addiction?

I don't think so. Any music can stimulate the release of dopamine and I would argue that white noise would be on the lower end of that comparison. Plus, the amount of dopamine released from listening to music or white noise would be trivial compared to drugs, alcohol, binge eating, nicotine, video games, or binge-watching TV. And, the tricky thing about addictions is that they're easier to replace than to simply stop…

Ok, but perhaps you could listen longer to it, e.g. while sleeping.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#18

Post by executesorder66 » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 6:01 PM UTC

I've always been confused by people that enjoy white noise. It's awful.

Here is a sample from the wikipedia page on white noise :

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AWhite...

Does anyone genuinely enjoy listening to that?

On the other hand, even though I don't, I could imagine why someone might like Brown noise (sounds almost like the ocean) :

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3ABrown...

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#19

Post by avgDev » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 6:03 PM UTC

tines wrote: post #9

Possibly the same reason why people like to listen to music while working? The essential feature common to white noise and music you're familiar with could be the predictability. I know for me a good song (uptempo, not too distracting) can help me block out the outside world and make me feel very productive.

Music with words distracts me as I like to 'understand' songs and just enjoy the message.

I tried electronic music and as a European it really makes me want to dance, hah.

By far the best music for me is classical music. It literally makes tedious things like writing emails, documenting and coding much more enjoyable.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#20

Post by gremlinsinc » Tue, Mar 08, 2022, 6:06 PM UTC

I prefer soft 8D audio for concentration/work-mode on alexa speaker.

If I'm anxious - more upbeat sounds and pop/rock songs like Linkin Park or Imagine Dragons, w/ headphones.

Closing your eyes is needed and just follow the music as it makes you feel a little dizzy. I never understood 'ASMR' until I found this music thing, really feels trippy. Helps a lot w/ my autism/ADHD.