BROWN NOISE

What is Brown Noise

The Quick Answer

Brown noise is a relaxing constant sound.

More Detail...

In late 2022, the hashtag #brownnoise went viral on TikTok. What is about brown noise that got TikTok buzzing?

Like white noise and pink noise, brown noise refers to sounds that appear constant to the human ear. These type of noises, or sonic hues, contain minimal sound variations (i.e., changes in tone and speed) compared with sounds such as speech, singing or music. According to many TikTok users, brown noise is helping them to relax, sleep better, and deal with symptoms of ADHD. Can brown noise really help as they say? Lets take a look at the different types of noise:

White Noise

With white noise, sounds are distributed evenly across high, medium and low frequencies, creating a humming noise, similar to radio static, a fan, or air conditioner.

Pink Noise

With pink noise, the focus is on deeper sounds and lower sound waves, resulting in a lower pitch than white noise. Pink noise sounds like steady rain, or waves on a beach.

Brown Noise

Brown noise emphasizes even lower frequencies than pink noise. It sounds deeper, similar to a rushing river or rough surf.

Interestingly, brown noise does not get its name from the colors of noise, but from the fact that it comes from "Brownian motion," named after Robert Brown, a Scottish botanist, who studied noise fluctuations in the early 19th century. Brown noise is also referred to as red noise.

Can Brown Noise Really Help With ADHD and Sleep Problems?

The impact of brown noise on sleep has not been scientifically proven. However, some studies suggest white and pink noise may help some people to fall asleep quicker, improve sleep quality, and lower ADHD symptoms. The evidence is limited, but the anecdotes are many, especially on TikTok. If you want to give it a go, there are many free noise tracks available online.

Other Colors of Noise

Besides white, pink, and brown noise, there are other color noises that aren't related to relaxation or sleep. These include: blue noise, grey noise, and violet noise.

Image for Brown Noise

When I write Brown Noise, I mean this:

"Sound Played for Relaxation"

Summary of Key Points

"Sound Played for Relaxation" is, by far, the most common meaning for Brown Noise when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)