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Filed under: Audio, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Productivity, Freeware

Download coffee (or at least its effect)

Sound WavesOkay, there's no doubt this is a quirky download. I'll tell you right now that it's not a software download; this one is a simple sound file. If you're not interested, I suggest you move right on... but if you're interested, check it out.

Stefanos Karagos posted about a 20 MB MP3 sound file he created that exploits the brain's Frequency Following Response to give the listener a boost of energy, similar to what you'd experience from drinking a coffee. The instructions for use are quite simple; use stereo headphones, only play it once in a session (don't let it loop), and adjust the volume to a comfortable level.

The sound file sounds like a nature tape (birds chirping, etc) mixed with what seems like random noise at a very slowly escalating pitch. I was surprised how much it affected me; a couple of times I found myself actually becoming anxious, before realizing that I was simply being manipulated (by my own doing) by a sound file. Crazy, eh?

If you're skeptical or simply want to learn more about what this is all about, the site contains a very nice description of the theories involved. Also, there is a warning that explains who shouldn't attempt to use this sound file due to the techniques it uses.
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