Scientists Challenge Pink Noise Benefits: Deep Sleep and REM Affected

Pink noise, a sound many people play to mask background disturbances and promote sleep, may actually worsen sleep quality. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, working with colleagues from Europe and Canada, found that pink noise reduced time spent in essential sleep stages, including deep sleep. The study appeared in the journal Sleep. Why Pink Noise Sounds Different Pink noise differs from white noise because it carries more energy at lower frequencies. This characteristic gives it a softer and more natural sound, often compared to rainfall or a waterfall. Many sleep apps and sound devices market pink noise as a tool for better rest, yet recent findings challenge those claims. Laboratory Study Reveals Sleep Disruptions Scientists tested how various sounds influenced the sleep of 25 adults. Participants spent seven nights in a controlled laboratory environment where researchers played different background conditions: pink noise at 50 dB, aircraft noise, a combination of both, or complete silence. After waking, participants completed cognitive tests and evaluated their sleep quality.