Is bilateral stimulation the same as EMDR?

On Spotify and Apple Music, it's my bilateral tracks that do best, and a lot of them have "EMDR" in the title because that's what people search for. So it's only fair to be clear: listening to bilateral music is not the same as having EMDR therapy.

What bilateral stimulation is

Bilateral stimulation simply means something that alternates between your left and right side in a steady rhythm. In my tracks it's sound: a soft tone, a drum or a heartbeat that moves from one ear to the other, left, right, left, right, usually somewhere between once every two seconds and a little faster than once a second. You need stereo headphones to hear it move.

Many people find that slow, predictable back-and-forth calming. It gives the mind something gentle to follow, a bit like watching waves or rocking a chair.

What EMDR is

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It's a structured psychological therapy developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, delivered by a trained therapist over a series of sessions. While you recall a difficult memory in a carefully guided way, the therapist uses bilateral stimulation, originally side-to-side eye movements, and nowadays sometimes taps or alternating tones through headphones.

In the UK, NICE recommends EMDR for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder after non-combat trauma, and it's available through the NHS. The therapy is in the structure, the preparation and the trained person guiding it. The bilateral sound is just one tool within it.

So how do they fit together?

• Bilateral music on its own is not therapy. It won't process trauma, and it isn't a substitute for treatment.
• It can be a calming companion. People use it to unwind, to read or work to, or to settle before sleep.
• If you're in EMDR therapy, some therapists use audio bilateral stimulation in or between sessions. Ask yours whether a track like mine would help, and follow their advice.
• If you're struggling with trauma or anxiety, please talk to your GP. EMDR and other proven therapies are available, and you deserve proper support.

Listening well

Use stereo headphones, keep the volume comfortable, and choose a speed that feels restful rather than busy. In the mixer you can pick the sound (soft tone, singing bowl, drum or heartbeat) and set how fast it moves from side to side, so it's easy to find what feels right for you.

For relaxation, not a medical treatment. If you're struggling, please talk to your GP or a qualified therapist.