Sleep with background sound (white noise, pink noise, or targeted auditory stimulation) rather than in complete silence, in order to respect our biological evolution and to optimize our deep sleep as well as our memory.

noli's read

The idea that our brain did not evolve in absolute silence is based on anthropological observations of hunter-gatherer populations such as the Hadza, who are accustomed to shared sound environments. Regarding the optimization of sleep, randomized controlled trials (such as the work of Dr. Malkani at Northwestern University) confirm that targeted pink noise acoustic stimulations synchronized to brain waves can amplify deep sleep and consolidate memory. However, the use of continuous background noise at home is a more nuanced approach. A recent clinical study conducted by Dr. Basner (Penn Medicine, 2026) revealed that playing continuous pink noise all night could reduce REM sleep, which is nevertheless essential for mental recovery. Finally, a systematic review of the research (by Riedy and colleagues) shows that the evidence for the efficacy of classic white noise in improving overall sleep quality remains generally of low quality. In summary, targeted sound stimulation in the laboratory is promising, but constant background noise at home can sometimes disrupt the natural architecture of rest.

the sources

1. 1Lan L, Tsuzuki K, Liu YF, Lian ZW. 2017
2. 2Brown TM et al. 2022