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A recent study conducted by a team from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has revealed that pink noise — soothing sounds such as flowing water, rainfall, or rustling leaves, often used to promote relaxation — may have negative effects on both physical and brain health.

Researchers reached these conclusions after monitoring 25 adults for seven nights in a sleep laboratory. Participants were exposed to various sound stimuli, including aircraft noise, pink noise, and the use of earplugs. Scientists measured sleep depth as well as concentration levels upon waking.

According to findings published in the scientific journal Sleep, aircraft noise deprives individuals of approximately 23 minutes of deep sleep — the stage during which the brain clears physiological waste. Pink noise, meanwhile, reduces rapid eye movement (REM) sleep by about 19 minutes. REM sleep is a crucial phase associated with emotionally driven dreams, motor skill development, and brain growth. It is named for the rapid movement of the eyes beneath closed eyelids.

The study also showed that combining pink noise with aircraft noise leads to a significant decline in sleep quality and an increase in awakenings. In contrast, earplugs proved effective in preventing the loss of deep sleep phases.

The head of the research team stated, via the website “Health Day,” that exposure to these broad-spectrum sounds could be harmful to health, particularly for children whose brains are still developing and who require longer periods of REM sleep compared to adults.

In conclusion, the study advises caution in relying on such devices as substitutes for naturally quiet sleep, given the disruptions they may cause to the delicate balance between essential sleep stages necessary for proper mental and physical functioning.