Under the patronage of the Dean of the College of Science for Women, Professor Dr. Sameera Naji Khdim, the Continuing Education Unit, in cooperation with the Department of Physics, organized a workshop entitled “Digital Drugs”. The workshop was presented by Dr. Sama Hikmat Abdulwahab from the Department of Physics and attended by a number of students from the same department.
This workshop, considered one of the distinguished awareness events held for the first time within the Department of Physics, addressed a topic of growing concern among youth. It aimed to increase awareness of the risks associated with digital drugs—a phenomenon that necessitates preventive education. The workshop introduced the concept of digital drugs, explained their dangers, traced their historical development, and warned against the platforms used to promote them. It also compared digital drugs with traditional narcotics in terms of their types and associated risks.
The workshop defined digital drugs—also known as binaural beats—as sound waves or tones capable of inducing changes in brain activity, leading to altered or diminished states of consciousness similar to those caused by conventional drug use. It clarified the mechanism by which these drugs operate: relying on intense musical doses that generate a temporary feeling of happiness and affect mood, mimicking the influence of substances such as cocaine and cannabis. These auditory experiences can create illusions for the listener, shifting them from a conscious to a subconscious state, which ultimately results in psychological and physical imbalance.
The session included two definitions of digital drugs: one from a physical perspective and the other from a medical standpoint. Physically, digital drugs are described as specially formatted MP3 audio files developed by commercial websites using open-source technology, and marketed under the label of “digital drugs.” These files can be downloaded and played on various devices. Medically, they were explained as auditory frequencies that impact the brain, which in turn attempts to compensate for them, producing a fleeting sense of enjoyment and relaxation. The workshop proceeded to outline the historical development of this type of drug.
The speaker highlighted the negative impact of digital drugs on the nervous system and mental health, ultimately posing a broader social threat. The session concluded with several recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of addiction, such as enhancing social communication skills, fostering self-esteem, encouraging youth engagement in sports and volunteer activities, promoting self-development through the acquisition of new skills, and raising awareness and knowledge among young people.
