What Are Subliminals And Do They Work (In-Depth Explanation)


You might be new to subliminals or you have just discovered them so you might want to know what are subliminals and how do subliminals work? You might know that companies in adverts often use subliminal messages through either visual or auditory signals. 

For example, a subliminal message could be a picture of a burger popping up in a fast-food advert, but it’s so quick that you don’t see it yet shortly after, you might find yourself craving some food.

There are many contrasting opinions surrounding subliminal messages. Some people view them as a type of mind control that can manipulate us or change our behaviour. However, others believe that subliminal messages can be used more positively, such as helping our minds be programmed towards success and removing negative habits. 

But what precisely are subliminal messages? And do they work? There is a lot of research and scientific evidence on the effectiveness of these messages and how it works, which this article will consider further. 

What Are Subliminals?

Subliminal messages are sensory stimuli beneath an individual’s threshold for conscious perception, mainly audio and visual. They are designed to reprogram the subconscious mind to change behaviour, habits, emotions and physical attributes.

The first step to explaining what are subliminals is to understand how they differ from supraliminal messages. These are two things that people often mix up. Supraliminal messages are signals that we actively see or hear. But, we don’t consciously recognise how these signals are affecting our behaviour. 

For instance, a superstore can select and change its music to control what customers buy. Therefore, people can hear the music and recognise it, but they won’t realise it’s influencing their behaviour. Subliminal messages also influence us without us knowing. However, the stimuli are something that we cannot consciously be aware of or perceive. Even if you go searching for the signal, you won’t find it. 

For example, it could be an image flashing on the screen for a couple of milliseconds. Even if you go through a show and continuously pause the screen to find it, you won’t be able to. It’s because the window it appears in is too small and fast for you to recognise consciously. 

What Are Audio Subliminals?

Subliminal messages can also be auditory but must be at wavelengths below the range of detection of a human, at a frequency of 17500 Hz. Alternatively, they may be put underneath different sounds and music to make them more enjoyable for the listener. 

You won’t be able to discern subliminal messages consciously, yet you will absorb them, and they will influence your behaviour and thoughts. Audio subliminals are generally the kind of subliminals that people are utilising to reprogram their subconscious mind to achieve new goals, remove bad habits, and even change a physical appearance. 

These types of subliminals have been found to be very effective in reprogramming someone’s subconscious mind. The subliminal affirmations are designed to change and influence the part of the mind that holds our habits, beliefs, emotions and actions.

These subliminals are a series of affirmations or statements that describe one particular change or transformation spoken at a frequency below hearing at approximately 17500 Hz. The affirmations, for example, will describe one particular goal, such as weight loss, achieving money or growing taller. 

The subliminal track will be either MP3 or WAV format and have music or sound effects over the top of the subliminal track. You’re reprogrammed by the subliminal messaging underneath the music, and your conscious hearing only listens to the music.

Therefore, what are subliminals? they are affirmations played at a frequency under conscious threshold.

If you’re in interested using subliminals check out my shop of unique and powerful subliminals that make it easier to achieve your desires. All my subliminal tracks focus on 1 specific goal that have powerful and effective affirmations designed to encourage your subconscious mind to make the transformation.

How Do Subliminals Work?

Audio subliminals work by using affirmations that are played at a frequency below the standard hearing threshold. They play at this frequency, so the affirmations and statements can bypass the conscious and reasoning part of your mind. 

Therefore, how do subliminals work is down to the subconscious because it doesn’t challenge or reject the affirmation you are trying to impress into the subconscious. Because the conscious mind cannot hear the subliminals playing, all the words and statements from the track enter the subconscious mind, and the reprogramming process begins.

Nevertheless, the subconscious mind is now receiving all of the affirmations and statements towards the goal or desire you are trying to make. It still takes a lot of time for the subconscious mind to be reprogrammed. 

Generally, subliminals take approximately 22 days up to 66 days for any transformation to be detected. The more stubborn your subconscious mind, the longer it takes for the reprogramming to happen. 

Yet, specific subliminal messages can work really fast, and you can notice results within a matter of days; however, subliminal messages such as physical transformations or becoming a millionaire can take years to achieve.

Do Subliminals Work?

Research suggests that subliminal messages may influence thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. Listening to subliminal messages every night for a minimum of 30 minutes will make them work better. Furthermore, the subliminal must be specific to your goals, desires and dreams or your subconscious won’t be motivated to make the change.

The first case of subliminal messaging being used in advertising was back in 1957 in New JerseyA marketing expert, James Vicary, made adverts flash on a movie theatre screen every five seconds during a famous film called Picnic. The adverts were for Coca-Cola and popcorn.

The adverts would flash up in the blink of an eye, for 1/3000th of a second, to be precise, so people’s minds wouldn’t be able to detect it. 

However, it was suggested that after using this advertising method, the sales of the products in the advert increased. This caused a stir in the journalism world, with some fearing the idea of having their minds persuaded by these hidden factors. 

Reports and books were made about these advertising methods, claiming that they manipulated people to buy things they didn’t want to. There were a lot of negative opinions and concerns around subliminal messages, and Congress even held meetings about them.

Nevertheless, five years after Vicary released these results, he admitted that the whole experiment never happened and was fake. He made up the entire thing to benefit his own business. Despite this, the fear around subliminal messages continued, and in 1974 a public notice was released by the Federal Communications Commission. 

They said that the First Amendment would not protect those who used subliminal messages as they were “contrary to the public interest” and were “intended to be deceptive.” 

Subliminal messaging was then not widely used by advertisers, mainly because many people found it didn’t work. For example, one broadcasting company made the words “Telephone Now” flash on the screen 352 times during a broadcast, yet they received no calls.

When Is The Best Time To Listen To Subliminals? 

In general, the best time to listen to subliminal messages is just before and during sleep. Your subconscious mind is relaxed and can be reprogrammed and influenced easier because the brain activity is lower, making your subliminal affirmations more likely to work. 

However, there is no definitive answer since everyone’s schedule, and daily routine differs. The most critical aspect of subliminal working is you listen at least once a day for 30 minutes. Here are some general suggestions that can help you determine when the best time to listen to subliminals would be for you.

If you are looking to improve your productivity during the day and complete your tasks faster, listening to subliminals in the morning might be appropriate. This is because your brain is still fresh, and you will be able to better focus on the subliminal messages making them more impactful for when you need them.

If you want to de-stress before bed and get a great night’s sleep, it might be a good idea to listen to subliminals at night. Your mind will be less focused on life’s problems and will be more open to receiving messages. Furthermore, your brain activity slows down, and your subconscious opens up, making it the best time to reprogram the mind. 

If you are looking for a boost in motivation, it might be best to listen to subliminals in the afternoon or evening rather than first thing in the morning. This is because your mind may be too tired from dealing with the stresses of daily life in the morning.

Nevertheless, you must be fully focused and relaxed whenever you choose to listen to subliminals—suggesting that you should avoid listening to them while doing other activities, such as driving or working. It is also best to find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Read this article to learn everything you need to know regarding the power of subliminals and sleep.

Are Subliminals Scientifically Proven?

Studies on subliminal messages have been done in science labs. One study experimented with images of Coca-Cola cans and text saying “thirsty” would flash onto the screen a dozen times each during an episode of The Simpsons. 

Those who took part in the experiment were found to be 27% thirstier, on average, after watching the show and the control group reported to be less thirsty. Another study experimented with images of Lipton iced tea that would flash on the screen while participants took part in a computer task. 

Afterwards, when asked to choose a drink, participants were found to be more likely to pick Lipton iced tea over any other beverage. However, it was found that this result was only seen when people were already thirsty.

This research has shown that subliminal messaging in advertising does work, however, primarily only when the viewer is in the mood for the thing that is being advertised. So, for it to work the most, they need to trigger a desire that already exists. 

For example, the viewer needs to be already hungry for a subliminal message showing a burger to be effective.Something else that scientists have found about subliminal messages is that, while they can have an influence on the viewer, that control won’t last very long. 

Usually, the influence of the message will only continue for a maximum of 25 minutes after it has been delivered.To summarise, subliminal messages do have an influence on people, and they can encourage individuals to do things such as buy a particular product. 

However, they aren’t strong enough to make people do something they don’t want to. For example, they can’t make someone vote for a political candidate they don’t like, and they are unlikely to make someone who isn’t hungry want food suddenly. Instead, they help to promote and tap into a desire that is already there.

Are Subliminals Dangerous For Your Mind?

There is no scientific evidence that proves subliminal messages are unsafe. Suggesting, subliminal messages are safe to use as most creators have honest intentions. However, always resect the creator and make sure the subliminal affirmations are what you want your subconscious mind to repeatedly hear.

Ultimately, your mind is incredibly powerful and can reject any subliminal messages that could be potentially harmful. Studies have revealed that regularly using subliminal messages does not impact the brain’s structure or plasticity. After MRI scans, people listening to subliminal messages, the research showed no damage to the individual’s brain. 

Subliminal messages are no more than words or statements that describe ways to transform or achieve the goals you desire. Like listening to an audiobook or podcast, subliminal messages do the same thing and only impact the thoughts and reasoning sections of the brain.

The source of subliminal messaging came with the concept you could sell a product or influence thinking by flashing images or words on a screen so fast that they pass under the awareness of consciousness or the boundary of perception.

The results seemed consistent enough to advertisers, so they bought into it. But promoters quickly identified the mind as far more intelligent, and it never manifested as they envisioned. Studies into the effectiveness of subliminal messages have varied drastically in their methods.

So have the findings. With the on-and-off interest in the subject over the decades, some things about subliminal messages began to develop, and their safety was challenged.

However, people have been using subliminal messages for many years and have received incredible results and change various aspects of their lives for the better. To find out if there are any hidden dangers, check out this article. 

How Many Subliminals Can You Listen To At Once?

On average, there isn’t an exact number of subliminal that you can listen to at once, but some studies revealed around 4 subliminals playlists in a 90 minute period is ideal. Each subliminal playlist should have between 12 – 15 affirmations describing one specific goal or change.

If you bombard your subconscious mind with multiple subliminals, it doesn’t know which subliminals to focus on. Ideally, you want to create a subliminal playlist with a maximum of 4 subliminal tracks that relate to one specific goal or transformation. To find out how you can listen to multiple subliminals at once.

Once you produce the perfect subliminal playlist, your subconscious mind can then concentrate on that one clear goal, and this is where the power of subliminals happens. For example, 

  • The primary goal – attract money, wealth and abundance.
  • Construct 12 money affirmations that defines the exact goal and desires in detail.
  • Create a subliminal track with your affirmations, including relaxing or concentration music, lasting approximately 15-30 minutes.
  • Repeat the process with three additional tracks, ensuring all your tracks relate to your primary goal.
  • Listen while you sleep to capture the subconscious mind being reprogrammed and influenced. 

I would advise if your new to Subliminals to only list to one playlist each day or until you achieve your goal. Then the more experienced you become you can add a second, third and four playlist to your sessions. I never play more that 4 different playlist in one day and sometime only listen to 2 if I feel the subconscious mind really needs to focus on the goal more.

Are Subliminal Results Permanent?

In general, permanent change from using subliminal messages will only impact mental transformations such as habits, beliefs, thoughts, emotions and addiction, in the short term. Physical appearance alterations that impact our genetic structure, DNA, bone formation, face structure or appearance can become permanent when results arrive.

While there is some evidence that subliminal messaging can produce lasting results, more research is needed to confirm this. But many individuals have had great success with subliminal, especially if they believe and desire the change.

One study, for example, uncovered that subliminal messages could increase the likelihood of sticking to a diet plan. Participants were shown images of popular food items, which flashed very quickly. Later, participants chose an apple instead of a chocolate bar. This suggests that subliminal works by planting ideas in the subconscious to encourage positive behaviour or motivate actions.

Another study found that subliminal could be effective at helping people become positive. In this investigation, participants listened to subliminal audio that described them as positive, happy and upbeat. After listening for 30 minutes, they stated improved mood and superb attitude towards the day.

While these studies provide some evidence that subliminal messaging can have a lasting impact. I have an entire article that examines exactly what makes subliminal results permanent and why.

How Long Do Subliminals Take To Work

Subliminal messages can take anywhere between 22-66 days to have a noticeable effect. Some people see results within just a couple of days, while others may require more time for their mindsets and beliefs around the subliminal process. Physical subliminals typically take longer than mindset Subliminals.

Nevertheless, it relies on how quickly you believe that you can transform or achieve the physical change. It also naturally varies depending upon which part of the brain gets excited by hearing those subliminal affirmations. And how consistent you are at playing the same subliminal playlist even when results seem like they will never appear.

If you only listen to your subliminal recording once, there will be no change whatsoever, regardless of how badly you want that goal. But if you engage yourself in the material and think about the messages while playing it, even an hour or two each day, then you can expect to see results within a week or two.

Some people might find that they experience changes more quickly than others, but this is anticipated as everyone is different and responds in various ways. Just be patient, stay focused, and continue practising and you should see the changes you want pretty quickly.

In most cases, the effects from a Subliminal will start to show within a few hours of listening to it, with most people noticing changes after just one or two sessions. However, the specific length of time it takes before seeing results varies from person to person and depends on how frequently you listen to the recording.

Some people notice that they need to listen to a Subliminal every day to see results, while others find that once or twice a week is enough. It really depends on the individual and what they are trying to achieve with the Subliminal. As with anything else, practice makes perfect, so make sure you stick with it and be patient. You will see changes if you are consistent!

However, If your looking for more ways to speed up your subliminals working a highly recommended checking these 15 tips to make your subliminals work faster.

What Are Subliminals & How Do Subliminals Work Summary

Hopefully you have enjoyed this article and know know what are subliminals and how do subliminals work. Subliminal messages can be used to transform your life, mindset, thinking and physical changes. There are many methods to utilise subliminals, but the most powerful way is through listening.

Listen before and during sleep for a minimum of 22 days to get the best results, and use headphones to booster the frequencies directly into your subconscious.

Mindset subliminals work faster than physical changes because they help with emotional blocks, including fear or anxiety. Physical changes such as height can take years or longer, so be aware they are not easy subliminals to get results from. But before you start to listen to your subliminal records, check out my shop for the best subliminals or personalised services.

David Curran

Hi I'm David Curran, I'm passionate about learning everything I can about our minds' power and how we can transform our thoughts, happiness, and results. I believe everything we require to become happy and successful already exits within us. We just need a little help to discover it. This website is where I share everything I learn and practice to transform every aspect of my life.

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