# White Noise Exemplifies the Constrained Disorder Principle-Based Concept of Overcoming Malfunctions
## 1 Introduction
### Potential Mechanisms Underlying the Positive Effects of WN  
The CDP offers a platform that utilizes variability for the purpose of improvement [6, 65, 76, 77, 148]. It suggests bringing the system closer to its normal physiology by introducing noise where necessary. The exact mechanism behind WN's benefits remains unclear, but they can be attributed to two well-known phenomena: stochastic resonance (SR) and noise masking [3, 149, 150, 151]. Stochastic resonance (SR) is a well-established phenomenon in psychophysics that may explain the positive effects of white noise therapy [152]. Signal recovery (SR) occurs when a signal is too weak to be detected but can be amplified by adding noise. This random noise enhances neural communication through the phenomenon of SR, making the signal easier to detect. In the auditory nerve, many of the nerve fibers have a high spontaneous firing rate in silence, typically reaching up to 100 spikes per second. When there is a very small input of sound energy, the firing rate can increase to 105 spikes per second, indicating that the system is highly sensitive to minor changes. However, the actual signal-to-noise ratio is quite low, meaning that most of the detected signals are actually noise [153, 154]. When unpredictable noise, such as WN, increases, it leads to a higher signal transmission and detection level, resulting in a better SNR [150, 155]. The SR effect is influenced by both signal level and noise, following an inverted U-shaped curve where performance is highest at moderate noise levels [156, 157, 158]. Moderate levels of WN can enhance performance by providing enough power to elevate the signal above the detection threshold [150, 159, 160]. SR has several limitations, including the inverted U-curve dependency on noise levels [159]. This concept aligns with the CDP-based method of using noise to address malfunctions, and the noise needs to be constrained for optimal effects [6]. The CDP specifies various noise levels essential for optimal system performance, emphasizing the importance of dynamic noise boundaries to regulate noise levels and ensure effective adaptation to different environments [1, 6, 21, 69, 70, 71, 72]. Similarly, if there is too much WN, it can overpower the signal and hinder attention and performance [159]. It supports the CDP-based concept of a dynamic zone and suggests that an optimal level of variability is necessary for achieving peak performance. According to the CDP, the required degree of variability is influenced by both internal and external disruptions to systems [4, 5, 161]. SR attempts to clarify the paradox that the brain uses WN to differentiate between targeted stimuli and non-target noise. The central nervous system can distinguish the actual signal--representing the information being conveyed--from noise, which includes undefined neural inputs that can interfere with this signal. By modifying neural synchronization, specific brain regions responsible for certain functions can create transient networks that enhance perception, cognition, or action. Consequently, random noise can improve the detection of weak sensory signals, a phenomenon explained by [PERSON] [162, 163, 164]. WN masking is based on the idea that the brain tends to focus on recognizable patterns, such as speech, while filtering out indistinct sounds, like static noise [3; 165; 166]. Noise masking involves introducing low-level, random background white noise that corresponds to the frequencies of human speech, making it particularly useful in environments like workplaces. It is crucial to manage the volume and frequency of the added noise effectively. The noise should be loud enough to obscure conversations within a certain distance. Still, if it is too noisy, the brain may find it difficult to ignore, potentially disrupting other cognitive processes. When correctly managed, WN can mask speech without distracting or irritating the listener [79; 100].