Some of the science
Reduction in Stress and Anxiety
• Study Example: A 2016 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that participants who experienced a 60-minute sound meditation with singing bowls reported significantly less tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood afterward.
• Mechanism: The soothing, repetitive tones may stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body relax and reduce cortisol levels.
Lowering of Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
Some studies and observational reports have shown that sound baths may help reduce physiological markers of stress like heart rate and blood pressure, likely due to the meditative state induced by the sounds.
Enhanced Mood and Emotional Well-Being
Participants in sound bath sessions often report feeling calmer, more grounded, or emotionally “cleansed” after a session.
• These effects may be related to the way sound influences brainwave states, shifting the brain into theta or delta waves associated with deep relaxation or meditation.
Improved Sleep
People who regularly attend sound baths often report better sleep quality, possibly due to reduced anxiety and stress, and the induction of deep relaxation.
Pain Management
A 2018 study published in Pain Research and Management found that sound therapy may help with chronic pain, potentially by distracting the brain and altering the perception of pain.