Does Sound Healing Actually Work?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Sound Healing Session Like?How Does It Work?What Does Sound Healing Do?Why Is Sound Healing So Popular Today?Safety Considerations and Guidelines

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is a Sound Healing Session Like?

How Does It Work?

What Does Sound Healing Do?

Why Is Sound Healing So Popular Today?

Safety Considerations and Guidelines

Close

We already know thatmusiccan have a major impact on our mood. Fast beats pump us up and motivate us to work out, slow songs make us feel wistful and melancholic, and soothing music helps us drift off tosleep.

And what is music, but a collection of sounds? Sounds have vibrations that affect us on a neurological, physiological, and biochemical level.

Sound healing is an ancient practice that harnesses the power of sound vibrations to promote healing and relaxation.

If you’ve come across the concept of sound healing or if you’re thinking of doing a session, you’re probably wondering what it involves and what to expect.

At a Glance

Sound vibrations have a pretty powerful effect on our minds and bodies. Research shows us that sound healing can slow down our brain waves and put our bodies in a very relaxed, dreamlike state. It may also be able to help with certain physical and mental health conditions.

What Exactly Does a Sound Healing Session Involve?

Sound healing sessions are often referred to as sound baths because the idea is to bathe in the sounds and let them wash over you.

“Asound bathis a deeply immersive, full-body listening experience that uses sound and simple mindfulness techniques to invite gentle yet powerful therapeutic and restorative processes to the mind and body,” saysSara Auster, a sound therapist, meditation teacher, and author of “Sound Bath: Meditate, Heal, and Connect Through Listening.

Sound healing sessions can be private or as part of a group. Each person sits or lies down on a yoga mat or meditation carpet. The therapist may offer you an eye mask, neck pillow, cushion, or blanket, to help you get comfortable.

Auster explains that over the course of the session, the therapist will guide you to focus on sounds like their voice, your breath, and a variety of overtone-emitting instruments, such as:

The sounds aren’t melodious likemusic, so you’ll be disappointed if you’re expecting a harmonious symphony. However, the sounds are pretty powerful and if you concentrate, you can often feel them as well as hear them.

While sound healing often creates a deep sense of relaxation, it can sometimes get pretty intense. You might find yourself feeling happy, angry, sad, or upset about the thoughts or memories that come up for you. It’s also totally fine tocryduring the session. In fact, it can be quite cathartic.

Sound healing is an invitation into a deeper state of consciousness, where you unplug from external stimuli and focus on what’s going on within you.—SARA AUSTER, SOUND THERAPIST

Sound healing is an invitation into a deeper state of consciousness, where you unplug from external stimuli and focus on what’s going on within you.

—SARA AUSTER, SOUND THERAPIST

Each session can last up to an hour. After the session, the therapist will guide you to sit up into a comfortable position and drink some water, to help you stay hydrated.

5 Meditation Techniques to Get You Started

How Does Sound Healing Work Scientifically?

Sound impacts us on an elemental level. In fact, research shows us that sounds consist of vibrations that affect us on a cellular level, impacting brain, nerve, muscle, and organ function.

For instance, the sound of nails screeching on a chalkboard sets our teeth on edge and raises the hair on the back of our necks; whereas, a loud crash startles us, causing us to jump in fear. However, the sound of the waves soothes us and a melodious chime puts us in a good mood. These reactions involve neural, physiological, and biochemical reactions within the body, as our minds and bodies sync to the vibrations of the sound.

Sound healing aims to channel the power of these sound vibrations, for relaxation and healing.

A 2020 review notes that sound therapy can significantly alter brain waves, changing agitated wave patterns to exceptionally calm wave forms.As our brain waves slow down, we shift from an active state to a more relaxed, dreamlike state, says Auster.In this state, our breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure decrease.This helps our immune system function more efficiently, reduces ourstress hormones, and triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, Auster explains.

A 2020 review notes that sound therapy can significantly alter brain waves, changing agitated wave patterns to exceptionally calm wave forms.As our brain waves slow down, we shift from an active state to a more relaxed, dreamlike state, says Auster.

In this state, our breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure decrease.This helps our immune system function more efficiently, reduces ourstress hormones, and triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, Auster explains.

What Happens to Your Brain When You Listen to Binaural Beats

Research shows us that sound healing might be able to help with:

Sound healing can also be a form ofself-care. A sound bath is a great way to relax, decompress, and focus on listening in order to connect to the present moment, says Auster.

Taking some space from screens, news cycles, work, and family obligations and essentially putting yourself in ‘do not disturb’ mode to bathe in sound can calm the body and mind.—SARA AUSTER, SOUND THERAPIST

Taking some space from screens, news cycles, work, and family obligations and essentially putting yourself in ‘do not disturb’ mode to bathe in sound can calm the body and mind.

Sound healing is a form of therapy that seems to have been practiced across almost every ancient civilization.

It’s gaining popularity today as there is a growing interest inholistic, alternative wellness practices around the world. Like with many alternative practices, a major plus point is that it’s a non-invasive, drug-free approach to better health and well-being.

Besides, emerging research is also helping us understand it and its benefits better.

Most importantly, it’s a calming and soothing experience. Our lives can often get stressful and chaotic, so being able to relax, meditate, connect with ourselves, and release any pent-up emotions can be really refreshing and rejuvenating.

These are some guidelines that can help you practice sound healing safely and comfortably:

Remember that the experience of a sound bath will be very personal to you, your emotional state on that day, your previous traumas, and your lifetime of memories, says Auster. “Each sound bath will also be unique to the person who is facilitating.”

Tarot, Astrology, and Crystals: Why These Practices Are Helpful to Certain People

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Bartel L, Mosabbir A.Possible mechanisms for the effects of sound vibration on human health.Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(5):597. doi:10.3390/healthcare9050597

Seetharaman R, Avhad S, Rane J.Exploring the healing power of singing bowls: An overview of key findings and potential benefits.Explore (NY). 2023;S1550-8307(23)00166-0. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2023.07.007

Jain S, McKusick E, Ciccone L, Sprengel M, Ritenbaugh C.Sound healing reduces generalized anxiety during the pandemic: A feasibility study.Complement Ther Med. 2023;74:102947. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102947

Naghdi L, Ahonen H, Macario P, Bartel L.The effect of low-frequency sound stimulation on patients with fibromyalgia: A clinical study.Pain Res Manag. 2015;20(1):e21-e27. doi:10.1155/2015/375174

Milbury K, Chaoul A, Biegler K, et al.Tibetan sound meditation for cognitive dysfunction: Results of a randomized controlled pilot trial.Psychooncology. 2013;22(10):2354-2363. doi:10.1002/pon.3296

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?