The Science Behind Sound Medicine

Sound is such an integral part of our lives. We listen to music when we want to relax after a long day at work, we’re feeling emotional or we’re excitedly getting ready to go out with our friends. Natural sounds are like anchors, whether it’s hearing bird chirping as we get up early in the morning or we’re sitting on the beach listening to the lapping of the waves. 

If we look a bit deeper, we discover that sound is a form of medicine. Something profound happens in our minds and bodies when we listen to therapeutic sounds. This isn’t new. Ancient civilisations have used sound as a healing tool, from vocal toning in Ancient Egypt to Shamanic rhythmic drumming. 

In the modern day, we are looking for scientific evidence that backs up this ancient wisdom. We can observe how people respond to therapeutic sounds such as crystal singing bowls. They go from alert and anxious to restful and relaxed as their nervous system switches from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic. The brain waves are part of this too. They go from beta (alertness) to alpha (calm), theta (meditative) and potentially even delta (deep sleep). Some have found this impact so intriguing that they have studied it and come up with amazing discoveries.  

3 fascinating explorations into sound healing

Sound as medicine is something that is being studied because the observational effects are far too powerful to ignore. There are studies showing that singing bowls can alleviate anxiety and depression and improve the quality of sleep and cognitive function, listening to nature sounds can decrease heart rate, and music therapy can help with the management of chronic pain. More findings come out all the time. There are three explorations into sound medicine that I find particularly interesting…

Bio-Tuning & nervous system balancing

Dr Jeffrey Thompson, director of the Center for Neuroacoustic Research, is a big name in sound medicine as he has been exploring the therapeutic benefits of sound since the 1980s. He has composed musical tracks with specific frequencies to support sleep enhancement, physical, mental and emotional healing, and memory and learning which are popular around the world. He is known for his Bio-Tuning methodology which balances the nervous system so it can return to equilibrium, a state where the body can heal.

Dr Thompson describes sound medicine as "It is akin to the picking of a lock on the neurophysiologic processes that the body already uses to heal itself." He goes on to explain, "Since the human body is over seventy percent water and since sound travels five times more efficiently through water than through air, sound frequency stimulation directly into the body is a highly efficient means for total body stimulation." For more, check out the documentary Heal. Dr Thompson was one of the featured experts. 

Integrative medical treatment

Another name you’re likely to come across when looking into sound as medicine is Dr Mitchell Gaynor. He was an oncologist who integrated holistic practices into the treatment of cancer patients including Tibetan singing bowls, meditation and nutritional changes. He did this alongside conventional cancer treatment in order to reduce stress and induce relaxation, supporting the body’s healing processes. It would also help with the overall quality of life for the patients as sound can support sleep, manage anxiety and improve emotional resilience. 

This is how Dr Gaynor described his integrative approach to medicine. “You can look at disease as a form of disharmony. And there's no organ system in the body that's not affected by sound and music and vibration.” About the impact of sound, he also said, "If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies." Dive into Dr Gaynor’s findings in his book The Healing Power of Sound. 

Nitric oxide & pain management

Another piece of research that goes into the details of the profound effect sound has on the body centres around nitric oxide. This is a molecule made and released by the body’s cells. When released, our cells get the signal to relax. When nitric oxide dissipates, our cells become more active again. Essentially, it can send a wave of relaxation through the body. This wave has an impact on pain (among other health and wellbeing benefits). A study found that it “inhibits nociception” which means it interrupts the pain process making it easier to manage. 

One of the things that has been found to initiate a wave of nitric oxide is tuning forks. I often talk about therapeutic sounds moving the body from fight-or-flight (sympathetic nervous system) to rest-and-digest (parasympathetic nervous system). This is evidence of the molecular change that happens in the body which explains why sound has this healing effect. 

I have to end with one of my favourite quotes related to sound healing and based in science. “Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it.” Everything in the universe is made up of particles vibrating at their own unique frequencies. Sound vibrations resonate so deeply that they can help align our energy and connect with the frequency we need to heal, restore and feel like our best selves. 

Crystal singing bowls are one of the tools of sound medicine. You can experience their healing vibrations in a sound bath. Keep up with our latest events here and events from our trusted practitioners here. You can also play crystal singing bowls yourself as a self-care practice or part of your professional practice. Find out how to choose aligned crystal singing bowls here.