Physiological Benefits of Sound

Studies have demonstrated that sound therapy, through parasympathetic NS activation (PSNS), can reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, while increasing oxytocin and acetylcholine, effectively reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression while improving cognition.

Oxytocin: Oxytocin acts primarily as a hormone, but can act as a neurotransmitter, influencing neural activity. Its function is crucial for emotional regulation, stimulating feelings of love, trust, and connection and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Acetylcholine: Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in memory formation, learning, and attention. In the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory formation, acetylcholine enhances neural connections affecting cognitive abilities.

Cortisol: Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone.” Chronic elevated cortisol levels can lead to negative health effects, such as anxiety, depression, weight gain, and weakened immune function. Soundwaves of isochronic tones reduce the body’s output of cortisol. Through consistent sound therapy sessions, the body will release cortisol less frequently and become more resilient to stressors as the nervous system continues to heal.

Chronic disrupted sleep causes fatigue and hormonal imbalance, further perpetuating the cycle of sleep dysfunction. Sound therapy activates the PSNS reducing stress, which is often the primary cause of sleep challenges.

The PNS promotes release of the hormone melatonin, known to aid in deep relaxation and sleep.

Melatonin: Naturally released melatonin effectively regulates the sleep-wake cycle by promoting sleep and maintaining circadian rhythms, signaling to the body that it’s time to rest. Naturally produced melatonin not only improves sleep quality, but also avoids potential side effects associated with supplements.

Sound immersion therapy supports heart health slowing down brainwaves activating the parasympathetic NS and releasing Acetylcholine. This process induces deep breathing, reduced heart rate, and decreased blood pressure while increasing heart rate variability (HRV), increasing stress resilience.  

Acetylcholine

the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system that dilates blood vessels and slows heart rate. 

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

HRV is the amount of time between heartbeats, and it's a measure of how well the body recovers from stress and handles physical strain:

Sound immersion therapy is an effective complementary approach to pain management. It slows down brain waves, activating the PSNS to release pain-relieving endorphins, reduce muscle tension, and enhance metabolic functions.

Serotonin, Oxytocin, & Endogenous Opioids (endorphins)

Seratonin: can enhance the body’s natural pain-relief pathways and is known to modulate the descending pain control system in the brain and spinal cord.

Oxytocin has been shown to activate certain pathways that inhibit pain signals and enhance the body’s natural analgesic (pain-relieving) mechanisms, decreasing pain perception. 

Endorphins block pain receptors in our body from receiving signals of discomfort,  providing relief in pain perception.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Improved heart rate variability through sound therapy is linked to lower pain sensitivity.

A study involving mice revealed that low-intensity sounds, such as classical music or tonal frequencies significantly reduced pain perception. The researchers identified a neural pathway linking the auditory system to pain processing areas in the brain, highlighting how sound can help mitigate pain.