Sounds for the Soul
How different frequencies can work to reduce stress
Music doesn’t get enough credit for its mood-boosting abilities. Put on your favorite song and it’s an instant lift, right? Play a sad song and oh man, how quickly do our emotions deepen? From a great workout playlist to dinner party jazz or a heart-felt country tune – there’s no denying we can feel the difference music makes, right?
It can change the energy of the room and perhaps, even us. Everything – living and inanimate – has its own unique vibrational frequency, even humans.
In the last few decades, everyone from opera greats Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli to the late musical artist Prince and online forums everywhere on the internet encourage changing your music from a concert tuning standard of 440 Hz to 432 Hz. If that seems too daunting, just venture to YouTube or Spotify and you’ll find plenty of musical content with millions of 432Hz listeners who all say it reduces stress and promotes relaxation and overall well-being.
Studies have shown that 432 Hz has a calming effect on the brain and nervous system. This particular sound is believed to be the natural frequency of the universe. Some say it’s part of the Solfeggio Frequencies which are commonly associated with and believed to enhance or influence our mood. Research suggests different theories on how many frequencies are actually included in the Solfeggio Frequencies: six or nine.
The Solfeggio Frequencies – an ancient scale designed to harmonize the body, mind and spirit –were introduced in the mid-70s, but first originated from a Gregorian chant dedicated to St. John the Baptist in the 10th century, where each hymn line ascended by a single scale degree. These frequencies are also associated with Chakras, or spiritual/energy centers of the human body, in Sanskrit.
1. 396 Hz: Associated with clearing negative emotions and releasing fear/guilt
2. 417 Hz: Associated with facilitating change
3. 528 Hz: Known as the ‘Love frequency’ is said to promote healing and DNA repair
4. 639 Hz: Associated with promoting harmony in relationships/connection with self
5. 741 Hz: Associated with Expression/solving problems/sharing our gifts with the world
6. 852 Hz: Associated with returning to spiritual order, awakening intuition
7. Some resources also include 432 Hz: The Schumann Resonance or Heartbeat of the Earth and 963 Hz: Associated with activating the pineal gland and increasing positive energy – also referred to as the “God” frequency.
With each sound, there are dozens of studies purporting to have potential benefits for stress reduction.
According to NeuroLaunch.com, “A study published in the Journal of the Science of Healing Outcomes found that exposure to 432 Hz music led to significant reductions in heart rate and blood pressure compared to music tuned to 440 Hz. This suggests that 432 Hz may have a direct impact on our autonomic nervous system, helping to activate the parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ response.”
In a 2020 endodontics study, published in the National Library of Medicine, patients listened to 432 Hz music before and while undergoing endodontic treatment. The 432 Hz music was found to reduce dental anxiety and vital signs (heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressure.)
Binaural beats are another tool used to reduce stress. The logic of binaural beats is to provide a sound with a constant intensity and frequency to one ear and another sound with the same intensity but slightly different frequency to the other ear. (The sounds go back and forth and are best experienced wearing some kind of headphone.) As a result, the brain produces vibrations, or binaural beats, that have been shown to induce deep relaxation and improved focus.
In another 2020 endodontic study, both the binaural beats and the 432Hz reduce dental anxiety and vital signs. However, the 432 Hz was found to be more effective in reducing anxiety.
Popular apps or websites that offer soothing sounds include Calm, Headspace, Chopra, Insight Timer, Noisli and even Spotify. You could even take it a step further and purchase your own 432 Hz tuning forks or singing bowls.
Did you know that by simply speaking and humming the word “Om,” your body feels the vibration and helps calm the nervous system? Om is a Sanskrit vibration that, when chanted, resonates at 432 Hz.
Experiment listening to some of these different frequencies or nature sounds like rain, ocean waves and trees rustling. Maybe binaural beats or white noise evoke feelings of calm. As with any stress-management tool, you may have to try different modalities until you find what works for you. No matter what you choose, incorporating sound therapy or healing may be just what the doctor ordered.
References:
1. Calamassi, D., & Pomponi, G. P. (2019). Music Tuned to 440 Hz Versus 432 Hz and the Health Effects: A Double-blind Cross-over Pilot Study. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 15(4), 283–290.
2. Attuned Vibrations. “What is 432 Hz tuning?: Where does it come from?” 2015
3. Nasso, L Di., Nizzardo, A., Riccardo, P., Pierleoni, F., Pagavino, G., Giulani, V. (2016) Influences of 432 Hz music on the perception of anxiety during endodontic treatment: a randomized controlled clinical trial
4. Rosenberg, R., (2021) Perfect Pitch: 432 Hz Music and the Promise of Frequency
5. Menziletoglu, D., Guler A., Cayir, T., Isik, B. (2020) Binaural beats or 432 Hz music? Which method is more effective for reducing preoperative dental anxiety?
6. Mindvibrations.com/solfeggio-frequencies
7. Soundmedicineacademy.com