The Healing Power of Sound Baths: What the Science Says
I’ll be honest with you — I’ve always loved a bit of magic and mystery, but I also like to know there’s proof behind the practices I share.
As a scientist at heart, I find it fascinating when something that feels deeply spiritual — like sound healing — is also backed by tangible studies, data, and results. I don’t just take things at face value; I dig into the research so that when you come to a session with me, you can feel confident that what you’re experiencing isn’t just “woo-woo,” it’s grounded in science too. So, does sound healing really work? Let’s look at what the evidence says.
How sound helps your body relax
One of the most consistent findings in the research is how sound influences the body’s stress response. In a study from PLoS ONE, Thoma and colleagues (2013) showed that listening to calming music before facing a stressor helped participants’ autonomic nervous systems recover more quickly — heart rate and breathing settled faster, and cortisol (the main stress hormone) spiked less. This suggests that sound quite literally helps the body shift out of “fight-or-flight” into a calmer state.
Beyond stress, sound and music also tune the rhythms of our body. A review by Stefan Koelsch in Frontiers in Psychology (2015) outlined how music modulates heart activity, blood pressure, and breathing, while at the same time shaping our emotional state. This combination — soothing the body and lifting the mood — is at the heart of why many people feel so much lighter after a sound bath.
Evidence specific to singing bowls & sound meditation
When it comes to sound baths specifically, studies on Himalayan and Tibetan singing bowls give us useful insights. In one study, participants who attended a singing bowl meditation reported significant reductions in tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood, as well as less pain overall (Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Goldsby et al., 2017).
Another trial took a standard relaxation session and added just twelve minutes of Himalayan singing bowls. The difference was striking: those who experienced the bowls showed greater improvements in both psychological and physiological measures compared with silence alone (American Journal of Health Promotion, Landry, 2014). These findings suggest that singing bowls don’t just feel calming — they may enhance the body’s ability to reach a deeper state of rest.
Anxiety, sleep & overall wellbeing
The calming effect of sound isn’t limited to meditation settings. In healthcare environments, music is increasingly used as a simple but effective tool to reduce anxiety. A Cochrane Review led by Bradt et al. (2013) looked at patients about to undergo surgery — a moment of understandably high stress — and found that listening to music helped lower their anxiety significantly, sometimes as much as medication.
Sound also supports sleep. Jespersen and colleagues (2015, updated 2022) analysed trials where adults with insomnia or other sleep difficulties listened to music before bed. Across the board, sleep quality improved. For anyone who struggles to switch off at night, this research underlines why sound can be such a powerful ally in restoring rest.
Vibrational / tactile sound (feeling the sound in your body)
Some sound therapies go beyond listening and let you feel the vibration. Vibroacoustic therapy, for example, uses instruments or specially designed equipment to send gentle low-frequency sound through the body. Early research shows promising results: Kantor et al. (2022) reported improvements in stress markers and heart-rate variability (a measure of how well the nervous system balances stress and recovery). While more large-scale trials are needed, these findings suggest that when sound is both heard and felt, it may provide an even deeper form of relaxation.
Brainwave-guided listening (binaural beats)
With headphones, binaural beats can guide brain activity into relaxed or focused states. A meta-analysis found small-to-moderate benefits for anxiety, pain, and cognition — though effects vary by frequency and session length.García-Argibay et al., Psychological Research (2019).
Children, ADHD & autism — gentle support
Although sound baths for children are a relatively new practice, there is already strong evidence that music-based therapies can support young people’s wellbeing. A Cochrane Review led by Geretsegger et al. (2014) found that music therapy improved social interaction and communication in children with autism, highlighting how sound can become a bridge for connection.
For children with ADHD, emerging research is equally encouraging. A study by Park and colleagues (Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2023) showed that music-based interventions influenced both mood and attention, as well as biological markers of stress such as serotonin and cortisol levels. This suggests that sound doesn’t just feel calming — it may actively help regulate the systems that underpin focus and emotional balance.
In my own work, I bring these findings into practice by creating playful and accessible sound healing sessions for children. Rather than asking them to lie still (which isn’t always realistic or comfortable), children are invited to engage in gentle, mindful activities such as colouring, reading, Lego, or playdough while receiving calming sound. This combination creates a safe, soothing environment that helps reduce overstimulation and supports emotional regulation. These sessions can be tailored for 1:1, small groups, or delivered within schools as part of wider wellbeing support.
What to expect in a Be Wild & Well session
No two Be Wild & Well sessions are exactly the same, because we love to make the most of our surroundings. Sometimes you’ll find us under an outdoor canopy in the woods, with birdsong and breeze drifting through the trees. Other times we’re tucked into a canvas tipi set by ancient oaks, or cocooned indoors in a warm, low-lit studio. Wherever we meet, the space is always carefully prepared: familiar scents of palo santo, sage or incense greet you at the door, and crystals are placed with intention to support the energy of the circle.
You’ll be welcomed in with time to arrive fully. We often start with a mindful ritual — perhaps a cup of cacao or herbal tea and a few moments of journalling — alongside a short guided meditation to help you drop your shoulders and settle your mind. These simple practices help everyone get in the right headspace for the sound healing that follows.
Once you’re cosy, the soundscape begins. I blend the tones of crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, chimes, gong and ocean drum in a sequence that feels like a gentle tide. Outdoors, you’ll hear the rustle of leaves and distant birds weaving through the music. Indoors, you’ll feel supported by bolsters and blankets as the sounds wash over you. Wherever we are, people often say they feel the vibrations reaching exactly where they’re needed — unblocking chakras, easing tension and working on a deep, even cellular level.
We end as gently as we start. There’s no hurry to rejoin the outside world; you’ll have time to breathe, stretch and notice how you feel. Many participants describe leaving with a sense of clarity, warmth and calm. Whether you come alone or with someone else, you’ll find a warm, welcoming space and the invitation to take up as much room (and time) as you need.
Safety notes
Sound baths are gentle for most people. However, if you have sound sensitivity, tinnitus, epilepsy, or are in the first trimester of pregnancy, you should avoid sound baths unless you have consulted with a healthcare professional. Please do not attend if you’re unsure or have been advised against it by your doctor
Ready to experience it?
Join a community sound bath, book a private 1:1 or small-group session, or invite me to your workplace, retreat, or festival (available across Kent and worldwide).
