Sound Healing, does it really work?
Sound healing is a long-standing meditation technique steadily gaining popularity, particularly on social media with exercises like ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response). But how does it stimulate ‘zen’, and does it really work? Mangor Pedersen and Daniel Shepherd, associate professors from AUT’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience believe it can play a part.
Pedersen and Shepherd were recently involved in the creation of Benee's song ‘Bagels’ in collaboration with Youthline and ASB, in a bid to give young people suffering anxiety something calming to listen to and proving sound healing give a meditative experience.
It can be challenging to gauge if music can be therapeutic, since it is such a selective, individual experience. What is in essence ‘music to someone’s ears’, may not have the same effect on another person.
"I'm sure we all have a subjective experience of music.,” says Pedersen, talking to RNZ’s Stacey Morrison on the podcast Healthy or Hoax. "We feel things when we listen to music, so there's got to be lots of changes in the brain. But because this is such a complex organ, it is quite challenging to disentangle specifically what's happening in the brain."
Peterson also points out song speed plays a part too. “We don't want a fast beat because we don't want people sort of being aroused by the song and excited."
So, can music be healing? Shepherd is adamant that music can be therapeutic, describing it as a complementary medicine or alternative medicine movement that combines meditation with a particular tone.
"[There is] a lot of evidence to show that it's actually very, very effective in treating a number of different psychological ailments and especially anxiety, depression and the like. And just for general rehabilitation as well after accidents or traumatic brain injury."
Overall - is sound therapy healthy or a hoax? Both Pedersen and Shepherd agree that sound healing is a safe, harm free activity to try and if it makes you feel good and helps you relax, that’s a good thing for your body and brain.
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