Does chanting OM relax the mind?
In ancient Indian scriptures, specifically yoga philosophy, OM is considered a sacred syllable or mantra whose repeated prolonged utterance as in a form of meditation is associated with positive and beneficial effects on humans. What is the science behind it?
First study [1] assessed the immediate effect of OM chanting on Autonomic Nervous System modulation using Heart Rate Variability measures and revealed that five minutes of loud OM chanting could significantly increase a component of vagal nerve activity in experienced yoga practitioners as compared with novice practitioners.
Using fMRI [2] a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, the hemodynamic correlates of 'OM' chanting was found to be limbic deactivation which is also achieved through vagal nerve stimulation a treatment for depression. Further analysis [3] revealed that the causal influences from limbic regions to brain regions involved in emotion processing is reduced.
Using fMRI [2] a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, the hemodynamic correlates of 'OM' chanting was found to be limbic deactivation which is also achieved through vagal nerve stimulation a treatment for depression. Further analysis [3] revealed that the causal influences from limbic regions to brain regions involved in emotion processing is reduced.
The suggested mechanism of action is as follows: Loud OM chanting is associated with the experience of vibration sensation around the ears. It is expected that such a sensation is also transmitted through the auricular branch of the Vagus nerve which is part of the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for "rest and digest" instead of fight or flight response.
In summary, chanting of OM exerts an influence through sound vibrations that resonate on specific parts of the body, creating numerous physical and psychological benefits - reduces anxiety and depression, facilitating relaxation resulting in improved mental and physical health.
References:
- Inbaraj G, Rao RM, Ram A, Bayari SK, Belur S, Prathyusha P V, Sathyaprabha T N, Udupa K. Immediate effects of OM chanting on heart rate variability measures compared between experienced and inexperienced yoga practitioners. Int J Yoga (2022):15:52-8.
https://www.ijoy.org.in/text.asp?2022/15/1/52/340019 - Kalyani BG, Venkatasubramanian G, Arasappa R, Rao NP, Kalmady SV, Behere RV, Rao H, Vasudev MK, Gangadhar BN. Neurohemodynamic correlates of 'OM' chanting: A pilot functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Int J Yoga (2011): 4:3-6.
https://www.ijoy.org.in/text.asp?2011/4/1/3/78171 - Rao, Naren P., Gopikrishna Deshpande, Kalyani Bangalore Gangadhar, Rashmi Arasappa, Shivarama Varambally, Ganesan Venkatasubramanian, and Bangalore N. Ganagadhar. "Directional brain networks underlying OM chanting." Asian journal of psychiatry 37 (2018): 20-25.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876201818302004
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