Exploring the Physiological and Psychological Effects of Group Chanting in Australia: Reduced Stress, Cortisol and Enhanced Social Connection.
Gemma Perry, Vince Polito, William Forde Thompson
Journal of Religion and Health December 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01967-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | Adults |
| Interventions | Vocal chanting Silent chanting |
| Duration | 12-minute intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Altrusim Chanting Cortisol Loneliness Mantra Music Singing Social connection Stress |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | Both vocal and silent group chanting significantly reduced cortisol levels and self-reported anxiety, with vocal chanting yielding a greater decrease in anxiety, and both increased altruism scores. |
Abstract
Chanting, an ancient ritual practiced in diverse cultures and traditions worldwide, has typically been employed for meditation, healing, self-awareness, and psychological growth. However, there is little understanding of the physiological and psychological benefits of chanting, and how vocalization might contribute to such effects. This study aimed to determine whether 12-minutes of group chanting, through vocal or silent repetition of the sound "om," would reduce stress and anxiety, while increasing feelings of social connection, and whether vocal chanting would yield stronger effects. Thirty-four participants were randomly assigned to vocal or silent group chanting conditions. Saliva samples were collected before and after chanting to assess cortisol levels, while self-report measures included the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Adapted Self-Report Altruism Scale (including additional items on cross-cultural altruism). Following chanting, participants also provided a written description of their experiences. Both vocal and silent chanting resulted in significant decreases in cortisol levels and self-reported anxiety. The reduction in cortisol was similar for vocal and silent chanting, but self-reported anxiety decreased more following vocal chanting. Altruism scores increased following both vocal and silent chanting. However, there was no evidence of altruistic tendencies extending toward people from a culture other than one's own. Results are discussed in relation to the phenomenology of chanting, and to current theory and evidence on the physiological and psychological effects of chanting and singing.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Combined Liuzijue and mindful breathing promote greater sustained relaxation than mindful breathing alone in university students with anxiety symptoms Frontiers in Psychology July 13, 2026
- Bridging Science and Spirituality: Investigating the Effects of OM Chanting on Brain Waves Sakarya University Journal of Computer and Information Sciences October 13, 2025
- Vocal Chanting and Relaxation Provide Psychosocial Benefits for Individuals Living with Self-Reported Breathing Difficulties Music & Science September 1, 2025
- Altered states of consciousness induced by online chanting meditation Current Psychology May 21, 2025
- Chanting and meditation: an 8-week intervention to promote executive functions in school-age children. Applied neuropsychology. Child November 4, 2024
Cites 16
- Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 28, 2007
- Meditation-related activations are modulated by the practices needed to obtain it and by the expertise: an ALE meta-analysis study Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2013
- State Effects of Two Forms of Meditation on Prefrontal EEG Asymmetry in Previously Depressed Individuals Mindfulness March 1, 2010
- Rhythmic Chanting and Mystical States across Traditions. Brain Sciences January 13, 2021
- How Chanting Relates to Cognitive Function, Altered States and Quality of Life Brain Sciences October 27, 2022
and 11 more in the library