Directional brain networks underlying OM chanting.
Naren P. Rao, Gopikrishna Deshpande, Kalyani Bangalore Gangadhar, Rashmi Arasappa, Shivarama Varambally, Ganesan Venkatasubramanian, Bangalore N Ganagadhar
Asian Journal of Psychiatry October 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2018.08.001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of fMRI data from a previously published block-design study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Right-handed healthy volunteers (9 men) |
| Intervention | OM chanting |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Directional connectivity Functional MRI Granger causality Om chanting FMRI |
| Key points | During OM chanting, directional outputs from the insula, anterior cingulate, and orbitofrontal cortices were significantly reduced, including reduced outputs to the amygdala. The authors propose that this modulation of emotion-processing regions, which are implicated in major depressive disorder, raises the possibility of using OM chanting as a treatment for depression. |
Abstract
OM chanting is an ancient technique of Indian meditation. OM chanting is associated with an experience of relaxation, changes in autonomic balance and deactivation of limbic brain regions. While functional localization is important, how brain regions interact with each other has been shown to underlie various brain functions. Therefore, in this study, we tested the hypothesis that there is reduced communication between deactivated regions during OM chanting. In order to do so, we employed multivariate autoregressive model (MVAR) based Granger causality to obtain directional connectivity between deactivated regions. fMRI scans of 12 right handed healthy volunteers (9 Men) from a previously published study was used in which participants performed OM chanting and a control condition in a block design. We found that outputs from insula, anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices were significantly reduced in OM condition. Of interest is the reduction of outputs from these regions to limbic area amygdala. Modulation of brain regions involved in emotion processing and implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD) raises a potential possibility of OM chanting in the treatment of MDD.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Distinct Patterns of Directed Brain Connectivity in Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, and Loving Kindness Meditation: An Electroencephalographic Granger Causality Study with Long-term Meditators Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 2026
- Neural Correlates of Chanting: A Systematic Review Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science November 1, 2025
- The Neuroscience of Religious and Spiritual Practices: A Systematic Review of Neurotheological Evidence Brain and Behavior August 30, 2026
- Significant Impact of Traditional Yogic Practices with and Without OM Chanting on Psychometric Indices and Academic Performance among Adolescent Girls Physical rehabilitation and recreational health technologies August 30, 2026
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