Chanting: Scientific Benefits Behind the Ancient Ritual

What is Chanting?

Chanting is the act of rhythmic speaking or singing sounds, words, or phrases. For centuries, chants formed parts of many religious rituals and diverse spiritual traditions. For example, African and Native American tribal cultures perform chants in tandem with drum circles. Buddhists and Hindus recite mantras. Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, and Angelican churches use psalms and prayers. Amongst all groups, the chants were believed to connect us with the divine. You may also find chanting in sporting and political rituals. Fans in the crowd will passionately chant together to support their favored team or denounce their opposition. Somehow our chanting invigorates our spirit and motivates us towards our beliefs and goals.

The Science Behind Chanting

While some may disregard chanting as a retired "woowoo" practice, the research behind chanting reveals the scientific benefits. In fact, studies show that chanting, otherwise known as "vocal toning," positively stimulates our cognitive functioning, brainwave patterns, nervous system, and endocrine system. This gives chanting the power to improve your mental and physical health, as well as protect you against future stress and illness. By learning the physiological effects of chanting/vocal toning, you begin to understand the power and wisdom behind this ancient ritual.

Chanting/vocal toning stimulates our vagus nerve which is the control house of our nervous system. The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in our body running from our brain stem, down our spine, into our abdomen, and branches into our muscles, tissues, and organs. Essentially, it controls the quality of our body's functioning. As you chant, you stimulate a vibration to your vagus nerve which positively effects your nervous system in two ways: 1) it turns off your body's adaptive stress response by reducing stress hormones, 2) turns on your body's creative ability to rest, restore, and rejuvenate by inducing certain brainwave patterns and releasing positive neurotransmitters.

As you chant, you breathe your breath into rhythm. Your breath slows down and you produce more carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide works to reduce your heart rate, dilate your blood vessels, increase your blood flow, and decrease your blood pressure. As as result, your muscles release built up stress and you feel less tension in your body. Blood is able better circulate through-out your system, feeding your body with nutrient rich oxygen to restore your functioning. Additionally, this practice produces increased levels of nitric cxide which carries anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This has a positive effect on your immune system. Overall, the practice of rhythmic breathing that chanting creates puts your body in peak physical condition.

Moreover, chanting also has cognitive and neurological benefits. The key to reaping these benefits may be in its spirituality. Typically, chants have a positive intention/meaning behind them. The syllables/words/phrases become affirmations, mantras, or prayers. As you chant, your endocrine system becomes activated and releases hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine responsible for positive emotions like joy, exhilaration, and peace. These hormones also help to reflect on previous experiences in a positive light and motivates learning. The release of these hormones also causes the brain to produce new brain wave patterns, like Alpha and theta which are associated with meditation, calmness, and mental clarity. When this brainwave pattern is activated we are emotionally motivated to explore our environment internally and externally, providing us the opportunity to discover joy, pursue our passions, and forge new connections that align with the intention set by chanting!

How to Practice Chanting

Five (5) minutes daily is all that is needed to receive the benefits of chanting. It can be practiced on its own or as a warm-up for an extended meditation. Find a quiet space where you can feel free to be vocal. Prior to chanting, spend a moment to meditate on your intention. What would you like to call forward? This can be a goal you would like to achieve, healing you would like to perform on your mental or physical health, or an affirmation. Choose a syllable, word, or phrase that symbolizes your intention. Many people chant the syllable AUM, also known as God's sound of creation. Then perform the chant with conviction. The stronger the conviction behind the vocal tone of the chant, the more effective the stimulation to your vagus nerve.

Practice chanting anytime you would like to lift your spirits, boost your energy, and align with your goals. This will help to reduce stress and protect your mindset against negative influences, as well as elevate your emotions, enhance your drive, and identify opportunities to reach success.

Try this chanting practice for yourself and let us know in the comments how you feel! In return, we'll send your our FREE 10 minute guided meditation!