Do Singing Bowls Help With Stress and Mood? What Research Suggests
Tibetan singing bowls have been used for centuries in Himalayan spiritual and ceremonial traditions. While their calming effects have long been described through lived experience, modern researchers have begun to examine these practices using scientific methods—particularly in relation to stress, mood, and overall well-being.
One frequently cited piece of research in this area is a peer-reviewed observational study published in 2017 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. This article draws on that research to explore what was studied, what was observed, and how the findings may be understood in context.
Research Reference
This article discusses findings from:
Goldsby, Tamara L., et al. Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-Being. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2017.
You can read the full research paper here:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5871151/
The Study at a Glance
The study observed 62 adults aged between 21 and 77 who took part in a single 60-minute sound meditation session. Participants lay down comfortably while a range of instruments—including Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, gongs, and bells—were played in a structured and repeating sequence. Tibetan singing bowls were the primary instrument, used for most of the session.
Importantly, participants were not asked to practise meditation techniques, control their breathing, or focus their attention in a particular way. They were simply encouraged to relax, notice sensations if they wished, or fall asleep. Before and after the session, participants completed established questionnaires measuring tension, anxiety, mood, fatigue, and spiritual well-being.
What the Researchers Observed
Following the sound meditation, participants reported clear improvements across multiple areas of emotional state. These included reductions in tension, anxiety, anger, fatigue, and low mood, alongside increases in feelings of calm, vitality, and spiritual well-being. The changes were statistically significant, suggesting that the effects were unlikely to be due to chance alone.
One notable finding was that participants who were new to singing bowl meditation experienced greater reductions in tension and anxiety compared with those who had previous experience. This suggests that sound meditation may be particularly accessible for beginners and does not necessarily require long-term practice to feel noticeable effects.
The study also explored self-reported physical discomfort. Among participants who experienced pain before the session, many reported reduced pain levels afterwards—especially individuals aged 40–59 and those who were new to this type of meditation.
How Might Singing Bowls Support Relaxation?
The study did not attempt to prove a single biological mechanism. However, the authors discussed several possible explanations, including activation of the body’s natural relaxation response, gentle regulation of the nervous system, and the calming influence of sustained low-frequency sound and vibration.
Unlike effort-based meditation practices, sound meditation may allow relaxation to occur passively through listening, making it accessible to people who find traditional meditation challenging.
Putting the Findings in Context
It is important to note that this was an observational study, meaning there was no control group and no long-term follow-up. The findings should therefore be understood as preliminary rather than definitive. The authors themselves emphasise that further controlled research is needed to better understand the role of singing bowl sound meditation in wellness or healthcare settings.
That said, the study provides thoughtful and carefully measured evidence suggesting that Tibetan singing bowl sound meditation is a low-cost, low-technology, and widely accessible practice that may support relaxation and emotional well-being.
We encourage readers who are interested in the scientific details to read the full research paper themselves (linked above) and come to their own conclusions based on the evidence presented.
If you’re interested in experiencing these principles in practice, explore our authentic Tibetan singing bowls, hand-selected for meditation and sound healing.
Wellness Disclaimer
The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. Tibetan singing bowls and sound meditation are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Individual experiences may vary. If you have a medical condition or concerns about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using sound-based practices.