Humans have understood for centuries that sound has a profound effect on the human body and mind. Ever since our discovery of music and shamanistic chanting, we have been pushing the boundaries of how the healing effects of sounds and frequencies can be measured.
So what are the healing frequencies of the human body? Certain frequencies of sound are used as part of therapies in order to manipulate human brainwaves to promote healing of the body and mind. Sound frequency healing has been used to treat several different kinds of ailments such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and disorders of the nervous system.
Acoustic therapies are becoming more and more popular as a means to promote self-healing within the body. Keep reading to learn more about what sound frequency healing is and how it works.
We break this article down into a series of helpful sections:
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What is Sound Frequency Healing?
For hundreds of years, scientists have been conscious of the effect of sound on the human body. It has been shown by scientific study that even inaudible high-frequency sounds can have an effect on human brain activity.
Likewise, holistic healers have recognized that different frequencies of sound have the ability to manipulate the human consciousness and even induced an altered consciousness, as can be seen by the trance states induced by shamanic chanting and drum work.
The drumming vibrations that accompany shamanistic trance work speak to the power of harnessing sound frequencies to induce altered mind states. The Solfeggio frequencies have been associated since ancient times with the creation of sacred music (including meditation music) thought to promote healing.
Even as far back as ancient Greece, healing and music have been linked together to both theology and medicine in the form of Apollo. And in the modern age, sound frequency healing can be achieved through a variety of methods, from listening to recordings of different binaural frequencies to participating in vibrational-acoustic therapies.
How Do Frequencies Affect the Human Body?
While the concept that sound frequencies can actually alter human consciousness and promote healing sounds a bit far-fetched, it actually has lots of sound scientific evidence behind the theory. Exposure to different frequencies can alleviate psychiatric issues such as depression or anxiety as well as stimulate the body to heal physical ailments by way of genetic signaling.
Going back to ancient Greece, the famous physician, philosopher, and mathematician Pythagoras was convinced that frequencies had a healing effect on the body and that daily exposure to music was beneficial for human health. Pythagoras was also responsible for discovering the harmonic relationships between mathematical ratios and different musical chords.
Sound Therapy in Modern Times
Even though humans have been studying the connection between healing sound frequencies and the operation of the human body since the times of Pythagoras, modern scientists are just as fascinated by the effects that different frequencies can have on the mind and body.
Aside from healing sound frequencies, frequencies also affect the body through music. Music can evoke an emotional response in the human body that can result in everything from goosebumps to a flood of cathartic tears. Vibrational instruments such as singing bowls and gongs are used to create ripple-like waves of vibrations that are meant to reset the consciousness.
There is an amazing Sound Healer Certification Course by Julie King which uses ancient techniques as sound therapy for stress management, meditation, mindfulness, chakras and spiritual healing.
Here are some of the instruments frequently used in sound frequency therapy:
- Hammered dulcimer
- Singing bowls
- Gongs
- Windchimes
- Pan flutes
- Hang
- Didgeridoo
- Kalimba
- Djembe
- Rainstick
- Drums
The Healing Frequencies of the Human Body: Full List & Benefits
While sound and frequencies are used to impact human health in several ways, there are specific frequencies that are regarded in alternative medicine to be particularly healing to the human body. Here is a list of those frequencies that are generally considered to have healing properties:
40Hz
Flickering lights and sounds at 40 hertz have been used in Alzheimer’s therapy studies to stimulate an increased neural response and fight symptoms of dementia. Sound at 40 hertz has been linked to gamma brain waves and the stimulation of memory. For an example of 40 hertz therapy, see the video here.
174Hz
174 hertz is one of the Solfeggio frequencies, a series of tones used in sacred music that is believed in alternative medicine to have different positive effects on human health. 174 hertz is associated with the reduction of both pain and stress. For an example of 174 hertz therapy, see the video here.
285Hz
285 hertz is also one of the Solfeggio frequencies and is considered instrumental in the healing of cuts, burns, and other physical wounds. 285 hertz sound frequencies are supposed to activate the body into cellular regeneration, encouraging it to heal itself in the event of an injury. For an example of 285 hertz therapy, see the video here.
396Hz
This sound frequency is associated with the removal of fear and other negative feelings. As one of the Solfeggio frequencies, the 396 hertz tone aids in the removal of the feeling of guilt, making it an effective addition to spiritual music. 396 hertz frequencies balance the root chakra while simultaneously transforming negative emotions such as grief into positive, joyful ones. For an example of 396Hz healing, see the video here.
417Hz
Instead of a focus on physical ailments, healing sound therapy involving 417 hz (another of the Solfeggio frequencies) focuses on the removal of negative energy such as the energy surrounding a past trauma or negative energies in the ambient environment. 417 hertz therapy is designed to dissolve emotional blockages and activate the sacral chakra. For an example of 417 hertz therapy, see the video here.
432Hz
432 hertz therapy is aimed at the heart chakra and listening to a 432 hertz frequency is supposed to lead to greater levels of mental and emotional clarity. A 432 hertz tuning is considered optimal for tuning opera singers and is associated with a higher level of spiritual development. For an example of 432 hertz therapy, see the video here.
440Hz
Music that is tuned to the 440 hertz versus 432 hertz is considered “cerebral” music that aids in the listener’s cognitive development. Sound frequencies at 440 hertz are considered to activate the third eye chakra. For an example of 440 hertz sound frequency, see the video here.
528Hz
Also known as the love frequency, 528 hertz is one of the most well-known and popular of the Solfeggio frequencies. This musical tone is also known as the “miracle note” and has been used in native populations as a sound associated with blessings since before written history. For an example of 528 hertz sound therapy, see the video here.
639Hz
639 hertz is a sound frequency that affects the heart chakra. This sound frequency is associated with therapy intended to produce positive feelings and greater attunement to harmonious interpersonal relationships. As therapy, 639 hertz exposure encourages clearer communication practices and situational awareness. For an example of 639 hertz sound therapy, see the video here.
852Hz
852 hertz sound therapy is a tone that is associated with redirecting the mind away from overthinking, intrusive thoughts, and negative thought patterns. These patterns of thought play a larger role in depression and anxiety. Exposure to this sound frequency can help alleviate the role of negative thoughts in these psychological ailments. For an example of 852 hertz sound therapy, see the video here.
963Hz
963 hertz sound frequencies are associated with activation of the pineal gland and higher spiritual development. The 963 hertz frequency is known as both the “pure miracle tone” and the “frequency of the gods”. 963 is associated with the activation of the crown chakra and a connection to the source of all humanity. For a sample of 963 hertz sound therapy, see the video here.
As you can see, there are many different sound frequencies that can be used in a healing application to both change cognitive thought processes associated with psychiatric illness as well as produce physical healing effects to counteract an illness or injury.
What Areas of Human Medicine are Healing Frequencies Practiced?
While the effectiveness of healing frequencies is disputed by some scientists, there is no doubt that musical instruments are able to produce frequencies capable of shifting human consciousness. This is why mystics and musicians have been tapping into this powerful manipulation of sound frequencies to move crowds for hundreds of years.
Sound healing has been explored in the following areas of human medicine:
- Stroke recovery therapy. Music therapy given to stroke victims has been shown to increase the speed of recovery of basic motor functions and speech
- Hospital settings. Musical frequencies have been shown to reduce anxiety and promote higher morale in high-stress hospital and medical settings.
- Enhancement of acupuncture. Along with colored light therapy, the use of tuning forks in conjunction with acupuncture has been shown anecdotally to be more effective than the use of acupuncture alone.
- Cancer treatment without surgery. Scientists have only recently discovered that high-frequency noise can be used to attack and destroy cancer cells while eliminating the need for surgery that puts the patient at risk of post-surgical complications.
- Autistic sensory therapy. Some autistic children have been shown to react positively to sound therapy exposure.
- Brain wave entrainment. Touted among experts in alternative medicine as an effective way of treating a variety of ailments, brain wave entrainment involves exposing the brain to different sound frequencies to address a variety of cognitive issues from headaches and stress to premenstrual symptoms and chronic pain.
- Altering stress hormones. Musical frequencies have long been used for therapeutic purposes to calm people who are angry, frustrated, or stressed.
- Increased neurogenesis. Both in unborn infants and the elderly suffering from dementia, the use of healing frequencies and musical therapy have been used to promote neural health, reduce stress, and promote memory. A similar approach to stress reducing that is gaining popularity is Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. (Check out this article for the best MBSR courses online)
- Enhancement of physical rehabilitation programs. Those individuals who are undergoing physical rehabilitation experience have been shown to experience improved results when exercising to a playlist of music that motivates them.
- Decreased pain perception. For those patients who have to deal with chronic pain issues, musical therapy has been associated with decreased pain perception and is an effective method for pain management that does not involve medication.
There are so many applications for sound and frequency therapy being discovered every day in the healing community. Even though we’ve made the connection between sound and healing for thousands of years, humans have still barely scratched the surface of what audio therapy is capable of with regards to healing the human body.
While physicians in ancient times knew enough from observational medicine to detect a connection between sound and healing, it wasn’t until mankind developed the technology of the twenty-first century that we began to consistently take measurements of the powerful impact music and sound frequencies can have on our minds and bodies.
Whether you are a seasoned sound healer or simply curious about the power of sound therapy, exploring the 7 healing frequencies can be a fascinating and transformative journey towards greater health and vitality.
How Is Sound Healing Supposed to Work?
The way that sound healing works depends on what frequencies are being used and in what vibration or rhythm. On the cellular level, sound healing works by triggering genetic changes. Healing frequencies can even damage the cellular walls of cancerous growths in the case of high-frequency sound therapy cancer treatments.
On a therapeutic level, exposure to certain sound frequencies has been shown to alter brain and body activities in ways that promote lower stress levels and a higher self-healing immunological response.
Since lower vibrational frequencies are thought to cause irritation, disease, and other negative effects on the human body, higher frequencies are generally the frequencies used for healing purposes in alternative medicine.
What Effect Does Low-Frequency Sound Have on Humans?
Not only are low-frequency sounds associated with human illness, but they’re also associated with annoyance, lack of ability to focus or concentrate, and the inability to retain information (memory issues).
It is believed by some people that some individuals operate at a higher frequency while others operate at a lower frequency, based on unmitigated stress levels or unresolved feelings that the individual inevitably exudes in social interactions with others. This means that one stressed-out person can pass that lower frequency and negative attitude on to anyone else they encounter.
Coincidentally, many animals communicate displeasure or anxiety with lower frequency communication sounds such as groans, hissing, growls, or snarls. Low-frequency sounds are not only shown to be psychologically distressing to humans—they can create physical fatigue and uncomfortable pressure on the eardrum as well.
Ambient low-frequency sounds are associated with increased mistakes in the workplace as well as a general sense of discomfort in humans. This is because low sound frequencies conflict with the natural frequencies produced by the human body.
Here is the full list of negative symptoms associated with low-frequency sound exposure:
- Loss of sleep
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Loss of concentration
- Nausea
The government took the application of low-frequency sound as a weapon even further, incorporating infrasonic sound technology into crowd dispersal vehicles such as LRAD tanks. These sonic tanks produce a low-frequency sound designed to induce immediate nausea and dizziness in a rioting crowd through sonic warfare.
If the healing capability of high-frequency sounds is in question in the medical and holistic communities, there can be no question of the sickening capability of low-frequency sounds when incorporated into acoustic weapons.
Can Sound Heal the Body?
If low-frequency sounds can sicken the body, it stands to reason that high-frequency sounds can heal it, and science is discovering more and more that this is the case. Centuries’ worth of holistic medicine is being discovered, tested, and verified through scientific study.
The answer is that yes, sound has been used to heal the body in a variety of different applications. From shamanic drumming used to positively channel altered states of consciousness to hypersonic cancer treatments, sound has been proven time and time again to have healing effects on the human body. This is a sister practice to Energy Healing of which Reiki is a great example and there are so many benefits to Reiki!
While scientific investigation is slowly catching up with centuries of ancient medicine, the renewed popularity of frequency-related therapies such as sound baths and chanting meditation is also renewing scientific interest in proving the objective basis for sound therapy treatments in a wide variety of medical applications.
Aside from its ability to physically heal the body, sound healing has a strong ability to induce positive psychological impacts in the human mind. From the effects of music therapy on autistic children to the cognitive rewiring associated with frequency therapy, sound has been shown to heal the body in all sorts of ways.
What Is Special About 528 Hz?
All of the Solfeggio frequencies enjoy popularity in New Age and holistic communities, but there is special attention paid to the 528 Hz tone. So what is so special about 528 Hz?
Also known as the “Mi” tone, this note has been viewed as sacred going back to medieval times, when it had two known definitions: a supernatural occurrence that can only be ascribed to a divine cause, or a marvelous wonder. 528 Hz is known for its connection to the vibrations and frequencies found in the natural world, such as the vibrations of chlorophyll.
Gregorian chants, which make liberal use of the 528 Hz frequency, are known to cause DNA to absorb more light than other types of music. According to advocates for 528 Hz healing, this is the frequency with which the Earth itself vibrates.
Because 528hz frequency is associated with miracles by some people, this frequency is possibly considered the holiest of the Solfeggio frequencies other than 852 Hz.
What is the Best Frequency for the Human Body?
A normal, healthy body should resonate with a natural frequency of 65 – 75M Hz. While it might be surreal to think about, that means humans generate electromagnetic energy or “noise” even as we’re just standing in place.
When exposed to higher frequencies, such as those found in frequency healing, the human body is stimulated to heal itself. On the flip side of that, if the human body is exposed to constant low-frequency noises, they can develop negative symptoms as a result.
While it is easiest for a body to maintain homeostasis around frequencies that mimic its normal frequency range of 65-75 Mhz, higher frequency exposure in the form of sound therapy can help eliminate negative thought processes and retrain neural circuits.
Ways Sound Frequency Healing Can Improve Your Health
Incorporating frequency healing into your self-care routine can improve your daily life in a wide variety of ways. Here are some of the ways sound frequency healing can benefit your health:
- Reduction of stress. Listening to higher frequency audio tapes can fill the listener with a calming peace and reduce feelings of built-up frustration or stress. Stress reduction associated with sound healing is amplified when used in conjunction with sitting meditation and other mindfulness exercises.
- Reduction of pain. Because actively listening to music can lower your perception of pain, sound healing therapies can lessen a patient’s dependence on painkillers and other medications for the reduction of pain. Some frequencies are also thought to actively combat pain in suffering people and promote the healing of injuries.
- Spiritual development. Many frequencies of sound are associated with enlightenment and the activation of parts of the brain associated with spirituality. These frequencies can be used together alongside other rituals to develop a deeper overall spiritual practice.
- Promote healthy relationships. Several frequencies in sound healing are specifically designed to promote feelings of well-being and goodwill towards others, making them an effective form of therapy for those who are feeling frustrated with other people or emotional withdrawal from them.
- Emotional catharsis. Listening to powerful music as a form of sound therapy can stimulate strong emotional responses, which can then create positive changes in body chemistry. For people who otherwise have a difficult time tapping into their emotional reservoirs, music therapy can help dissolve those emotional blockages.
- Better sleep. Many forms of sound therapy are used for those who are trying to get a good night’s sleep, especially in environments that contain a lot of low-frequency ambient noise that can create auditory distress. High-frequency white noise can provide a soothing background frequency to block lower frequency noises and promote sound sleeping patterns and better sleep hygiene.
- Promote spiritual awareness. Starting up a practice of sound therapy doesn’t just offer the momentary benefits of listening to the sounds—the act of sound therapy itself makes the listener more aware of their spiritual well-being and promotes the adoption of other spiritual practices. This can lead to an overall increase in happiness and spiritual awareness.
- Freedom from headaches. Music therapy has been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of chronic headaches in those who suffer them. Not only does music therapy help people to have better control over their pain management in response to a migraine, but it also caused them to have fewer migraines throughout the course of a month.
Even if you’re a person who adheres to traditional Western medical practices, there is no harm in adding a frequency healing regimen to your current meditation practices to see if you notice any tangible effects on your psychological and physical well-being. Who knows? You might come across a form of therapy that positively impacts the rest of your life.
Sound Healing is an Evolving Art
While it is just now starting to get scientific credibility, at least with regards to some aspects of the impacts of sound and frequency on the human body and mind, the concept of sound healing has been around for generations of human society.
From Gregorian chant to music therapy for psychiatric patients, the healing properties of sound, music, and frequencies will continue to play a large part in the human healing process for centuries to come.
