Author: Michelle Black 

Abstract

The Om Shanti Mantra, a sacred sound practice grounded in Vedic tradition, has gained scientific recognition for its multifaceted effects on human physiology and psychology. Recent neuroscientific research demonstrates that chanting Om activates specific brain networks associated with relaxation, attention regulation, and emotional well-being. This article collates current research on the neurological, physiological, and psychological effects of Om Shanti practice, highlighting its potential applications in stress management, cognitive enhancement, and overall health promotion.

Keywords: Om mantra, meditation, brain activity, stress reduction, parasympathetic nervous system

Introduction

The Om (or Aum) mantra represents one of the most fundamental practices in yoga and meditation traditions dating back millennia (Pattanayak & Ilavarasu, 2025). When combined with “Shanti” (peace), the Om Shanti Mantra serves as a comprehensive tool for achieving mental tranquility and physical relaxation. While traditionally regarded as a spiritual practice, contemporary neuroscience has begun to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its profound effects on human health and well-being.

Neurological Effects

Recent electroencephalography (EEG) studies reveal that Om chanting produces significant changes in brain wave patterns (Kanwade et al., 2025). Research demonstrates a 34.2% increase in alpha wave amplitudes and an 85.4% improvement in the theta/beta ratio, states associated with relaxation and emotional regulation. Additionally, Om chanting induces activation of cortical areas classified as nodes of critical resting-state networks (Saini et al., 2023). These networks—including the attentional network, frontoparietal control network, and default mode network—facilitate flexible switching between cognitive states, allowing practitioners to achieve a relaxed state while simultaneously improving attention.

The mechanisms of these neural changes extend beyond surface-level brain activity. Mantra chanting promotes neuroplasticity and modulates brain wave activity (Jeevan et al., 2025), with observable effects in regions such as the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes. Both verbal and silent Om chanting activate similar cortical regions, suggesting that the benefits extend beyond auditory stimulation alone (Saini et al., 2023).

Physiological Effects

The physiological benefits of Om Shanti practice manifest through multiple systems. One of the most significant effects occurs in the autonomic nervous system (Inbaraj et al., 2022). Research demonstrates that just five minutes of loud Om chanting amplifies high-frequency (HF) power—a component of the parasympathetic nervous system—promoting relaxation and calmness. Notably, yoga practitioners experienced significantly greater increases in parasympathetic activation compared to non-practitioners, with the magnitude of this effect correlating positively with years of yoga experience.

Stress reduction represents another major physiological benefit. Studies show that both vocal and silent group chanting result in significant decreases in cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone (Perry et al., 2023). Following twelve minutes of Om chanting, participants exhibited measurable reductions in cortisol and self-reported anxiety, with vocal chanting producing greater reductions in subjective anxiety measures. Complementary research reveals that mantra meditation triggers a neurohormonal relaxation response capable of counteracting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress reaction (Baars, 2013).

Psychological and Emotional Benefits

Beyond neurological and physiological changes, Om Shanti practice produces substantial psychological benefits (Sagar, 2025). Mantra chanting consistently improves stress, anxiety, and affective balance through enhanced parasympathetic activation and modulation of limbic and prefrontal networks. The semantic meaning embedded in the mantra and the embodied practice of vocalization contribute to deeper emotional engagement and more sustained psychological benefits compared to non-semantic sound interventions.

Research on specific mantra applications demonstrates measurable improvements in well-being (Sharma et al., 2024). Participants in Gayatri Sadhana programs—a practice conceptually similar to Om Shanti—showed significant improvements in positive affect, general well-being, and peace of mind, accompanied by significant reductions in stress and negative affect. These benefits manifest both through quantitative psychological assessments and qualitative reports of subjective experience.

Cognitive Enhancement

Beyond stress reduction and emotional regulation, Om Shanti practice enhances cognitive functioning (Singh et al., 2025). Om chanting modulates brain activity in ways that enhance neural connectivity and improve psychological well-being. The practice influences cognitive processes through autonomic nervous system regulation, enhancement of cerebral blood flow, and neurochemical modulation. These mechanisms support improvements in memory, attention, and executive function—cognitive domains critical for daily functioning and long-term cognitive health.

Clinical Applications

The therapeutic potential of Om Shanti practice extends to clinical populations. Research demonstrates that integrating mantra-based meditation with conventional medical treatment produces synergistic effects (Samajdar et al., 2024). For instance, patients receiving combined treatment with mantra chanting and meditation alongside standard pharmacotherapy showed significantly greater improvements than those receiving pharmacotherapy alone. The addition of Om chanting-like practices enhanced treatment outcomes across multiple health domains, suggesting potential applications in managing anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic disorders.

Conclusion

Scientific evidence increasingly supports the multifaceted benefits of Om Shanti practice. Through coordinated changes in brain wave patterns, autonomic nervous system activation, and psychological well-being, this ancient mantra engages multiple physiological and psychological systems simultaneously. The practice demonstrates promise in stress management and cognitive enhancement without adverse side effects. As evidence accumulates, Om Shanti meditation warrants consideration as a complementary intervention in clinical and wellness contexts, offering an accessible, low-cost tool for promoting health across diverse populations.

References

Inbaraj, G., Rao, R., Ram, A., Bayari, S. K., Belur, S., Prathyusha, P., … & Udupa, K. (2022). Immediate effects of OM chanting on heart rate variability measures compared between experienced and inexperienced yoga practitioners. International Journal of Yoga, 15(1), 141. (Inbaraj et al., 2022)

Jeevan, J., Fathima, K., Manikanta, M., & Sandhya, P. (2025). Neuroscientific insights into the cognitive benefits of mantra chanting. International Research Journal for Applied Engineering and Management, 1-10. (Jeevan et al., 2025)

Kanwade, A., Thune, N., Srimaharaj, W., Chaising, S., Upreti, K., & Jain, R. (2025). Bridging science and spirituality: Investigating the effects of OM chanting on brain waves. SAUCIS. (Kanwade et al., 2025)

Pattanayak, J., & Ilavarasu, J. (2025). The holistic impact of Omkar chanting: A narrative review of its physiological, psychological and acoustic effects. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 19(1). (Pattanayak & Ilavarasu, 2025)

Perry, G., Polito, V., & Thompson, W. F. (2023). Exploring the physiological and psychological effects of group chanting in Australia: Reduced stress, cortisol and enhanced social connection. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 62(4), 964-987. (Perry et al., 2023)

Sagar, A. (2025). Comparative effects of Indian mantras and Western mindfulness sound practices on mood regulation: A narrative review. International Journal of Latest Advances in Print and Publishing Technology, 2(5), 152. (Sagar, 2025)

Saini, M., Gurjar, A., Muthukrishnan, S. P., Kaur, S., Sharma, R., & Tayade, P. (2023). Global effect on cortical activity in young Indian males in response to OM chanting: A high-density quantitative electro-encephalography study. Neural Plasticity, 2023, 9183219. (Saini et al., 2023)

Sharma, N., Kumar, J., Patel, V., & Garg, R. (2024). Impact of gayatri sadhana camp on stress and well-being parameters: A mixed-method study. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 15(1). (Sharma et al., 2024)

Singh, K., Archana, K., Swathi, K. V., Shetty, P. S., & Kumar, T. V. (2025). Exploring the effects of Om chanting on cognitive functions of individuals: A narrative review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences, 10(4), 12. (Singh et al., 2025)