Comparative Effects of Indian Mantras and Western Mindfulness Sound Practices on Mood Regulation: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Sound-based contemplative practices have become increasingly recognised within psychological and neuroscientific research as accessible and versatile tools for enhancing emotional well-being. Indian mantras specifically Om, the Gayatri mantra, and the Mahamrityunjaya mantra embody a long-standing tradition in which vocal resonance, rhythmic breathing, and linguistic meaning converge to stabilise emotional states. In parallel, Western mindfulness practices have incorporated sound-based interventions such as Tibetan singing bowls, nature soundscapes, white noise and binaural beats, which rely primarily on acoustic immersion and sensory grounding to regulate mood. Despite their shared goals, these two traditions have rarely been examined in a comparative framework. This narrative review synthesises empirical and theoretical literature on the mood-regulatory effects of Indian mantras and Western mindfulness sound practices, examining psychological outcomes, autonomic and neural mechanisms, cultural framing and methodological considerations. Findings indicate that mantra chanting consistently improves stress, anxiety and affective balance, supported by evidence of enhanced parasympathetic activation and modulation of limbic and prefrontal networks. Western sound practices also reduce tension and promote calmness, albeit through mechanisms more closely tied to attentional anchoring and sensory regulation. Importantly, mantras introduce additional layers of semantic meaning and vocal embodiment, which may deepen emotional engagement and contribute to more sustained psychological benefits. The review highlights the potential for integrating these traditions into multimodal interventions that address both top-down and bottom-up regulatory processes. It concludes by emphasising the need for cross-cultural comparative trials and longer-term investigations to fully elucidate the distinctive and synergistic contributions of sound-based contemplative practices to emotional well-being.