Brain sciences
January 13, 2021
Gemma Perry, Vince Polito, William Forde Thompson
52 citations
Chanting, a rhythmic and repetitive vocalization used across many cultures for spiritual, healing, and communal purposes, often induces mystical states—altered states of consciousness marked by profound peace. An international survey of 464 regular chanters from 33 countries found that 60% experienced mystical states during chanting. Those who reported such states scored higher on measures of absorption, altruism, and religiosity than those who did not. Mystical experiences were especially characterized by positive mood and a sense of ineffability. No differences in mystical state prevalence emerged between vocal and silent chanting, group and individual practice, or across different chanting traditions. The findings propose a framework for understanding mystical states during chanting.
Brain Sciences
October 27, 2022
Gemma Perry, Vince Polito, Narayan Sankaran et al.
32 citations
Chanting, the rhythmic vocalization or mental repetition of a sound or phrase, is associated with altered states of consciousness and cognitive benefits, which in turn relate to quality of life. A global survey of 456 English-speaking regular chanters from 32 countries found that stronger intentionality (devotion, intention, sound) and higher engagement (experience, practice duration, regularity) predicted more mystical experiences, flow states, and mindfulness, and less mind wandering. Call-and-response chanters reported more mystical experiences, while repetitive prayer was linked to less mind wandering. The effects on quality of life were indirect, through altered states and cognitive benefits.
Frontiers in psychology
January 1, 2021
Felicity Maria Simpson, Gemma Perry, William Forde Thompson
26 citations
A 10-minute online chanting session reduced stress and increased positive affect compared to an online control task, whether done individually or in a group. Participants in group chanting felt more connected to their chanting group than those in the control group, but general feelings of connectedness to all people did not differ across conditions. The findings suggest that online chanting may serve as a useful psychosocial intervention, even when practiced remotely.
Journal of religion and health
December 1, 2024
Gemma Perry, Vince Polito, William Forde Thompson
17 citations
Twelve minutes of group chanting, either vocal or silent repetition of 'om,' reduces stress and anxiety while increasing feelings of social connection. In 34 participants randomly assigned to vocal or silent chanting, both forms significantly lowered cortisol levels and self-reported anxiety. Vocal chanting produced a greater decrease in self-reported anxiety than silent chanting, though cortisol reductions were similar. Altruism scores increased after both conditions, but there was no evidence that altruistic tendencies extended toward people from a different culture. The findings suggest chanting, regardless of vocalization, offers physiological and psychological benefits, with vocal chanting providing additional anxiety relief.
Current Psychology
May 21, 2025
Gemma Perry, Yanan Sun, V. Polito et al.
A 10-minute online chanting session produced stronger ego dissolution and mystical-type experiences than listening to a narrative, but only among people who already had experience with chanting. Novice chanters showed no such difference. The effects were partly tied to participants' spiritual or religious beliefs. The findings suggest that even a brief, digitally delivered chanting practice can induce altered states of consciousness in experienced practitioners.