The Nuance
The ‘Mantra Effect’: How Talking to Yourself Can Change Your Mind
The human voice is a persuasive communication tool — even when you’re talking to yourself
Spoken mantras are a feature of many Eastern religious traditions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. Mantras can take the form of words or phrases, but they’re often simple sounds or syllables that are thought to improve concentration and support meditative practices.
The Om chant is one of the best-known mantras in the West. While for some the word has great spiritual significance, it may also have the power to instill calm in those who attach no religious meaning to its utterance.
Research from India has found that saying Om dampens patterns of brain activity in ways that mimic stimulation of the vagus nerve, which governs the body’s rest-and-relax states and counteracts stress. While that Indian study was small, other research efforts have likewise linked Om to mood and relaxation benefits.
