Why does chanting a mantra affect your mind and body

Neurological Pathways Become Activated 

Practicing a mantra stimulates certain neuronal pathways. On hearing the sound, auditory processing centers are activated. Prolonged repetition enrolls the networks of attention in the prefrontal cortex and quenches those of the brain in default mode network (DMN), mind-wandering. The rhythmical aspect of the process of chanting triggers the circuitry through the basal ganglia and cerebellum encouraging relaxation. The repetition over the time exploits the neuroplasticity and over the years, it enhances these pathways. This makes it cause less physiological stimulation and greater psychological focus.

Stress Response Systems Are Calmed

The chanting of a mantra would calm the stressful mechanisms of the body by means of certain physiological processes. This repetition of the rhythm induces neural concentration breaking the chains of stress. This causes the autonomic nervous system to switch out of a sympathetic (also known as fight or flight response) tone to a parasympathetic (also known as rest and digestion response) tone. At the same time, the regulated breathing involved in chanting activates the vagus nerve which is one of the regulators of relaxation. The outcomes that can be measured are a decrease in cortisol level, a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, and an increase in the variability of the heart rates. Such a move will trigger the relaxation of the stress reaction, which facilitates a physiological sense of calmness.

Focus Shifts From External Distractions

The practice of chanting a mantra is proactive mental displacement. Repeated speaking produces a strong focus point, and this removes the attention focus on the surrounding stimulations. Concentration also reduces the processing of external distractions as all the hardily centers are engaged. Neurologically it has been shown that rhythmic sound causes brainwave coordination, at times moving in the direction of more balanced states of alpha or theta with less sensory noise. At the same time, the exchange of controlled chanting results in the activation of the vagus nerve with the participation of vocal vibrations and breathing control that causes physiological relaxation. This cumulative ability brings concentration inwards reducing the noise out there.

Sound Vibration Influences Physiological States

Chanting of mantra creates a certain vibration of sound that directly interacts with the body. The vagus nerve is activated by these vibrations, inducing a relaxation condition, which needs to be measured by a decrease in heart rate and cortisol. Moreover, auditory frequencies associated with use of brainwave entrainment are consistent and therefore tend to introduce brain waves to settle at lower alpha or theta. Resonant frequencies also create coherence in the autonomic nervous system where the demands are on the parasympathetic state that promotes rest and healing. This neuronal effect is stirred by the vibrational energy that is in the process of chanting.

Repetition Induces Meditative Consciousness

Repetition brings in a state of meditation because it uses the rhythm of talking or voice to change the state of mind. Continuous chanting requires exclusive listening skills, which banish verbal reflections. Neurologically this repetition strengthens the associated neuronal pathways associated with the sound and weakens the analytical processing. Physiologically, the rhythm synchronizes respiration and the cardiac rate eliciting the relaxation response and reducing the stress hormones. The combination of this shift allows minimizing the amount of mental activity and eases the access to calmer, cohesive states of consciousness which are synonymous with profound meditation.