PAYING SOUND - SOME ATTENTION

The effects of sound on our state of mind is one of the most intriguing things understood by few, and felt by many. Sound can produce some of the strongest emotional reactions in humans, whether it’s happiness, sadness, fear or nostalgia.

Sound is a series of vibrations that travel into the ear and get converted into electrical signals when sent to the brain via the vestibulocochlear nerve. Your brain then tells

you that you are hearing a sound and what that sound is.

When used in certain ways, sound even has the ability to shift our perception of visual stimulus...

Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) found that playing ‘natural sounds’ affected the bodily systems that control the flight-or-fright and rest-digest autonomic nervous systems, with associated effects on the resting activity of the brain.

They noted:

"When listening to natural sounds, the brain connectivity reflected an outward-directed focus of attention; when listening to artificial sounds, the brain connectivity reflected an inward-directed focus of attention."

Most people don’t think about the sound of their own thinking and its effect on their mind.

"The work of Japanese author and researcher Dr. Masaru Emoto highlighted the effects that sound whether spoken or thought, could have on water. Throughout the 1990’s Dr. Emoto and his team performed a series of experiments observing the physical effect of words, prayers, music, and environment on the crystalline structure of water."

Water that was exposed to positive vibrations such as the laughter, love, or even just a child playing nearby managed to shift the crystals into beautiful forms. Whereas negative behavior and chaotic music did the contrary.

We are 60–70% made of water, so the results of this and other research highlights that our thinking, attitude, and even the people we surround ourselves with can have a major significance for our state of mind and overall well-being.

Sound has the power to create balance and harmony. To create trauma and chaos... So become conscious of the sounds you are creating for yourself and the sounds from the environments you spend the most time in, and see what effect they are having on you.