WHAT IS SOUND HEALING?
Additional Information
The Vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the body, originates in the brain and extends down to the lower internal organs. It plays a vital role in regulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary processes such as digestion, heartbeat, and respiration. Additionally, it helps restore relaxation after the body's response to stress or danger through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The strength of the vagus response, known as "vagal tone," is determined by the variations in heart rate between inhalation and exhalation. A higher vagal tone is essential for maintaining good health.
Given its proximity to the ear, hearing has a significant impact on the rest of the body due to its connection to the vagus nerve. Although the vagus nerve does not actively participate in the process of hearing, it is often overlooked in discussions related to music and hearing outside the medical field. However, this vital nerve is connected to various parts of the ear, including the posterior wall of the external auditory canal, the lower part of the eardrum's membrane, and the stapedius muscle in the middle ear. It then extends to the lower internal organs, playing a crucial role in regulating functions in the pharynx, larynx, thorax, and abdomen.
In essence, stimulating the ear leads to the stimulation of all vital internal organs, making it a parasympathetic regulatory organ that utilizes the vagus nerve's innervation to impact the entire body. Sound vibrations have a profound influence on the areas of the body reached by the vagus nerve, resonating closely with it in the eardrums. Moreover, the ear has direct or indirect connections to the majority of cranial nerves.
Sound Therapy involves the use of instruments like tuning forks and Tibetan singing bowls, which have an instant calming and relaxing effect on the body, allowing it to return to a nourishing state that counteracts the "fight or flight" response triggered by stress. Long, sustained sounds have a soothing and relaxing effect, eliciting a parasympathetic response, while sharp and abrupt sounds tend to evoke alertness and alarm, leading to a sympathetic response.
Furthermore, auditory stimulation of the vagus nerve can reduce activity in the limbic system, which consists of the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and other adjacent areas. The limbic system primarily influences our emotional life and plays a significant role in memory formation.
Engaging in a simple practice of toning, which involves producing long vocal sounds, typically vowels or humming, can have tangible calming effects by stimulating the vagus nerve through auditory means, consequently deactivating the limbic system. This parallels certain therapies that use electrical devices to artificially stimulate the vagus nerve. However, with the power of our own voice, we can achieve similar results in a completely organic manner!
by Simone Vitale