Let me say this honestly, because I believe it’s the fair way: research on singing bowls is promising, but scientifically the field is still young. Study participants consistently report less tension and a better mood — yet there are few large, controlled trials. Let’s look at what we know today, and what we don’t.
The most cited study: 62 people, measurable changes
In the most frequently referenced study (Goldsby et al., 2017), 62 adults took part in Tibetan singing bowl meditation, and researchers measured their mood before and after with established questionnaires. The result: participants reported significantly less tension, anger, fatigue and depressed mood after the session.
Two details stand out. People encountering singing bowls for the first time showed a greater drop in tension than experienced participants. And the limitation matters — the authors state it themselves: this was an observational study without a control group, so no cause-and-effect conclusions can be drawn from it.
What do the systematic reviews say?
A 2020 systematic review (Stanhope & Weinstein) found four peer-reviewed studies on the topic and phrased its conclusion carefully: possible beneficial effects are visible, but the evidence is limited and more, higher-quality research is needed. The Cleveland Clinic overview highlights the same: experiences are positive, while the scientific case is still being built.
So why is it still so deeply relaxing?
What many people experience under the bowls is most likely the well-known relaxation response — the opposite of the stress response. As the US National Institutes of Health (NIH/NCCIH) describes it: breathing and heart rate slow down, blood pressure drops — the body switches into rest mode.
Sound is a great ally here: while your attention rests on the vibration of the bowls, the spinning thoughts quiet down on their own. You don’t have to “meditate well” — the sound holds your attention for you.
How to read all this
- Sound bowl sessions are a well-being practice — not healthcare, and no replacement for medical or psychotherapeutic treatment.
- Research shows the most promising signals for easing tension and lifting mood — which matches what I see with my own guests.
- With certain conditions (e.g. epilepsy, an acute mental health crisis) a session isn’t advisable — I cover these in detail in the FAQ.
The best study is still the one you run on yourself. :) Your first visit is a free assessment — write to me and let’s find a time. If you’d first like to read how a session unfolds, it’s here.
