Exploring the Effects of Om Chanting on Cognitive Functions of Individuals

[Full title: Exploring the Effects of Om Chanting on Cognitive Functions of Individuals: A Narrative Review]

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Singh, Swathi, Kumar, Archana, Ayu, Nil, Med, April]

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2025 Volume 10 Number 4 APRIL E-ISSN:2456-3110 Review Article Om Chanting Publisher www.maharshicharaka.in Exploring the Effects of Om Chanting on Cognitive Functions of Individuals: A Narrative Review Singh K 1* , Archana K 2 , Swathi KV 3 , Sharada Shetty PS 4 , Vinaya Kumar T 5 DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.4.12 1* Khemard Singh, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Yoga, Alva's College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Moodabidri, Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India 2 Archana K, Professor, Department of Yoga, Alva’s College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Moodabidri, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India 3 Swathi KV, Associate Professor, Department of Yoga, Alva’s College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Moodabidri, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India 4 Sharada Shetty PS, Assistant Professor, Department of Yoga, Alva’s College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Moodabidri, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India 5 Vinaya Kumar T, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Yoga, Alva’s College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Moodabidri, Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India Om chanting is a fundamental practice in yoga and meditation, known for its potential cognitive and physiological benefits. This review aims to explore the effects of Om chanting on cognitive functions, particularly memory, attention, and executive function, among healthy individuals. Several studies indicate that Om chanting modulates brain activity, enhances neural connectivity, and improves psychological well-being.[1,2] By examining existing literature, we highlight the mechanisms through which Om chanting influences cognitive processes, including autonomic nervous system regulation, cerebral blood flow enhancement, and neurochemical modulation.[3,4] This review provides insights into the therapeutic applications of Om chanting in cognitive health and suggests directions for future research Keywords: Cognitive function, Memory, Meditation, Om chanting, Yoga, Brain activity Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse Khemard Singh, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Yoga, Alva's College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Moodabidri, Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India Email: Singh K, Archana K, Swathi KV, Sharada Shetty PS, Vinaya Kumar T, Exploring the Effects of Om Chanting on Cognitive Functions of Individuals: A Narrative Review . J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(4):87- 89 Available From https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4168/ Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted 2025-03-10 2025-03-25 2025-04-05 2025-04-15 2025-04-25 Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note None Nil Not required 11.63 © 2025 by Singh K, Archana K, Swathi KV, Sharada Shetty PS, Vinaya Kumar T and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0] J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025 ; 10 ( 4 ) 87

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Naveen, Naidu, Heart]

Introduction Cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and executive processing, play a crucial role in daily activities and overall well-being. In recent years, Yoga and meditation practices have gained attention for their ability to enhance cognitive performance. Among these practices, Om chanting, a form of mantra meditation, has been reported to influence brain activity, autonomic nervous system responses, and cognitive performance [5,6] This review aims to consolidate existing research on effe. of Om chanting on cognitive function, exploring its underlying mechanisms & potential applications Aim and Objectives 1. To evaluate the impact of Om chanting on cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and executive function. 2. To explore the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the cognitive benefits of Om 3. To assess the therapeutic potential of Om chanting in cognitive enhancement and stress management Methodology A literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords included " Om chanting," "cognitive function," "memory enhancement," and "brain activity." Studies involving healthy individuals practicing Om chanting were included, with a focus on randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and neurophysiological research [7 ] Discussion 1. Mechanisms of Om Chanting on Cognitive Function OM chanting influences cognitive functions through several physiological and neural mechanisms: 2. Empirical Evidence Supporting Cognitive Benefits 3. Comparison with Other Meditation Techniques Unlike silent meditation or mindfulness-based practices, Om chanting involves auditory stimulation and vibratory effects Khemard S et al. Effects of Om Chanting on Cognitive Functions of Individuals Neurophysiological Effects: Research using EEG and fMRI scans indicates that Om chanting stimulates the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus—key areas involved in attention, memory, and executive function [8,9] The rhythmic vocalization of Om creates vibratory effects that synchronize neural oscillations, promoting mental clarity and cognitive focus Autonomic Nervous System Regulation: Om chanting activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to shift the body from a state of stress (sympathetic dominance) to a state of relaxation. This regulation reduces cortisol levels, lowers heart rate, and enhances cognitive clarity and emotional stability [10] Cerebral Blood Flow Enhancement: Studies suggest that the rhythmic breathing and vocalization involved in Om chanting increase blood flow to critical brain regions. This improved circulation enhances oxygenation and nutrient delivery, essential for optimal cognitive function and neural efficiency [11] Neurochemical Modulation: Om chanting has been linked to an increase in serotonin & dopamine levels, neurotransmitters responsible for mood regulation, memory processing & cognitive performance. Practice also reduces amygdala activity, minimizing stress responses and promoting balanced emotional state [12] Memory Enhancement: A study by Naidu et al. (2014) demonstrated that 12 weeks of OM chanting significantly improved memory retention in school children. Participants exhibited enhanced verbal and spatial memory, likely due to improved neural connectivity in memory-related brain regions [13 ] Attention and Reaction Time: A randomized controlled trial by Naveen et al. (2022) found that OM chanting improved attention span and reaction time in healthy adults. The study concluded that the vibratory and rhythmic effects of chanting enhance cognitive processing speed and focus [14 ] Psychological Well-being: Research suggests that OM chanting reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, indirectly improving cognitive function. A calmer mental state allows for better concentration, decision-making, and overall cognitive efficiency [15 ] J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025 ; 10 ( 4 ) 88

[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Zhang, Gangadhar, Shankar, Sailesh, Nayak, Thakur, Rao, Nagendra]

These unique characteristics may provide additional neural benefits, such as increased sensory processing efficiency and enhanced cognitive synchronization. The sound vibrations of Om chanting resonate throughout the body, potentially influencing brainwave activity and facilitating deeper cognitive engagement [16 ] Conclusion Existing research supports cognitive benefits of Om chanting, particularly in enhancing memory, attention & stress regulation. However, further large-scale studies with rigorous methodologies are needed to validate these findings & explore clinical applications. Integrating Om chanting into daily practice may serve as cost-effective & accessible tool for cognitive enhancement & mental well-being References 1. Basavaraddi IV. Yoga: its origin, history and development. Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India; 2015. . [Crossref][PubMed] [Google Scholar] 2. Rao NP, Deshpande G, Gangadhar KB, Arasappa R, Varambally S, et al. Directional brain networks underlying OM chanting. Asian J Psychiatry. 2018;37:20-5. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 3. Bhardwaj AK, Agrawal G. Concept and applications of psycho-immunity: importance in mental health. Online J Multidiscip Res 2015;1(3):6-12. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 4. Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, Zhang H, et al. The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress. Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 5. Gurjar AA, Ladhake SA. Time-frequency analysis of chanting Sanskrit divine sound “OM” mantra. Int J Comput Sci Netw Secur. 2008;8(8):170-5 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 6. Nayak NN, Shankar K. Yoga: a therapeutic approach. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2004;15(4):783-98. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 7. Naveen A, Sayeli VK, Pokala U. Effectiveness of 12-week OM chanting on reaction time and memory. Asian J Med Sci. 2022;13(10):233-6. [Crossref] [PubMed][Google Scholar] 8. Pujari V, Parvathisam S. Breathing your way to better brain function. J Pharm Negat Results. 2022;13:8214-9. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 9. Braver TS, Krug MK, Chiew KS, Kool W, et al. Mechanisms of motivation–cognition interaction. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci. 2014;14:443-72 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 10. Tiwari RK. Benefits of yoga practices in high school student’s memory. Int J Yoga Allied Sci. 2015;4(2):79-81. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 11. Thakur GS, Kulkarni DD, Pant G. Immediate effect of nostril breathing on memory performance. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011;55(1):89-93 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 12. Mondal D, Bandyopadhyay N. Effect of yogic practices on depression and motivation among female students. J Yoga Phys Ther. 2022;5(4):210- 5. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 13. Naidu KL, Rao PM, Sailesh KS, et al. Beneficial effects of 12-week OM chanting on memory in school children. World J Pharm Sci 2014;2(6):1969-71. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 14. Rangan R, Nagendra HR, Bhat GR. Effect of yogic education system and modern education system on memory. Int J Yoga. 2009;2(2):55-61 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 15. Simons DJ, Chabris CF. What people believe about how memory works. PLoS One 2011;6(8):e 22757. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] 16. Shields GS, Sazma MA, McCullough AM, Yonelinas AP. The effects of acute stress on episodic memory. Psychol Bull. 2017;143(6):636-75 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar] Disclaimer / Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of Journals and/or the editor(s). Journals and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content Khemard S et al. Effects of Om Chanting on Cognitive Functions of Individuals J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025 ; 10 ( 4 ) 89