Singing consistently lowers cortisol, the primary stress hormone, as proved by multiple studies measuring saliva levels before and after vocalization.
A 2017 Royal College of Music study found a marked decrease in cortisol following a singing session, while research on cancer patients and carers confirmed that singing alters cortisol level alongside other stress related signs.
Though the settings of performance significantly influences this effect: while singing in relaxed settings or choirs lowers cortisol stress hormones, high-stress conditions like live public performances can momentarily raise cortisol and cortisone levels.
Significant results on Stress Reduction
- Lowering Cortisol : Studies show that singing lowers cortisol levels, leading to a more relaxed state of mind and reduced anxiety.
- Happy Hormonal Release: Singing triggers the release of endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, which improve mood and a sense of belonging in groups.
- Strengthened Immune System: Unlike passive music listening, singing lowers cortisol and boosts immune markers like secretory immunoglobulin A and cytokine activity.
- Group singing consistently triggers a boost in oxytocin, a hormone linked to social connection and mood improvement.
- Vocal vs. Silent: While both spoken and silent chanting—mental repetition of a mantra— decrease cortisol, vocal chanting results in a greater decline in self-reported anxiety and improves a sense of belonging to a community.
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