Does sound bathing actually work? Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan of the TikTok-trending wellness therapy for improved mental and emotional health – but scientists aren’t buying it

As the demand for healing retreats continues to rise, sound bathing has emerged as a leading attraction for wellness enthusiasts thanks to its use as a powerful tool for mental and emotional healing.

“Sound healing is a therapeutic practice that harnesses the power of specific tones and frequencies to promote relaxation and well-being,” says Hiromi Akiyama, founder and healing arts practitioner at Ascentiah Healing Centre in New York. “By utilising these harmonious vibrations, the aim is to facilitate the release of tension and disease within the body and mind, thereby enabling the restoration of one’s natural state of health, strength and vitality.”

The roots of these auditory journeys can be traced back to ancient cultures such as the Tibetans and the shamans of various indigenous peoples, who recognised the profound influence of sound on the human psyche and the body’s energetic systems.

At Ascentiah, Akiyama and her team harness these ancient powers to offer healing and soul liberation. “During a [sound healing] session at Ascentiah, you can expect a soothing and immersive experience,” she says, explaining how, throughout the session, you’ll come across various sounds eliciting both relaxation and tension. “It’s important to understand that this interplay between sound waves and resistance is fundamental to the process. Just as massaging a pressure point can lead to a deeper release, encountering moments of tightness or constriction can be instrumental in facilitating a profound release of tension.”

Participants often describe the meditative and immersive nature of sound bathing as akin to being in a more conventional bath, lapped by waves of sound, the music penetrating every cell to bring an immersive quality that sets it apart from conventional music concerts or live performances. In this state of profound relaxation and receptivity, participants often encounter a deep calm that transcends the need for intellectual understanding, engaging directly with our emotions, memories and sensations.

For Kirscha Cramer, founder of Five Sense Collective in Malibu, sound healing fosters both healing and relaxation. At the collective, they craft a multisensory experience using multiple instruments, “including crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, a crystal harp, Tibetan bowls and more”, Cramer says. “We’ve also curated a serene ambience that nurtures a feeling of safety along with a vulnerability. In addition, we offer aromatherapy head massages to further enhance the physical aspect of the experience.”

But the allure of sound healing extends beyond its meditative and immersive qualities, for its transformative effects are rooted in psychology. Cramer’s approach combines mindful healing with her studies on the neuronal and molecular shifts of the human body using sound. “Sound possesses the remarkable ability to stimulate both brain hemispheres, fostering creativity and inspiration, while also engaging the hippocampus, a region deeply intertwined with our memories,” she explains. “On a physical level, we become profoundly tranquil, allowing the sound waves to permeate our bodies, which, consisting mainly of water, enable sound to travel exceptionally well within.”