The Science of Singing Bowls
- Nov 19, 2025
- 17 min read
Updated: Nov 20, 2025
I have compiled below summaries of academic research done with singing bowls. We have below over a dozen peer reviewed papers with a simple summary easily readable without academic experience. If you want to know more, follow the reference information below each section header.
A Short Summary Of All Research Below
Over the last decade, a growing number of studies have begun to explore how singing bowls, especially the so-called Himalayan or Tibetan singing bowls, produce sound, and what effect that sound might have on the human body and mind. On the physical side, research has shown that when a bowl is struck or "rubbed", it sets up vibrations in the metal (and in any liquid inside it) that correspond to specific vibration “modes” commonly called overtones. These modes are shaped by the bowl’s size, material, shape, and how it’s played.
From a physiological and psychological viewpoint, the evidence suggests that singing-bowl sessions can promote shifts in both mood and body-state. Participants in several studies reported reduced tension, anxiety, confusion and fatigue, and improved mood and sense of well-being after a session. At the bodily level, measures such as heart rate, heart-rate variability (HRV), and EEG (brain-wave) power show changes consistent with increased parasympathetic activity (the “rest and digest” system) and decreased sympathetic arousal (the “stress/fight or flight” system).
Yet, despite these promising findings, the research also reveals important caveats. Many studies have small sample sizes, lack rigorous control groups, or use different designs and measures, making direct comparison difficult and limiting how confidently we can generalize the results.
The Dynamics of Tibetan Singing Bowls
Inácio, O., Henrique, L., & Antunes, J. (2006). The dynamics of Tibetan singing bowls. Acta Acustica united with Acustica, 92(4), 637–651. https://doi.org/10.3813/AAA.918425
This research paper explores how Tibetan singing bowls create sound and why they can produce a long, steady tone when played by rubbing the rim with a wooden stick (often called a puja or mallet). Although singing bowls are widely used for meditation and music, the scientific details of how they vibrate and “sing” are not always well understood. The authors set out to study the bowls in a more rigorous, physics-based way.
The researchers examined several bowls and found that each bowl vibrates in multiple patterns at once, creating complex layers of tone. These vibration patterns are called modes, and each mode has a specific pitch. When the rim is rubbed, some of these vibration modes can become stronger and take over the sound. The strongest mode depends on how the bowl is played and on the material and surface of the rubbing stick.
One of the most interesting discoveries is that the vibrating shape of the bowl can actually rotate around the rim, following the motion of the mallet. This creates a gentle pulsing or “beating” sound that listeners often notice. Even a perfectly symmetrical bowl will sound like it is pulsing or shimmering because the vibration pattern moves as the bowl sings.
The study also found that the way a bowl behaves depends on how firmly the mallet is pressed and how fast it moves:
With steady pressure and speed, the bowl can produce a smooth, continuous tone.
If the pressure is too light or the speed too high, the bowl may start to rattle or slip, causing interruptions or harsh sounds.
Softer mallet coverings (like rubber) produce different tones than harder wooden ones, sometimes exciting higher or lower modes of vibration.
The authors created computer simulations that closely matched real recorded bowl sounds, helping them understand the physical processes more precisely. They point out that these findings can improve digital sound synthesis, instrument design, and musical performance techniques.
Singing bowls create sound through a stick-slip effect (similar to a finger on a wine glass).
Their sound is made of multiple vibrating patterns, some stronger than others.
The strongest pattern may rotate, causing pulsing or “beating” effects in the sound.
The type of mallet, the rubbing speed, and the pressure all change the tone and smoothness of the sound.
Computer models can now simulate bowl sounds very accurately.
Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study
Goldsby TL, Goldsby ME, McWalters M, Mills PJ. Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Jul;22(3):401-406. doi: 10.1177/2156587216668109. Epub 2016 Sep 30. PMID: 27694559; PMCID: PMC5871151.
This study investigated whether a session of sound meditation using Tibetan singing bowls could influence people’s mood, tension levels, and overall sense of well-being. The researchers asked 62 adult participants to lie comfortably for about 40 minutes while a therapist played several singing bowls around them. Before and after the session, the participants completed questionnaires that assessed their feelings of tension, anger, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, as well as positive feelings such as alertness or enthusiasm.
The results showed that after the sound meditation session participants reported significant decreases in negative moods like tension, anger, confusion, fatigue, and depression. At the same time, many reported increases in positive moods like alertness and general well-being. Because this study was observational (meaning there was no comparison group that didn’t receive the bowl session) the findings are suggestive rather than definitive—but they do point to a strong association between the singing bowl session and improved mood.
While the paper did not deeply analyse physiological changes (like heart rate or brain waves) in this report, the authors indicate the sound session may help shift the body and mind into a more relaxed, restored state—possibly helping people move out of “stress mode” into “rest mode.” They also caution that more rigorous studies, including ones with comparison groups and measuring physical body responses, are needed to confirm how and why the benefits occur.
Overall, the study suggests that spending 40 minutes in a guided sound meditation with singing bowls may help reduce negative emotional states and enhance positive feelings of well-being. For readers curious about practical applications: the findings lend support to using singing bowls as a complementary tool (not a replacement for medical treatment) in settings focused on stress relief, wellness, or mood improvement.
The Human Health Effects Of Singing Bowls: A Systematic Review
Stanhope J, Weinstein P. The human health effects of singing bowls: A systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Jun;51:102412. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102412. Epub 2020 Apr 22. PMID: 32507429.
This paper examines whether there is any reliable scientific evidence that singing bowl therapies—listening to or receiving sound/vibration from metal or crystal singing bowls—can have positive or negative effects on human health. The authors conducted a systematic review, which means they searched multiple medical and scientific databases to identify all studies that investigated health outcomes associated with singing bowls. Out of 74 initial search results, only four peer-reviewed studies were found that met the criteria for inclusion. These studies looked at different groups, including adults with chronic spinal pain, patients with metastatic cancer, and healthy participants receiving singing bowl sound meditation.
Across these studies, some positive effects were reported. Participants experienced improvements in mood states such as anxiety, tension, anger, confusion, depression, and fatigue; and some research also suggested improvements in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen levels, skin conductance, and certain types of brainwave activity associated with relaxation. These outcomes point toward singing bowl sessions potentially reducing stress and supporting emotional well-being. However, most of the studies were small, used methods that increase the risk of bias, and did not always have strong comparison or control groups. Because of these limitations, the authors caution that the evidence is promising, but not strong enough to confidently recommend singing bowl therapy as a health treatment at this stage.
The review also notes that more rigorous research is needed to answer important questions. For example, it is still unclear whether the benefits come primarily from the sound, the vibration, the relaxation setting, or a combination of factors. It is also unknown whether a recording of singing bowls might provide similar benefits, or whether active playing of bowls (rather than passive listening) might offer additional mental or physical advantages. The authors recommend that future studies use stronger designs—such as larger randomized controlled trials—and better reporting of outcomes so clinicians and public health practitioners can evaluate whether singing bowls can be recommended as a safe, low-cost complementary therapy for stress-related conditions.
A Comparative Study of the Impact of Himalayan Singing Bowls and Supine Silence on Stress Index and Heart Rate Variability
Trivedi, Gunjan & Saboo, Banshi. (2019). A Comparative Study of the Impact of Himalayan Singing Bowls and Supine Silence on Stress Index and Heart Rate Variability. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Mental Health. 2. 40-50. 10.14302/issn.2474-9273.jbtm-19-3027.
This study compared whether a 20-minute Himalayan singing bowl session helps people relax more deeply than simply lying down in supine silence with no sound. Both activities are believed to support stress reduction, but the researchers wanted to see if the vibrations and tones produced by singing bowls could create a stronger relaxation response in the body. To measure this, they looked at heart rate variability (HRV) and something called a stress index, which are commonly used to assess how well the nervous system is shifting from a stressed state into a calmer, more restorative one. Sixteen people participated in the singing bowl sessions, and seventeen took part in the silence sessions.
During the singing bowl intervention, seven bowls of different sizes were played in a slow, repeated sequence around the resting participants for the entire 20 minutes. In the silence sessions, people rested the same way but with no sound at all. The data showed that both silence and singing bowls helped reduce stress, but the singing bowls led to a more consistent and deeper level of relaxation. In the bowl group, stress levels steadily dropped in every five-minute interval, heart rate reduced, and HRV increased—indicating stronger activation of the “rest and digest” branch of the nervous system. In the silence group, relaxation still occurred, but the improvements were not as steady or as strong, and stress levels even rose slightly near the end of the session for some participants.
The authors concluded that Himalayan singing bowls may help the body relax more efficiently in a short amount of time, even within just 20 minutes. This could make singing bowl sessions a helpful complementary practice for people dealing with stress, sleep difficulties, or emotional strain. They also note that larger studies and more diverse participant groups are needed to strengthen the evidence, and future research may explore using singing bowls in clinical settings—such as before medical procedures or in wellness programs—to support stress recovery and overall well-being.
Effects of Tibetan Singing Bowl Intervention on Psychological and Physiological Health in Adults: A Systematic Review
Lin, F.-W., Yang, Y.-H., & Wang, J.-Y. (2025). Effects of Tibetan Singing Bowl Intervention on Psychological and Physiological Health in Adults: A Systematic Review. Healthcare, 13(16), 2002. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13162002
This study is a systematic review, meaning the authors collected and analysed many previous studies to see what the overall evidence says about using Tibetan singing bowls in adults. They focused on both psychological outcomes (such as anxiety, depression, overall well-being) and physiological outcomes (things like heart rate variability, heart rate, brainwave activity).
The review included 14 quantitative studies carried out over the past 16 years, covering general adults, people with emotional distress, and patients with chronic conditions.
What they found is encouraging but cautious. Many of the studies reported reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms, improvements in well-being and quality of life, and physiological signs of greater relaxation (for example, higher heart rate variability and lower heart rate). Some studies also found changes in brainwave activity (like increased Theta and Delta waves, which are often associated with deeper relaxation or meditative states).
However, because the set of studies was quite diverse in methods (different instruments, durations, populations) and some lacked rigorous control groups, the authors were not able to perform a formal meta-analysis to quantify the effect sizes.
In plain terms: the use of Tibetan singing bowls as an intervention appears to be a promising complementary tool for supporting stress reduction and well-being in adults, with preliminary evidence in favour of positive psychological and physiological effects. At the same time, the evidence is still emerging and not yet strong enough to claim singing bowls as a proven therapy on their own. The researchers recommend more rigorous, larger-scale studies with well-defined control conditions, standardised bowl or sound-intervention protocols, and longer follow-up to determine how lasting the benefits might be.
The Physics Of Tibetan Singing Bowls
Inácio, O., Henrique, L., & Antunes, J. (2003). The physics of Tibetan singing bowls. Revista de acústica, 35, 1-2.
This paper explores how Tibetan singing bowls produce their distinctive sound, whether they are struck or rubbed around the rim with a wooden mallet (called a puja). The authors explain that the tones and vibrations depend not only on the bowl’s metal alloy, size, and shape, but also on how the bowl is played—especially the pressure, speed, and friction of the puja. By creating advanced computer simulations, they show that rubbing a bowl sets up a repeating cycle of stick and slip between the mallet and the metal surface, similar to how a finger makes a wine glass sing.
The study highlights that a singing bowl can vibrate in different motion patterns, called modes, and these modes determine what we hear. One important finding is that when a bowl is rubbed, the bowl tends to lock into a vibration pattern with four main areas of strong movement around the rim. This vibration pattern then begins to rotate around the bowl, following the movement of the puja. Because of this, listeners hear a sound with pulsing or beating effects, even if the bowl is perfectly symmetrical. The sound may seem to shimmer or fluctuate because the points of vibration are constantly moving, rather than staying in one place.
The authors also describe what happens when conditions are not stable, such as when the mallet pressure or rubbing speed makes it hard for the bowl and puja to stay in contact. In these cases, the vibration becomes unstable or chaotic, and the bowl may start to chatter or ring instead of producing a smooth tone. This happens because the mallet loses grip and begins to tap rapidly against the bowl’s rim. These simulations match what many players hear in real life when a bowl suddenly switches from a steady hum to a harsher, knocking sound.
The paper helps clarify why singing bowls have such a recognizable and rich sound. It supports the idea that the bowl’s tone is shaped by a combination of material, playing technique, and vibration physics. It also shows that the sound is not simply a single pitch, but a blend of interacting vibrations that create a detailed acoustic texture. This research is valuable for instrument makers, acousticians, sound-healing practitioners, and musicians who want to better understand how singing bowls behave and how to control their sound quality.
Exploring The Healing Power Of Singing Bowls: An Overview Of Key Findings And Potential Benefits
Seetharaman, R., Avhad, S., & Rane, J. (2024). Exploring the healing power of singing bowls: An overview of key findings and potential benefits. Explore, 20(1), 39–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2023.07.007
This review article provides an overview of what current research suggests about the potential healing effects of singing bowl sound meditation. Singing bowls are traditionally used in Tibetan and Buddhist practices, and are believed by some practitioners to help balance the body’s energy system, reduce stress, and support emotional and spiritual well-being. The authors explain that while these cultural and spiritual interpretations exist, the scientific reasons behind their effects are still not fully understood. They explore several early theories, including possible changes in brain waves, the influence of rhythmic sound on the nervous system, and interactions with what some traditions call the body’s “biofield,” though these concepts require more rigorous scientific testing.
The review summarizes results from various studies suggesting that singing bowl sessions may help reduce tension, anxiety, depression, and negative mood, while sometimes improving blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Several studies cited in the review describe short-term calming effects and increased spiritual well-being following sound meditation. For example, research by Landry (2014) and Goldsby et al. (2017) found that listening to singing bowls before or during a relaxation session was associated with reduced negative emotions and increased positive mood. Other studies using heart-rate variability and EEG analysis reported shifts toward more relaxed physiological and brainwave states during or after bowl sessions. However, the authors note that many studies involve small sample sizes, lack control groups, or rely on self-reported feelings, which limits the strength of the evidence.
The article also discusses more speculative ideas, including whether repeated sound-based meditation could have epigenetic effects—that is, whether it could influence gene expression in ways similar to yoga, tai chi, or other mindfulness practices. While there is no direct research yet showing genetic changes from singing bowl meditation, the authors suggest this could be an area worth exploring because related mind-body interventions have shown potential impact on inflammation, immunity, and stress-related pathways.
Overall, the authors conclude that singing bowl meditation may be a low-cost and accessible complementary practice that could be recommended for individuals seeking relaxation, stress relief, or emotional regulation. However, they emphasize that more rigorous research—particularly long-term studies and clinical trials—is necessary before making strong claims about medical or therapeutic benefits. Future studies should examine whether recorded bowl sounds have similar effects to live instruments, which types of bowls are most effective, and how long any benefits may last.
Structural Analysis Of Tibetan Singing Bowls
Limkar, S. S., & Chandekar, U. D. (2023). Structural dynamic analysis of a musical instrument: Tibetan singing bowl. Journal of Vibration Engineering & Technologies, 11(6), 1361–1378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42417-023-01340-2
This study explored how a Tibetan singing bowl vibrates and creates sound, and compared three different ways of measuring those vibrations. First, the researchers used a computer simulation to predict how the bowl should naturally vibrate based on its shape and metal properties. Next, they carried out laboratory tests, striking the bowl with a special hammer and recording the bowl’s response at 144 points across its surface. Finally, they used operational modal analysis, a method that measures vibrations while the bowl is played normally, without needing to record the force of a strike.
The results showed that all three methods produced very similar natural frequencies—the main pitches the bowl creates when vibrating—usually within a few percent of each other. This confirmed that the computer model was realistic and that operational modal analysis is a reliable way to study a singing bowl. The different methods also produced similar vibration mode shapes for the lower tones, meaning the bowl’s rim moved in comparable patterns. Higher-frequency vibration patterns were harder to capture because they are more complex and require more measurement points.
The authors conclude that operational modal analysis is especially useful for studying musical instruments like singing bowls because it can measure how they behave under real playing conditions without striking them repeatedly, which is valuable for delicate or handcrafted instruments. This approach can help instrument makers, acoustics researchers, and musicians better understand what gives a bowl its characteristic sound and how design or material changes might influence tone quality.
Physiological and Psychological Effects of a Himalayan Singing Bowl in Meditation Practice: A Quantitative Analysis
Landry, J. M. (2014). Physiological and psychological effects of a Himalayan singing bowl in meditation practice: A quantitative analysis. American Journal of Health Promotion, 28(5), 306–309. https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.121031-ARB-528
This study explored whether beginning a meditation session with the sound of a Himalayan singing bowl could help people relax more deeply than beginning the same session in silence. Fifty-one adults took part in two different sessions: in one visit, they sat quietly for 12 minutes before a guided relaxation exercise, and in the other visit, they listened to a singing bowl played for the same amount of time before doing the same relaxation exercise. The order was randomized so that some participants heard the singing bowl first, while others experienced the silent session first. Before and after each session, the researcher measured blood pressure, heart rate, and emotional state to see how the body responded.
Both silence and the singing bowl helped lower stress and support relaxation, but the singing bowl produced stronger reductions in systolic blood pressure and heart rate, suggesting a more noticeable calming effect on the body. Participants also showed improvements in their mood after both sessions, reporting fewer negative emotions such as tension or irritability. Although participants with high blood pressure appeared to benefit as well, the study was not large enough to determine how big those additional effects might be.
The researcher suggested a few possible reasons why singing bowls might be helpful. The layered tones and gentle vibrations could support the nervous system in shifting into a more relaxed state, similar to how certain types of meditation or chanting can lower stress. Because the singing bowl is easy to use, low-cost, and requires no special training, the author concluded that it may be a practical tool to enhance meditation or stress-management sessions, particularly for people who find it difficult to relax in silence. However, the study only measured short-term effects, so we do not yet know how long these benefits last or whether recorded bowl sounds would work as well as a live session.
Tibetan Singing Bowls
Terwagne, D., & Bush, J. W. M. (2011). Tibetan singing bowls. Nonlinearity, 24(8), R51–R66. https://doi.org/10.1088/0951-7715/24/8/R01
This study explores what happens, physically and visually when a Tibetan singing bowl is played, especially when it contains water. The researchers found that when the rim of the bowl vibrates, it creates beautiful wave patterns on the surface of the water. At first, these waves are gentle and difficult to see, but as the bowl vibrates more strongly, the waves become larger and form repeating patterns around the edge. Eventually, if the vibration becomes strong enough, tiny droplets of water can actually jump, bounce, or even float briefly above the surface before falling back in.
The scientists explain that this behavior is similar to what happens with a singing wine glass or a vertically shaken bowl of water, but singing bowls are especially good at creating these effects because they vibrate at lower pitches. These lower vibrations make it easier for the water waves to become strong enough to break and produce droplets.
They also measured how the bowl vibrates when empty versus filled with water, showing that adding water lowers the sound’s pitch. The metal of the bowls behaved similarly to glass, and the authors used this information to estimate the stiffness of the alloy the bowls were made from.
In the end, the study showed that Tibetan singing bowls are not only musical instruments, but also fascinating tools for studying the physics of vibrations, waves, and fluid motion. Their vibrations can create patterns, splash droplets, and even levitate them for a moment—bridging ancient craftsmanship and modern science.
Impact of Himalayan Singing Bowls Meditation Session on Mood and Heart Rate Variability
Panchal, S., Irani, F., & Trivedi, G. Y. (2020). Impact of Himalayan singing bowls meditation session on mood and heart rate variability. International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research, 1(4), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2574-612X.ijpr-20-3213
Researchers invited healthy volunteers to participate in a 40-minute seated sound bath meditation session using Himalayan singing bowls. They measured two main types of outcomes:
Mood: Through questionnaires measuring positive/negative feelings and specific mood states.
Physiology: Via heart-rate variability (HRV) measurements—heart rate, stress index and RMSSD (a marker of how much the body’s “rest and digest” system is active).
What they found:
After the session, participants reported higher positive affect (more good/energized feelings) and lower negative affect (less tension, anger, fatigue, depression, confusion).
On the physiological side, the heart-rate and stress-index dropped, while RMSSD increased—signs that the body shifted towards a more relaxed state (parasympathetic activity up, sympathetic down).
The authors concluded that a single 40-minute sound bath using singing bowls appears to produce meaningful improvements in both mood and physiological stress indicators in healthy individuals. They caution that further work is needed with control groups, longer studies and perhaps participants with stress-related health issues.
Vibration Modes And Sound Characteristic Analysis For Different Sizes Of Singing Bowls
Wang, Bor-Tsuen & Tsai, Chun-Lang & Wu, Ying-Hui. (2018). Vibration modes and sound characteristic analysis for different sizes of singing bowls. MATEC Web of Conferences. 185. 00017. 10.1051/matecconf/201818500017.
This study looks at why different sizes of singing bowls make different sounds, and what is happening in the metal when a bowl is struck. The researchers used computer models and real-world tests to watch how the bowls vibrate and which vibrations create the sounds we hear.
They found that most of the sound comes from the rim of the bowl vibrating in wave-like patterns, and not from the bottom of the bowl. When a bowl is struck, it vibrates in several patterns at the same time. The lowest vibration is called the fundamental tone, and the higher ones are overtones. Together, these create the bowl’s unique, layered sound. Smaller bowls vibrate faster, so they make higher-pitched tones, while larger bowls vibrate more slowly, giving deeper tones.
The study also showed that the tone relationships of the bowls are often close to simple number ratios, like 1:3 or 1:6. These ratios make the bowls sound especially harmonious to the human ear, which helps explain why many people find the sound calming or pleasant.
Overall, the research shows that the sound of a singing bowl can be predicted by the way it vibrates, and that bowl makers can use this knowledge to design bowls with certain tones and musical qualities.
The Chatter In The Himalayan Singing Bowl
Collin, S. R., Keefer, C. L., & Moore, T. R. (2015). The etiology of chatter in the himalayan singing bowl. Proceedings of the Third Vienna Talk on Music Acoustics, 16, 19.
This study looks at why a singing bowl sometimes makes a rough, knocking sound (often called chatter) instead of a smooth, steady singing tone. When someone plays a bowl by running a wooden mallet around the rim, the sound comes from a quick cycle of sticking and slipping between the mallet and the metal, similar to how a finger can make a wine glass sing. The researchers found that the bowl mostly vibrates in one main pattern that moves around the rim as the mallet moves (2,0 Mode). But if the player goes too fast or presses too lightly, the mallet can lose contact with the bowl for larger moments than the strike-slip phenomenon tolerates. When that happens, the mallet taps the bowl repeatedly, causing the knocking or chattering sound people sometimes hear. In short, chatter happens when the bowl is vibrating so strongly that the mallet can’t stay firmly against the rim anymore, so it starts bumping instead of smoothly singing.
When the bowl is played, one part of the rim is vibrating strongly and another part is hardly moving at all. The spot that hardly moves is called a node. The researchers found that the mallet does not sit exactly on this still point. Instead, the mallet sits just slightly ahead of the node in the direction it is moving around the bowl. In other words, as the mallet travels, the node follows very close behind it. Measurements showed that the node is usually only about 1 mm away from where the mallet touches the rim, trailing just behind it as both move around the bowl.
This explains why the bowl vibrates most strongly on the opposite sides of the rim while remaining still near the mallet, and it helps show why chatter happens when the bowl begins vibrating too strongly for the mallet to maintain smooth contact.
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