The Power of 432/440 Hz Frequencies: Can Music Tuned Into These Frequencies Really Heal Us?
Have you ever wondered why certain songs just feel different? I’m not talking about heartfelt lyrics or a memorable melody but something deeper. Something that goes beyond the surface.
In the past few years, there's been a buzz about 432/440 Hz frequency music as a means of self-care and spirituality.
The self-care and spirituality movements have become massive and mainstream, but neither are marketed as necessarily affordable or accessible. In fact, in 2021, the global wellness market was valued at over $1.5 trillion, with an annual growth rate of 5 to 10 percent. As a result, 432/440 Hz music has become quite popular across the internet.
Some listeners say they listen to 432 Hz music due to beliefs that it is physically, psychologically, and spiritually beneficial. This perception has been amplified through social media, where these beliefs are spreading and gaining traction from listeners and musicians from all parts of the world.
432/440 Hz frequencies provide an accessible entryway to the spiritual movement: the Internet’s latest obsession. However, these frequencies aren’t just a trend or musical fad. They’re embedded in a deep world of auditory history that claims almost unbelievable results.
What Are 432/440 Hz Frequencies?
Before diving into frequencies, it’s important to have some background info on music and sound.
Sound is a type of energy made by vibrations, and the frequency of a sound wave is measured in units of hertz (Hz), whereas one hertz equals one cycle per second. Therefore, the frequency of a sound determines how high or low the actual sound is when it reaches our ears: it determines how we’re going to “hear” that sound.
In the music, both 432 Hz and 440 Hz refer to the pitch of the A note and are significant because they act as a reference point for tuning instruments.
The frequency of 432 Hz, often referred to as "Verdi’s A," has an important historical significance in music. It was the standard pitch for music until the early 20th century and was used by many renowned classical composers like Mozart, Verdi, and Beethoven in their compositions. Some claim that 432 Hz is a pitch that is more natural and harmonious to the human ear.
Historical Context
So how did we shift from 432 Hz to 440 Hz?
The shift was gradual and over quite some time. While a previous standard, predominantly in France, was set at 435 Hz, the more harmonious 432 Hz frequency was favoured by composers like Verdi. By 1917, however, the American Federation of Musicians had adopted 440 Hz as the standard pitch, a practice that became a worldwide standard by 1953. This frequency, now known as “concert pitch,” was formally set at an international conference in 1939.
However, these frequencies aren’t new.
The roots of 432 Hz tuning can be traced back to ancient Greece, starting with the legendary musician Orpheus. The Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, known for his work on musical harmonic ratios and scientific pitch, is credited as the first recorded person to work with the 432 Hz frequency.
This frequency was also referred to as the "sound of the universe" or the “sound of the spheres,” linking it to celestial movements.
Sounds a bit cosmic, doesn't it?
The Science Behind 432/440 Hz Music
So, is there scientific proof behind the claims that 432 Hz music can positively influence emotional and mental states? Some say yes, and some say no.
It’s a heated debate, with some scientists dismissing it as pseudoscience.
In a 2019 study conducted by researchers Diletta Calamassi and Gian Paolo Pomponi tuned into the effects of 432 Hz and 440 Hz music on our well-being.
They found that music at these frequencies could positively affect our mental and physical health.
The study, featuring 33 participants, revealed that listening to music tuned to 432 Hz frequency could decrease blood pressure and mellow heart rate. It seems to put the body into a sort of zen mode.
Turns out, 432 Hz isn't just a soothing sound; it's a chemical romance in our brain. It potentially cranks up the serotonin and endorphins, acting like a natural chill pill. Plus, it might clear up the energy blockages, bringing some much-needed clarity and balance to our heart chakra.
In a 2020 study published in Acta Bio Medica: Atenei Parmensis, researchers found that listening to music tuned to 432 Hz frequency showed significant improvements in sleep scores in patients with spinal cord injuries, while interestingly enough, 440 Hz music showed no improvement.
In addition, Branislaw R. Tanasic conducted a study on the impact of 432 Hz pitch vs 440 Hz pitch and found that music tuned to the 432 Hz frequency elicited stronger activity in the listeners' left prefrontal cortex, indicating enhanced emotional engagement and positive memory associations. Their research provided strong evidence of the significant impact of 432 Hz music on brain responses, as evidenced by EEG measurements.
Again, it seemed that participants had a stronger response and impact to 432 Hz than 440 Hz.
Despite the strong evidence that suggests music tuned into these frequencies can provide spiritual, mental, and physical impacts, it's crucial to acknowledge the ongoing scientific debate surrounding these claims.
Some researchers and scholars in the field of musicology and auditory neuroscience caution against definitive conclusions, pointing out the limited scope of existing studies and the variability in individual responses to sound frequencies. They emphasize the need for more comprehensive, rigorously controlled research to fully understand the impact of these frequencies on human health and well-being.
As interest in this area continues to grow, further studies are essential to substantiate the claims and to unravel the nuanced ways in which sound frequencies might interact with our physiological and psychological states.
So, Is It Worth Listening To 432 / 440 Hz Frequency Music?
Listening to music tuned into the 432 Hz frequency could help you experience feelings of relaxation, zen, and serenity: dropping the pitch to 432 Hz could be your ticket to a spark of creativity.
So, what's the main takeaway from all this?
Whether you're stretching into a yoga pose, meditating for some inner peace, or just trying to catch some Zs, adding these frequencies to your playlist could be a subtle yet powerful way to harmonize your mind and body.
Whether or not you believe the science behind it, many listeners claim to see positive side effects from adding these frequencies to their everyday playlists, so why not test it out yourself?
Take a listen to our 432 Hz music playlist below and see if it makes you feel extra zen (even if it doesn’t, there are some good jams on there anyways.)
** Disclaimer: Though this article cites studies about the impact of these frequencies on well-being, it should be noted that these studies are not universally accepted by all scientists.