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RESEARCH
Dr Gemma Perry is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Bond University on the Gold Coast in Australia, specialising in chanting, music, and contemplative practice research.
I completed my Honours, Master’s, and PhD on the psychology of chanting at Macquarie University, investigating how chanting reduces stress, enhances social connection, and induces altered states of consciousness.
My current research expands into the neurocorrelates of chanting, environmental empathy, and neurodiversity. I am also busy delivering evidence-based wellbeing programs for schools, workplaces and community groups.
The ultimate goal is to see chanting and sound-based interventions recognised widely by health, education, and workplace programs.
Chanting for Breathing Difficulties ​
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Participants with and without breathing difficulties completed a 10-minute vocal chanting or guided relaxation activity before and after reporting on mood, social connection, flourishing, and breathing-related outcomes. Results showed that chanting increased positive mood more than relaxation, while both practices enhanced flourishing and social connection and reduced negative mood. These benefits were stronger and more consistent for people with dysfunctional breathing. Interviews highlighted a sense of ease, connection, and improved breath awareness during chanting.
Perry, G., Sunjo, J., Abass, F., Wolff, L., & Thompson, W. F. (2025). Vocal Chanting and Relaxation Provide Psychosocial Benefits for Individuals Living with Self-Reported Breathing Difficulties. Music & Science, 8.​​​​
Chanting Induces Altered States of Consciousness ​
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Participants completed a 10-minute chanting or listening activity before reporting on ego dissolution, mystical states, mindfulness, social connection, and anxiety. Results showed that experienced chanters reported greater ego dissolution and mystical states after chanting compared to listening, while novices did not. Spirituality also influenced these outcomes, suggesting that belief systems shape the experience.
Perry, G., Sun, Y., Polito, V., & Thompson, W. F. (2025). Altered states of consciousness induced by online chanting meditation. Current Psychology, 1-16.​​​
Chanting Decreases Physiological and Psychological Stress​
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Participants engaged in a 12-minute vocal or silent Om chanting practice before completing measures of stress, anxiety, altruism, and social connection, alongside physiological testing of cortisol levels. Results showed that both vocal and silent chanting reduced cortisol and anxiety, with vocal chanting producing a stronger drop in self-reported anxiety.
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Perry, G., Polito, V., & Thompson, W. F. (2024). Exploring the physiological and psychological effects of group chanting in Australia: Reduced stress, cortisol and enhanced social connection. Journal of religion and health, 63(6).​​
Chanting, Mysticism and Mindfulness
Participants from 32 countries completed a global survey examining how different forms of chanting relate to mindfulness, flow states, mystical experiences, mind wandering, and quality of life. Responses from 456 regular chanters showed that stronger intention and greater engagement in chanting—such as devotion, experience, regular practice, and longer practice duration—were linked to altered states and cognitive benefits. Individuals who primarily practiced call-and-response chanting reported more mystica experiences while those who practiced silent mantra repetition showed reduced mind wandering.
Perry, G., Polito, V., Sankaran, N., & Thompson, W. F. (2022). How Chanting Relates to Cognitive Function, Altered States and Quality of Life. Brain Sciences, 12(11), 1456.
Rhythm and Mysticism​ ​
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Data from 464 regular chanters from 33 countries showed that 60% reported experiencing mystical states, marked by deep peace and positive mood. People who experienced these states scored higher on absorption, altruism, and religiosity than those who did not. Mystical states occurred across all forms of chanting—vocal, silent, group, and individual—with no differences across traditions.
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Perry, G., Polito, V., & Thompson, W. F. (2021). Rhythmic Chanting and Mystical States across Traditions. Brain Sciences, 11(1), 101.
Chanting, Ego Dissolution and Mystical Experiences​
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Participants completed a 10-minute chanting or listening activity before reporting on ego dissolution, mystical states, mindfulness, social connection, and anxiety. Results showed that experienced chanters reported greater ego dissolution and mystical states after chanting compared to listening, while novices did not. Spirituality also influenced these outcomes, suggesting that belief systems shape the experience.
Perry, G., Sun, Y., Polito, V., & Thompson, W. F. (2025). Altered states of consciousness induced by online chanting meditation. Current Psychology, 1-16.​​​
Online Chanting Redusces Stress and Increases Social Connection​
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Participants completed a 10-minute online chanting or control activity, either individually or in a group, before and after reporting on stress, mood, and connectedness. Results showed that online chanting reduced stress and increased positive mood compared to the control task. Participants who chanted in a group also felt more connected to others in their chanting group
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Simpson, F. M., Perry, G., & Thompson, W. F. (2021). Assessing vocal chanting as an online psychosocial intervention. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.​​​
Chanting Improves Mood and Social Cohesion​
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Participants completed a 10-minute vocal or silent Om chanting practice before and after reporting on attention, mood, altruism, empathy, and social connectedness. Results showed that vocal chanting produced greater increases in positive mood and altruism compared to silent chanting. Experienced chanters showed increases in altruism after both forms of chanting, while inexperienced participants benefited only from vocal chanting.
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Perry, G., Polito, V & Thompson, W. F. (2016). Chanting Meditation Improves Mood and Social Cohesion, “Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition” [324], July 5-9, 2016, San Francisco​​​
Music and Healing Rituals​
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This book chapter provides a clear overview of how chanting and musical rituals support healing across cultures. It describes how traditions such as Native American, Indigenous Australian, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, and Western practices use rhythmic vocalisation to calm the mind, strengthen community, and promote spiritual development.
Perry, G., & Polito, V. (2021). Music and Healing rituals. The Science and psychology of music: From Beethoven at the Office to Beyoncé at the Gym, 197-204.​​​
Benefits of Mantra
Reduces
Stress & anxiety
Promotes
a sense of calm
Improves
immune function
Enhances
Emotional Regulation
Activates Parasympathetic Nervous System
Promotes
connection and compassion
Improves
brain function
Boosts
mindful awareness
