The Science of Sound: Studying the Cognitive, Emotional, and Physiological Effects of Frequency, Genre, and Music

Author(s)

Jett Yarborough, Liberty UniversityFollow

Publication Date

Fall 2025

School

School of Health Sciences

Major

Biology: Biomedical Sciences

Keywords

Sound, Cognitive, Emotional, Physiological, Frequency, Genre, Music, 432Hz, 440Hz, Hertz, Therapy

Disciplines

Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Anatomy | Biology | Body Regions | Cardiovascular System | Circulatory and Respiratory Physiology | Cognitive Neuroscience | Cognitive Science | Communication Sciences and Disorders | COVID-19 | Dance Movement Therapy | Data Science | Dentistry | Diseases | Endocrine System | Endodontics and Endodontology | Equipment and Supplies | Health Services Research | Homeopathy | Investigative Techniques | Laboratory and Basic Science Research | Medical Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental and Social Health | Nervous System | Neuroscience and Neurobiology | Nursing | Oncology | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Other Medical Sciences | Other Physiology | Physiological Processes | Physiology | Public Health | Rehabilitation and Therapy | Research Methods in Life Sciences | Sense Organs | Sleep Medicine | Speech and Hearing Science | Speech Pathology and Audiology | Substance Abuse and Addiction | Systems and Integrative Physiology | Systems Biology | Systems Neuroscience | Therapeutics

Related URL

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Recommended Citation

Yarborough, Jett, "The Science of Sound: Studying the Cognitive, Emotional, and Physiological Effects of Frequency, Genre, and Music" (2025). Senior Honors Theses. 1553.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/1553

Abstract

Music influences emotion, physiology, and cognition, yet little is known about how the frequency it is tuned to affects these influences. Prior research has shown that music tuned to 432 Hz can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. My colleagues and I conducted two studies to investigate this. Our research found that music tuned to 432 Hz promotes a significant increase in memory retention and induces a state of focus and relaxation. These results suggest that shifting from the standard tuning frequency of 440 Hz to 432 Hz could have a profoundly positive impact on our daily lives. These findings, compiled with previous scientific research, show immense promise for a variety of medical, personal, and therapeutic uses worldwide.