Title : Mantra chikitsa and vibrational medicine: Reintegrating ayurvedic sound therapy into contemporary biomedical science
Abstract:
Sound has been recognized across civilizations as a therapeutic modality influencing physiological, psychological, and environmental processes. In Ayurveda, Mantra Chikitsa (sound-based therapy) is described as a specialized healing approach rooted in vibrational principles, with classical texts such as the Sushruta Samhita identifying mastery of mantra (Mantra Kovida) as a professional qualification for physicians, and the Sama Veda systematizing tonal precision in primordial chants. This review critically evaluates the theoretical foundations, classical references, experimental evidence, and translational potential of Mantra Chikitsa within an integrative biomedical framework. Drawing upon classical Ayurvedic literature, contemporary music therapy research, neurophysiological studies, and experimental investigations on sound-induced cellular and systemic modulation, the analysis explores conceptual correlations with systems biology and resonance models, while maintaining interpretive caution regarding quantum theoretical extrapolations such as Bell’s Theorem proposed by John S. Bell. Preliminary in vitro findings suggest modulation of cancer cell proliferation following exposure to Vedic chanting, and clinical trials in music therapy demonstrate improvements in neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and stress-related conditions. Neuroimaging studies of mantra chanting reveal autonomic and limbic regulation, supporting biological plausibility. Collectively, the evidence indicates that Mantra Chikitsa represents a historically grounded yet scientifically underexplored modality, warranting rigorous interdisciplinary research to establish standardized sound-based interventions within preventive and integrative medicine.
