Neuro-cognitive aspects of “OM” sound/syllable perception: A functional neuroimaging study

Abstract

The sound "OM" is believed to bring mental peace and calm. The cortical activation associated with listening to sound "OM" in contrast to similar non-meaningful sound (TOM) and listening to a meaningful Hindi word (AAM) has been investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The behaviour interleaved gradient technique was employed in order to avoid interference of scanner noise. The results reveal that listening to "OM" sound in contrast to the meaningful Hindi word condition activates areas of bilateral cerebellum, left middle frontal gyrus (dorsolateral middle frontal/BA 9), right precuneus (BA 5) and right supramarginal gyrus (SMG). Listening to "OM" sound in contrast to "non-meaningful" sound condition leads to cortical activation in bilateral middle frontal (BA9), right middle temporal (BA37), right angular gyrus (BA 40), right SMG and right superior middle frontal gyrus (BA 8). The conjunction analysis reveals that the common neural regions activated in listening to "OM" sound during both conditions are middle frontal (left dorsolateral middle frontal cortex) and right SMG. The results correspond to the fact that listening to "OM" sound recruits neural systems implicated in emotional empathy.

Effect of om chanting and yoga nidra on blood pressure and lipid profile in hypertension – A randomized controlled trial

“…Previous studies have reported that ‘Om’ sound activates the middle frontal cortex and right supramarginal gyrus which are neural systems associated with the emotion of ‘empathy’ [ 19 ] An fMRI study has demonstrated that 15 s loud ‘Om’ chanting stimulates the auricular part of the vagus nerve [ 20 ].…”

The Effect of Chanting Om Mantraon Health: A Review

“…Table 1 summarizes the findings of studies on Om meditation based on neuroimaging method:- [7][8][9][10] Om Meditation Studies Using Eeg Methods Table 2 summarizes the findings from EEG Om meditation studies:-11 Om Meditation Studies Using Middle Latency Response (Mlr) Table 3 summarizes the studies conducted on MLR to examine the effect of Om meditation [12][13][14] Study On Autonomic And Respiratory Variables. The autonomic and respiratory variables were studied in seven experienced Om mediators (with the experience ranging from 5 to 20 years).…”

Survey on Om meditation: Its effects on the human body and Om meditation as a tool for stress management

“…From the studies on neuroimaging (Bhargav et al, 2016;Deepeshwar et al, 2015) pre frontal cortex (PFC) area of the brain is seen to be affected wherein deactivation and oxygenation of PFC is observed which lead to the conclusion that the vibrations produced by Om meditation has relaxing effects. The authors (Bhargav et al, 2016) (Kumar et al, 2015) show that neural regions such as bilateral cerebellum, left dorsal medial frontal cortex and right supramarginal gyrus activate during listening to "Om" sound. Further stating that DMFC holds the emotional affinity of "Om" sound, whereas SMG suggests lingual processing of "Om" syllable.…”

“…This paper is an attempt to systematically review the available studies on Om meditation, to determine how the studies have been done and to find the benefits of Om meditation so far explored. Many researchers have found the effects of Om meditation on human beings by analyzing various parameters such as Electroencephalograph (EEG), neuroimaging, Evoked Potentials and other methods (Bhargav et al, 2016;Das & Anand, 2012;Deepeshwar, Vinchurkar, Visweswaraiah, & Nagendra, 2015;Harne, 2014;Kumar, Guleria, & Khetrapal, 2015;Kalyani et al, 2011;Telles, Nagarathna, & Nagendra, 1995;Telles, Nagarathna, & Nagendra, 1998;Telles et al, 1994;Gurjar, Ladhake, & Thakare, 2009). This review could work as a platform holding analysis of the previous studies, as well as providing directions for future research in Om meditation.…”