Listening to 528 Hz music might reduce stress
Illustration by Cinta Fosch
By Sarah Bun
I participated in a virtual 528 Hertz (Hz) "love frequency" event several years ago, tuning in at 5:28pm, my time zone. According to the organizers’ email, everything is made of vibrational frequencies, including our thoughts, feelings, words, and sounds. With the world in upheaval, I joined because what was there to lose?
I knew from reading Gregg Braden and Dr. Bruce Lipton's works — both NY Times bestselling authors and pioneers in bridging science with human potential and spirituality — that many people believe collective intentions can influence outcomes. Research into group meditation has explored whether focused collective consciousness might affect measurable phenomena, though such studies remain debated in mainstream science.
While it was challenging for my physical senses to comprehend how this could help (because the logical mind wants proof), a part of me trusted the possibility.
Whether or not collective consciousness research proves definitive, individual benefits of sound healing show measurable promise. Studies suggest that specific frequencies, including 528 Hz, may have positive effects on stress reduction and cellular health.
And thanks to YouTube and various wellness apps, we don't have to wait for another virtual energy event to experience these frequencies for ourselves.
What is the 528 Hz frequency?
528 Hz is one of the original six ancient Solfeggio frequencies. Solfeggio is a 6-tone music scale and is connected with Gregorian chants. The solfeggio notes – Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La – are better known by the solfege system "Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do." Remember Julie Andrews singing "Do-Re-Mi" in The Sound of Music (1965)?
Some experts, like Dr. Leonard Horowitz, author of The Book of 528: The Prosperity Key of Love, believe there were more than six notes. He suggested during a speech that there are a total of nine core creative frequencies in the universe—the original six solfeggio tones plus three additional ones—"that form a perfect circle of sound."
Within the solfeggio frequency system, different tones are associated with specific healing intentions. Practitioners suggest that 396 Hz may help release emotional blockages related to guilt and fear, while 528 Hz is connected to transformation and DNA repair. While these associations come from ancient traditions and anecdotal reports, scientific validation of frequency-specific emotional effects remains limited.
Research into sound healing has shown promising results. In a notable study, biochemist Dr. Glen Rein, PhD, exposed DNA samples to different types of music including Gregorian chants, Sanskrit chants, classical, and rock. His findings suggested that Gregorian chants—which are based on ancient scales that include frequencies close to 528 Hz—showed the most promising effects in promoting DNA repair and reducing stress markers. While these preliminary findings are intriguing, more extensive peer-reviewed research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at work.
Why is this important?
Some alternative health practitioners, like Dr. Gerald Smith, suggest that cellular DNA resonates at or near 528 Hz, though this claim hasn't been confirmed by mainstream scientific research. What is established is that all matter, including our cells, vibrates at specific frequencies, and sound waves can influence biological systems.
A peer-reviewed study in Japan found that listening to just five minutes of 528 Hz music produced measurable stress-reducing effects on both the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems. Participants showed decreased cortisol levels and reported feeling more relaxed after the brief listening session.
Another study published in Gene Genomics found that rats exposed to 528 Hz sound waves showed reduced anxiety-related behaviors. Researchers discovered that this frequency appeared to reduce oxidative stress in brain tissue and increase testosterone production, which correlated with decreased anxiety. While animal studies don't always translate directly to humans, the researchers suggested this could point toward sound-based therapies for anxiety reduction.
In 2010, electromagnetic energy researcher Nancy Hutchison conducted an experiment using 528 Hz and other solfeggio frequencies in the Gulf of Mexico following the BP oil spill. While she reported observing changes in water clarity, these results have not been verified through peer-reviewed scientific studies or replicated under controlled conditions.
Proponents of sound healing believe that sound frequencies can help restore balance to our bodies and minds. According to Mind Vibrations, "Music is vibration, and music that vibrates at the right frequency has a positive effect on your matter (i.e., your mind and body)." Within the solfeggio system, 528 Hz is specifically associated with transformation and cellular repair, though more research is needed to understand exactly how these frequencies interact with human biology.
How you can tune in
YouTube: Search for "528 Hz music" to find thousands of free options, from ambient soundscapes to music specifically designed for meditation, sleep, or focus.
Aura: This popular wellness app offers curated Solfeggio frequency sessions alongside guided meditations and sleep stories.
LoveTuner: Founded by Sigmar Berg, this meditation and breathing device allows you to "connect your exhale with the power of the 528Hz frequency." Users report it helps with grounding and stress relief.
528radio.com: Created by Dr. Leonard Horowitz, this online radio station features familiar songs—rock, pop, soul, folk, country, and gospel—transposed to the 528 Hz frequency, offering an accessible entry point for those curious about frequency healing.
Vosges Haut-Chocolat Love Frequency Collection: Want to literally consume your frequencies? This luxury chocolate line claims to be "attuned" to 528 Hz during production, blending the wellness trend with artisanal confections—proof that the love frequency has permeated even the world of gourmet food.
There are also certain birds known to sing prominent notes around this range, such as the Northern Cardinal, American Robin, House Finch, Yellow Warbler, and Eastern Bluebird.
Whether you're looking to reduce stress like the Japanese study participants, explore ancient sound healing traditions, or simply create a more peaceful environment, 528 Hz music offers an accessible entry point into the world of frequency-based wellness—no virtual event required.
Sarah Bun, FMCHC, is a functional medicine certified health coach. She is a cookbook author and a passionate explorer of diverse topics. Her engaging narratives cover health and wellness, food, culture, art, history, entertainment, trauma, and business. Her works have appeared nationally and locally in traditional and digital media. Currently, she is pursuing her MFA in creative writing nonfiction at the University of Nevada, Reno-Tahoe. When she is not juggling and empowering through words, she is on the lookout for something new to experience.
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