Investigating the impact of Mahā Mantra chanting on anxiety and depression : An EEG Rhythm Analysis Approach

Abstract

Hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare is the Mahā Mantra (MM). The Mantra is believed to be the sacred mantra from the ancient times. In the current research, an attempt has been made to study the brain dynamics of oscillatory changes after MM chanting. The mantra chanting produces a state of mind that has a positive effect on the individual’s brain. The electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are asynchronous in nature and record the brain's present state. In this study, forty individuals were assigned randomly into two (pre &post) groups,(n=20) with equal ratio of male and female and having mean age 25.5 yr. EEG signal was recorded in eyes closed condition both prior as well as after the MM chanting. The rhythms (Delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) were extracted from the recorded EEG signals. To match the behavioural changes in the nature of the EEG, the power of the rhythm was computed and compared. According to the study, chanting MM leads to increase in alpha relative power in the central and parietal regions of the brain, which indicates that the brain has been refreshed and relieved. The study showed generous production of alpha, theta and delta waves which has been found in the study to be associated with the secretion of hormones or neurotransmitters causing dilation of blood vessels. As per literature it has been found that increase in relative alpha band power is associated with the secretion of hormones or neurotransmitters causing dilation of blood vessels which is further associated with the improvement in the mental well-being and feeling relaxed and releived, thus leading to decrease in anxiety and depression. The current research study proves the impact of the MM chanting leads to mental alleviation and mental well-being to a great extent.