Sound baths have become a popular experience for people seeking relaxation and inner peace, drawing crowds with their stress-reducing potential. But not everyone leaves feeling relaxed and refreshed. Some people walk away with headaches, unease, or other negative symptoms. Are you wondering, “Do sound baths have negative effects?” If so, this article will answer that question and break down the potential negative effects of a sound bath.

 

Key Points to Understand About Sound Baths

• Every sound bath is unique, with various practitioners playing different instruments and playing methods.
• Everyone responds differently to sound baths. Also each experience will be different for the same person. 
• Some people experience discomfort or stress, especially if they’re sensitive to sound.
• High-pitched crystal bowls or overly loud sessions can spark discomfort.
• Picking a skilled and experienced practitioner (that has proper training) makes all the difference for a positive sound bath experience.
• Your personal health and sensitivities shape how a sound bath affects you.

What Exactly Is a Sound Bath?

A sound bath is an experience in which participants are immersed in the sounds of gongs, crystal singing bowls, and other instruments. It is usually a one-hour experience where people lie down and listen to the sounds, which are designed to relax and reduce stress. Sound baths are often found in yoga studios, wellness centers, retreats, or even corporate venues, appealing to anyone seeking relaxation or a spiritual boost.

 

The Roots of Sound Baths

Sound has played a role in healing and meditation for ages. However, the modern sound bath is a recent creation that began in the late 20th century. The term “sound bath” emerged in the 1990s, evolving from in-person relaxation experiences called “sound journeys” in the 1980s.  Unlike ancient sound practices, today’s sound baths involve lying down in a group and relaxing. Sound baths were originally only in-person experiences, however online sound baths and recordings have gained popularity in recent years. Terms like sound healing, sound therapy, or gong bath® (a term trademarked by Richard Rudis’s estate) get tossed around, but they’re not quite the same. Sound healing or sound therapy are usually one-on-one sessions, while a sound meditation may include vocal guidance.

 

The Downsides: What Can Go Wrong?

Most sound baths are safe, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all remedy. Some participants walk away feeling rattled instead of relaxed. Here’s a look at the main risks to watch for.

 

Ear Sensitivity and Discomfort

If you are sound sensitive to particular tones or volumes, you may prefer to do an online or recorded sound bath instead of an in-person experience. High-pitched tones, especially from crystal singing bowls, can irritate sensitive ears or worsen conditions like migraine or tinnitus. For those prone to sound overload, the vibrations may not feel very relaxing.  If you are sound sensitive but want to try an in-person sound bath, use musician’s earplugs as they’ll lower the volume but keep the sound’s full frequency range intact.

 

Loud Volumes and Crystal Bowls

Sometimes, it’s not your ears—it’s the practitioner. If they play at too high a volume for a sustained period of time, especially high-pitched sounds like small crystal bowls, it can set off stress instead of easing it. A trained sound bath practitioner knows the appropriate and safe volume levels to play at and how various frequencies affect the perceived volume of the experience. With that, the volume levels shouldn’t be static – there will be peaks of higher volume and times of lower volume. The high peaks, however, should be short and impactful and not sustained for too long of time period. 

 

Overwhelm and Anxiety

A poorly run sound bath can backfire. If the practitioner mixes instruments clumsily or plays them too close to your head, the experience can feel chaotic instead of calming. Sometimes practitioners walk around the room playing instruments creating additional noise through their walking sounds.  Or some facilitators choose to not wake up people who are snoring, allowing unwanted sounds to be included in the experience. These things can lead to anxiety, frustration, or restlessness, the opposite of what you probably signed up for. Bowls placed on or near the body, or chimes or drums played over the head can also jolt sensitive attendees, depending on their physical or mental state.

 

Uncomfortable Emotions

Sound baths can stir up deep feelings, which is considered one of their benefits, but it can catch people off guard. Some individuals feel a rush of emotions that’s hard to handle, especially if they aren’t prepared for it. The best course of action is to understand this is part of the experience and relax into whatever you feel. 

 

Physical Reactions

Your body might react in unexpected ways during a sound bath. You could feel tingling, vibrations, or shifts in your heart rate—sometimes racing from excitement, others slowing in deep calm. These sensations can be thrilling or unsettling, depending on the person. If you have conditions like epilepsy or heart issues, check with your doctor first, as strong vibrations or specific frequencies may exacerbate particular conditions.

 

Why Reactions Vary

No two people experience a sound bath the same way. Your health, sensitivities, and expectations affect how you feel during and after a session. Just like people respond differently to music, they also react differently to sound baths.

 

Health Conditions to Watch

If you have epilepsy, migraines, or PTSD an in-person sound bath may not be right for you. A loud gong or sharp bowl strike could trigger discomfort or worse. Always talk to your doctor before diving in if you have a condition that may be affected by sound. Consider trying an online or recording of a sound bath first to see how you respond.

 

Sound Sensitivity

Some people are sensitive to particular pitches or react more strongly to higher volumes even if the volume is within a safe range. This can make them feel overwhelmed by a sound bath’s intensity. Loud or high-pitched sounds can spark ear pain or unease, especially for those with ear conditions. If that’s you, try wearing earplugs or do an online session before attending one in person. 

 

Expectations vs. Reality

You might walk into a sound bath, picturing pure bliss, but sometimes that isn’t the case. Your past experience may have been light, expansive and you saw a lot of colors but the next one could be an emotional rollercoaster or full of memories you weren’t expecting to surface. Every sound bath experience will be different and you can’t control what your experience will be that day. For the best results, stay open and relax into whatever your experience is that day.

 

How to Stay Safe During a Sound Bath

Remember these tips to get the most out of a sound bath while dodging the risks.

 

Sound Bath Volume and Length

Loud sounds, especially high frequencies, can be jarring. Practitioners should follow noise safety guidelines and balance volume with session length. If you’re worried about loudness, ask how the facilitator manages sound levels before you book. Most sound baths are 45-90 minutes which is plenty of time to get the benefits of the experience. Longer sound baths should be approached with caution, knowing more isn’t always better, depending on how the sound bath is played.

 

Be Prepared

A little preparation can go a long way towards your experience. The following will help you prepare: 

• Temperature: Some people get hot, some get cold. The temperature of the room may be different than you prefer. Wear layers and bring a blanket in case you get cold. 
• Props: If the venue doesn’t provide props, be sure to bring everything you need to be comfortable – a bolster for under your knees, a pillow for your head, and an eye mask to help you go deeper. 
• Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors will offer a better experience in sound in a controlled environment. Outdoors may be nice if you want to connect with nature. Outdoors can be noisier however and things like traffic or bugs may disrupt your experience. 
• Be Open: Release expectations and be open to the experience. 

 

Choose a Skilled Practitioner

The person leading your sound bath can make or break the experience. Look for someone with:

• Proper training: They should have professional training in playing sound baths or music. Before signing up, check the practitioner’s training and experience level. 
• Solid experience: Facilitators with experience (playing 1,000 or more) tend to deliver smoother, safer experiences. However, newbies with good training can shine too and those with experience don’t always have training and may not have improved their skills over time.
• Communication: They answer questions truthfully, clearly help you prepare for the experience, and refrain from offering any type of counseling type advice.

 

Final Notes

Sound baths can be an impactful element of a wellness practice and, for most people, provide many positive benefits. Knowing the potential downsides, and how to handle them, will help you choose the best sound bath for you.

 

Ready to try a sound bath? Visit The Soundbath Center in Los Angeles or our private studio near Joshua Tree for an in-person sound bath experience. Or, join our upcoming Soundbath Club™ membership for a wide variety of online sound bath recordings and meditations.