High on Kirtan? The Good Drugs our Brains Make When we Chant with Dave Stringer
The Neuroscience of Kirtan Chanting
I had a lovely conversation with Dave, who is a Grammy nominated producer, musician, songwriter and Kirtan leader. He explains the good drugs our brains make when we chant, whether we believe in it or not.
Dave Stringer, a Grammy-nominated producer, musician, and songwriter, is widely recognized as a leading voice in the modern Yoga movement, including sound healing, mantra chanting, and nāda yoga. As both a captivating singer and profound public speaker, he merges the worlds of neuroscience, yoga philosophy, and art into a participatory theatrical experience that deeply resonates with his audiences. Stringer has been featured in documentary films like Mantra: Sounds Into Silence and The Power of Mantra, and has led workshops, concerts, and retreats worldwide, exploring the deeply transformative effects of sound therapy and chanting. Learn more about Dave's awesome work at: davestringer.com
Sound as a Gateway to Connection
According to the neuroscience research Dave has dived into, when people gather for kīrtan (call-and-response chanting), something powerful happens beneath the surface.
It’s not just about creating beautiful sounds or following a spiritual practice—it’s about transformation. Through the act of chanting, our brains enter a state where the boundaries between self and other begin to blur, opening us up to deeper experiences of connection and unity.
But what exactly is happening inside our brains when we chant?
Dave Stringer blends his personal experiences with scientific insights to reveal the profound neurochemical changes that chanting can trigger, supporting the therapeutic benefits found in sound healing and sound yoga.
Watch the whole interview video from our Mantras for Peace: A Wisdom Gathering project.*
A Reluctant Yogi’s Journey to Transformation
Interestingly, Dave’s journey into chanting didn’t begin from a place of seeking spiritual enlightenment. He initially approached yoga and kīrtan with skepticism, finding himself in India on a video editing job rather than in search of spiritual transformation. However, through his exposure to the practice of chanting, he began to notice a shift—one that wasn’t dependent on belief.
“It turns out,” Dave says, “that chanting was transformative even without any investment in belief. The act of singing changed my emotional field.”
This realization highlighted the power of Sanskrit mantras and sound therapy, which can create internal shifts, whether or not you come to kīrtan for spiritual reasons.
"We are essentially clouds that think we’re solid. There’s a symphony of neuropeptides that flood our system when we chant. There are a lot of reasons that things get torn apart… and chanting is one practice that works to bring us together." - Dave Stringer
Kirtan Chant Style that Engages the Resistant and the Skeptical
Dave’s approach to kīrtan is rooted in inclusivity, making it accessible to everyone—whether they are devoted spiritual seekers or skeptical participants. His lighthearted, open style invites people to explore the transformative effects of sound healing and nada yoga, without needing prior belief in the practice. "Just give me 15 minutes and trust the process," he encourages, knowing that the power of mantras and chanting can bring profound changes to anyone willing to try.
The Neuroscience of Chanting: How Our Brains Respond to Sound
The transformation that occurs during chanting is backed by neuroscience.
- Chanting triggers the release of neuropeptides such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin
- Fostering feelings of happiness, well-being, and connection.
- The deep breathing and rhythmic repetition involved in chanting also engage the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing relaxation
- The activity of chanting simultaneously stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, creating a state of joyful awareness.
- This dual engagement (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system) mirrors the therapeutic goals of sound therapy and sound yoga, promoting both relaxation and heightened consciousness.
Chanting as a Pathway to Compassion and Connection
Chanting is a communal experience, fostering compassion and connection. The shared rhythm of mantra chanting creates a unity that brings people together, bridging differences and fostering love and compassion—core benefits of sound healing. This experience is especially important in a world often divided, as it invites us to see beyond individual differences and into a shared humanity.
While chanting is central, the moments of silence that follow are just as important. These quiet spaces allow for reflection and deep transformation, mirroring the impact of nada yoga and sound healing, where silence and sound work together to create inner stillness and healing.
In our fast-paced digital age, chanting offers a way to quiet the mind and access stillness. This practice invites us to step away from the noise and experience the internal shifts that sound healing provides, encouraging responsibility for our emotional states and reactions.
Embracing the Joy and Connection of Kīrtan
At its core, kīrtan connects us to ourselves, to each other, and to something greater through the power of sound yoga and mantras. Whether approached from a spiritual or experiential perspective, chanting offers profound benefits.
Dave Stringer reminds us, "You don’t have to believe in it for it to work."
Whether new to chanting or seasoned in the practice, the rewards are waiting. Gather, chant, and discover the beauty of shared experience, where the transformative power of sound, like in sound therapy, can uplift and change both you and the world around you.
Learn more about Dave's awesome work at: davestringer.com
Free sound healing and mantra training!
Discover the best sound yoga therapy, mantra meditation, and nada yoga free resources here:
- Discover FREE sound & mantra training
- Dive deep with the world's first and only online sound and mantra 200HR & 500HR Teacher Training
- Chant with us LIVE during our next FREE Online Yoga of Sound event
- More free sound baths and chant experiences of all different types are available at HeartofSound on YouTube / Sound Bath Playlist
Many of the world’s indigenous wisdom cultures acknowledge that the unseen sound of prayers keep the delicate fabric of life in harmony.
Learn about ancient and innovative subtle activism practices from thought leaders, teachers, and artists from 6 continents in Mantras for Peace: A Wisdom Gathering Online
👂🏽 From labels to listening
🤝 From divisiveness to deescalation
🤗 From extremism to empathy
💞 From disassociation to deep connection
Featuring radically inspiring and thought-provoking conversations with global thought leaders dedicated to a vibrant future through ancient and innovative subtle activism practices, Mantras for Peace: Wisdom Gathering is an all-volunteer project dedicated to empowering people with peacemaking skills. (Originally aired 2019 & 2021)
Hosted by Anandra George, a pioneer in the transformational personal practice of sound and mantra and founder of the Heart of Sound.
45 profound, provocative, inspiring conversations with a diverse panel of global thought leaders.
Together, let's explore ancient and innovative subtle activism practices for a vibrant future!
Featuring radically inspiring and thought-provoking conversations with
- Neuroscience Educator Dr. Sarah Peyton
- Trauma Informed NVC Facilitator Meenadchi
- Biologist Bruce Lipton, Arhuaco
- Medicine Keeper Biskungwi Marquez
- Futurist Christine Mason
- Sanskrit Scholar Dr. Katy Jane
- Tantra Expert Devi Ward Erickson
- Marketing Queen Mari Smith
- Devotional Musician Punnu Singh Wasu
- Voice Expert Chloe Goodchild
- Yoga Philosophy Teacher Bhavani Maki
- Artist Activist Zena El Khalil
- Sound Medicine Expert Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary
- Peace Activist Michelle Button
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- Wellness Entrepreneur Ayana Dake
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- Non-Violent Communication Trainer Jori Manske
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