Claim reviewed: A 528 Hz tone or music reduces stress.
What do we know?
In a small 9-person study, salivary cortisol fell and tension scores decreased after 528 Hz music; randomization and blinding were not reported. In a randomized trial with 162 students in Türkiye, 528 Hz music raised salivary BDNF and CREB.
What don't we know?
What these biomarker changes mean for everyday stress is unclear; attention-test performance did not differ between groups in the same trial. The findings have not been independently replicated.
Wording we use in the app: There is one small study and one biomarker trial; it has not been reliably shown that 528 Hz reduces stress.
Sources (2)
Akimoto ve ark. 2018 · Pilot study · 9 participants
Nine healthy adults listened to 528 Hz and 440 Hz music on different days. After 528 Hz music, salivary cortisol fell, oxytocin rose and tension-anxiety scores decreased; there were no significant salivary changes after 440 Hz.
Not indexed in PubMed; randomization and blinding are not reported.
Akimoto K, Hu A, Yamaguchi T, Kobayashi H. Effect of 528 Hz Music on the Endocrine System and Autonomic Nervous System. Health (Irvine Calif). 2018;10(9):1159-1170. doi:10.4236/health.2018.109088 Go to source
Bozok ve ark. 2026 · Randomised controlled trial · 162 participants
162 healthy university students under exam stress were randomized to no music, 528 Hz music or 432 Hz music. 528 Hz music raised salivary BDNF and CREB, and 432 Hz music raised GRP78; Stroop attention-test performance did not differ between groups.
528 Hz versus control: higher salivary BDNF and CREB (p < 0.05); GRP78 elevated in the 432 Hz group (p < 0.05); no between-group Stroop difference
The reported registration number is not in ClinicalTrials.gov format; the registration could not be confirmed.
Bozok ÜG, Özcan GB, Bayraktar B, Özen D. Acute Music-Frequency Exposure Modulates Salivary Stress and Neurotrophic Markers in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Behav. 2026;16(5):e71452. doi:10.1002/brb3.71452 PMID 42043979 Go to source
Last reviewed: 3 October 2026 · Next review: 3 April 2027