Can Music Help Regulate Blood Pressure? The Healing Power of Raag Puriyadhanashree in the ICU


Can Music Help Regulate Blood Pressure? The Healing Power of Raag Puriyadhanashree in the ICU

 

In our fast-paced, stress-saturated world, the silent epidemic of high blood pressure (hypertension) affects millions globally. While conventional medicine offers effective pharmacological treatments, researchers and practitioners are increasingly exploring complementary therapies that work on a mind-body level. One such potent and non-invasive tool is music—particularly Indian classical music, which is structured not only in rhythm and melody, but also in mood, time, and emotion.

 

But can music truly help regulate blood pressure?

 

The answer, increasingly supported by science and experience, is yes.

 

 

The Science Behind Music and Blood Pressure

 

Several studies have demonstrated that slow-tempo, melodic music can positively affect the autonomic nervous system—which controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.

              •           A study published in the Journal of Hypertension (2016) showed that listening to calming music daily for 30 minutes significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BP in hypertensive patients.

              •           Indian classical music, especially ragas played in a meditative style (alaap), engages the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering what’s known as the “relaxation response.”

              •           Ragas like Puriyadhanashree, traditionally performed during twilight hours, are known for their introspective, calming, and emotionally grounding effects—making them ideal for mental and physiological regulation.

 

Music affects BP in multiple ways:

              •           Slows down the heart rate

              •           Reduces stress hormones (like cortisol and adrenaline)

              •           Improves breath rhythm

              •           Promotes emotional release, leading to physical relaxation

 

 

A Healing Encounter: Music in the ICU

 

I had the privilege of witnessing this profound connection firsthand during a music healing intervention with a patient admitted to an ICU after multiple strokes. His blood pressure was wildly erratic despite intensive care, and he was under round-the-clock medication and monitoring.

 

With permission from his family and medical team, I began playing Raag Puriyadhanashree—a slow, meditative rendition using only alap and gentle phrases—by his bedside for about 30 minutes a day, over five consecutive days.

 

Initially, the monitors continued their unpredictable readings. But by Day 3, the nursing staff began to notice more consistent BP levels, and the patient’s breathing, once labored and uneven, started to slow. By Day 5, his vitals had stabilized enough to reduce the dosage of his antihypertensive medications, and he showed signs of emerging from the nervous tension his body was locked into.

 

This wasn’t magic—it was music as medicine. The raga didn’t “cure” him, but it created a state of harmony in the body, allowing medical treatment to work more efficiently.

 

 

How You Can Use Music to Support BP Regulation

 

Whether you’re managing your own blood pressure or supporting someone else, music can be integrated easily and effectively into a wellness routine:

              •           Choose calm, slow-tempo music (120 bpm) or Indian classical ragas like Yaman, or Puriyadhanashree.

              •           Listen daily for at least 15–30 minutes, preferably in a quiet space, with eyes closed and steady breathing.

              •           Use headphones or a good speaker to receive the full depth of frequencies and vibrations.

              •           Avoid lyrics or overly rhythmic pieces that may overstimulate the nervous system.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Music alone isn’t a substitute for medical care, but it can be a gentle yet powerful companion on the path to healing. As someone who lives and breathes sound, I’ve seen its effects ripple far beyond the ears—into the heart, the cells, and even the deepest layers of the mind.

 

In the ICU, surrounded by wires and white walls, it wasn’t just the medicine that made a difference. It was the presence of sound, silence, and intention—a reminder that healing is not always loud or fast. Sometimes, it arrives gently, on a note sustained in stillness.


 

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