Study Reveals Infrasound's Impact on Mood and Stress in Humans
Recent research has uncovered that infrasound, which consists of low-frequency sound waves below 20 Hertz, can affect human mood and stress levels even though it is generally inaudible to the human ear. These sound waves can originate from both natural events, such as storms, and human-made sources like traffic and industrial equipment. A study conducted by researchers, including Prof Rodney Schmaltz from MacEwan University, involved 36 participants who were exposed to infrasound while listening to music. The study found that those exposed to infrasound experienced increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and reported feeling more irritable and less engaged. Despite these physiological and emotional changes, participants could not consciously detect the presence of infrasound.