Article by Bianca Sengos, Founder and CEO of Rainbow Sounds
This practice can give you a natural high, and all it takes is yourself and a Rainbow Sounds Bowl.
By combining movement, breath, sound, and the power of your own voice, you can tap
into this naturally high-energy state. Let’s explore how this can be achieved:
Hop onto Your Own Energizing Pathway
The vagus nerve, when gently stimulated through breath, sound, movement, or vibration, may:
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Boost dopamine and norepinephrine
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Improve blood flow to the brain
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Create a “natural high” that fuels energy without spiking stress
The geeky way to say this would be: Activating the vagus nerve and the brain arousal centers. The motor (efferent) branch of the vagus nerve sends calming signals to your heart and lungs, while the sensory (afferent) branch is equally powerful, sending signals from the body to the brain. It’s a somatic process — meaning, of the body.
How to Stimulate This Pathway Naturally
The key to energising through the vagus nerve is controlled stimulation, not overstimulation. These practices strike the right balance:
To do this with an assistive device like a sound bowl and your voice, we call this a Sonic Vagus Activation.
It’s where sound meets science. Crystal singing bowls, especially when played in the mid to upper frequency range (C4–G4 musical notes), produce vibrations that may entrain the nervous system. These tones and vibrations activate mechanosensory receptors in the ear canal and throat, where vagal branches are concentrated.
When paired with vocal toning (using your voice in a structured way), you unlock even deeper stimulation.
Try This Practice: “Voice & Sound Bowl – A Sonic Wake-Up”
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Play a crystal bowl (ideally around E4 to G4) for 5–10 minutes.
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While listening, hum or chant a continuous tone that harmonises with the bowl (e.g., a deep “Ahhh” or “Eeee” sound).
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Focus the vibration in your heart/chest, throat, and face.
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End with three rounds of quick, energising breaths and a gentle body shake.
This practice stimulates the auricular and pharyngeal branches of the vagus nerve,
increasing alertness while grounding the body.
Biochemistry Behind the Energy Boost
This practice increases vagal tone, which is linked to:
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Enhanced mitochondrial activity in cells (cellular energy)
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Increased production of dopamine and acetylcholine
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Better oxygenation through breath regulation
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A gentle rise in cortisol — just enough to awaken you without overstimulating
It’s a balanced biological response, unlike caffeine or sugar spikes.
When to Do This Practice
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First thing in the morning (instead of coffee… try it)
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During an afternoon slump
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Before a creative task or workout
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To reset when feeling foggy or heavy
The vagus nerve is your built-in energy switch — when you know how to flip it. By pairing breath, movement, sound, and voice, you engage this powerful sensory pathway in a way that awakens, aligns, and restores.
This isn’t hype. It’s neurobiology — and it’s accessible to anyone. Grab a crystal bowl, or first learn how to play the bowl with Rainbow Sounds trainings.
