Study Links Infrasound Exposure to Increased Stress Hormones and Mood Changes
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A new study has found that exposure to low-frequency infrasound, common in building mechanical systems, triggers a measurable stress response in people. Participants showed increased cortisol levels and reported feeling more irritable and less interested when exposed to the sound. The findings suggest a potential physical basis for discomfort in certain environments.
Facts First
- Infrasound exposure increased salivary cortisol levels in study participants.
- Participants reported feeling more irritable and less interested when infrasound was present.
- The effect occurred regardless of whether calming or unsettling music was playing in the foreground.
- Infrasound was played at 75–78 decibels, a range consistent with mechanical systems in buildings.
- The study involved 36 participants and was published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.
What Happened
Researchers at MacEwan University conducted a study on the effects of infrasound on humans, published this year in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. The study involved 36 participants, primarily female undergraduate students, who were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Participants listened to either 'calming' meditative music or 'unsettling' horror-themed ambient audio. Hidden speakers played infrasound between 75 and 78 decibels, a range consistent with mechanical systems in buildings, and were turned on and off once during the study. Participants provided saliva samples immediately before the music started and 20 minutes later to measure cortisol levels.
Why this Matters to You
If you work or live in an older building, you may be exposed to low-level infrasound from aging pipes and ventilation systems. This study suggests such exposure could contribute to low-grade emotional discomfort, making you feel more irritable or disinterested without a clear, conscious cause. Senior author Rodney Schmaltz noted that infrasound is often present in old buildings, particularly in basements. The findings offer a potential physical explanation for why some environments feel subtly unsettling or draining, which could inform future building design and workplace wellness considerations.
What's Next
The researchers' findings may prompt further investigation into how chronic, low-level infrasound exposure in homes, schools, and offices affects long-term well-being and productivity. Future studies could involve more diverse participant groups and longer exposure times. This research could also lead to new standards or guidelines for mitigating infrasound in building design and mechanical system maintenance to improve occupant comfort.