Singing and the Immune System: When Science Meets the Soul

 Singing and the Immune System: When Science Meets the Soul

by Brad Harrub, Ph.D.

Last week I wrote about people with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease who can still remember songs—even well after the disease has progressed. This “music memory” seems to be one of the last things the brain retains. I have spent considerable time researching how the brain processes a cappella singing. What quickly became clear is that when the human voice stands alone—without instrumental accompaniment—the brain becomes more fully engaged. Singing without instruments produces cleaner, more direct neural coding, allowing words and melody to be processed together with remarkable clarity. Simply put, the human voice occupies a category all its own when it comes to how the brain hears, interprets, and responds to sound. And the deeper I have gone into the research, the more fascinating the benefits have become.

For instance, consider what we have learned recently about singing and the immune system. In a world increasingly focused on wellness, singing has emerged an unexpected ally in immune health. Active singing appears to trigger measurable biological changes that strengthen the body’s first line of defense. And the evidence is more than poetic or speculation—it is scientific.

Singing Raises The First Line of Immune Defense:

I’m going to try to keep this “simple” but understand the immune system (and the names we’ve come up with) are often complex. Secretory immunoglobulin A (SigA) is not just another immune protein. It is the primary antibody found in mucosal surfaces, coating the lining of the mouth, throat, lungs, and digestive tract. Its role is preventative—binding to viruses and bacteria and stopping them before they penetrate deeper into the body (Brandtzaeg, Immunology Reviews; see also MDPI, 2022).

Researchers consistently note that higher SigA levels are associated with greater resistance to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, making it one of the immune system’s most important frontline defenders.

One of the most striking findings in psychoneuroimmunology research is the effect of singing on SigA production. Multiple studies have shown that when participants actively sang for approximately one hour, salivary SigA levels rose dramatically—in some cases by as much as 240% (Kreutz et al., Journal of Behavioral Medicine; corroborated by community health summaries such as Rise Up Singing).

This is not a trivial change. A 240% increase in SigA means the body rapidly enhances its protective coating along the very surfaces where most infections begin—the mouth, throat, and airways.

Active Singing vs. Passive Listening: A Critical Distinction:

Music is often associated with comfort and relaxation—and rightly so. Listening to music has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood. However, research makes a clear distinction between listening to music and actively singing.

In controlled studies comparing the two, individuals who sang experienced significant increases in SigA and positive emotional states, while those who merely listened showed little to no increase in SigA, though cortisol levels sometimes decreased (Kreutz et al., 2004; PubMed).

In other words, it is not simply exposure to music that strengthens immune defenses—it is the act of producing sound. Singing engages respiration, posture, vocal musculature, and cognitive focus in ways that passive listening does not.

Why Does Singing Trigger Immune Changes?:

Researchers believe several mechanisms work together:

• Stress Reduction: Singing lowers cortisol, a hormone known to suppress immune function when chronically elevated (Healthline; Kreutz et al.).

• Enhanced Breathing: The deep, rhythmic breathing required for singing stimulates the parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” nervous system, promoting immune regulation (Sing Up Foundation).

• Social and Emotional Uplift: Group singing increases feelings of connection and joy, both of which are strongly linked to improved immune competence (Kripalu Center; psychoneuroimmunology research).

Together, these factors form what one researcher described as a physiological symphony—multiple systems harmonizing to support immune health.

More Than Physical: Spiritual Implications

If singing strengthens biological defenses, lowers stress, and elevates emotional well-being, it is no surprise that singing has been central to worship and communal life throughout human history. Scripture repeatedly connects singing with joy, resilience, and devotion. Psalm 100:1–2 commands, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord… serve the Lord with gladness.”

Long before SigA could be measured in a laboratory, God’s people were instructed to lift their voices. Now, modern science is confirming what believers have practiced for centuries: singing benefits both body and soul.