When people sing, their body produces less of the stress hormone cortisol, which might help them feel calmer.
Claim Language
Language Strength
definitive
Uses definitive language (causes, prevents, cures)
The verb 'reduces' is used, which implies a direct and certain effect — it states that singing causes cortisol levels to go down, not that it might or is associated with a change.
Context Details
Domain
psychology
Population
human
Subject
Singing
Action
reduces
Target
levels of cortisol in humans
Intervention Details
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (3)
Choir versus Solo Singing: Effects on Mood, and Salivary Oxytocin and Cortisol Concentrations
The study found that people who sang—whether alone or in a choir—had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol afterward. So yes, singing helps reduce stress, just like the claim says.
This study found that when people with Parkinson’s disease sang together in a group, their stress hormone (cortisol) went down. Since singing is the same activity mentioned in the claim, this means singing can lower stress hormones in people, which supports the claim.
Changes in mood, oxytocin, and cortisol following group and individual singing: A pilot study
The study found that whether people sang alone or with others, their stress hormone (cortisol) went down. So yes, singing helps lower stress hormones, just like the claim says.
Contradicting (1)
The Effects of Group Therapeutic Singing on Cortisol and Motor Symptoms in Persons With Parkinson's Disease
This study looked at people with Parkinson’s who sang together for an hour and found their stress hormone (cortisol) didn’t go down — so it doesn’t support the idea that singing lowers stress hormones in people.