Music lowers cortisol more than pink noise, new TMU study finds

October 29, 2026 - Toronto, ON – A new randomized clinical trial from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) found that listening to just 24 minutes of personalized music paired with auditory beat stimulation (ABS), lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol more than twice as much as pink noise, a popular sound used for relaxation. Yet participants reported feeling equally calmer after both. 

The findings show that subjective and physiological measures can reveal different aspects of the response to an auditory intervention, highlighting the value of assessing both. 

The research offers new insights into the potential of music-based technologies, from streamlining playlists to personalized audio, as accessible, non-drug approaches to managing anxiety and supporting emotional regulation. 

Anxiety is particularly common among young adults and university students, many of whom face barriers to treatment, including cost, stigma and time commitments. As sounds like pink and brown noise become increasingly popular for relaxation, sleep and concentration, TMU researchers are looking beyond how people say they feel to better understand the body’s biological response to stress. 

TMU psychology professor Frank A. Russo and his research team conducted the study with 83 undergraduate students who reported at least one recent symptom of generalized anxiety. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two listening conditions:

• Personalized music with ABS (24 minutes): Music tailored to each participant's starting mood and gradually adjusted to encourage a calmer, more positive emotional state, paired with rhythmic auditory stimulation.
• Pink noise (24 minutes; control): A steady sound commonly used for relaxation, matched to the music for volume.

Researchers measured cortisol levels, brain activity, heart rate variability, and self-reported anxiety and mood before and after listening. 

Music and pink noise produced different stress responses

Results showed that while both listening conditions reduced self-reported anxiety and improved mood, researchers observed differences in how participants' bodies responded.

• Cortisol levels fell in both groups, but the reduction was more than twice as large among participants who listened to personalized music, based on measurements taken 15 minutes after listening.
• Brain activity linked to emotional regulation moved in opposite directions, increasing slightly after music, but decreasing after pink noise.
• Self-reported anxiety, mood and heart rate variability improved similarly in both groups.

The results highlight the importance of measuring biological responses alongside self-reported experiences when evaluating sound-based approaches to stress management.

Researchers caution that the biological findings are preliminary, as differences in cortisol and brain activity were sensitive to how statistical outliers were handled. Further research is also needed to determine the individual contributions of personalized music and ABS.

Differing subjective and psychophysiological response patterns to a music-based auditory intervention for anxiety (external link)  was published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology on October 18, 2026.

The trial was conducted at TMU and supported by a Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship, with matching funds from LUCID, a digital therapeutics company born out of TMU's Zone Learning ecosystem.

About Toronto Metropolitan University

A world-class research institution and Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education, TMU offers more than 60 undergraduate programs, over 65 graduate programs, and 80 continuing education certificate programs. The university boasts ten faculties, including the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and the new TMU School of Medicine. It is also home to 11 startup incubators, known as Zones, that support innovation across sectors – from health and life sciences to creative industries and social impact. Established in 1948, TMU is home to nearly 48,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 265,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit torontomu.ca. 

About LUCID

At LUCID, we develop evidence-based digital solutions at the intersection of music, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. Leveraging proprietary AI and advanced sound design, the company creates personalized, adaptive music experiences intended to deliver measurable cognitive and emotional outcomes.

LUCID was founded on the first-hand understanding that too many people and their healthcare providers lack access to safe, effective, and engaging options to support their mental and emotional well-being. We exist to help change that. LUCID’s mission is to unlock the full potential of sound by positioning music as a scalable, scientifically validated modality for wellness and human performance. Through intelligent discovery, personalization, and real-time adaptation, LUCID aims to enhance the human condition by harnessing the scientifically validated capacity of music.

Visit https://www.lucidtherapeutics.com/ (external link)  to learn more.