Primal Sounds

Fire and Water do the mind good

Fire, water, the human mind: a tranquil trio.

Two recent studies have shown that Fire and Water may not only be essential to the development of the human race, but are also so entwined with humanity’s journey that their mere presence may be therapeutic and satisfying.

On fire:

Hearth and Campfire Influences on Arterial Blood Pressure: Defraying the Costs of the Social Brain through Fireside Relaxation

Among 226 adults across three studies with respect to viewing simulated muted-fire, fire-with-sound, and control conditions, in addition to tests for interactions with hypnotizability, absorption, and prosociality… Findings confirm that hearth and campfires induce relaxation as part of a multisensory, absorptive, and social experience. Enhancements to relaxation capacities in the human social brain likely took place via feedback involving these and other variables.

On water:

Transient decreases in blood pressure and heart rate with increased subjective level of relaxation while viewing water compared with adjacent ground

More after the paywall bump: