Story perspectives

MacEwan Study: 18 Hz Infrasound Raises Irritability, Cortisol

5/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at MacEwan University in Canada found hidden 18 Hz infrasound raised irritability and cortisol.
The study exposed 36 adult students to music for 20 minutes at 75-78 dB, half with the tone and half without.
Participants hearing the tone reported more irritability, less interest, judged the music sadder, and showed higher cortisol in 35 samples.
Researchers noted the small, young-female sample limits conclusions as participants could not reliably detect the infrasound.

1 of 1

Story summary

Researchers at MacEwan University in Canada found hidden 18 Hz infrasound raised irritability and cortisol.
The study exposed 36 adult students to music for 20 minutes at 75-78 dB, half with the tone and half without.
Participants hearing the tone reported more irritability, less interest, judged the music sadder, and showed higher cortisol in 35 samples.
Researchers noted the small, young-female sample limits conclusions as participants could not reliably detect the infrasound.