Energy Healing and Science: What Physics and Research Reveal

The Science of Energy: You Are Not Solid

At a fundamental level, physics tells us that everything—your body, the chair you’re sitting on, the entire universe—is made of energy. Atoms, the building blocks of matter, are 99.9999999% empty space, with tiny subatomic particles vibrating in energy fields. What we perceive as ‘solid’ is merely an illusion created by electromagnetic forces.

In other words, you are an energetic being. This is not a theory; this is an established fact of physics.

Energy Cannot Be Destroyed—Only Transformed

One of the most fundamental laws of physics, the First Law of Thermodynamics, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed—only converted from one form to another. When a person dies, the energy that once animated them does not simply vanish; it transforms. The question that remains is: can this energy be influenced in ways we don’t yet fully understand?

Lessons from the Past: Science Is Always Evolving

Throughout history, ideas that seemed indisputable have been overturned by new discoveries:

The Earth was once believed to be the center of the universe until Copernicus and Galileo proved otherwise.

Newtonian physics seemed to explain everything until Einstein’s theory of relativity revealed a deeper layer of reality.

Neuroplasticity was once dismissed—scientists believed the adult brain was fixed, but we now know it can rewire itself in response to experiences and thoughts.

The gut microbiome was ignored—bacteria were once seen only as harmful, but now they are recognized as essential for digestion, immunity, and even mental health. In fact, we now know that around 90% of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter linked to mood, is produced in the gut—not the brain, as previously believed.

Acupuncture was considered pseudoscience but is now recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective treatment for pain and other conditions.

If history has taught us anything, it’s that our understanding of the world is always evolving. Dismissing energy healing outright may be premature.

The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics: A Possible Explanation?

Quantum physics—the science of the smallest particles—reveals a reality that is far stranger than our everyday experience suggests. While not a direct explanation for energy healing, certain well-documented quantum phenomena raise intriguing possibilities:

Quantum Entanglement: When two particles become ‘entangled,’ a change in one instantaneously affects the other, no matter how far apart they are. Could this suggest a mechanism for distance energy healing, where a healer’s intention influences another person across space?

The Observer Effect: In the famous double-slit experiment, particles behave differently depending on whether they are being observed. This demonstrates that consciousness may play a role in shaping reality.

If subatomic particles can be influenced by observation and intention, is it so far-fetched to consider that human energy fields might also be influenced by focused intention?

Scientific Studies on Energy Healing

While energy healing is not yet fully understood by mainstream science, there is a growing body of research suggesting measurable effects:

A study published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine found that Reiki had a greater effect than placebo in reducing pain, anxiety, and depression (PMID: 29541424).

Controlled studies have shown that energy healing techniques can influence biological systems. Notably, experiments have demonstrated that mice subjected to energy healing treatments showed complete remission from cancer far beyond statistical expectations.

Research into the biofield, the electromagnetic field that surrounds the human body, suggests that it plays a role in health and healing (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).

Energy Transmission: Electricity, Infrared, and Radio Waves

Energy is constantly moving and interacting in ways we can’t always see. Consider:

Electricity powers our world, yet we cannot see it.

Radio waves transmit sound and data across vast distances without physical contact.

Infrared radiation is a form of energy emitted by all warm objects—including human hands. Some studies suggest that Reiki practitioners emit increased levels of infrared radiation and biophotons during healing sessions. This might provide a physical basis for the warmth and sensations often reported by those receiving energy healing.

If these invisible forces can shape our reality, is it possible that healing energy—whatever its exact mechanism—operates in a way we don’t yet fully understand?

The Biofield: Understanding the Energy That Surrounds Us

The biofield refers to the complex energy field that surrounds and permeates living organisms. It is often described as an electromagnetic field (EMF) that extends beyond the physical body, interacting with the environment. Though the concept of a biofield has been part of various traditional healing systems for centuries, it is gaining more attention in modern scientific studies.

Scientific Research on the Biofield

While the biofield is still a relatively new field of study in Western science, there is evidence that it plays a role in health and healing. Researchers have begun investigating the biofield as a way to explain how energy healing techniques might work. Here are some key facts:

Electromagnetic Nature of the Biofield: Studies suggest that the biofield is largely electromagnetic in nature. Just as the heart produces an electromagnetic field that can be measured by an electrocardiogram (ECG), the brain produces an electromagnetic field measurable with an electroencephalogram (EEG). Similarly, some research has shown that the human body produces a biofield that is detectable with highly sensitive instruments.

The Role of the Biofield in Healing: Certain healing practices, such as Reiki and Pranic Healing, are thought to interact with the biofield. Studies have shown that when energy healing is applied, the biofield may be influenced or “rebalanced,” which could explain some of the benefits people experience, such as reduced pain and stress.

Biofield and Health: Research into the biofield suggests it may play a role in cellular communication, immune system regulation, and maintaining homeostasis. Some studies suggest that disruptions in the biofield may contribute to illness, and healing practices that address the biofield might help restore balance to the body’s systems.

Scientific Evidence and Debate

While there is growing interest in biofield science, it is still an emerging field, and many aspects are not fully understood. Some scientists question the existence of a distinct biofield, arguing that its effects could be attributed to conventional biological or psychological processes. However, studies published by institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) indicate that the biofield may be a valid concept worth further research.

In short, while the biofield remains an area of ongoing scientific exploration, there is increasing evidence to support its role in human health and energy healing.

Time: Another Illusion?

Most people assume time moves in a straight line. However, modern physics suggests time is not as linear as we perceive. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity shows that time is relative—it moves differently depending on gravity and speed. Some physicists propose that past, present, and future might all exist simultaneously in a ‘block universe.’ If time is more fluid than we realize, could energy healing—whether in person or at a distance—tap into mechanisms beyond our conventional understanding?

Try It for Yourself

Skepticism is healthy; it keeps us questioning, testing, and refining our understanding. However, history has shown that many things once dismissed as ‘impossible’ later became proven scientific realities.

Energy healing is not about blind belief—it’s about experience. If it sounds unbelievable, consider this: the best way to determine its validity is to try it yourself.

There is still so much we don’t know. But if even a fraction of what quantum mechanics suggests is true, energy healing may not be as ‘woo-woo’ as you once thought.