People often ask if energy healing depends on the belief of the client - the placebo effect is real. And while we can harness it by working through feelings and beliefs that may undermine the healing process, when I worked in consumer healthcare, research was expected to outperform the placebo.
This is why I was happy to find a book called Vibrational Medicine, by Dr Richard Gerber. It goes through research done in labs and clinical settings. The book is a brick: 500 pages and almost too technical, but worth reading as an energy healer.
Below you will find highlights from Chapter 8 on Psychic Healing. Please note, Energy Healing is complementary to medical care, not alternative. Dr. Gerber uses the term 'Psychic Healing' throughout the book; however, in my own practice, I refer to these concepts as 'Energy Healing' to align with modern holistic wellness standards.
Vibrational Medicine, by Richard Gerber M.D.
Dr Richard Gerber's book looks at how medical care and vibrational healing can work together. The author explores the Aura and Chakras from technical and physiological points of view.
For example, the book looks at how energy flows from the Aura to the physical body through the meridian system, while presenting research done tracing the movement of fluids injected at acupuncture sites. This was helpful for me because the hand positions used in Reiki coincide with the meridians.
Vibrational Medicine covers research from the 1800's until its publication in the 1980's. They are historical studies, but I still found them interesting. The studies mentioned below were carried out at universities in the US & Canada.
-4.jpg)
A Quick Note on Research
There are different types of studies, some used early in the scientific process to explore the potential for new lines of research. I am not a scientist, but based on my time in consumer healthcare and product development, I view early stages of research as a way to explore anatomy, physiology, and how biological processes interact.
These exploratory stages are often in vitro (petri dishes). These studies aim to provide insight on how organisms function, and whether that new concept warrants further research. If it shows promise, that line of research can move out of the relatively inexpensive petri dish to more complex studies.
Each type of study has a purpose and a role within the larger picture, and the entire process is hugely expensive. The studies mentioned in Dr Gerber's book were conducted by universities, which is understandable as healers may not have the funds or the knowledge to set up a study that achieves (measures) what it sets out to do.
Dr Gerber’s book goes through research done on cell division, detailing how electric impulses are involved in a range of biological processes, before discussing lab studies where Dr Gerber reports that psychic healing was seen to have a similar effect to magnetic waves (on water). In this case, the book interprets the effects of an invisible force as indication of its existence. Later, the book talks about decreased hydrogen bonding and surface tension in healer-treated water; minor shifts, though I have to admit the implications of that are beyond me.
Highlights from the book:
📊 1st Study on Mice
In one experiment researchers performed surgery on mice and measured their surgical wounds afterwards. One group of mice received psychic healing, one group a placebo (warmth to simulate the healer's hands) and a third control group. Dr Gerber says that the mice that received psychic healing recovered before the others - the book doesn't cover the statistics though. I would have liked to see that. Dr Gerber then explores laboratory studies on the effect that psychic healing has on cell enzymes as a potential explanation for this.
📊 2nd Study, on Mice
This one I struggled with emotionally because thyroids were intentionally enlarged in mice. Four groups of mice were exposed either to psychic healing, placebo or control. There were two placebo groups to factor out the human touch effect. One had non-healer people holding the mice - the other simulated warmth, without any kind of human contact. Dr Gerber reports that delayed enlargement was seen in the group of mice that received psychic healing. It did NOT reverse that enlargement however, and Dr Gerber highlights the fact that psychic healing is complementary to medical care, not alternative. The results are said to be significant, but the book doesn't go into the numerical details.
> I wanted to mention this study because yes, I am a fan of energy healing, but let's be realistic. Energy healing does NOT replace medical care and should never delay or substitute evidence-based medical care. Always see a doctor.
> Despite these findings, the researchers were unable to detect a magnetic field emanating from the Healer's hands. The studies mentioned were carried out by Dr Grad at McGill University and Dr Justa Smith at Rosemary Hill College. The same healer participated in both studies, which brings up my next question:
Both of the above mentioned studies involved the same person giving psychic healing. In my experience, a person's health, stress levels, meditation practice and diet influence their ability to channel healing. To create a controlled study on a large scale, I wonder if participating Energy Healers would need similar backgrounds and lifestyles? As well as apply the same techniques, there are variations on energy healing, etc.
This study, I found intriguing as it reported increased haemoglobin levels in human patients who received energy healing from nurses. The haemoglobin study was carried out by Dr Dolores Krieger, who at the time, was a professor of nursing at New York University.
Personal Note: Krieger is often discredited by another study, the 1998 Rosa study, where participating healers weren't able to detect an energy field if they couldn't see the patient - they couldn't feel a hand hovering over theirs. I'd like to point out that that study tested psychic abilities, which is different from energy healing, and the potential effects of energy healing. They are two separate claims, feeling energy vs channeling energy. You don't have to feel energy to channel it, but a lot of healers do have intuition. Side note: I have had weird, anecdotal, experiences, feeling a healer’s hand/energy over me (see here).
A personal note on benchmarks 💰
Doctors already recommend certain things before surgery to facilitate recovery (this has to be managed by the doctor). Those practices likely have substantial evidence behind them, and research into different solutions has to outperform the best available option, for doctors to take it seriously. Complementary therapies sit outside that, and are often looked at for the emotional and stress relief benefit.
Research and development might go into the options that are most likely to give a tangible result, and that can also be scaled. Energy healing might have too little evidence of physical effect, for it to get more advanced funding (and therefore, to prove or disprove it) and it's not as easily scalable. Also, the spiritual and subjective experience is probably one of the reasons that energy healing persists - it is a human phenomenon.
Beating placebo might not be enough. And I'm not saying it did here, because these studies were exploratory, and the book doesn't include the statistics. ⚖️ Also in my experience, researchers and scientists are more open to explore because that is their function. Doctors have to focus on what is already proven to work with their patients; it’s not their job to be open to energy healing.
Closing Thoughts
If you are an energy healer, I would recommend reading Vibrational Medicine by Dr Richard Gerber. It also presents exploratory research on plants, distant healing and a variety of experiments, The first half is very technical. It also covers several spiritual themes without scientific proof, such as the Higher Self and how that part of our being may relate to the outer layers of the Aura. I was hoping for only science in this book, but that is what he was interested in. And who am I to judge. I spend a ton of my time on hippie spiritual themes. Dr Gerber’s book is great. It is not easy to read because of the level of detail, and the research is dated - it goes on in length about catscans as a relatively new development, and exploratory (early stage), but I am glad to have found it. 💬 The book says that that some of the experimental results are significant, and as an energy healer I appreciate that, but it doesn't include the stats and that omission is an issue. I am excited and disappointed at the same time. I think if I'm reviewing the book for a holistic audience, it's important to be transparent about the cons.
The book is referenced but it doesn't present the statistics and I have not chased down the references/data for individual studies. I don't know where to look. It's been 3-4 decades since the book was published - my guess is these studies were exploratory. I don't have more recent studies to share, but I will keep you posted if I find something new. I personally would put my own research dollars into cancer research. So I am not surprised that holistic studies are not funded; if it’s not backed by a business, or if they don’t show a big enough benefit vs other care options, to justify the expense. If it’s complementary, not alternative, it aims to sit in a less prominent place, but it does need to be earnest. Still thought it was interesting.
Love to hear your thoughts. I am not a scientist, and I enjoy talking to scientists - if you've read the book and have thoughts, please reach out on instagram.
Reiki hugs,
Regina
Friendly reminder 🫶🏻 Energy healing is complementary to medical care, not alternative. These studies do NOT support my energy healing sessions or the tools in my books. I don’t know what they did in the energy healing sessions, and it if is similar to what I do. Also, I am not qualified to tell anyone what to do medically. I am NOT a scientist. Please do not ask me about medical treatments. Always see a doctor. This content is for informational purposes only; any reliance on the information provided is solely at your own risk.