Abstract: This article outlines various studies which
have shown a change in the measured gamma radiation
near bioenergy healers. Contained herein is a theoretical
explanation for these findings based upon an expansion
of current concepts in physics and biology.
Certain alternative healing therapies are theorized
as being bioenergetic modalities which utilize the "élan
vital" or vital energy. Proponents of these techniques
have claimed this previously unrecognized force infuses
organisms with life sustaining energies and/or balances
existing energies resulting in improved health. This
long-standing and widespread belief in the existence
of an etheric healing force, called "prana"
by the Hindus, "chi" by the Chinese, and "ki"
by the Japanese, is the source most often associated
with the "soul, spirit, and mind." In fact,
there are references made to human energy fields or
the aura of the body in 97 different cultures, according
to John White in his book "Future Science."1
Equally mystifying and unexplainable are the plethora
of parapsychological phenomena often referred to as
extrasensory perception, precognition, remote viewing,
etc. that have evaded scientific description. Modern
scientists have repeatedly sought evidence for the substance
of spirit. After Newton published his laws of mechanics,
optics, and gravity, he spent many years looking for
the living force via the use of alchemy. In the late
nineteenth century, prominent physicists, William Crookes
and Oliver Lodge, searched for what they called the
"psychic force." Their premise was that a
connection existed between the spiritual, aetheric forces
and the recently discovered electromagnetic waves. By
1905, electromagnetic signals were recognized as being
carried by light packets, or photons, but were not scientifically
connected to healing energies.2
Numerous other scientists have also searched for and
attempted to name this elusive aether. An abbreviated
list would include "pseudo magnetism"; "fifth
force"; "empty waves"; a significant
part of Tesla phenomenology; "radiation energy"
by H. Moray; "tachyon fields" by Fienberg;
"free energy" by Kelly; Nieper’s "gravitation
field energy"; "space energy" by Schaffranke
and Harris; "unified field" by Mahareshi-Jagelin;
"emptiness energy" by Reichenbach; "vital
magnetism" by Messmer; "bio-cosmic energy"
by Hieronymus; "Mumia" by Paracelsus; "X-force"
by Eemen; "N-radiation" by Biondio; "ponderomatoric
forces" by Myshin; "radiation energy"
by Abrams; "O-radiation or Orgonne" by Reich;
"M-field" (morphogenic field) by Schaldrein
and B. Haeim. A common physical reality behind the diverse
phenomenology was postulated by many researchers, in
particular, in a more complete form be D.A. Kelly in
1986 and Antwort Schema in 1989.3
Throughout the 20th Century, proponents of "élan
vital" and bioenergy medicine have been unable
to provide definitive evidence of an electromagnetic
connection between alternative healing therapies and
living organisms let alone offer a scientifically-testable
theory of its existence. This has left the field open
to staunch criticism from medical professionals and
scientists who overtly dismiss any possible healing
effects from an "imaginery" aether. However,
recent research may document the existence of healing
energy and, further, describe a new paradigm for bioenergy
healing which includes a plausible mechanism of action.
II. Bioenergy Healers and Gamma Radiation
Recently replicated studies by Benford et al. identified
statistically significant decreases in extremely high-frequency
electromagnetic fields, termed gamma rays, during alternative
healing sessions with a trained practitioner and multiple
subjects.4 During these experiments, external gamma
radiation counts were recorded to obtain: (1) background
control values, (2) resting control values (subjects
in supine position), (3) no treatment baseline control
values (with a person standing along side the subjects),
and (4) treatment values (with therapist's hands gently
placed on the subjects). During the initial preliminary
tests, total counts were recorded in 100-second trials
separately over the crown, heart, abdomen and pelvic
regions using a NaI(TI) crystal scintillator that detected
gamma radiation from approximately 100 KeV to 3 MeV.
Later tests involved 300-second counts over the heart,
abdomen, right lateral side of the subject.
Early results demonstrated that gamma radiation levels
markedly decreased during therapy sessions of 100% of
subjects and at every body site tested regardless of
which therapist performed the treatment. In many instances,
the gamma counts fluctuated by thousands which represented
a 3 – 6% difference in gross gamma count between
the untrained control practitioners and trained healing
energy practitioners within the short time periods analyzed.
T-tests were used to determine that there was a significant
statistical significance with p-values between 0.035
and <0.0001 in the 100-second trials, and p-values
less than 0.0001 in the 300-second trials.
Later tests, whereby the therapists and controls were
moved three feet away from the detector and seated at
the subject’s head, demonstrated that significant
drops occurred in female subjects interacting with trained
therapists but not in males. In fact, two males demonstrated
"emissions" of gamma rays during the therapy
sessions. This may be due, in part, to variations in
lean body mass which contains the body’s primary
gamma emitter, Potassium-40 (K40). This has also been
hypothesized to represent a "self-regulation"
of energy within the body and the surrounding electromagnetic
field.4,5
The consistent results from these controlled experiments
may result, in part, from the increased electromagnetic
fields surrounding the hands of healers. Dr. John Zimmerman
discovered large frequency-pulsing biomagnetic fields
emanating from hands of therapeutic touch practitioners
during therapy as measured by an extremely sensitive
magnetometer called a SQUID (Superconducting Quantum
Interference Device).6 Similar frequency-pulsing biomagnetic
fields were later measured and quantified from the hands
of meditators and practitioners of yoga and QiGong using
a simple magnetometer. These fields were 1000 times
greater than the strongest human biomagnetic field7
and were found to be in the same frequency range as
those being tested in medical research laboratories
for use in speeding the healing process of certain biological
tissues.3,8 This range is low energy and extremely low
frequency and spans from 2 Hz to 50 Hz.8 However, still
missing from this research is a mechanism of action
that can explain the connection between electromagnetic
field increases and observed healing benefits reported
in the current therapy literature.
III. Adding "spin" to the healing
equation.
Recently released Russian research posits an approach
for describing many, if not all, the biopositive and
parapsychological phenomena related to bioenergy healing
and conscious intention. This research has postulated
and tested the existence of "torsion fields."
Russian scientist Akimov and his team consider the quantum
vacuum as a universal torsion wave carrying medium.
The torsion field is said to fill all of space isotropically,
including its matter component. It has a quantal structure
that is unobservable in non-disturbed states. However,
violations of vacuum symmetry and invariance create
different, and in principle observable, states. These
theorized "violations" and "invariances"
may be what the energy practitioners are creating, which
induces changes in the gamma radiation previously described.
The torsion field theory takes a modified form of the
original electron-positron model of the Dirac sea: the
vacuum's energy field is viewed as a system of rotating
wave packets of electrons and positrons (rather than
a sea of electron-positron pairs). Where the wave packets
are mutually embedded, the field is electrically neutral.
If the spins of the embedded packets have the opposite
sign, the system is compensated not only in charge,
but also in classical spin and magnetic moment. "The
concept of quantums as electron-positron pairs was used
by M. Broido independently of G. Bjorken. Simultaneously,
Ya. Zeldovich demonstrated that presence of an electromagnetic
field in Vacuum* (quantum vacuum) results in generation
of electron-positron pairs, thus producing non-zero
vacuum energy regarded as field energy. The relation
between electromagnetism and Vacuum fluctuation was
also noted by L. Rivlin."3 Such a system is said
to create a "phyton" of which a dense ensemble
of phytons are said to approximate a simplified model
of the Vacuum field.
When the phytons are spin-compensated, their orientation
within the ensemble is arbitrary. But when a charge
q is the source of disturbance, the action produces
a charge polarization of the Vacuum, as prescribed by
quantum electrodynamics. When a mass m is the source
of disturbance, the phytons produce symmetrical oscillations
along the axis given by the direction of the disturbance.
The Vacuum then enters a state characterized by the
oscillation of the phytons along their longitudinal
spin-polarization; this is interpreted as a gravitational
field (G- field). The gravitational field is thus the
result of Vacuum decompensation arising at its point
of polarization, which is an idea that was originally
introduced by the well-known Russian scientist, Sakharov.
Akimov et al.3 go further by following a thesis advanced
by physicist Roger Penrose,9 that phytons represent
the Vacuum equations in the spinor form and thereby
obtain a system of nonlinear spinor equations where
two component spinors represent the potential of torsion
fields. These equations can describe charged as well
as neutral quantum and classical particles. They thus
allow that the Vacuum field is disturbed not only by
charge and mass, but also by classical spin. In that
event the phytons oriented in the same direction as
the spin of the disturbance keep their orientation.
Those opposite to the spin of the source undergo inversion;
then the local region of the Vacuum transits into a
state of transverse spin polarization. This gives the
"spin field" (S- field), viewed as a condensate
of Fermion pairs.
The dynamic interaction of positive and negative particles,
with their resident charge, mass and spin characteristics,
defines matter as we see it as well as the underlying
forces. Intentional distortion of the zero-point field
(ZPF), or Vacuum, subsequently modifies these parameters.
If the substance is unbalanced and in a state of disequilibrium,
then the bioenergy of the healer's interaction with
the ZPF will serve to balance the energy scales and
return the substance to equilibrium.
In keeping with this theory, Akimov et al.3 view the
Vacuum as a physical medium that can assume various
polarization states. Given charge polarization, the
Vacuum is manifested as the electromagnetic field. Given
matter polarization, it is manifested as the gravitational
field. And given spin polarization, the Vacuum manifests
as a spin field. All fundamental fields known to physics
correspond to specific Vacuum polarization states.
IV. Characteristics of the torsion field
G.I. Shipov showed that besides the two known long-range
physical fields, electromagnetic and gravitational,
there exists a third long-range field: the torsion field.
The torsion field is an extremely unusual entity. First
of all, the theoretical upper limit for the speed of
torsion waves is estimated to be not less than 109 c,
where c is the speed of light in a Vacuum. Second, torsion
fields may be able to propagate in a region of space
which is not limited by the light cone. That means that
torsion fields are able to propagate not only in the
future but in the past as well. Third, torsion fields
may transmit information without transmitting energy.
Fourth, torsion fields are not required to follow the
superposition principle.10
Torsion fields are generated by spin (considering classical
spin) or by angular momentum. There exist both right
and left torsion fields (depending on the spin orientation).
As the location of the atoms within a molecule and their
spin orientation is due to their underlying physical
characteristics, the superposition of torsion fields
generated by the atomic and nuclear spins of each molecule
determines the intensity of torsion field in the space
surrounding the molecule as a whole. While an amorphous
or nonaligned substance would therefore not have such
an aggregate effect, a substance with aligned molecules
(i.e. crystal) would have an aggregate effect in terms
of its torsion field. The superposition of all these
torsion fields determines the intensity and spatial
configuration of the characteristic torsion field of
that substance. Thus, each substance possesses its own
characteristic torsion field.
The property which is open to influence by torsion
fields is spin. The structure of the torsion field of
every object can be changed by the influence of an external
torsion field. As a result of such an influence, the
new configuration of the torsion field will be fixed
as a metastable state (as a polarized state) and will
remain intact even after the source of the external
torsion field is moved to another area of space. Thus
torsion fields of certain spatial configuration can
be "recorded" on any physical or biological
object.
The following fundamentally important fact should be
emphasized. In the framework of the theory of electro-torsion
interactions, it is shown that if electrostatic or electromagnetic
fields exist in some region of space, then there always
exists torsion fields in that region of space. Electrostatic
or electromagnetic fields without a torsion component
do not exist. On the strict level this is shown by G.I.
Shipov.11 Strong torsion fields are generated by high
electrical potentials and by devices with organized
circular or spiral electromagnetic processes.
According to Panov et al.,11 "Gravitation and
torsion fields manifest themselves as they are; whereas,
electromagnetic fields always contain a torsion component
and this is an essential fact. Torsion fields will appear
in both electrostatic and electromagnetic radiation.
Inability to understand this has often been the cause
of fruitless attempts to explain many of the phenomena
related to sources of electromagnetic radiation in terms
of purely electromagnetic phenomena."11
It is further supportive of the theory linking the
gamma radiation fluctuations observed during healing
energy therapy sessions and torsion fields when one
considers how torsion fields are monitored. "An
alternative procedure for detecting and estimating torsion
field has been proposed recently, consisting in measurement
of natural radioactive background with some kind of
ionizing radiation sensor. Placing a pulse counting
device (Geiger or solid-state scintillation counter)
in the area exposed to torsion field one can obtain
a corresponding estimate of the field. Sensitivity of
ionizing radiation sensors is several orders of magnitude
higher than that of quartz ones, but the latter are
more stable as compared to sensors of all other types."11
Thus, what has been observed in repeated experimental
tests monitoring gamma count fluctuations during alternative
healing sessions may be directly related to torsion
fields.
V. Torsion fields, radiation hormesis, and
bioenergy therapy
The theory linking biopositive physiological effects
of bioenergy therapies with radiation hormesis has been
well described.4,5 Radiation hormesis is the concept
of using small doses of ionizing radiation in a manner
which has a beneficial affect on the body. In summary,
whole body exposures of mammals to low-dose irradiation
(doses <10 cGy/y; <10 rad/y) has been found to
stimulate major physiologic parameters including reproduction,
growth, muscular development, mental acuity, cell repair
systems (DNA, RNA, membranes and shock proteins), and
immune competence.12,13,14
Similar biopositive effects have been noted following
bioenergy healing therapies including reduced anxiety
in hospitalized cardiovascular patients,15 chemotherapy
oncology patients,16 and premature neonates.17 Other
research has shown bioenergy therapies reduce tension
headache pain17 and dramatically increase the rate of
healing of dermal punch wounds.18 One pilot study demonstrated
a decrease in the concentration of suppressor T-cells
implying an increased immune response.19 A separate
study showed significant changes in hemoglobin and hematocrit
values after treatment.20
Work by renowned Chinese scientist Dr. Shu-Zheng Liu
of the MH Radiobiology Research Unit of Norman Bethune
University demonstrates that in both human populations
and animal studies low-dose radiation (LDR) stimulates
the immunological responses.21 The up-regulation of
immunity following LDR involves a series of cellular
and molecular reactions as well as their systemic regulation.
The results obtained by Lui and many others have compelled
researchers to conclude that whole-body irradiation
(WBI) with X- and gamma-rays in the dose range within
0.2 Gy has definite positive effect on the immune system
which can be considered as beneficial to the organism.22
Similar types of improved immune responses have been
reported by the Russian scientists with the use of generated
torsion fields. "In a laboratory of radiobiology
of Perm University we have investigated the effect of
static torsion field on mice. . . The experiments have
shown that torsion field has immune-stimulating effect
showing itself in the activation of both cellular and
humoral parts of the immune system. Being 53.3% for
the control mice, the content of rosette forming cells
was a high as 71.0% (p<.001) for the mice subjected
to the action of torsion radiation. Appreciable differences
in the response of the humoral part of the immune system
for the unexposed and exposed mice were also detected:
the titer of antibodies being 8.33 for the former and
11.70 for the latter."11
VI. Interacting with the Vacuum
It is therefore postulated here that bioenergy healers
are creating permutations in the Vacuum or zero-point
field (ZPF) via torsion fields, which, in turn, change
the characteristics of the source mass m (see Figure
1). For this discussion, the Vacuum/ZPF is being defined
as "the locus of a vast energy field that is neither
classically electromagnetic nor gravitational, nor yet
nuclear in nature. Instead, it is the originating source
of the known electromagnetic, gravitational, and nuclear
forces and fields. It is the originating source of matter
itself."
Figure 1
conscious intention
(causing heightened
electromagnetic \|/ fields
in the surrounding the hands)
alteration of
the torsion field
\|/
distortion of
Vacuum/ZPF
(radiation hormesis)
\|/
restoration of
substance equilibrium
This spin compensation, posited to be induced by heightened
electromagnetic fields surrounding the hands of bioenergy
healers (charge q), alters the torsion field and creates
new annihilation/energy opportunities for the source.
Furthermore, preliminary data collected to test this
theory demonstrate a "Rubberband Effect" resulting
from the healer’s intervention with matter-based
substances and their fields. To explain the effect,
one can use the example of an unstretched rubberband
of a certain length (say 2"):
A-----------------------------B
When force q is exerted on point B such that the rubberband
(mass m) is stretched it will assume a new length of
3":
A--------------------------------------------B
This, however, puts the system out of equilibrium such
that when the force, or energy, dissipates, the rubberband
does not immediately go back to a stable position 2"
but, first, overcompensates by going to 1":
A-------------B
In a recent gravity-shielding experiment involving
lentil beans, the rest mass (pre-therapy) was 37.545
gms. When the bioenergy healers energized it in a direction
such that it reached a peak by decreasing in mass by
about 0.1 gm (this was replicated in a second energizing
session). This "stretched" the mass of the
beans such that when the energy dissipated overnight
it did not return to its normal rest mass (37.545) but
over compensated by a full gram.
Likewise, a replication of the test involving the same
healers under more stringently controlled conditions,
e.g., test mass enclosed behind glass windows, resulted
in the same rubberband effect only in reverse. The test
mass initially got heavier but subsequently rebounded
to a lighter than pre-test weight. Several attempts
to replicate these results by non-therapists demonstrated
that the test mass could uniformly be made heavier;
however, the rebound effect only returned the mass to
its pre-test level and not beyond.
A second series of preliminary experiments with bioenergy
healers demonstrated a similar rubberband effect. In
a radioactive decay rate study, which tested the ability
of the healers to alter the constant gamma decay rate
of Cs-137, the results indicated that the Cs-137 peak
increased at some point during the therapy session but,
post-therapy, plummeted to a level below the pre-test
average (testing is still underway with additional healers
and controls).
Russian researchers have theorized that torsion fields
may have both an elastic effect and a residual effect:
both noticed in the previously described experiments
with bioenergy healers. "The opinion that the Vacuum
behaves as a super-fluid is commonly accepted. There
are also researchers who believe that Physical Vacuum
behaves as an elastic solid, precisely as aether was
regarded at the times of I. Newton.. . Another feature
of torsion fields must be mentioned. Just as a magnet
produces residual magnetization in a ferro-magnet, the
torsion source creates ‘residual’ polarization
through acting upon the classical spin both at the levels
of substance and the Physical Vacuum."3
VII. Gamma radiation, torsion fields, and psi-phenomena
Thus far it has been demonstrated and postulated that
there is a connection between bioenergy healers, gamma
radiation, and torsion fields. Is there also a possible
link to the unexplained psi-phenomona that have perplexed
scientists and theologians for centuries? According
to the Russian pioneers in torsion field research, just
as in electricity, the elementary particle charges are
the primary source of field where the elementary particle
spins are the primary sources of torsion field. However,
gamma photons have also been identified as primary sources
of torsion field.3 Furthermore, it has been stated and
verified that the electromagnetic field can generate
the torsion one. Thus, it stands to reason, that healers
who can consciously increase the electromagnetic field
surrounding their hands and, likewise, cause significant
fluctuations in external gamma radiation around a subject’s
body, are also creating permutations in the torsion
field and, subsequently, the Vacuum itself.
VIII. Conclusion
This new paradigm describing the "Spin
Doctor," advances our scientific understanding
of bioenergy healing modalities by analyzing studies
and data in order to develop a theory that takes into
account our current understanding of physics and expands
upon it. Too often data which does not fit our current
understanding is ignored rather than trying to develop
a theory which can explain the previous data as well
as the new.
As a result of this new paradigm, we can now begin
to understand, and thus demystify, the origins and actions
of the "imaginary" aether of healing energies.
This new model takes into account the well-known, and
documented, beneficial effects of low-dose radiation
as a potential mechanism in bioenergy healing. Furthermore,
the acceptance and appreciation of torsion fields, with
their influencable spin characteristics both in defining
and refining matter, opens a new perspective of scientific
exploration into psi-phenomena. Possibly, we can conclude
that life, and even mind, may be a manifestation of
the constant, albeit subtle, interaction of the wave
packets classically known as "matter" with
the underlying physically real Vacuum field.
***********
* I will use the term "Vacuum" in the sense
that the Russians refer to a Physical Vacuum or which
we refer to as quantum vacuum. The Russian term has
a materialistic quality.
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Donald Reed, mathematician and
physicist, for his gracious assistance in providing
me with the Russian research on torsion fields and for
reviewing my preliminary paper. I would also like to
thank Dr. Harold Fox, and his staff, at the Journal
of New Energy for their help in locating references
for this work.