The concept of an energy exchange between individuals is a belief shared across cultures and is central to many healing arts in both Eastern and Western medicine. Often referred to as Energy Medicine, this idea posits that there is a transfer of energy that facilitates healing. Despite skepticism from the scientific community due to the lack of a clear mechanism explaining this energy exchange, numerous studies have demonstrated its effects on various physiological and psychological processes.
The Electricity of Touch & The Energetic Heart
The heart, like the brain, creates a strong electromagnetic field. Dr. Rollin McCraty explains in “The Energetic Heart” that “The heart generates the largest electromagnetic field in the body. The electrical field measured in an electrocardiogram (ECG) is about 60 times stronger than the brain waves measured in an electroencephalogram (EEG).”
Studies from the HeartMath Institute have shown that this strong electromagnetic field can be detected several feet away from a person’s body and even between two people who are close to each other. In the study called “The Electricity of Touch: Detection and Measurement of Cardiac Energy Exchange Between People,” researchers wanted to see if the heart’s electromagnetic field from one person could be detected in another person when they sat about three feet apart or held hands.
The results were fascinating: the study showed that “when people touch or are in proximity, a transfer of the electromagnetic energy produced by the heart occurs.” Even though more research is needed, these findings suggest that this energy transfer might be important for healing.
For example, when subjects held hands, the source’s ECG signal was detected in the receiver’s EEG recording. The orientation of hand-holding also affected the strength of the transferred signal, with specific orientations resulting in stronger signals. Experiments with light touch and without physical contact further demonstrated that the heart’s electromagnetic energy could be transferred, albeit with reduced amplitude when contact was not made.
The findings suggest that the heart’s electromagnetic field may play a significant role in energy exchange during healing practices. The coherence of this field, influenced by the practitioner’s emotional state and intention, could enhance the therapeutic effect. This could explain why many healing modalities emphasize the practitioner’s intention and the relationship between practitioner and client.
Healing practices like therapeutic touch, holoenergetic healing, healing touch, Chi Gong, and Reiki all believe that an exchange of energy happens to help with healing. While science has proven that these treatments can help people feel better physically and mentally, it hasn’t been clear how this energy exchange works. This study, along with other research, is one of the first successful attempts to measure this energy exchange between people. Again science is catching up and helping to explain what we have felt and observed through energy healing modalities. It’s so fascinating!
Written by Sue Rapley
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