Growing numbers of studies are demonstrating that electroencephalograms (EEGs) of healers and healees will synchronize during healing.

In a related line of research, EEGs of people whose lives are in some ways linked may reflect these links. When one of the pair is stimulated, the EEG of the second person may reflect that stimulation, even though the second person is at some distance from the first and does not know when the first is being stimulated. 

A third area of research is identifying areas of the brain that have altered activity during spiritual awarenesses. 

Updated on 9/24/06

EEGs of healers synchronizing with EEGs of healees

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Synchronization of both hemispheres during meditation, healing; EEG synchronizations of healers and healees.

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Brief review article (18 refs)

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L and R hemispheric profiles synchronized 7-8 HZ, then group synchrony

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EEGs synchronized for one twin closing eyes in 2/15 pairs.

Fahrion, Steven L., et. al. EEG amplitude, brain mapping, & synchrony in & between a bioenergy practitioner & client during healing. Subtle Energies 1992, 3(1), 19-52

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Pairs of subjects feeling affinity for each other, startle response as visual evoked potential in one registered in EEG of other.

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Hands of healers emit EM fields during healing, 2-30 Hz

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Hands of healers emit EM fields during healing, 2-30 Hz

 

Brain imaging and healing

New imaging techniques enable us to study changes in brain activity in response to external stimuli and to internal states of awareness. Such brain mapping is pointing to particular parts of the brain that are activated during self-healing and healer healing.

Achterberg, Jeanne/ Cooke, Karin/ Richards, Todd / Standish, Leanna/ Kozak, Leila / Lake, James. Evidence for correlations between distant intentionality and brain function in recipients: a functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis,  J  Alternative and Complementary Medicine,  2005, 11(6), 965-971.

D’Aquili EG, Newberg AB. Mystical states and the experience of God: A model of the neuropsychological substrate. Zygon: J Religion Science 1993;28:177–200.

D’Aquili EG, Newberg AB. The neuropsychology of aesthetic, spiritual, and mystical states. Zygon: J Religion Science 2000;35(1): 39–51.

Lazar SW, Bush G, Gollub RL, et al. Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation. NeuroReport 2000;11(7):1–5.
 

Brain imaging and spiritual experiences

Several studies of mystical or religious experiences with single photon emission computed tomographic
(SPECT) scans have identified particular portions of the brain whose function is altered during deep meditation. Decreased brain metabolic activity was found in the posterior superior parietal lobe during times of religious 'connection.'

D’Aquili EG, Newberg AB. Mystical states and the experience of God: A model of the neuropsychological substrate. Zygon: J Religion Sci 1993;28:177–200.

D’Aquili EG, Newberg AB. The neuropsychology of aesthetic, spiritual, and mystical states. Zygon: J Religion Sci 2000;35(1): 39–51.

Lazar SW, Bush G, Gollub RL, et al. Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation. NeuroReport 2000;11(7):1–5.