Healing Mind and Body

Distant Healing

Part 2 of a review of distant healing studies by Daniel J. Benor, MD.

Distant healing effects on plants

Plants make good experimental subjects. They are inexpensive, low maintenance, and require no elaborate permission forms (as human studies do).

You could easily test your own healing abilities with plants. Take three pots of the same size, filled with soil from the same source. Take three batches of seeds from the same packet. Large ones, such as corn seeds, are handy, as you can plant them with their pointy ends down, each to the same, measured depth.

Place the pots where they will each get the same intensity and duration of light, and water them with measured, equal amounts of water. Send positive thoughts or prayers to the first, leave the middle one alone, and send negative thoughts to the third. After two weeks you may see easily-visible differences in the growth rates in each pot.

Formal studies have shown significant effects of distant healing with plants (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54).

Other studies showed no effects of distant healing on plants (55, 56). Each of these studies had problems in their designs that might explain the failures to demonstrate healing effects.

Distant healing effects on bacteria and yeasts

Distant healing produced significant effects on enhancing and retarding growth of bacteria (57, 58, 59) and yeasts (60, 61).

These studies suggest that healers may be able to slow or halt the progress of an infection by retarding the growth of infecting organisms.

Carroll Nash (62) explored effects of distant healing on bacteria that mutate between two forms, "lac negative" and "lac positive," showing that healing could selectively increase either form. If this is an effect on mutation, it provides encouragement to believe that healing might influence mutating cells, such as cancers, in the body. However, as Nash notes, an alternative hypothesis is that the distant healing selectively influenced the growth of one or the other form rather than influencing mutation rates.

The implications of this study are discussed below.

Distant healing effects on single-celled organisms

C. M. Pleass and Dean Dey (63) explored effects of mental intent on the motility of algae. In their first experiment they found highly significant effects. In their second experiment, replicating the first, they found no significant effects.

It is not unusual in parapsychology to find this sort of difficulty in replications, and several other replications of (touch or near-the-body) healing studies have shown no effects.

Distant healing effects on cells in the laboratory (in vitro)

William Braud and colleagues showed that healers could slow the rate of hemolysis -- the bursting of red blood cells placed in dilute saline (64, 65).

The most likely mechanism for this effect is a strengthening of the cell wall of the red blood cells. If this is the case, it might explain some of the mechanisms for many healing effects. The cell wall is a very active transport system for moving fluid, chemicals, and molecules into and out of the cell. If healing can alter these gateways, it may enhance cellular functions and increase protection of the cell from negative influences.

Another possibility is that the cell wall may act as an antenna for receiving healing "messages."

Franz Snel also showed that distant healing could slow the rate of growth of cancer cells cultured in the laboratory (66).

Distant healing effects of DNA

Glen Rein and Rollin McCraty, at the HeartMath Institute, showed that distant healing could alter the rate of winding and unwinding of strands of DNA (67, 68).

The implications of these studies are far-reaching, indeed. First, this could be a mechanism for the action of healing within the body, since DNA controls many of the functions of cells in the body. Second, if healing intent can influence these complex molecules that control genetics, it is possible that intent could influence heredity and evolution (69). This may be a mechanism for the effects in Nash's study of bacterial mutation.

Discussion

While distant healing appears to contradict our ordinary sense of reality and the laws defined by conventional science, there are theoretical paradigms that appear to offer explanations for healing.

These studies of absent healing introduce Newtonian medicine to the action of mind from a distance, nonlocal consciousness as Larry Dossey terms it (70). This is consonant with the theories of modern physics, that postulate interactions between certain particles from any distance. These hypotheses have been supported by research (71, 72, 73, 74). This is also supported by a wealth of research in parapsychology, demonstrating that minds can interact through telepathy, that a person can obtain information about physical objects from a distance through clairsentient perception, and that direct mental influence over physical objects is possible (75-77).

Distant healing and other non-local effects of energy medicine are acknowledged by several of the complementary therapies (78).

One would hope that the benefits of such an inexpensive intervention would appeal to those who are concerned over the high costs of medical care.

Distant healing research confirms the effects of prayer on health. This does not prove, however, that prayers within any particular religious framework are more effective than any other, or than secular distant healing.

Subjective experiences of healers and healees involved in distant healing further support reports of experiences with prayer in religious settings. Those involved with healing may have a personal sense of heightened spiritual awareness (79).

The issues raised by distant healing research are extremely complex. ISSSEEM is truly at the frontiers of science in exploring these borderlands between Newtonian and quantum worlds, between the realms of matter and of spirit, through the study of subtle energies and energy medicine (80).

REFERENCES

1. Benor, Daniel J. Healing Research: Volume I, Spiritual Healing: Scientific Validation of a Healing Revolution, Southfield, MI: Vision Publications 2001. (Contains descriptions of healers, discussion of healing in the spectrum of parapsychological research, and light reviews of research on touch, near, and distant healing.)

2. Benor, Daniel J. Healing Research: Volume I, Professional Supplement, Southfield, MI: Vision Publications 2001. (Contains detailed summaries of controlled and descriptive studies of healing.)

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8. Category C-3, including CD4+ cell counts of less than 200 cells, a history of at least one AIDS-defining disease, and taking prophylactic treatment against Pneumococcus carinii.

9. Triple drug therapy(a protease inhibitor and two or more antiretroviral drugs) which has proven to decrease mortality from AIDS significantly.

10. In personal communication, Elisabeth Targ reports that a multi-center replication is planned that will include controls for any differences between treatments at the various centers.

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16. Green, William Michael, The Therapeutic Effects of Distant Intercessory Prayer and Patients:Enhanced Positive Expectations on Recovery Rates and Anxiety Levels of Hospitalized Neurosurgical Pituitary Patients: A Double Blind Study (Doctoral dissertation), San Francisco: California Institute of Integral Studies 1993.

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23. O'Laoire, Sen, An experimental study of the effects of distant, intercessory prayer on self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, Alternative Therapies, 3 (1997), pp. 38-53.

24. Greyson, Bruce, Distance healing of patients with major depression, Journal of Scientific Exploration, 10 (1996), pp. 1-18.

25. O'Laoire, Sen, An experimental study of the effects of distant, intercessory prayer on self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, Alternative Therapies, 3 (1997), pp. 38-53.

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27. Joyce, C. R. B.; Welldon, R. M. C. The objective efficacy of prayer: a double-blind clinical trial, Journal of Chronic Diseases, 18 (1965), pp. 367-77.

28. Winston, Shirley, Research in Psychic Healing: A Multivariate Experiment (Doctoral dissertation) Union Graduate School, Yellow Springs, OH 1975.

29. Walker, Scott et al, Intercessory prayer in the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence: a pilot investigation, Alternative Therapies, 3 (1997), pp. 79-86.

30. Braud, William. Conformance behavior involving living systems, In: Roll, W.G. et. al (Eds), Research in Parapsychology 1978, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1979, 111-115.

31. Braud, William; Schlitz, Marilyn, Psychokinetic influence on electrodermal activity, Journal of Parapsychology, 47 (1983), pp. 95-119.

32. Braud, William; Schlitz, Marilyn, Possible role of intuitive data sorting in electrodermal biological psychokinesis (bio-PK), Research in Parapsychology 1987, 1988, pp. 5-9.

33. Braud, William; Schlitz, Marilyn. A methodology for the objective study of transpersonal imagery, Journal of Scientific Exploration, 3 (1989), pp. 43-63.

34. Braud, William, et al. Further studies of the bio-PK effect: feedback, blocking, specificity; generality, Research in Parapsychology 1984, 1985.

35. Braud, William; Schlitz, Marilyn; Collins, John ; Klitch, Helen, Further studies of the bio-PK effects: Feedback, blocking, specificity;generality, Research in Parapsychology 1984, 1985.

36. Radin, D. et al, Remote mental influence of human electrodermal activity, European J. Parapsychology, 11 (1995), pp. 19-34.

37. Schlitz, Marilyn J.; Braud, William G. Reiki plus natural healing: An ethnographic;experimental study, Psi Research 1, 4 (1985), pp. 100-123 (Also In: Weiner, Debra; Radin, Dean (Eds), Research in Parapsychology 1985, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1986, pp. 17-18).

38. Rebman, Janine M.; Wezelman, Rens; Radin, Dean I. et al, Remote influence of human physiology by a ritual healing technique, Subtle Energies, 6 (1995), pp. 111-134.).

40. Watkins, Graham K.; Watkins, Anita. Possible PK influence on the resuscitation of anesthetized mice, Journal of Parapsychology, 35 (1971), pp. 257-272.

41. Watkins, G. K.; Watkins, A. M.; Wells, R. A. Further studies on the resuscitation of anesthetized mice, In: Roll, W. G.; Morris, R. L.; Morris, J. D. (Eds), Research in Parapsychology 1972, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1973, 157-159.

42. Wells, Roger; Klein, Judith, A replication of a psychic healing paradigm, Journal of Parapsychology, 36 (1972), pp. 144-147.

43. Wells, Roger; Watkins, Graham, Linger effects in several PK experiments, In: Morris, J. D.; Roll, W. G.; Morris, R. L. (Eds) Research in Parapsychology 1974, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1975, 143-147.

ns; Hol, P. R. Psychokinesis experiments in casein induced amyloidosis of the hamster, European Journal of Parapsychology, 5 (1983), pp. 51-76.

45. Snel. Frans W. J. J.; van der Sijde, Peter C. The effect of paranormal healing on tumor growth, Journal of Scientific Exploration, 9 (1995), pp. 209-211.

46. Mizra, Dmitri G.; Kartsev, V. I., Mental influence on grey mice exposed to lethal doses of ionizing radiation (May; Vilenskaya, Subtle Energies 1992 (Translated abstract)

47. Solfvin, Gerald F. Psi expectancy effects in psychic healing studies with malarial mice, European Journal of Parapsychology, 4 (1982a), pp. 160-197.

48. Snel, F. W. J. J.; van der Sijde, P. C. The effect of retro-active distance healing on babesia rodhani (rodent malaria) in rats, European Journal of Parapsychology, 8 (1990-1991), pp. 123-130.

49. Barrington, Mary Rose, Bean growth promotion pilot experiment, Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research, 56 (1982), pp. 302-304.

50. Barros, Alberto, et al. Methodology for research on psychokinetic influence over the growth of plants, Psi Communicacion, 3 (1977), pp. 9-30. (Summary, translated from Spanish, from: Parapsychology Abstracts International, 1 (1984), 80, Abstr. No. 662). (Abstract only, very limited report)

51. MacDonald, R.; Dakin, H. S.; Hickman, J. L. Preliminary studies with three alleged 'psychic healers,'In: Morris, J. D.; Roll, W. G.; Morris, R. L (Eds), Research in Parapsychology 1976, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1977.

52. Nicholas, C. The effects of loving attention on plant growth, New England Journal of Parapsychology, 1 (1977), pp. 19-24.

53. Russell, Edward. Report On Radionics: Science of the Future, The Science Which Can Cure Where Orthodox Medicine Fails, Suffolk, England: Neville Spearman 1973.

54. Saklani, Alok, Psychokinetic effects on plant growth: further studies, In: Henkel, Linda A.; Palmer, John, Research in Parapsychology 1989, (1990), pp. 37- 41.

55. Bush, Anita M.; Geist, Charles R. Geophysical variables and behavior: LXX. Testing electromagnetic explanations for a possible psychokinetic effect of therapeutic touch on germinating corn seed, Psychological Reports, 70 (1992), pp. 891-896.

56. Solfvin, G. F. Studies of the effects of mental healing and expectations on the growth of corn seedlings, European Journal of Parapsychology, 4 (1982b), pp. 287-323.

57. Leikam, W. C. A Pilot Study on the Psychic Influence of E. Coli Bacteria, Unpublished Manuscript 1981.

58. Nash, Carroll B. Psychokinetic control of bacterial growth, Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 51 (1982), pp.217-221.

59. Rauscher, Elizabeth A.; Rubik, Beverly A. Human volitional effects on a model bacterial system, Psi Research, 2 (1983), pp. 38-48; also in: A. Effects on motility behavior and growth of salmonella typhimurium in the presence of a psychic subject, In:, Research in Parapsychology 1979, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1980.

60. Haraldsson, E.; Thorsteinsson, T. Psychokinetic effects on yeast: an exploratory experiment, In: W.C. Roll; R.L. Morris,; J.D. Morris, (Eds.), Research in Parapsychology, 1972, Metuchen, NJ Scarecrow 1973, 20-21.

61. Tedder, W.; Monty, M. Exploration of long-distance PK: a conceptual replication of the influence on a biological system, In: Roll, W.G. et al. (Eds), Research in Parapsychology 1980, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1981. 90-93.

62. Nash, Carroll B. Test of psychokinetic control of bacterial mutation, Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 78 (1984), pp. 145-152.

63. Pleass, C. M.; Dey, Dean, Conditions that appear to favor extrasensory interactions between homo sapiens and microbes, Journal of Scientific Exploration, 4 (1990), pp. 213-231.

64. Braud, William; Davis, Gary; Wood, Robert, Experiments with Matthew Manning, Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 50 (1979), pp. 199-223.

65. Braud, William G. Distant mental influence of rate of hemolysis of human red blood cells, In: Henkel, Linda A.; Berger, Rich E. (Eds), Research in Parapsychology 1988, Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1989(a), 1-6. Also in: Braud, William G. Distant mental influence of rate of hemolysis of human red blood cells, Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 84 (1990), pp. 1-24.

66. Snel, Frans W. J. J. PK influence on malignant cell growth, Research Letter of the University of Utrecht, 10 (1980), pp. 19-27.

67. Rein, Glen; McCraty, Rollin: DNA as a detector of subtle energies, Proceedings of the 4th Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Subtle Energy and Energy Medicine, Boulder, CO 1994.

68. Rein, Glen; McCraty, Rollin: Structural changes in water and DNA associated with new physiologically measurable states, Journal of Scientific Exploration, 8 (1995), pp. 438-439 (reprinted with permission of the publishers, ERL 306, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305-4055, FAX 415 595 4466).

69. Other studies also point to this possibility. See Lamarckian genetics: theories from psi research and evidence from the work of Luther Burbank, Research in Parapsychology 1987 Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow 1988.

70. Dossey, Larry: Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine, New York: Harper SanFrancisco 1993.

71. Capra, Fritjof, The Tao of Physics, Boulder, CO: Shambala 1975.

72. Jahn, Robert G., 'Out of this Aboriginal sensible muchness': Consciousness, information, and human health, Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 89 (1995), pp. 301-312.

73. Walker, Evan Harris: Consciousness and quantum theory. In: White, John (Ed), Psychic Exploration New York: Paragon 1974.

74. Wheeler, John A.: The universe as a home for man, American Scientist 1974, 62, 683-691.

75. Radin, Dean and Ferrari, D.: Effects of consciousness on the fall of dice: a meta-analysis, J. Scientific Exploration 1991, 5, 61-8376.

76. Nash, Carroll B. Parapsychology: The Science of Psiology, Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas 1986.

77. Jahn, Robert G.; Dunne, Brenda J.: The Margins of Reality, San Diego, CA and London: Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich 1987.

78. Benor, D. J. Healing Research, Volume II: Consciousness, Bioenergy and Healing, Southfield, MI: Vision Publications, in press

79. Benor, D. J. Healing Research, Volume III - Science, Spirit and the Eternal Soul, Southfield, MI: Vision Publications, in press

80. For further explorations of these and many related issues, see Benor, D. J. Healing Research, Volume IV - A Synthesis of Recent Research, Southfield, MI: Vision Publications, in press.

Original publication: Subtle Energies 2000, 11(3), 249-2664. The International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine (ISSSEEM). 1105 Ralston Rd., Ste. 100D, Arvada, CO 80004, (303) 425-4625 Fax (303) 425-4685 Chief Executive Officer: C. Penny Hiernu www.issseem.org ISSSEEM@compuserve.com

Reprinted with permission of the author and publisher. Daniel J. Benor, M.D. P.O. Box 502 Medford, NJ 08055. Website: www.WholisticHealingResearch.com E-mail: DB@WholisticHealingResearch.com

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Keywords: healing spiritual, energy healing, healing prayer, hands healing, healing technique, faith healing, healing psychic, divine healing, healing miracle, distant healing, distance healing, spiritual healing, spiritual energy healing, spiritual physical healing