Human Ultra-weak Photon Emission Research Articles

Increment of spontaneous human biophoton emission caused by anger emotional states. Proof of concept

Humans spontaneously emit visible radiation from their skin, which is known as biophoton or ultra-weak photon emission (UPE). Up to date, UPE intensity changes according to different external and internal factors have been reported. However, the influence in the human UPE of negative emotional states has never been studied despite their clinic and forensic interest. In this work, an ad hoc system based on a high-sensitive CCD detector was developed to detect and image UPE from human’s upper body. Then, the UPE emitted by the upper part of the body of nine volunteers was imaged in two different personal states: (i) when subjects were feeling relaxed; and (ii) when they were emotionally stimulated to feel anger. For all the volunteers, the relative measurement of UPE intensity was higher when feeling anger than when feeling relaxed. Due to the relevance of this disruptive idea and the horizon this knowledge can provide, this proof of concept must be followed by further experiments. An increase in the number of subjects will be accomplished in order to enhance these preliminary results and propose UPE as a new physiological parameter of negative emotional states.

Measuring the Human Ultra-Weak Photon Emission Distribution Using an Electron-Multiplying, Charge-Coupled Device as a Sensor

Ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is the spontaneous emission from living systems mainly attributed to oxidation reactions, in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a major role. Given the capability of the next-generation electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) sensors and the easy use of liquid crystal tunable filters (LCTF), the aim of this work was to explore the potential of a simple UPE spectrometer to measure the UPE from a human hand. Thus, an easy setup was configured based on a dark box for inserting the subject’s hand prior to LCTF as a monochromator and an EMCCD sensor working in the full vertical binning mode (FVB) as a spectra detector. Under controlled conditions, both dark signals and left hand UPE were acquired by registering the UPE intensity at different selected wavelengths (400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, and 700 nm) during a period of 10 min each. Then, spurious signals were filtered out by ignoring the pixels whose values were clearly outside of the Gaussian distribution, and the dark signal was subtracted from the subject hand signal. The stepped spectrum with a peak of approximately 880 photons at 500 nm had a shape that agreed somewhat with previous reports, and agrees with previous UPE research that reported UPE from 420 to 570 nm, or 260 to 800 nm, with a range from 1 to 1000 photons s−1 cm−2. Obtaining the spectral distribution instead of the total intensity of the UPE represents a step forward in this field, as it may provide extra information about a subject’s personal states and relationship with ROS. A new generation of CCD sensors with lower dark signals, and spectrographs with a more uniform spectral transmittance, will open up new possibilities for configuring measuring systems in portable formats.

Towards whole-body ultra-weak photon counting and imaging with a focus on human beings: A review

For decades, the relationship between ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) and the health state of the body is being studied. With the advent of systems biology, attention shifted from the association between UPE and reactive oxygen species towards UPE as a reflection of changed metabolic networks. Essential for this shift in thinking is the development of novel photon count statistical methods that more reflect the dynamics of the systems organization. Additionally, efforts to combine and correlate UPE data with other types of measurements such as metabolomics be key to understand the complexity of the human body. This review describes the history and developments in the area of human UPE research from a technical – methodological perspective, an experimental perspective and a theoretical perspective. There is ample evidence that human UPE research will allow a better understanding of the body as a complex dynamical system. The future lies in the further development of an integrated UPE and metabolomics platform for a personalized monitoring of changes of the system towards health or disease.

Ultra-weak photon emission during wrist curl and cycling exercises in trained healthy men

Human ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is related to the activity of respiratory chain and oxygen consumption. Investigations on UPE and its response to exercise are almost non existent. Since human UPE is an indicator of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, we used exercises as a model to study UPE. To continue the research on the relationship between human UPE and exercise, it was decided to carry out measurements of UPE in response to different exercise modes with 20 healthy male subjects. The performed exercises were wrist curls with a dumbbell and indoor cycling. Regarding wrist curl exercises, 70% of the subjects for the first exercise and 65% for the second exercise did not show any significant changes in UPE. Also, the statistical analysis did not show significant changes of the UPE levels. In terms of cycling exercise, 85% of subjects did not show any significant increase of UPE. The gathered data showed that a majority of the subjects didn't show an increase of the UPE during both types of exercises. Our results imply that the UPE is not only affected by oxygen consumption, but also by the intensity, the type of exercise, and the physiology of the subject.

Correlation between Fluctuations in Human Ultra-weak Photon Emission and EEG Alpha Rhythm

“Ultra-weak photon emission” (UPE) recording is a technique that registers, non-invasively and on-line, reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluctuations. The objective of the present study was to perform simultaneous recordings in human subjects of UPE and EEG and to study a possible correlation between UPE and EEG fluctuations. Thirty-six EEG recordings of 1 h each were performed at P3 and P4 with simultaneous regis-tration of UPE of the right dorsum hand utilizing a newly designed tabletop photomultiplier device. Both spectral, statistical and correlation analyses were performed. The data suggest significant correlations between fluctuations in photon emission and fluctua-tions in strength of alpha wave production in the 7-13 Hz frequency band and its 1-Hz sub-bands. Correlations between UPE and the whole alpha region were clarified when correlations were addressed UPE and specific 1-Hz sub-bands. Further clarification was observed with smaller fragments of time series data which suggested that the correlations were temporary. When one data row was shifted over defined lag periods compared to the other, different data emerged. The synchronization exhibits characteristics of a weak phase and frequency coupling, indicat-ing that the systems are neither completely independent nor in a fixed mutual relationship. The synchronization also highlights that the weak coupling may involve slowly drifting and sliding phases. The data are discussed in relationship to mind – body interactions and the role of consciousness in health.

Anatomic characterization of human ultra-weak photon emission with a moveable photomultiplier and CCD imaging

Ultra-weak photon emission of a living system has received scientific attention because of its potential for monitoring oxidative metabolism and oxidative damage to tissues. Heretofore, most studies have focused only on the emission from hands. The data regarding emission from other anatomic locations are limited. A previous multi-anatomic site recording of four subjects quantitatively demonstrated that the emission from several corresponding anatomic locations could differ by as much as a factor of 4. The data also suggested a “common” anatomic emission percentage distribution pattern. This information raised the question whether such a typical anatomic percentage emission exists. The objective of the present paper is to systematically replicate the emission from identical anatomic locations to document whether the anatomic percentage distribution pattern is generic. Part 1 includes the recording of ultra-weak photon emission from one sample subject over the torso, head and upper extremities with a highly sensitive charge-coupled device (CCD). Part 2 includes the analysis of that data to select a series of anatomic locations that were subsequently studied with a group of 20 subjects utilizing a highly sensitive, cooled and moveable (in three directions) photomultiplier system. Total sum emission of all recorded anatomic locations per subject fluctuates in this study almost 5-fold between subjects. However, the contribution of each anatomic location to the total emission from each subject was approximately the same percentage for each subject and similar to the sample CCD subject. The deviation of the anatomic percentage contribution for each subject was also established. The study presents evidence that there is a “common” anatomic percentage distribution pattern of ultra-weak photon emission for corresponding locations from each subject.

Anatomic Characterization of Human Ultra-Weak Photon Emission in Practitioners of Transcendental Meditation™and Control Subjects

Research on human ultra-weak photon emission (UPE, biophoton emission) has raised the question whether a typical human emission anatomic percentage distribution pattern exists in addition to individual subject overall anatomic summation intensity differences. The lowest UPE intensities were observed in two subjects who regularly meditate. Spectral analysis of human UPE has suggested that ultra-weak emission is probably, at least in part, a reflection of free radical reactions in a living system. It has been documented that various physiologic and biochemical shifts follow the long-term practice of meditation and it is inferred that meditation may impact free radical activity. To systematically quantify, in subjects with long-term transcendental meditation (TM) experience and subjects without this experience, the UPE emission of the anterior torso, head and neck plus the hands in an attempt to document the differences by the two groups. Subjects were 20 men reported to be healthy and nonsmokers. Each of the subjects in the meditation group had practiced TM twice daily for at least the past 10 years. UPE in 20 subjects was recorded in a dark room using a highly sensitive, cooled photomultiplier system designed for manipulation in three directions. The protocol for multisite registration of spontaneous emission includes recording of 12 anatomic locations of anterior torso, head, and hands. Data demonstrate emission intensities that are lower in TM practitioners as compared to control subjects. The percent contribution of emission from most anatomic locations was not significantly different for TM practitioners and control subjects. Exceptions are the contributions of throat and palm. In subjects with long-term TM experience, the UPE emission is different from control subjects. Data support the hypothesis that free radical reactions can be influenced by TM.