The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63211

Myra A. Crawford, PhD, MPH¹, Rollin McCraty, PhD², Cleve Backster, PhD, ScD (hon)³, and Barry Patterson, BS¹. (1) Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 930 South 20th Street, Room 325, Birmingham, AL 35205, (205) 934-9376, jwhite@fms.uab.edu, (2) HeartMath Research Center, Institute of HeartMath, 14700 West Park Avenue, Boulder Creek, CA 95006, (3) Backster Research Foundation, Inc., 861 Sixth Avenue, Suite 403, San Diego, CA 92101-6379

The effectiveness of psychological stimuli in generating physiological responses in individuals, even in their in vitro cells, was examined in a noninvasive, randomized biofield experiment with 30+ adults. Under rigorous scientific conditions, information on instantaneous communication between human cells and their donors was collected by measures of physiological change to stimuli as recorded by electrocardiograph, skin conductance, and heart rate, and from the participants’ in vitro cells. The premise of the study was that an information transfer occurs between humans and their environments at the cellular level, and that individuals’ thoughts and emotions have an impact on their physical responses. This had not been previously been tested with a rigorous, scientific protocol. Human emotion was evoked using a computer program of standardized arousing and calming photographs that produce or reduce stress. The hypothesis - the greater the emotional change in the physiological activation, the more likely the cells are to respond - was validated. Another interesting finding was that change was observed occurring in the physiological responses prior to the presentation of emotion-evoking photographs, indicating evidence for presentiment in situations capable of evoking strong reactions.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the concept of nonlocal communication among human cells.
• Review the potential for presentiment prior to situations causing strong emotion.
• Consider the potential for nonlocal communication in changing personal behavior.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Grants, employment