Science has long dismissed ancient mystic’s claims of an “aura” emanating from life forms as pseudoscience. But new research from the University of Calgary and the National Research Council of Canada sheds new light on life. Their study, published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, reveals that all living things emit faint light. This faint light, including that from humans, vanishes at the exact moment of death, according to their findings. Scientists have called this phenomenon ultraweak photon emission (UPE), or biophoton emission.
The Science Behind the Glow
Unlike the spectacular bioluminescence observed in fireflies or deep-sea creatures, the light emitted by living organisms is so faint that it is hidden to the naked eye. Ambient electromagnetic waves conceal the visible wavelengths of light that biological processes emit, even in theoretical conditions. While faint on their own, ambient electromagnetic waves and metabolic radiance dim this “glow,” making it difficult to track accurately. Environmental electromagnetic waves and metabolic light emissions reduce the visibility of this faint glow from living organisms. These overlapping emissions complicate the detection and measurement of biophoton signals across entire organisms.
Scientists have detected this subtle glow in many life forms, including bacteria, plants, animals, and humans alike. This ultraweak photon emission falls within the spectral range of 200 to 1,000 nanometers, spanning ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths. The source of this light lies deep within our cells. As our bodies metabolize food and oxygen to produce energy, they generate reactive oxygen species.
These are highly reactive molecules that if left to build-up, can damage cellular components. Cells stressed by heat, toxins, pathogens, or injury increase reactive oxygen species levels, triggering a cascade of chemical reactions. Some of these reactions excite electrons, causing them to release photons as they return to their resting state.
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Capturing Life’s Faintest Light
To explore whether this biophoton emission could be measured across entire living organisms, the research team used an advanced electron-multiplying charge-coupled device and charged- coupled device cameras. These devices are capable of detecting single photons with remarkable sensitivity. They placed live mice in a light, sealed box and recorded their photon emissions for an hour. After euthanizing the animals, they continued recording biophoton emissions for another hour, maintaining constant body temperature to control heat variables.
The results showed living mice emitted higher UPE levels than deceased ones, with glow fading rapidly after death. Similar experiments with thale cress and dwarf umbrella tree leaves showed injuries or chemical stressors caused photon emission surges. These surges then diminished as the plant tissue died, indicating a clear link between stress and biophoton emission. These findings confirmed that UPE is closely linked to metabolic activity and cellular vitality.
A Universal Signature of Life
The phenomenon of biophoton emission is not new. Researchers have recorded ultraweak light from living cells for decades, documenting its presence in everything from cow heart tissue to human skin. However, what sets this study apart is that the glow observed is the photon radiance of life universally. This radiance only extinguishes completely at the moment of death.
Dan Oblak, senior author of the study, emphasized that “The fact that ultraweak photon emission is a real thing is undeniable at this point. This really shows that this is not just an imperfection or caused by other biological processes. It’s really something that comes from all living things”.
Implications for Medicine and Biology
This study may also open up interesting possibilities for non-invasive diagnostics and research. Biophoton emission closely tracks reactive oxygen species generation and the cellular redox state, making it a sensitive stress indicator. Researchers use biophoton emission to monitor tissue health and metabolic activity, revealing subtle changes in living organisms’ physiological states. For example, scientists have already used biophoton detection to monitor tumor metabolism in animal models, distinguishing cancerous tissue from healthy tissue based on their light emissions.
In plants, UPE imaging could help farmers and researchers assess crop health, detect stress, or monitor responses to environmental changes without damaging the plants. In medicine, the ability to visualize cellular stress or vitality in real time could one day aid in diagnosing diseases, tracking recovery, or even assessing the effectiveness of therapies.
The Glow of Life and Its End
Living matter emits a glow or aura that does not limit itself to specific tissues or species; it defines all living organisms. As long as cells are metabolically active, processing nutrients, generating energy, and managing oxidative stress, they emit this faint light. When metabolism ceases at death, the glow fades, marking the end of life’s radiance. This finding also bridges the gap between ancient beliefs and modern science. While there is no evidence for mystical auras, the reality is that all living things do, in fact, emit a subtle glow.
The Light of Life
As research continues, this discovery plays a role in connecting some of our esoteric beliefs and quantifies them into scientifically understood principles. It reminds us that even in the most ordinary processes, such as breathing or growing, there is a hidden radiance at work. The study also demonstrates that even the most quietest and docile life, teems with radiance, a radiance that glows until the life’s last moments.
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