Landmark study offers evidence of EFT altering genetic expression

August 21, 2016 Articles, Epigenetics

What would you say if I told you that research is showing EFT is affecting what your genes are directing your brain and body to do as you are tapping and even after you stop tapping? That would be incredibly exciting wouldn’t it? Well guess what…

A new study recently performed by Maharaj at Akamai University was published in the peer reviewed journal, Energy Psychology Theory, Research and Treatment, that documents altered gene expression immediately after a 50 minute of EFT.

In a nutshell, 4 individuals were given a 50 minute session of EFT. There full mRNA genome was measured by a new method of saliva testing and performed immediately before, immediately after, four hours after and 24 hours after the tapping. Results showed 72 genes to be expressing differently immediately after EFT and 25 continued to be showing altered expression 24 hours later. Here is just a sampling of the epigenetically altered gene functions:

• Inflammation and immune response (i.e. anti-viral activity)
• Regulation of stress response
• Tumor suppression
• Enhancement of synaptic connectivity
• Male fertility
• UV damage prevention
• Insulin regulation

While it would be inappropriate to categorically state that EFT effects and improves all these functions, this study is a first step in that direction.

To simplify the idea of epigenetics, here is an accurate but easy to digest explanation. Every person has a set of genes acquired from ones birth parents. These genes, and our entire genome (our full genetic library), is like a set of blueprints that determines everything from the color of our eyes and hair to the day to day creation of proteins that are involved in every aspect of our physiology, from hormones to digestive enzymes, to our immune cells and much more. But as anyone that has every designed or remodeled a home knows, the blueprints and the final outcome can differ significantly depending on the perception that occurs during the building (or life) process.

The expression of many of our genes are continually in flux depending on what is needed by us, (or perceived to be needed) at any moment. If it is determined that they need to make more proteins then they are turned up (up-regulated) or they may be dialed down (down-regulated).

For example inflammation genes or immune support or stress hormone (i.e. adrenaline or cortisol) genes may be upregulated when they body feels it’s under attack. When or body goes into fight or flight, our body turns on its stress response, signaling the HPA axis to go into high gear which turns on  the immediate increased production of stress hormones to ready the body to prepare for survival mode against some eternal threat.

What is important to understand is that when we say that our genes our affected by our environment, the environment lie both outside our bodies (i.e. outside forces whether it be the air, water, electromagnetic fields around our homes) as well as that which is external to the genes in our cells (i.e. the hormones coursing through our bodies which are affected by the thoughts and emotions that we experience.)

The fields of neuroscience and psychology have demonstrated that when we have lived through adverse or traumatic experiences, then our physiology is more likely to be triggered by events which evoke similar thoughts and feelings associated to that event. These triggering circumstances which can be evoked by VAKOGS (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, gustatory and “self-talk” stimuli) are more likely to set off a fight or flight stress response (HPA axis), kicking our genetic protein production lines into gear.

So if EFT is shown to reduce our ability to get emotionally hijacked AND induce epigenetic changes that stimulate neural repair, increase immune response, improve memory and learning, well then we have an impressive explanation for why EFT is such a powerful healing methodology with objective science to support its effects.

For more specific details, including both possibilities for further study and study weaknesses, LINK HERE  to read the study abstract and “Craig’s Comments”.

Author: Craig Weiner, DC