Living organisms emit an ultraweak glow, which disappears after death. Researchers from the University of Calgary and the National Research Council of Canada have uncovered this compelling evidence. The study, conducted on mice and plant leaves, highlights the biophoton phenomenon and raises intriguing possibilities for non-invasive health and stress monitoring.
Biophotons are extremely weak emissions of light produced by biological processes. Unlike the bright chemiluminescence seen in some organisms, these photons are so faint that they are easily masked by ambient light and metabolic heat.
Previous studies have documented biophoton emissions in isolated tissues, including cow hearts, bacterial colonies, and other cells. One proposed source of these photons is reactive oxygen species, which are generated in stressed cells by factors such as heat, toxins, pathogens, or nutrient deficiency. These molecules can trigger electron transitions that release visible photons as they settle back into place.
The Experiment
Researchers aimed to test biophoton emissions at the level of whole organisms. They studied four immobilized mice in a dark environment. The researchers utilized sensitive charge-coupled device (CCD) and electron-multiplying CCD cameras. Each mouse was imaged for an hour while alive and for another hour after euthanasia. Body temperature was maintained to ensure that heat did not influence the measurements.
The results were clear. Individual photons in the visible light range were emitted from the mice while alive. However, the number of photons dropped significantly after death.
Parallel experiments on plants—including thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) and dwarf umbrella tree (Heptapleurum arboricola)—produced similar outcomes. Leaves that were physically or chemically stressed emitted more light than uninjured leaves. This supports the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species drive biophoton emission.
Implications
The study suggests that this faint, ethereal glow could serve as a non-invasive indicator of cellular health and stress. Monitoring biophoton emissions could one day provide insights into the physiological state of animals, humans, and even crops. This monitoring has the potential to aid medical diagnostics and agricultural research.
Conclusion
This research offers direct evidence that life itself is associated with ultraweak photon emission, which ceases upon death. The phenomenon is subtle and difficult to detect. However, the findings open the door to innovative applications in monitoring health and stress in living organisms.
The study was published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.