Are psychoenergetic pictures possible?
William A. Tiller · 1974
Early research explored whether high-voltage photography could detect human energy fields, highlighting ongoing questions about EMF-biological interactions.
Plain English Summary
This 1974 research by Dr. William Tiller examined whether Kirlian photography could capture psychoenergetic phenomena around human subjects using high-voltage electrical fields. The study investigated the scientific validity of this controversial photographic technique that claims to reveal energy fields or 'auras' around living organisms.
Why This Matters
This research represents an early attempt to apply scientific methodology to phenomena at the intersection of electromagnetic fields and human biology. While Kirlian photography has been largely debunked as simply capturing moisture and gas ionization around objects under high voltage, the underlying question remains relevant today. The study's focus on high-voltage electrical fields and their interaction with human subjects touches on legitimate concerns about how electromagnetic exposures might affect our bodies in ways we don't fully understand. What makes this particularly interesting is the timing - 1974 was decades before we had widespread exposure to the radiofrequency fields that now surround us daily from cell phones, WiFi, and other wireless devices. The research reminds us that our understanding of how electromagnetic fields interact with biological systems continues to evolve, and that dismissing unconventional research too quickly might cause us to miss important insights about EMF health effects.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
Kirlian photography technique involves photographing electric discharges between an object and elect...
The photographs depend significantly on the electrode-film combination. Variability occurred due to ...
The study suggests that the observed phenomena can be explained by physical processes rather than non-physical manifestations. The light generation and color observations can be attributed to the corona discharge phenomenon and the properties of color film. The research indicates that the technique may be useful for monitoring physiological parameters that directly influence the streamer process, such as changes in electrostatic potential of the skin, skin chemistry, dielectric properties of the skin, secondary electron emission characteristics from the skin, and changes in the electrical impedance of the system.
Show BibTeX
@article{are_psychoenergetic_pictures_possible__g5632,
author = {William A. Tiller},
title = {Are psychoenergetic pictures possible?},
year = {1974},
}