Are psychoenergetic pictures possible?
William A. Tiller · 1974
Early scientific investigation explored whether high voltage electromagnetic fields could capture biological energy patterns through electrical discharge photography.
Plain English Summary
This 1974 research by Tiller investigated whether psychoenergetic photography (commonly known as Kirlian photography) could capture energy fields around living subjects using high voltage electrical fields. The study examined the scientific validity of this electromagnetic imaging technique that claims to visualize biological energy patterns or 'auras' through electrical discharge photography.
Why This Matters
This research represents an early scientific investigation into Kirlian photography, a technique that uses high voltage electrical fields to create visible discharge patterns around objects and living tissue. While often dismissed as pseudoscience, the electromagnetic principles behind Kirlian photography involve real electrical phenomena that interact with biological systems. The high voltage fields used in this photography technique can range from thousands to tens of thousands of volts, creating electrical discharges that are orders of magnitude stronger than typical household EMF exposures.
What makes this study significant is its attempt to apply rigorous scientific methodology to a controversial electromagnetic phenomenon. The electrical fields involved in Kirlian photography demonstrate how high-intensity EMF can create measurable physical effects on biological tissue, even if the interpretation of these effects remains disputed. This connects to broader questions about how electromagnetic fields interact with living systems at various intensities and frequencies.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 2 seconds for multiple pulses, 4-8 seconds for treatment studies
Study Details
To investigate the possibility of using Kirlian photography as a diagnostic tool for monitoring psychological and physiological conditions, and to understand the physical mechanisms behind the observed phenomena.
Kirlian photography was performed using high voltage photography techniques. The simplest form invol...
Soviet researchers found that it was possible to detect and monitor electronically generated flares ...
The study concluded that Kirlian photography is based on physical phenomena such as corona discharge (streamers) rather than non-physical manifestations. The observed colors and patterns are explained by the interaction of streamers with the photographic film, particularly the color film layers. The technique can be used to monitor physiological parameters that influence the streamer process, such as skin potential, chemistry, dielectric properties, secondary electron emission characteristics, and overall electrical impedance. The findings suggest that while the technique may have diagnostic potential, it is not a tool for detecting non-physical energies.
Show BibTeX
@article{are_psychoenergetic_pictures_possible__g6149,
author = {William A. Tiller},
title = {Are psychoenergetic pictures possible?},
year = {1974},
}