New Study Reveals How All Living Things Glow – and the Light Fades at Death
A groundbreaking new study has revealed that all living organisms, including humans, emit a faint glow that is caused by low-energy “biophotons.” These biophotons, invisible to the naked eye, are produced by living cells and stop being emitted when the organism dies.
Published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, the study is the first to show that biophoton emissions occur across an entire animal body, including mice. Researchers captured this phenomenon using digital cameras capable of detecting individual photons. They conducted hour-long exposure imaging before and after the death of four hairless mice, revealing a significant decrease in biophoton emissions after death.
This discovery has sparked some debate. Alex Wilkins of New Scientist points out the challenge of detecting biophotons, which are difficult to separate from other biological processes or light sources, such as the heat radiated by warm objects.
However, study author Dan Oblak from the University of Calgary insists, “The fact that ultraweak photon emission is real is undeniable. This is not an imperfection or caused by other processes—this is something that comes from all living things.”
Biophotons are produced through metabolic processes driven by oxygen-rich blood. When blood flow ceases, such as at the time of death, biophoton production halts, explaining the cessation of the glow.
The researchers also extended the study to leaves of the umbrella tree (Heptapleurum arboricola), where they found an increase in biophoton emission when the plant’s injury repair mechanism was activated. This discovery could have practical applications, such as monitoring forest health or even assessing living tissue without the need for invasive procedures.
“The beauty of ultraweak photon emission is that it offers a completely passive way of monitoring,” said Oblak.
