Reiki is a form of energy healing developed in Japan in the early 20th century. Practitioners claim to channel “universal life energy” through their hands to promote healing, reduce stress, and enhance wellbeing. Typically, sessions involve light touch or hands held just above the body.
2. Psychological Perspective
From psychology, Reiki may not work through mystical energy but can produce real effects via known mechanisms:
a) Relaxation Response
- Reiki sessions induce deep relaxation, similar to meditation or mindfulness.
- Relaxation lowers cortisol (stress hormone) and reduces anxiety.
b) Placebo and Expectation Effects
- Belief in Reiki’s effectiveness can activate the brain’s reward system.
- Expectation of healing can trigger the release of endorphins and dopamine, improving mood and perceived wellbeing.
c) Attention and Mind-Body Awareness
- Sessions encourage participants to focus on bodily sensations.
- This heightened interoceptive awareness can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance body-mind connection.
d) Therapeutic Alliance
- Interaction with a compassionate practitioner provides social support and reassurance.
- Feeling cared for can reduce anxiety and improve subjective wellbeing.
3. Neuroscience Perspective
Neuroscience offers several explanations for Reiki’s effects:
a) Brain Activation Patterns
- Studies using fMRI and EEG show that relaxation and meditative states—often induced by Reiki—activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce activity in the default mode network (linked to rumination and stress).
b) Endogenous Pain Modulation
- Touch, warmth, and focused attention can stimulate the release of endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin, which reduce pain and promote calmness.
c) Autonomic Nervous System Regulation
- Reiki may help shift balance from the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) to parasympathetic (rest-and-digest), lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol.
d) Neuroplasticity and Mindfulness Effects
- Regular relaxation and attentional practices, even passive ones like Reiki, may promote neuroplastic changes in areas like the prefrontal cortex and insula, enhancing emotional regulation and interoception.
4. Summary
- Reiki doesn’t have strong evidence as a literal energy-healing modality.
- However, it can reduce stress, improve mood, and promote relaxation through known psychological and neurobiological pathways.
- Its benefits likely stem from mind-body interaction, relaxation, expectation, and compassionate touch, rather than a mystical “energy” transfer.
