The Science Behind Reiki: Does It Really Work?
- Victoria Saunders
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
Can something invisible to the eye have a measurable impact on your health and well-being?
Reiki, a Japanese energy healing technique, has been practiced for decades, with many individuals reporting profound benefits. Yet, as it gains popularity in wellness circles, questions arise: What does science say about Reiki? Is there evidence supporting its efficacy?
As a Reiki Master who has been practicing for 10 years, this is a question that is commonly posed to me by people who are feeling the call to begin their spiritual or healing journey, friends who have been curious about my career path, and, of course, skeptics.
This question is important. Many people are drawn to Reiki for its calming, healing effects. But when they come out of that first session, they are always amazed, and many question whether or not it was a placebo, or if there is scientific evidence to support what they experienced.
So, let’s dive deeper…
In this article you will learn:
The scientific understanding of Reiki and energy healing
The concept of the human biofield
Research findings on Reiki’s effects on the nervous system, stress, and healing
The role of the placebo effect in Reiki
How science and spirituality intersect in the practice of Reiki
What Is Reiki? Understanding Life Force Energy and Healing
Reiki is a holistic healing practice that originated in the late 1800s/early 1900s by a man named Mikao Usui. It uses different elements to enhance your natural ability to heal. By balancing your energy centers (chakras), Reiki can help you heal your mind, body, and soul, remove any blocks, and raise your sacred vibration. It addresses the whole person on all levels.
The primary tool in Reiki is Life Force Energy. Every living thing in the Universe contains life force energy. When your life force is low, or if there are any restrictions in its flow, your energies are not in balance, and you are more vulnerable to illness. When your life force is high and flowing freely, you are more in alignment and less likely to suffer from illness.
The main things to note about Reiki are that it works on the belief that the emotional body impacts the physical body, and that all healing is self-healing. In the end, the receiver is responsible for their own healing journey. The goal of the Reiki provider is to help the receiver to heal themself.
Want to learn more about how Reiki works? Check out our foundational blog post on What is Reiki?
What Is the Biofield? The Science of Subtle Energy
The biofield is a term used to describe the complex, dynamic field of energy and information that surrounds and interpenetrates the human body. In essence, it’s a subtle energy field that interacts with our physical, emotional, and mental states. While this might sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, it’s a concept that has been explored in various healing traditions for centuries.
The concept of a biofield has been supported and studied by organizations such as the National Institute of Health (NIH). While it is catching the attention of modern science, the biofield extends beyond what is currently measurable. But, researchers have proposed that disturbances or imbalances in the biofield can correlate with illness or emotional distress, while harmonizing the field (through practices like Reiki) may support healing and balance.
In energy healing practices, such as Reiki, the biofield is often seen as the energetic blueprint for the mind, body and soul. Reiki practitioners will often refer to it as an aura. Everything that happens to you (both negative and positive experiences) affects your energy body. The negative experiences are the ones that can create blockages that can lead to eventual illness if not addressed. Reiki practitioners are trained to sense and work with the biofield to remove energetic blockages, replenish depleted areas, and restore harmony in the energy system.
While the full nature of the biofield remains a mystery, advances in biofield science continue to explore how these subtle energies interact with biology and consciousness. It’s a field where ancient knowledge and modern research are beginning to speak the same language… one of wholeness, balance, and the unseen forces that shape our well-being.
What Does the Research Say About Reiki?
As mentioned, Reiki is catching the attention of modern science. Though research is in the preliminary phase, it looks quite promising.
A study done by the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that:
Reiki Shows Greater Effectiveness Than Placebo
Strong evidence for Reiki being more effective than placebo, suggesting that Reiki attunement leads to a quantifiable increase in healing ability
Supports the Nervous System and Relaxation Response
Reiki has been shown to better activate the parasympathetic nervous system compared to placebo, with positive impacts such as reduced heart rate, lower blood pressure, and increased heart rate variability.
Improves Quality of Life in Chronic Conditions
Research indicates that Reiki can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, and depression, while also improving self-esteem and overall quality of life for individuals with chronic health concerns.
A Safe, Complementary Therapy (Not a Cure-All)
While Reiki can support healing across many conditions, it should not replace medical treatment. Instead, it works best as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical care.
While this is all preliminary research, Reiki practitioners are excited for the advancement of research that can support the holistic healing modality that we are so deeply aligned with.
Reiki and the Nervous System: How It Supports Deep Healing
In Reiki, we notice that the deepest healing comes from activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the state of deep relaxation that lowers a person’s “fight or flight” response and promotes the body’s “rest and digest” response. When we are in the “rest and digest” state, we can process our emotions in a safe way that positively affects the mind, body and spirit.
In an article by David E. McManus, PhD, he noted that “Reiki is better than placebo in activating the parasympathetic nervous system, as measured by reduced heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and increased heart rate variability.”
In this calm state, the body can finally take a break from chronic stress and begin its natural repair processes. Your heart rate slows, your blood pressure stabilizes, and your digestion improves. On a cellular level, inflammation may decrease, tissues get the oxygen and nutrients they need, and the immune system has a chance to strengthen. Physically, this is the ideal environment for healing.
But the benefits go far beyond the body.
Mentally, relaxation helps calm the noise of anxious thoughts and overthinking, allowing space for clarity and insight. Emotionally, when the nervous system feels safe, stored emotions (like grief, sadness, or fear) can begin to surface and release in a gentle, supported way. Regular experiences of deep relaxation can lead to better emotional regulation, resilience, and an overall sense of peace. In other words, relaxation isn’t just a luxury… It’s a deeply healing state that supports every layer of your well-being.
Is Reiki Just the Placebo Effect?
It is often questioned whether or not Reiki is a placebo effect, and if the above research doesn’t show you that it is more than a placebo, I want you to consider this:
A placebo is often misunderstood as “fake” healing, when it actually serves as a powerful reminder that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. When someone believes that something will help them feel better, their brain and body can respond in very real, measurable ways. This isn’t imaginary; it’s a reflection of the mind-body connection at work.
Many scientists view the placebo effect as proof that our thoughts, beliefs, and energetic state can directly influence physical healing. Rather than dismissing it, the placebo shows us just how powerful our inner world truly is.
Reiki practitioners and energy healers are trained to bring a sense of presence, intention and support into their sessions, which can provide the perfect environment for healing to take place. Whether it’s placebo or not, the healing IS happening, and that’s what matters.
Science and Spirituality: Why Reiki Works on Every Level
I want to emphasize that Reiki is not meant to replace medical treatment, and as Reiki practitioners, it is unethical to practice outside of our scope. Reiki is meant to be a complementary, holistic practice; one that views the person as a whole, mind, body and spirit.
Many people have experienced benefits that have not yet been scientifically measured. It is a deeply personal experience, one that will continue to rise as we continue to create a bridge between science and spirituality.
I could tell so many personal stories that have proven to me over the years that Reiki is real and does work. As you have read, science is starting to emerge with the physical and emotional benefits of Reiki. But, at its heart, it is a spiritual, embodied experience. Some aspects remain mysterious, but that doesn’t make them ineffective.
Whether you approach Reiki from a scientific lens, a spiritual one, or somewhere in between, it offers a gentle yet powerful path toward healing, balance, and self-discovery.
Experience Reiki for Yourself
Ready to experience the healing power of Reiki for yourself? Book a session at Peridot Wellness and discover how energy healing can support your mind, body, and spirit. Your path to balance starts here.
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