The human body emits a very faint visible glow produced by chemical reactions linked to metabolism, but the light is roughly 1,000 times weaker than what the naked eye can detect and requires ultra-sensitive cameras to observe.
Overview of Biophoton Emission
Living cells produce ultraweak photon emissions as a byproduct of normal metabolic processes, creating a rhythmic, low‑intensity glow that varies over the day and is typically strongest in late afternoon for humans.
How the Glow Is Generated
Reactive oxygen species generated during cellular respiration react with lipids and proteins to form excited molecular species that release photons when returning to their ground state, producing measurable biophoton emission.
Evidence from Experiments
Researchers using photomultiplier tubes and highly sensitive CCD cameras have recorded photon emissions from humans and animals in light-tight conditions, and observed that the signal disappears when metabolic activity stops, linking the glow directly to life processes.
Implications and Potential Uses
Although invisible to the eye, measuring biophoton emission could become a non-invasive tool to monitor metabolic state, stress, or disease, but practical medical applications require further validation and sensitive imaging equipment.
Quick Related Facts
- Visibility: about 1,000 times weaker than human vision can detect
- Mechanism: photon emission from reactive oxygen species and excited biomolecules
- Measurement: detected with photomultipliers and CCD cameras in ultra-dark conditions