Healing Research – Volume II. Consciousness, Bioenergy and Healing. Self-Healing and Energy Medicine for the 21st Century

This modestly titled book considers a range of CAM modalities that share a similar mythology of curing through the medium of ‘biological energy’. Inevitably, early in the book there is a discussion of quantum mechanics, which apparently suggests that reality as we know it is an illusion and lends support to the idea of ‘energy healing’. Logic and linear reasoning are judged inadequate to deal with this illusory reality and our subjective experiences. There is also mention of left and right brain processes and the assertion that ‘extensive research in parapsychology shows that our minds can reach outside the limits of our physical body …’ Nevertheless the author does allow the possibility that some CAM modalities or procedures are no more than placebo and that this should be investigated scientifically.

The book goes on to discuss how life events and psychological state can influence our health and includes several case studies and numerous quotes from people as diverse as Albert Einstein and Van Morrison. There is also a lengthy discussion of the effects of suggestion and placebo. Various modalities on the borderline between CAM and mainstream are discussed, including hypnosis and biofeedback, aspects of which the author considers may also play a role in spiritual healing. The author then considers unusual human abilities, such as firewalking, spontaneous remission of illnesses and transpersonal psychotherapy, before reaching wholistic energy medicine. A large number of CAM modalities are then described along with case studies and narrative reviews of the relevant research. The method used to decide which data to include and which to exclude is not given and their status as objective assessments of the scientific literature is doubtful. The section on meditation research in particular, one area with which I am familiar, convinced me that Dr Benor’s reading of the scientific literature is highly suspect. The consideration of adverse effects in the section on herbal remedies is woefully inadequate. Incidentally, the modalities considered include the use of leeches and maggots, the relevance of which to ‘wholistic energy healing’ eludes me. The following section considers indications effectively addressed by CAM and worryingly includes cancer. There is no evidence that any CAM modality is effective in the treatment of cancer.

This is a rambling and largely incoherent book of no scientific value. Some of the recommendations it contains are irresponsible and may even be dangerous. I can recommend it to only the most masochistic of readers.