In this podcast, the hosts explain the book “The Body Electric: Electromagnetism And The Foundation Of Life” By Gary Seldon.
We learn how our bodies are very powerfully electrical devices…with our bones and tissues having properties of our computers…and what it means for healing and even regeneration.
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Transcript Summary:
In this deep dive, we’re exploring bioelectricity and its role in healing and regeneration. Dr. Robert Becker’s work on the body electric is our focus today. We’ll discuss creatures like salamanders and hydras that can regrow limbs and even parts of their hearts. This ability has puzzled scientists for centuries. Imagine losing a finger and having it grow back—it’s truly remarkable. Becker also mentions the 18th-century scientist Abraham Tremblay, who experimented with hydras.
He cut them into pieces. Tremblay’s work was groundbreaking. Each piece grew into a new hydra, challenging the idea of organisms developing from preformed versions of themselves. This tiny creature shook up scientific thought, making people rethink life and development. Regeneration raised questions about how it happens. The main focus was on where the blastema comes from and what triggers the regeneration process, with early research concentrating on nerves.
Experiments on salamanders showed that cutting nerves in a leg prevented regeneration. In the 1800s, Tweedy John Todd’s work confirmed this. Pierra Locatelli later discovered that redirecting a nerve could stimulate the growth of an extra limb. Nerves play a crucial role, but what triggers regeneration? The electrical phenomenon in wounds suggests that electricity is involved. Our bodies function as electrical circuits. Animal electricity has been studied since Luigi Galvani’s experiments.
In the 1700s, frog legs twitched with electricity. The experiments were successful and sparked interest in nerve impulses. Dr. Becker’s work on semiconduction in living systems was ahead of its time. He discovered how small currents can travel long distances in biological systems. Dr. Becker and Dr. Bachman found unexpected results while measuring electrical potentials in frog nerves.
The results showed semiconduction in living tissue, a radical idea at the time. Most believed in ionic currents. Our bodies are like complex electronic devices. Bones, despite seeming inert, have an electrical role. Bone is dynamic, with collagen and appetite creating a natural semiconductor, a pn junction diode. This diode acts as a gatekeeper for electrical currents within the bone, controlling their flow. Bones can control electrical currents, impacting growth and repair processes.
Wolf’s Law states that bones strengthen in response to stress from weight-bearing exercises. Collagen fibers produce piezoelectric signals under pressure, guided by the bone’s semiconductor properties, aiding in bone growth and adaptation. Bones use electricity to remodel themselves, with potential for regeneration through de-differentiation triggered by small currents.
Dr. Becker discovered that red blood cells play a role in fracture repair, beyond carrying oxygen. This suggests they are involved in healing and regeneration. While humans may not regenerate limbs like salamanders, exciting findings have been made. Dr. Becker’s team experimented with rats, implanting small electrical stimulators into amputated limbs to mimic the natural current of injury.
Significant regrowth was observed in bone, muscle, blood vessels, and nerves. Despite skepticism in the scientific community, experts like Dr. Mark Singer recognized the potential. While full limb regeneration in humans may be distant, there are cases of children regenerating fingertips after accidental amputations. The nail bed appears crucial, with electrical signals likely playing a role. As for more complex organs like the heart, the regenerative abilities of salamanders are noteworthy.
Salamanders can regenerate their heart tissue easily. Dr. Becker’s research shows that red blood cells play a key role in forming new heart tissue, leading to rapid repair of damaged muscle. Could we use this knowledge to regenerate damaged human heart muscle? Exploring this area could have significant benefits for treating heart disease. Dr. Becker also discusses the mind-body connection and its impact on healing. He describes experiments where hypnosis can block pain through hypnotic suggestions.
Hypnosis can change our body’s electrical signals and switch off pain by altering direct current potentials in the body. The perineural system, a network of cells around our nerves, transmits electrical signals and affects how we perceive pain. This opens up new possibilities for managing pain and promoting healing through the mind using techniques like hypnosis or biofeedback. Our thoughts and beliefs can impact our physical wellbeing through these electrical pathways. Dr. Becker’s work explores the broader influence of electromagnetism on life, as seen in Dr. Frank Brown’s research on biological clocks in oysters and snails syncing up with Earth’s magnetic field and lunar cycles.
I found the topic fascinating. It suggests a deep connection between living organisms and the Earth’s electromagnetic environment. This connection affects our sleep and navigation. Experiments with pigeons and bees showed they could use the Earth’s magnetic field to find their way, like having built-in compasses. They seem to use magnetic north as a reference point. It makes me wonder how they perceive magnetic fields and how this ability evolved. Perhaps humans had a similar magnetic sense in the past, which we have lost over time. While we may have lost some innate electromagnetic abilities, our technologies have created new challenges. Dr. Becker was concerned about the potential dangers of electro pollution.
Electromagnetic radiation from devices and power lines is a growing concern. Research suggests potential hazards like stress, sleep issues, weakened immune systems, and cancer. Dr. Becker mentions the Sanguine Project, a Navy plan for an ELF antenna with worries about its impact on health and the environment due to its frequencies.
The project was shelved, highlighting the need for more research and stricter safety standards for EMFs. It raises awareness about the unintended consequences of technological progress and the impact of electromagnetic fields on life. Conducting such research may face challenges, including funding difficulties, bias in peer review, and pressure to conform to scientific norms. Groundbreaking research can encounter resistance when it challenges existing beliefs. The pursuit of scientific knowledge is not always straightforward, as politics and economics influence funding and acceptance in the scientific community.
Staying curious and open to new ideas is important. Dr. Becker’s work exemplifies this by exploring the unknown and potentially changing our understanding of life. It’s inspiring to see someone pushing boundaries despite obstacles. The key takeaway is that life involves intricate electrical interactions connecting us to our environment, possibly unlocking our regenerative potential. This perspective offers a new view of the human body and its capabilities, prompting curiosity about other undiscovered mysteries.
Listeners should gain a deeper appreciation for the mind-body connection and how thoughts and beliefs can impact physical wellbeing. Dr. Becker’s work emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our electromagnetic environment and promoting responsible technology use. We must consider the health consequences of advancing technology. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
What does the connection between our bodies and electricity mean for health, healing, and life? Keep asking questions, exploring, and staying open to the wonders within and around us. Join us next time for a deep dive into a new realm of science and discovery.
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