EFT Explained: Scientific Research

My Vision:  

• That we can live with fewer pills and less invasive health-care.
• That we can live in balance with our bodies and minds, so that our health is at its optimum level. 
• That our ability to overcome illness and to heal is at its highest level because we no longer live in a state of chronic stress (functioning in the survival fight or flight state for prolonged periods of time).

What EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is:

• Tapping on specific meridian or acupressure points in the body whilst talking through emotions linked to the trauma (the problem you wish to overcome)
• This therapy connects the mind with the body – Eastern wisdom & Western Psychotherapy
• EFT alleviates stress and the emotional charge attached to the trauma/problem

How EFT works scientifically:

• The tapping sends signals directly to the stress centres of the mid-brain (where negative experiences are coded with an emotional charge)
• The talking/Psychotherapy aspect accesses the frontal lobes (the thinking part)

Accessing the negative feelings consciously (by talking) whilst simultaneously neutralising the stress and emotional charge of the feelings attached to the trauma being talked about (by tapping), alleviates the negative charge the trauma once had whenever it was thought about, triggered or re-lived.

à You know you had a traumatic experience but are no longer affected by it consciously or subconsciously, therefore any unwanted behaviours attached to the trauma are no longer necessary (over-eating, smoking, drugs, biting nails) and new positive habits can easily be learnt by the brain.

·    EFT accesses the Amygdala – the part of the brain that initiates your body’s reaction to fear (fight or flight).

·    This part of the brain sends signals to the mid-brain to code the trauma (the repeated negative experiences or intensely traumatic experience) with appropriate emotions (anxiety, stress).

·    The hormone cortisol is produced in response to any aspects of the trauma – this acts as a trigger to warn you of impending danger

This is part of our evolutionary and vital survival function which prevents us getting into dangerous situations or allows us to deal with them when they arise – i.e. to fight or to run away.

However, this function is over-activated in modern life through repeated stressful situations and ongoing chronic stress (where fight or flight is not an option) so we release cortisol far too often which inhibits our immune system, causing problems with our physical, mental and emotional health (making us more vulnerable to disease – like cancer, heart disease). 

We are not designed to live in a state of stress for a long period of time.  We function best at all levels when we are in a relaxed and calm state.

·    Scientific studies of tapping and the brain reveal that tapping on specific meridian points reduces cortisol production and increases the production of serotonin (which regulates mood, metabolism and appetite)

·     Research suggests EFT is so effective because it balances out the nervous system (parasympathetic and sympathetic regions) and produces a neutral emotional state (bliss, wellbeing)

The parasympathetic region is responsible for promoting cell regeneration

and relaxation, slowing your heartbeat, supporting digestion…

The sympathetic system prepares you for vigorous physical activity (fight or flight) by speeding up your heart, constricting your pupils…

The future

The number of therapists using EFT has rapidly increased over the last decade because of its effectiveness.  More and more research is being done and results are showing us how and why it is so effective.

More research is being conducted but it is a slow process and not on a large scale because funding for research into non-drug therapies is not easy to come by (as they are not profitable to drug companies). 

In the meantime we need to spread the word about this amazing therapy and begin integrating it into our daily lives to discover first hand how much it can do for us, as individuals. 

I believe everyone should use EFT to combat the stresses and strains of modern life and to live in our highest state of health and wellbeing.

If you would like any advice about how therapies such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or Hypnotherapy may be able to help you, please feel free to get in touch.

If you fancy using a self-help CD (which can be transferred onto any format), check out my website for further information.