There are several exciting projects underway researching the use of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) for physical and emotional healing. Soul Medicine Institute (SMI) is the main nonprofit organization for EFT research, through its research program, the Foundation for Epigenetic Medicine. SMI performs rigorous trials to the higest scientific standards. These studies are designed to give hospitals and clinics the evidence required to drive EFT into the medical mainstream. They show the effectiveness of EFT for psychological traumas— from combat stress to depression, and how EFT affects our biology— from our hormones to our DNA. To make a tax-deductible donation to support this important work, click the button below.

"I urge you to donate to this vital EFT Research project." —Gary Craig, EFT Founder

We need $175,000 to complete the next round of EFT research. To donate via Paypal (including Mastercard and Visa), click on this Donate button:

To donate using a check, please make it out to Soul Medicine Institute and mail to PO Box 442, Fulton, CA 95439.

Thank you! You will receive a receipt for a Paypal donation in your email, and letter of thanks for your check. Also please consider making a bequest in your will to SMI for EFT research.

To get more information about specific research projects at Soul Medicine Institute, click on the links below:

Study: The Effects of Psychotherapy and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on Stress Hormones (Cortisol)

Study: When the Emotions Heal, the Body Heals: EFT, Pain, and Joint Rotation

Clearinghouse: The Iraq Vets Stress Project: Studying the Effects of EFT on Veterans with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Replications: The Wells Phobia Study and the Rowe Psychological Health Study

Study: EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and Depression

Study: DNA and EFT: The Effect of EFT on Stress Gene Expression

Study: Mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Study: Athletic Performance Before and after EFT

Prize: The Epigenetic Medicine Prize

Prize: The Energy Psychology Prize

Database: Energy Psychology Clinical Case Histories

Petition: Energy Psychology at the American Psych Assn

Database: Tracking Energy Psychology studies worldwide

1. The effect of Psychotherapy and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on Stress Hormones, Anxiety, and Depression. This study examines the levels of salivary cortisol of subjects before and afer a psychotherapy session with and without EFT, to determine whether key stress hormone levels are affected. For the Clinical Trials Registration abstract in PDF format, click here.
2. When Emotions Heal, the Body Heals: The Range of Motion Study. This study examines the effect of the healing of emotional trauma on physical function. The physical measure is the range of motion of shoulder joints. The number of degrees of motion (eg 117 degrees) is measured before treatment. Each subject then recieves a 30 minute treatment with either EFT or a control therapy, after which they are re-measured. To dowload NIH PDF abstract, click here.
3. The Iraq Vets Stress Project. This study measures the effect of EFT on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which affects tens of thousands of returning Iraq vets. Results of this research are shared at the web site of the Iraq Vets Stress Project, where vets can also find therapists offering EFT. To download the NIH PDF abstract, click here. We need $75,000 to advance this project, which has already changed the lives of dozens, and has the potential to change the future of tens of thousands of returning veterans. SMIs preliminary data has already helped an official VA (Veterans Administration) study obtain approval. These pilot studies are usually small, but crucial in providing the evidence base that brings the benefits of EFT to tens of thousands of sufferers.
4. Replicating Existing Research. Soul Medicine Institute is in the process of publishing replications of several important research papers. To prove that a therapy is "efficacious," the APA (American Psychological Association) requires two studies, published in peer-reviewed journals, performed by different research teams. SMI has identified and funded replications of a phobia study (Wells et al, 2003) and a psychological health study (Rowe, 2005) for submission to peer reviewed journals.
5. Effects of EFT on Depression. Soul Medicine Institute completed a study of the effects of EFT on depression using a standard questionnaire (the Beck Depression Inventory), and also plant growth, as a measure. To see photographs and results, click here.
6. DNA and EFT: The Effects of EFT on Stress Gene Expression. New gene chip technology makes it possible to determine which genes are turned on and off by a therapy. Soul Medicine Institute has designed an ambitious and ground-breaking study to measure how stress genes are affected by EFT treatment. This research will demonstrate, beyond reasonable doubt, that EFT affects the basic biological building blocks of human beings at the molecular level. We need $365,000 to complete a pilot study.
7. The MACE study: Mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences. This study is designed as a follow-up study to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study at Kaiser Permanente. This ten-year study of over 17,000 adults found a strong correlation between childhood emotional trauma and adult disease, including diabetes, depression, hypertension, heart disease and cancer. The follow-up study proposed by Soul Medicine Institute is called the MACE study: Mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences. It tracks the correlation between the relief of adult stress (and associated childhood trauma) using Energy Psychology techniques, and disease symptoms in adults.
8. Athletic Performance Study. Soul Medicine Institute conducted a study of athletic performance at Oregon State University. The men's and women's basketball teams participated in the study. Their performance at free throws and jump height was recorded before and after a 15 minute treatment with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or a control condition. The EFT group performed 38% better at free throws than the control group. The lessons learned from this study are now available as a training for sports teams through EFT Power Training.
9. The Energy Psychology Prize. Soul Medicine Institute is inaugurating a new annual monetary prize for the individual or institution that has done the most to further the field of Energy Psychology in the previous year, especially those not directly involved in the field, such as researchers highlighting the genetic changes that occur during effective psychotherapy.
10. The Epigenetic Medicine Prize. Soul Medicine Institute encourages the development of therapies that affect individuals epigenetically by awarding an annual monetary award to recognize practical applications of epigenetics. Such applications can be psychological (e.g. Energy Psychology interventions), social (e.g. childhood nurturing, which enhances the expression of the genes in the hippocampus that dampen stress), or biomedical. The inaugural recipient was Randy Jirtle, PhD, of Duke University Medical Center, for his pioneering work discovering the epigenetic effects of Agouti gene supression.
    
    
    We need $15,000 for the coming year's prize.
    
    
11. Energy Psychology Clinical Case History Database. This database gathers formal case histories showing the effects of Energy Psychology interventions on physical and mental health. This database is intended to be a peer-reviewed and NIH standards-compliant data source. It is designed to provide researchers, clinicians and patients with high-quality and uniformly-reported accounts of the effects of these therapies. To view the database, click here. To see instructions on how to enter a case history, click here.
12. APA Petition. The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest association of therapists in North America. Soul Medicine Institute supports a drive to establish Energy Psychology as a "division" or interest area within APA. If you are a licensed clinician, please sign and return a petition to make Energy Psychology a division of APA. Click here for more information, including a form to sign and mail in.
13. Tracking Studies in EFT and Energy Psychology. There are over a dozen studies currently underway. Soul Medicine Institute maintains correspondence with these researchers, providing technical assistance, expertise, and sometimes funding, and tracking the studies from design through publication. For a list of research information sites, click here.

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