Living things emit a ghostly glow that vanishes at death: Study

Ever wondered if life itself shines, even if just a little? A fascinating 2024 study published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters by researchers at the University of Calgary and the National Research Council of Canada reveals that all living organisms emit an ultraweak light, scientifically called ultraweak photon emission (UPE), which mysteriously disappears the moment life ends.This glow is so faint that our eyes cannot see it, but advanced EMCCD cameras detect it clearly in mice, plants, and potentially other living beings. Unlike bioluminescence in fireflies or jellyfish, UPE is a natural byproduct of cellular processes such as oxidative metabolism and stress responses.Remarkably, injured plant leaves glow brighter, indicating that cellular stress amplifies this faint light. The discovery not only gives scientific evidence to ideas like “auras” but also opens possibilities for real-world applications in medicine, agriculture, and biological research. Life literally leaves a subtle light signature, and death quietly turns it off, shedding new light on the invisible glow that accompanies vitality.Ultraweak photon emission (UPE) is the extremely faint light emitted by living cells due to normal biochemical reactions. Unlike traditional bioluminescence, which is visible in fireflies or some marine creatures, UPE is thousands of times weaker and requires specialized EMCCD cameras to detect. This glow is caused by oxidative metabolism, reactive oxygen species, and cellular stress responses, effectively acting as a “microscopic signature of life.”In the Calgary study, researchers observed that living mice emitted measurable light that vanished immediately after death. Similarly, plant leaves continued to emit UPE, glowing brighter when injured or stressed. This clearly shows a direct link between cellular health, stress, and light emission. Essentially, living things glow as long as they are alive, and UPE provides a way to visualize vitality at the cellular level.The study published in J. Phys. Chem. Lett. revealed several important insights:These findings provide measurable evidence that living things emit a ghostly glow, bridging centuries-old mystical ideas with modern science.The discovery that living things emit a ghostly glow opens multiple real-world applications:By turning an invisible biological process into measurable data, UPE research could revolutionize how we track life and stress in humans, animals, and plants.The 2024 Calgary study provides solid proof that living organisms glow faintly while alive, ceasing immediately at death. This ultraweak photon emission isn’t mystical; it is real, measurable, and directly linked to cellular activity. From mice to plants and potentially humans, life leaves behind a subtle light signature, and death switches it off.With further research, UPE could become a key tool in medicine, agriculture, and biology, revealing the hidden glow that has been present in all living things all along.Also read| Why humans can't digest grass: Understanding the biological limitations