In a fascinating and revealing discovery, a group of scientists has proven that all living beings emit a faint glow , a type of biological light that fades when vital functions cease. This phenomenon, known as ultraweak photon emission (UPE) , is closely linked to the metabolic activity of living cells, and its disappearance precisely marks the moment of death. In other words, we do emit a glow, and it fades when we die.
We emit light: a measurable biological phenomenon
Far from being esoteric or symbolic, this natural bioluminescence is a scientifically proven fact. Researchers from the University of Calgary and the National Research Council of Canada were able to capture this phenomenon using highly sensitive equipment capable of detecting even the smallest levels of light emission.
This body glow is invisible to the human eye because its intensity is thousands of times lower than the perceptual thresholds of our retina. However, using EMCCD cameras with quantum efficiency exceeding 90% , scientists were able to capture images of the radiation emitted by the bodies of mice before and after their death.
Mitochondria: the energy source of our inner light
The key to this biophoton emission lies in mitochondria , cellular organelles responsible for energy production. During cellular metabolism, small amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated , which interact with proteins, lipids, and other molecules, releasing photons as a byproduct.
That is to say, the simple fact of being alive makes us glow . Although the light we emit is imperceptible, it has a clear and measurable biochemical source. It’s estimated that the human body can release around 10 photons per second per square centimeter of skin , especially on the face, the intensity of which varies according to circadian rhythms.
Death extinguishes the glow: overwhelming results
In the experiment developed by the team of physicist Vahid Salari and scientist Dan Oblak, four mice were placed in a completely dark box. Long-exposure images were taken for one hour, first while they were alive and then after they had been euthanized. To prevent body heat from affecting the results, their post-mortem temperature was kept constant.
Analysis of the images revealed that, after death, biophoton emission dropped dramatically in all parts of the body. The correlation between the disappearance of this light and the cessation of metabolic activity confirmed that this is a phenomenon inherent to active cellular life.
Plants also shine… and defend themselves with light
This phenomenon is not limited to the animal kingdom. The researchers extended their experiments to plants such as watercress (Arabidopsis thaliana) and the umbrella plant (Heptapleurum arboricola) . The results were equally astonishing: when the leaves were injured, they increased their brightness as part of a defense and repair process.
Even applying benzocaine—a common anesthetic—a significant increase in light emission was observed. The injured areas glowed brightly for up to 16 hours after the injury , suggesting that this glow is not only a sign of life, but also an active response to stress.
Why do we stop shining when we die?
According to biophysicist Michal Cifra of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the cessation of photon flow is related to the cessation of blood flow. When we die, the transport of oxygen, an essential element for mitochondrial function and biophoton production, is disrupted.
In Cifra’s words, “it’s not just about systemic death, but about the vitality of the optically accessible tissue ,” suggesting that this light emission could be used to analyze the health of specific tissues in real time.
Cameras that detect the light of life
The EMCCD cameras used by scientists are designed to count photons one by one. This capability opens the door to new medical technologies, as completely passive and noninvasive monitoring systems could be developed to assess the cellular health of patients, tissues, or even ecosystems.
Furthermore, these cameras allow visualization of changes in bioluminescence before physical symptoms are visible , which could have applications in early disease diagnosis , post-surgical follow-up, and monitoring of cellular stress.
Medical and ecological implications of the discovery
The discovery not only has academic value, but is also shaping up to be a revolution in life monitoring . As Dan Oblak explained, this technology could be used to:
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Evaluate the vitality of human tissues in real time without invasive procedures.
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Monitor the health of plants and agricultural crops from a distance, even at night.
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Detect environmental stress in entire ecosystems by analyzing the glow emitted by vegetation.
Since all living things emit biophotons , this technology could constitute a universal tool for the analysis of life, from individual cells to entire forests.
A new way of understanding life… and death
This discovery reaffirms a poetic truth that is now also scientific: we are made to shine . The ultra-weak emission of photons is a silent but constant signal of our biological activity, a luminous whisper that ceases the moment we cease to be alive.
Science has confirmed that, although imperceptible, we all carry an inner glow . One that not only distinguishes us as living beings, but could, in the not-so-distant future, help us diagnose diseases, monitor crops, or better understand cell biology .
So the next time someone tells you you have a “special glow,” you can confidently respond that it’s true: we all have it , and science has learned to see it.
