New Study Shows the Human Body Emits Light That Fades at Death

We Emit a Visible Light That Vanishes When We Die, New Study Reveals

A groundbreaking 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 living organisms emit a faint visible light—called biophotons—which disappears at the moment of death.

What Are Biophotons?

Biophotons are ultra-weak light emissions that living cells release during metabolic processes. Unlike the glowing bioluminescence of fireflies, biophotons are invisible to the naked eye and require highly sensitive equipment to detect. Scientists believe these light emissions help cells communicate and maintain internal regulation.

The Experiment

The researchers built advanced imaging systems capable of detecting extremely weak light. They used these tools to monitor living mice and plant leaves, recording steady biophoton emissions. After death, the team observed a sharp and immediate drop in the light output, showing that the glow completely vanishes when life ends.

Implications for Science and Medicine

This discovery opens up exciting possibilities:

Medical Diagnostics: Doctors could potentially use biophoton measurements to assess cell health, detect early disease, or track how well treatments are working.
Cellular Communication: Scientists may better understand how cells use light to transmit information.
Consciousness and Death: The sudden end of biophoton activity could offer clues into what happens biologically during death—and perhaps even during near-death experiences.

Conclusion

Living organisms give off a subtle, visible light during life—something that quietly fades when life ends. While researchers have long known about biophoton emissions, this study provides the clearest evidence yet that these emissions vanish at death. As scientists continue to explore the role of light in biology, this work could reshape how we understand life—and its end.