How does EFT work?
Is there any actual research behind it?
EFT is an amazing form of healing that Hashem has gifted us. There are countless studies proving its effectiveness on a myriad of issues. Brain imaging shows us how the brain moves through alpha, beta, theta and sometimes delta during EFT sessions, and how the right and left sides of the brain becomes more symmetrical after tapping. But how does it work? While I can’t fully explain it, here’s a brief summary giving you an idea of what’s happening behind the ‘magic’.
The Amygdala & Nervous System Regulation
When you experience stress, fear, or a traumatic memory, a part of your brain called the amygdala (often called the "fear center") gets activated. This triggers your body's "fight, flight, or freeze" response, flooding your system with stress hormones like cortisol.
Tapping on the specific meridian points while focusing on the distressing thought or feeling sends calming signals directly to the amygdala and other parts of the limbic system. It essentially tells your brain: "Even though I'm thinking about this stressful thing, I'm safe right now."
This repeated pairing of the distressing thought with a calming physical input helps to downregulate the amygdala's activity and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (your "rest and digest" system). Over time, this can help to "rewire" or "reconsolidate" the neural pathways associated with that memory or trigger, reducing its emotional charge. The memory stays, but the intense negative emotional reaction diminishes. Studies have shown EFT can significantly reduce cortisol levels.
Meridian Energy Flow & Blockages
According to ancient Chinese medicine, the body has invisible pathways called meridians through which vital life energy flows. These meridians are like an intricate energy circulatory system, and they are associated with different organs and emotions.
When we experience negative emotions, stress, or trauma, this energy flow can become disrupted, blocked, or imbalanced. This disruption in the body's energy system is believed to be the underlying cause of negative emotions and physical discomfort.
EFT tapping involves gently stimulating specific points along these meridian pathways (the same points used in acupuncture, but without needles). This kinetic energy, combined with focusing on the problem, helps to "straighten out" or "unblock" the energy flow in the meridians. By restoring balance to the body's energy system, the emotional intensity of the issue dissipates, allowing for emotional release and healing.
Somatic-Cognitive Reframing
EFT works by combining a cognitive component (focusing on the specific problem, articulating feelings, and using acceptance phrases) with a somatic component (the physical tapping).
When you intensely focus on a negative emotion or memory, your body often reacts with physical sensations (tightness, racing heart, etc.). Tapping simultaneously sends a conflicting, calming signal to your brain and body. This dual input creates a "pattern interrupt" or a "prediction error." Your brain expects the usual stress response when thinking of the problem, but instead, it receives a calming signal from the tapping.
This unexpected calming response, while the problem is activated, allows the emotional charge to be released and new, healthier associations to be formed. It helps the nervous system to process the distressing information without getting stuck in a chronic fight-or-flight loop, leading to a shift in perspective and a more regulated emotional state. It helps to integrate the emotional brain (amygdala) with the logical brain (prefrontal cortex), allowing for more rational processing of emotionally charged events.
EFT is not fully understood.
What we do know is that it works. Safely, gently, with compassion, we tenderly release blockages, making space for proportion, perspective, and true healing.
You don't have to believe it. You just have to be open to try.
