biophotons

Biophotons are ultraweak photons emitted by living organisms as a byproduct of metabolic processes. The emission is spontaneous and non-thermal, distinct from fluorescence or chemiluminescence; it is extremely weak and detectable only with highly sensitive light detectors such as photomultiplier tubes or electron-multiplying CCD cameras under dark conditions. Emissions are typically in the visible and near-infrared spectrum and can vary with metabolic state, oxidative stress, and circadian rhythms.

The photons originate from biochemical reactions, especially reactive oxygen species formation and lipid peroxidation; radical reactions produce electronically excited states that decay by photon emission. The observed ultraweak photon emission is often interpreted as a signature of oxidative metabolism; some researchers report temporal patterns and spectral features that might encode information.

The biophoton concept gained attention through the work of Fritz-Albert Popp, who proposed that biophotons could serve in intercellular communication and biological information transfer. The mainstream view emphasizes that while ultraweak photon emission can reflect metabolic activity, evidence for deliberate signaling between cells is not established, and measurements are challenging due to very low intensities and potential artefacts. Reproducibility across laboratories is limited, and many researchers regard biophotons as an indicator of oxidative stress rather than a communication system.

Research continues with interest in linking UPE to oxidative processes, aging, and diseases. Advances in imaging and spectroscopy aim to improve sensitivity and specificity; the field remains controversial and is not yet integrated into standard biology.