It might sound like science fiction, but every human body gives off a faint, invisible glow—and it’s not just poetic. This subtle radiance, known as ultraweak photon emission (UPE), is caused by natural metabolic and cellular processes. These tiny bursts of light—biophotons—are emitted by all living things and could soon revolutionize our health monitoring.
In a recent study published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, researchers at the University of Calgary captured this glow in mice before and after death. Using high-sensitivity cameras, they found that living mice emitted significantly more photons, especially in areas of intense metabolic activity. After death, that glow faded rapidly, leaving only dim traces in previously active regions.
“This really shows that ultraweak photon emission isn’t just noise—it’s a measurable, biologically driven signal,” said lead researcher Dan Oblak.
And it’s not just animals—plants emit biophotons, too. The researchers tested emissions from a popular houseplant—the umbrella tree—and found that both injury and chemical exposure caused it to glow more brightly. This suggests UPE could be used as a simple, noninvasive way to monitor plant health and stress.
The implications are exciting. As technology advances, scientists hope to harness this biological glow for real-time health diagnostics—detecting changes in metabolism, injury, or disease without invasive procedures.
So, the next time someone says “you’re glowing,” remember: they might be more right than they know.
