Gratitude Affects Heart and Genetics, Study Says

Biologist Glen Rein at the popular Institute of HeartMath, in Boulder Creek, California, conducted a study of people who entered a state of heartfelt appreciation or unconditional love, what he referred to as “heart consciousness.” He found that these people could actually alter the winding and unwinding of DNA (genetic material) in solution.

It did not matter whether the participants were holding the DNA in a test tube or not. By allowing their hearts to be full of positive and loving emotions, the participants in this study were able to affect DNA in a test tube!

What’s more: when the same people held loving feelings in their hearts, their heart rhythms became extremely coherent. Their electrocardiograms (ECGs) were analyzed by sophisticated frequency-analysis software. Whenever they held the loving, appreciative thoughts, their heart rhythms followed a more coherent rhythmic pattern.

That people’s thoughts and emotions can affect heart rhythms and genetic material may seem more like science fiction than reality to many people. But more and more studies by leading scientists, quantum physicists, and world-renowned researchers are proving that our thoughts and feelings do have significant effects.

What we think about matters. It can be difficult not to focus on our problems when we are faced with them, but taking some time out of each day to feel gratitude and appreciation for the positive people, influences, experiences, and things in our lives can go a long way toward healing our bodies.

Adapted with permission from The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan (Wiley 2006) by Michelle Schoffro Cook.

Read about the healing power of prayer.

Michelle Schoffro Cook

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jane H.

2:00PM PDT on May 28, 2011

having grtitude and love in my heart has been a long time coming for me, but it has been worth all the angst and hard times getting there!

send a green star

Susana L.

7:44AM PDT on May 27, 2011

Thanks so much
Hugs

Sergio R.

7:16AM PDT on May 27, 2011

I so thank you for this great and so helpful article. Cheers!!!, Sergio.

Jewels S.

6:23PM PDT on Sep 23, 2010

Deepak writes about this in his books. Since I have learned this my life has greatly improved. Now I am trying to surround myself with others that understand this and LIVE IT!

Marco D.

3:21AM PDT on Sep 9, 2010

Excelent short article, enjoy.

Dianne D.

12:53PM PDT on Sep 7, 2010

I liked this article. I think being grateful for what we have makes a huge difference in our lives. While driving to work each morning, I thank God for what I have and for the job I am driving to. I've been without a job plenty of times, and now that the economy is stumbling, I'm very grateful to have a job.

Angie K.

4:28AM PDT on Sep 4, 2010

Life invites each of us 2 step through an endless series of doorways in consciousness. And if we are receptive enough 2 see these openings as opportunities, and surrendered enough 2 pass through them, we will find ourselves, amazingly, growing in2 greater self-knowledge and expanding beyond our old limitations

8:33PM PDT on Sep 2, 2010

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 8 28-29