EFT Debunked: The Truth About Emotional Freedom Techniques (ak...

Imagine discovering a technique that promises to alleviate your anxiety, reduce your stress, and even help manage physical pain – all without medication. It takes just 10 minutes per day. It’s completely free. It’s super simple and easy to do wherever and whenever you need it. Sounds too good to be true, right? That’s exactly what many people think when they first hear about Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also known as Tapping. But here’s the thing: sometimes something comes along that really is as incredible as it seems.

You might have come across alarming headlines or well-meaning blog posts warning you about the “dangers” of EFT Tapping and claiming that EFT is debunked. Perhaps you’ve heard myths like:

“It’s just another New Age fad with no real benefits.”
“It’s dangerous and can make your problems worse.”
“It’s a waste of time and money.”
“It’s not supported by science.”
“It’s probably just a placebo effect.”

In a world of miracle cures, it’s natural to be skeptical.

I get it. I’ve been there too. When I first heard about EFT Tapping, I was skeptical. It seemed too simple to be effective. But as someone who’s used it and studied it for several decades now, and taught it to millions of people worldwide who are saying it’s completely transformed their lives, I can confidently say it’s not the scam many people think it is.

This article aims to cut through the noise, examining EFT Tapping from all angles to help you make an informed decision about its validity and potential usefulness.

Understanding the controversy: What exactly is EFT Tapping?

Also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), Tapping is a powerful stress relief technique based on the combined principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology.

EFT Tapping is a set of techniques which utilize the body’s energy meridian points (from Chinese medicine practices). You stimulate these acupoints by tapping on them with your fingertips.

Tapping on these meridian points (the same used in acupuncture and acupressure) while you think about what is distressing you helps your mind understand that you are not in any physical danger and it is safe to relax, reducing cortisol levels.

The theory behind this technique is that tapping on the points sends calming signals to the brain, helping to regulate the nervous system, turn down the stress response, and help people to better process and manage emotions.

It’s like acupuncture without the needles, mixed with a dash of psychology.

So, is this technique a scam, or is it a legitimate healing technique?

Critics of EFT Tapping often raise the following points:

Lack of scientific basis: The concept of “energy meridians” isn’t generally recognized by mainstream medicine.
Oversimplification: The idea that EFT Tapping can solve complex psychological issues seems too good to be true.
Anecdotal evidence: With so much anecdotal support around EFT Tapping, some people are concerned the claims around benefits aren’t true.
Placebo effect: Some argue that the benefits may simply be due to the power of suggestion.

Proponents of EFT Tapping, on the other hand, argue:

Growing body of research: The evidence base for EFT Tapping is expanding, with over 300 research studies on the subject to date.
Low risk: EFT Tapping is generally considered safe, with minimal side effects compared to some conventional treatments.
Cost-effectiveness: EFT Tapping is free to learn and use, offering an affordable self-help tool for managing stress and emotions.
Fast results: EFT Tapping often works fast. You can feel results in just minutes per day, without investing hours or days into.
Simplicity and ease: EFT Tapping can be used alongside traditional therapies, potentially enhancing overall treatment outcomes for hard-to-treat conditions. Many cognitive behavioral therapists, for example, have found EFT Tapping and CBT to be a very powerful combination for their patients.

Examining the scientific evidence: Why EFT Tapping deserves a closer look

While early EFT Tapping research has previously been criticized for poor methodology, more rigorous studies have emerged in recent years. And the results are astounding!

There are now more than 300 scientific studies done on EFT Tapping, showing its effectiveness across a wide range of physical and mental health concerns.

Here are some of the key findings:

Stress. A 2020 study found that just one hour of EFT Tapping led to a 43% decrease in cortisol levels (the stress hormone).[1]
Anxiety. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on EFT Tapping for anxiety suggested that it leads to significant reductions in anxiety scores.[2]
Depression. A review study from 2016 found that EFT Tapping was as effective, if not better than, standard depression treatments like medications and therapy. The results of the study showed an average reduction in symptoms of 41% when using Tapping for depression.[3]
Sleep. A study in lawyers with sleep disorders found EFT Tapping to help improve sleep, and another study in older people found it to be effective for treating insomnia.[4,5]
Cravings. An fMRI study showed that not only does EFT Tapping decrease the strength of food cravings, but it also leads to changes in brain activity in areas of the brain associated with cravings.[6]
Pain. People who participated in a 4-day EFT training workshop experienced a 57% reduction in pain levels.[7] Another study in a group of healthcare workers showed that pain levels dropped significantly immediately following EFT Tapping, with improvements in pain lasting for several months after.[8]
PTSD. A 2020 study ranked EFT Tapping as the second most effective treatment for PTSD in young people.[9]

We now know that EFT Tapping can affect cortisol levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and more. It has even been shown to positively alter brain activity and gene expression! [6,7,10,11]

All of these changes promote vibrant health and vitality from the inside out – protecting you from disease, low energy, reduced quality of life, and long-term health complications.

The power of Tapping is that it helps our brain to understand that we are not actually in any real danger… That it is safe to relax, and that it can deactivate that part of the brain and turn down that stress response.

EFT Debunked: Dispelling Common Myths About EFT Tapping

Myth 1: “EFT Tapping is just a placebo effect.”

Reality: EFT Tapping has been documented to not only change how people feel, but also to lead to measurable changes in the body’s biochemistry and physiology. It can affect everything from feelings of stress or depression to cortisol levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and more.[1,7]

Based on the research, we now know that EFT Tapping helps calm the amygdala and turn down the stress response in the body. As stress is linked to so many different issues like anxiety, weight gain, sleep problems, lack of motivation, chronic pain, stomach issues, and depression, this gives Tapping the power to help people find relief and feel better when they are dealing with these kinds of concerns.

Myth 2: “There’s no scientific evidence supporting EFT Tapping.”

Reality: Numerous peer-reviewed studies support EFT Tapping’s effectiveness for certain conditions. And the number of studies published on EFT Tapping is growing by the year. This growing body of evidence includes randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews published in reputable scientific journals.

Myth 3: “Tapping on meridian points doesn’t make a difference.”

Reality: Studies have actually shown that tapping on meridian points does matter and contributes to the effectiveness of EFT Tapping. The benefits are greater when people tap on these points compared to when they tap on on fake “sham” points.[12,13]

Myth 4: “It’s dangerous and can make you feel even worse.”

Reality: EFT Tapping has virtually no known negative side effects. Unlike medication, which can come with a host of potential risks, Tapping is a gentle technique that can be performed safely in the comfort of your own home.

EFT Tapping is a powerful way to process strong emotions and difficult experiences. This can lead to a profound feeling of relief – and usually quite quickly.

Myth 5: “No legitimate professionals use EFT Tapping.”

Reality: EFT Tapping was first developed by psychotherapists, and it has continued to be used and promoted by top mental health professionals all over the world in the decades since.

Today, many world-renowned therapists, coaches, and even doctors use this technique in their practices to support the mental and physical wellbeing of their clients and patients.

In fact, many healthcare professionals recommend The Tapping Solution App as a tool for their clients and patients. The App even has Tapping meditations led by doctors, therapists, coaches, and more who are proponents of this technique in their work.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has even acknowledged EFT Tapping as an evidence-based practice for treating PTSD. Recognition from a mainstream mental health organization is a significant leap in adding legitimacy to the practice.

Myth 6: “EFT Tapping will only work if you believe it will.”

Reality: Even the most skeptical participants have found surprising benefits when they try EFT Tapping. It doesn’t require you to believe it will work for it to work.

Watch what happens when a skeptic taps on her shoulder pain here… It’s amazing to watch the outcome!

Myth 7: “It’s a waste of time and money.”

Reality: Tapping is literally free. You don’t have to pay a single cent to learn it or to start using it. And the best part is, it doesn’t take a huge investment of time, either. You don’t have to go hide in a mountain for months and meditate all day to reap the benefits. You can incorporate it into your life easily, and can help if you only set aside a few minutes at a time.

In the end, the cost of not doing Tapping is often the biggest expense. Investing in yourself with this technique is worth it.

The verdict on EFT Tapping: fake hoax or legitimate healing technique?

While healthy skepticism is important, dismissing EFT Tapping entirely as a scam or pseudoscience isn’t consistent with the evidence and what we now know about it. The growing body of research suggests that EFT Tapping has legitimate benefits for many different concerns.

And there are thousands and thousands of real-life stories from real people to back this up. Just go here to explore a few.

As with any healing method, approach Tapping with an open but critical mind. Consider the evidence, consult with healthcare professionals, and if you’re curious, try a simple Tapping sequence yourself to form your own opinion.

EFT Tapping is certainly not a cure-all, but it just might be a valuable tool to add to your healing toolkit.

Interested in learning more about Tapping? Download The Tapping Solution App today to learn the basics, give a few meditations a try for yourself, and see how it works for you.

The worst that could happen is you spend a few minutes slowing down, relaxing, and trying something new. The best thing that could happen is you embark on a brand new journey towards healing that changes your life forever.

As one of our users said, “You literally have nothing to lose… except anxiety!”

Get Started For Free

Try the Tapping Solution App and lower stress in under 10 minutes

Instantly reduce anxiety and stress
Fall asleep faster and sleep better
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Here’s what some real people have had to say about using Tapping in their own lives

“To say that I was a skeptic is an understatement. I felt the anxiety leave me and the sense of peace was unbelievable. You really can feel the difference after every session. Try it! What do you have to lose?! Let me tell you, there’s SO much to gain.”

-Katie

“Tapping feels like a miracle to me. I still can’t believe how much it has helped me sometimes. I suffered for 6 years straight with chronic insomnia and tried literally everything, including medications, which was the last straw and led me to try tapping. Within a few weeks of consistently tapping on insomnia with the use of this app, the insomnia went away. It has been gone for 6 months now. It has been invaluable for me.”

-Anonymous

“Awesome app, easy to use, it really works. Was a huge unbeliever. I’ve only just started day 1 and it’s really working already. Anyone suffering from anxiety, sleep issues, and beyond should give this app a go. It’s already worth it.”

-Jamie

“Life changing! This app is wonderful and easy to use. Tapping is THE missing piece for those of us who are stuck… wanting to make changes and life improvements, but unable to figure out the roadblocks holding us back.”

-Rena

Even if you are skeptical, give Tapping a try. You just might experience these kinds of unbelievable results for yourself!

Until next time… Keep Tapping!
Nick Ortner

P.S. You can also get started with a simple Tapping script, like this Tapping meditation on forgiveness.

References

Stapleton P, Crighton G, Sabot D, O’Neill HM. Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Psychol Trauma. 2020;12(8):869-877.
Clond M. Emotional Freedom Techniques for Anxiety: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2016;204(5):388-395.
Nelms JA, Castel L. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Nonrandomized Trials of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for the Treatment of Depression. Explore (NY). 2016;12(6):416-426.
Christina D, Panagiotis K, Liza V, George CP. Stress management for the treatment of sleep disorders in lawyers: Pilot experimental study in Athens, Hellas. Journal of Sleep Disorders: Treatment and Care. 2016; 5(2).
Lee JH, Chung SY, Kim JW. A comparison of Emotional Freedom Techniques–Insomnia (EFT-I) and Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) in a geriatric population: A randomized controlled trial. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment. 2015;7(1):1–8.
Stapleton P, Buchanan C, Mitchell I, McGrath Y, Gorton P, Carter B. An initial investigation of neural changes in overweight adults with food cravings after emotional freedom techniques. OBM Integrative and Complementary. 2019;4(14):10-21926.
Bach D, Groesbeck G, Stapleton P, Sims R, Blickheuser K, Church D. Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2019;24:2515690X18823691.
Church D, Brooks AJ. The effect of a brief EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) self-intervention on anxiety, depression, pain and cravings in healthcare workers. Integr Med Clin J. 2010;9(5):40–44.
Mavranezouli I, Megnin-Viggars O, Daly C, et al. Research Review: Psychological and psychosocial treatments for children and young people with post-traumatic stress disorder: a network meta-analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2020;61(1):18-29.
Maharaj, ME. Differential Gene Expression after Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Treatment: A Novel Pilot Protocol for Salivary mRNA Assessment. Energy Psychology Journal. 2016;8(1):17-32. doi:10.9769/EPJ.2016.8.1.MM
Church D, Yount G, Rachlin K, Fox L, Nelms J. Epigenetic Effects of PTSD Remediation in Veterans Using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Am J Health Promot. 2018;32(1):112-122. doi:10.1177/0890117116661154
Church D, Stapleton P, Yang A, Gallo F. Is Tapping on Acupuncture Points an Active Ingredient in Emotional Freedom Techniques? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Comparative Studies [published correction appears in J Nerv Ment Dis. 2020 Aug;208(8):632-635]. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2018;206(10):783-793.
Church D, Stapleton P, Kip K, Gallo F. Corrigendum to: Is Tapping on Acupuncture Points an Active Ingredient in Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2020;208(8):632-635.