The Body Electric

Name: The Body Electric
Author: Robert O. Becker
ISBN: 9780688069711

Robert O. Becker · 1985

A scientific exploration of bioelectricity arguing that electromagnetic fields play a fundamental role in biological growth and healing.

Michael Levin was stunned by the references to prior work that confirmed his own theories, while James Nestor values it as a foundational text for modern bioelectricity research.

👍 2 Endorsements

Health & Medicine Science

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The argument

Electromagnetic fields and bioelectric currents are primary drivers of biological development, tissue regeneration, and healing processes. The text posits that these electrical signals act as a regulatory system for the body's physical structure.

Best for

Researchers or students of regenerative medicine who want to trace the historical lineage of current bioelectric theories back to their experimental origins.

Skip if

Skip if you are looking for a contemporary textbook, as the material reflects the state of research from the era in which it was written.

Summarized from what was said in 2 conversations; the quotes are below.

Organic Endorsements

A speaker recommends a book written by someone else.

“I'm going to guess it's The Body Electric. That's right. Yeah. Yeah, it's very relevant. I discovered it in an old bookstore that my dad and I visited when I was in Vancouver, Canada…”

Why: Levin was stunned by the references to prior work that revealed his own thoughts on bioelectricity were real and had been investigated.

Michael Levin, Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#849: Dr. Michael Levin — Reprogramming Bioelectricity, Updating "Software" for Anti-Aging, Treating Cancer Without Drugs, Cognition of Cells, and Much More

“I would say read The Body Electric by Robert O. Becker, doctor who basically paved the way for Michael Levin at Tufts.”

Why: It is a foundational book that paved the way for modern research into bioelectricity.

James Nestor, Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#829: James Nestor — Breathing Protocols to Reboot Your Health, Fix Your Sleep, and Boost Performance

Mentioned Alongside

Other books cited in the same episodes.