Do Chakras Exist In the Body?

Question

Do Chakras exist? I'm not asking about your personal mystical experience, I'm talking about objective scientific observation. If so, name the study and the organization that conducted it.

Answer 1

If you only believe what you can see with your eyes (with or without scientific equipment), you are missing a lot.

Answer 2

No, in the scientific sense, they do not exist.  I don't know of any specific study that tested it (though there probably have been more than one).  There is no mechanism by which it would work, in a biological sense.  Scientists have never discovered a mystical energy field or any unusual physical structures at the locations of the Chakras.

Scientists also can't say that they don't exist.  If Chakras are real, then they are supernatural, and outside of the realm of science.  Barring that, mystical beliefs can sometimes have a placebo effect on the body.  

That said, though, mystical beliefs should not get a blank check when it comes to medical or scientific matters.  Medical treatments go through an intense process of testing and review, but unfortunately, "alternative" methods bypass the process entirely.  Even seemingly harmless mystical treatments can have disastrous effects on the human body, either directly or indirectly (check out www.quackwatch.org).

Anyways, I've drifted off topic a little.  I don't know of any specific studies that confirm or deny the existence of Chakras.  I'm just going off my own personal background in cell biology and neurobiology to say that there is no *known* existing mechanism by which Chakras would have relevance in a scientific sense.

Answer 3

No. Chakras are bullshit.