Is Reiki Just a Placebo?

One of the most common arguments skeptics make about Reiki and energy healing is that it’s just a placebo effect. The idea is that people only feel better because they *believe* they will—not because anything is actually happening energetically.

I get it. It might sound too good to be true if you've never felt Reiki before. So, let’s dive into what the placebo effect actually is, why it’s not a bad thing, and whether Reiki goes beyond it.

What *Is* the Placebo Effect?

The placebo effect occurs when someone experiences real improvements in their health simply because they believe a treatment will work—even if that treatment is a sugar pill or a fake procedure. It’s a fascinating example of how powerful our minds are.

Science has shown that belief alone can trigger measurable changes in the body, like pain relief, reduced inflammation, and even better immune function.

But does that mean Reiki is *only* a placebo? Not necessarily.

Reiki: Just Belief or Something More?

People Feel Reiki Without Knowing It’s Happening

One argument against Reiki being a placebo is that people often feel shifts in their body *before* they even know a session has started. I’ve had clients report tingling, warmth, or deep relaxation without realizing I had begun channeling Reiki. If it were all belief-based, wouldn’t they need to *know* they were receiving Reiki first?

Reiki Works on Animals and Children

Animals and babies aren’t conditioned to believe in Reiki, yet they often show visible signs of relaxation and relief after a session. I’ve personally seen pets fall into deep rest, and parents tell me their babies sleep better after Reiki. If Reiki were just a placebo, why would it work for those who don’t have the cognitive ability to believe in it?

Studies Show Reiki Has Measurable Effects

While research on Reiki is still growing, there have been studies showing that Reiki can lower heart rate, reduce stress hormones, and help with pain management. Some hospitals even offer Reiki alongside traditional medicine for patients undergoing surgery or cancer treatments.

A 2017 study in the *Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine* found that Reiki significantly reduced pain, anxiety, and depression in patients compared to a placebo group. If Reiki were *only* a placebo, we wouldn’t see this level of consistency in different studies.

So, Does It Matter If Reiki Uses the Placebo Effect?

Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that part of Reiki’s power *does* come from belief. Is that a bad thing?

If someone walks away from a session feeling lighter, calmer, or in less pain, does it matter *why* it worked? The placebo effect itself is proof that the mind and body are deeply connected. If Reiki helps people tap into their natural ability to heal, that’s still a win.

Reiki might involve the placebo effect, but the experiences of practitioners, clients, and even scientific studies suggest it’s more than just that. Reiki has a real impact, whether it’s shifting the body's energy, activating the body’s healing response, or simply creating a space for deep relaxation.

Skeptical? I always say the best way to know if Reiki works is to try it for yourself: no belief required—just an open mind.

Also, if you want the medical community's thoughts on this, check this out!