UNDERSTANDING AND
MANAGING STRESS:
PERSPECTIVES FROM
in vivo QUANTUM
BIOLOGY by Thomas Padikal, Ph.D., and Roland Hennes, M.D
Stress is a type of reaction to a stimulus that disturbs our
physical and mental equilibrium. Chronic stress is an
escalating health problem that plagues society. It adversely
impacts quality of life and costs the US over ½ trillion
dollars per year, seemingly with no solutions in sight.
Attempts to solve this malady with medications have failed.
Meditation is sometimes known to partially restore the
equilibrium with varying levels of success. In this context,
“can we avoid getting hijacked by stress in the first place?”
is a compelling question. A companion question, “can
equilibrium be regained quickly before harm is done?” is
equally relevant. We investigate this phenomenon through
the eyes of quantum physics and in vivo quantum biology.
This research differs from conventional approaches in
that stress is seen as energy dynamics occurring at a
fundamental level in the quantum world. This view opens
new pathways and practices to ameliorating – and
occasionally even preventing – stress at a fundamental
quantum level where it sprouts. Although the quantum
world is unfamiliar and counter-intuitive, the daily practices
that control what ails us are simple and within reach of
every human being – and costs next to nothing!
W
89
1
hat McEwen stated in
PRECISION TOOLS
the review article
“Protective and Damaging
Effects of Stress Mediators”
2
still rings true. Sixty years prior to that Selye
recognized the paradox that the physiologic
systems activated by stress can not only protect
and restore but also damage the body. What
links these seemingly contradictory roles?
How does stress influence the pathogenesis
of disease, and what accounts for the variation
in vulnerability to stress-related diseases even
among people with similar life experiences?
How can stress-induced damage be quantified?
These and many other questions still
1,2
challenge investigators . In this article we
probe deeper and at a fundamental level
with help from thermodynamics, quantum
physics and in vivo quantum biology, providing
answers to the above questions and offering
solutions that have eluded us.
Current Understanding
Chemistry has played a major role in our
current understanding of biology. The
templating functions of chemistry in nearly
all areas of life science – such as enzymes, cell
biology, molecular interactions and so on – is
well documented. Given this success, biologists
and chemists have been justifiably skeptical of
the need for quantum mechanics in biology. It
seemed quantum physics does not deal directly
with life. So why bother with complex physics
when chemistry appears to do a fine job. This
view is increasingly being challenged as
experimental science is reaching deeper and
deeper levels with associated data in providing
more refined answers. Indeed, specific areas
in life sciences that could benefit from the
templating functions of quantum physics are
now emerging. Understanding stress may be
one such area, as we will see in just a moment.
We are quantum beings
Moving forward then, we acknowledge that
our biological attributes – of structure and
function – are traceable to the quantum
3
world . In fact, our body – and everything
around us – is made up of molecules and
4
atoms . For instance, 80% of atoms in our
5
body is hydrogen . Atoms are made up of
even more fundamental constituents such
as electrons and protons. We are now
recognizing that the underpinnings of
chemistry – and therefore life – may be
driven by such counterintuitive processes
as quantum superposition, quantum
entanglement, quantum coherence and
4,6
quantum tunneling . Accordingly, our
biological attributes (including structure and
function) have their origins in the quantum
world. We might even say that we are quantum
7
beings . Such claims from quantum physics
are quite powerful and rest on a century of
3,4,9,10
investigations .
To substantiate these claims we utilize Fig. 1.
It shows a conventional CT image on the left
and a T1 weighted MR image on the right. An
image being a one-to-one map of an object,
the CT scanner can be viewed as a complex
camera that generates a one-to-one map of
the electron density distribution in our body.
The MRI scanner, likewise, is a complex
camera that generates a grey scale image of
the hydrogenous proton density distribution
in our body. Hence, these images serve as
evidence that we are made up of electrons
and protons. That is to say, Fig. 1 is evidence
that we are quantum beings!
Quantum Biology deals with the applications
of quantum physics to biological systems and
3
processes . The more structural applications
include chemical bonding and quantum chem-
istry. Superposition, quantum entanglement,
quantum coherence and quantum tunneling
are functional underpinnings that make the
4
dynamics of life possible .
Figure 1. The CT image at left is a two dimensional gray scale representation of the electron distribution in our
body. The gray scale of the MR image at right shows the hydrogenous proton distribution (modified by T1 and T2
effects) in our body.
Given the immense number of electrons that
make up the organs in our body, it is rather
overwhelming to study even a small organ like
22
the pituitary which consists of some 3 x 10
electrons. Rather than resorting to quantum
statistics and other approaches, we propose
to take up a relatively simpler method in this
manuscript by studying an imaginary organ
with just two reaction centers (Fig. 3.) Its
wisdom will become clear in just a moment.
The figure shows energy flow in an organ
metaphorically as horses (metaphor for energy
centers) drawing a carriage (metaphor for the
organ.) When the energy centers are aligned
and in phase, as shown in the top right panel,
the usable energy available to the organ
reaches a peak. When they are not in phase,
an example of which is shown in the top left
panel, the usable energy becomes low. The
onset of energy and vitality, then, has such
91
humble beginnings (of phase and coherence)
4,6
PRECISION TOOLS
in the quantum world .
 Early on in this article we gave evidence using may cause it to evolve into a mixed state with
MR and CT images that we are quantum beings. elevated entropy. This is consistent with what
Every organ in our body can be thought of as we discussed in the previous section and Fig. 3.
a quantum system as well. A quantum system
is in a sum of an infinite number of possible
states at any given moment (Equation 1.) The OBJECT IMAGE
notation |ψ> > describes the state. Performing an
observation – which is equivalent to taking a
measurement or poking the system – tends to
perturb the system and causes it to emerge into
a new state. Every poking, every observation or
every measurement of the system causes a new
state to emerge. When a quantum system, such
as the pituitary gland of the endocrine system,
is subjected to interaction by the environment
(as it always does, and which is equivalent
to a stimulus) the system evolves into a new
state. Such evolution is described by the time
dependent Schrödinger equation (Equation 2). An “image” is a one-to-one map of an “object”
92 Sometimes the time-dependent Schrödinger
equation can evolve into standing waves. When Figure 2. An “image” is a one-to-one map of an It still remains to inquire if the quantum system
this happens, the Hamiltonian operator H acting “object.” In color photography what gets mapped is
is always at the mercy of the stimulus. That is
on a wave function ψ, results in a wave function the optical characteristics – color and intensity – of
every location using optical lensing. What gets mapped to say does the Hamiltonian operator H acting
that is simply proportional to the same original
as a gray scale of a pixel in an MR image is the magnetic on the wave function ψ always have the upper
wave function ψ. Such “stationary states” can property of a corresponding volume element (voxel) in hand? Indeed it would seem to be the case.
be described by a simpler time-independent the object – such as proton density, NMV, T1 relaxation
Quantum mechanics, however, has something
Schrödinger equation (Equation 3) where the and T2 de-phasing. The arrows schematically illustrate
the mapping process – voxel by voxel – by the “MRI counter intuitive to say about this. So hang in
constant of proportionality E, is the energy of
camera.” there a bit longer, we have to introduce two
the state ψ.
more important quantum mechanical concepts.

|ψ> = a1|ψ1> + a2|ψ2> + a3|ψ3> + a4|ψ4> + … (Eq. 1) The first is that performing a measurement on
a quantum system generally changes its state.
H|ψ(t)> = iħ ∂ |ψ(t)> (Eq. 2) After measuring an observable A, the system
∂t will be in an eigenstate of A; if we measure A
again, the measurements being consecutive
H|ψ> = E|ψ> (Eq. 3)
in time, will produce the same result. On the
other hand, if we measure first A and then B
At other times the interaction Hamiltonian H
in the same run of the experiment the system
may produce a mixed state. Mixed states have
will transfer to an eigenstate of A after the first
8
higher entropy than pure states . In summary,
measurement, and we will generally notice that
then, the interaction Hamiltonians may leave
the results of B are statistical. That is to say,
the quantum system in a pure state without
quantum mechanical measurements influence
elevating its entropy, or in a mixed state with
one another, and the order in which they are
higher entropy. A particular stimulus may cause
performed becomes important.
the system to evolve into a pure state without
elevating its entropy while another stimulus
 An energy level diagram of the two scenarios is

Vitality
shown in the bottom panel of the same figure.

High
As the number of reaction centers increase,
the energy diagram takes on a smoother
appearance as shown in Fig. 4.

The panel at top right of Fig.3 is particularly

Low
instructive. Imagine a slight shift in direction

Energy Flow
of the lead horse. In the quantum world, it
causes a concurrent shift in direction of the
companion horse. In other words, they behave
as if they are one. There is a sort of mysterious
connection between them – as if they’re tied
together with a string. This type of connection
is unheard of in the ordinary world, but is
rampant in the quantum world – and is the
4,6,7
result of quantum entanglement . The
energy associated with entanglement,
however, is so feeble that it can easily be
ruined by random energy transfer from the
94
environment. Called de-coherence, this
process can foil entanglement. A hallmark of
Figure 4. The curve becomes smooth and continuous as the reaction centers increase.
living systems, then, is the repetitious process
As alignment increases, proportionately more energy becomes available.

of reestablishing coherence and entanglement,

even as the environment thwarts it! Life is a
dynamic process of shepherding entanglement
from the jaws of entropy. That is to say, when
entropic, the system is left with unusable
chaotic energy while entanglement shepherds
that energy into usable life.

Preparing the quantum system

The above perspectives lead to a natural
question in managing stress: Is it possible
for a living system to promote entanglement
DECOHERENT l MISALIGNED COHERENT l ALIGNED preferentially over entropy? If so, what might
Poor Energy Flow & Vitality Peak Energy Flow & Vitality
be the underlying quantum mechanisms that
will promote it? A solution must be found
ENERGY FLOW VITALITY

through quantum mechanical means, since a

chemical solution is not fundamental enough.
This may seem nearly impossible, but it is
actually simple, as we are about to discover!

Figure 3. A schematic illustration of an imaginary organ with just two reaction centers.
The associated energy level diagram of the two special situations is depicted in the bottom panel.
The second concept is more subtle. Given the
scenario of the previous paragraph, where every
observation impacts the system being observed,
we conclude that it is not possible to consider
the observer as independent of the observed.
This inseparability of the observer and observed
is also one of the most counter intuitive aspect
of quantum physics. Quantum physics also
allows for certain statistical correlations
between two particles which cannot be
explained by classical theory. These entangled
states are unique in quantum physics and may
play an extensive role in quantum biology –
and life in particular. Removing quantum
entanglement may even render life untenable.

We can now move forward and introduce the

practice.

The Practice of owning our quantum nature

Given the above description, the question we 95
seek to answer is: when confronted by a

PRECISION TOOLS
stimulus, is it possible to encourage a
quantum biological system to evolve into a
preferred state of lower entropy (increased
entanglement) rather than into a state of
higher entropy?

As it turns out, the Daily Practice we are about

to introduce honors your quantum nature. To
perform the Practice you will need an object
of your utmost admiration – something you
are really drawn to. Find a quiet study without
distractions. Sit comfortably so that body
irritations will not arise and distract you.
Hold the object of your admiration in close
proximity to you for a few minutes with total
immersion (Fig. 5). This practice predisposes
you to a sort of “romantic eigenstate.” Upon
completion of this step, the practice is Figure 5. DAILY PRACTICE: Take a few minutes every day and become totally immersed in awe of somebody or
complete and you may go about your life. something. This practice leaves you in a sort of “romantic eigenstate” without producing a mixed quantum state of
high entropy and stress. Since everything is about energy a stimulus that’s out of phase with the overall energy of
the organism is disruptive to its energy dynamics and function:

+ =
When the stimulus is in phase:
+ =
Tolerating inconvenience and putting up with mild irritations disrupts the quantum biological machinery which
cannot be resolved by swallowing a pill
As you do, a stimulus (interaction
Hamiltonian H) will inevitably arrive. When
it does, there is an increased likelihood that
you will evolve into a pure state and not a
mixed entropic state. In other words, as you
become more conditioned by the Daily
Practice, your propensity to evolve into a
pure state with high entanglement/entropy
ratio or EER (Fig 6) goes up – this is the aim
of The Daily Practice.
Comments and Conclusions
Similar practices were experimentally arrived
at by our forefathers and spiritual devotees.
There was a level of mysticism attributed to
these ancient practices. We are now rediscov-
ering it once again, this time with help from
quantum physics and quantum biology! There’s
no avoiding our quantum nature – we ARE
quantum beings!
A narrative from RH
A 53 year old surgeon, just registered for a
triathlon, I suddenly found myself in the
ER due to a serious stroke (April 17, 2012.)
Ironically, the day before I had just treated a
trauma patient lying in the same bed that I
now found myself in. With no warning!!!
Nobody knew if the blood clot and swelling
in the cerebellum would spread and cause
further damage. Survival was in doubt! The
impairment to my motor skills was so serious
that I was unable to walk.
In the following days MRI revealed that the
swelling had come down. My gait returned
and so did my strength. I felt lucky!
My colleagues in medicine were eager to
solve the puzzle, but examinations revealed
no clues. No organic explanations. No cardiac
conditions. No vascular disorder.
The only clue I could boil all of this down to
was STRESS. High pressure work environment
paired with an unhappy marriage paired with
a failed building project paired with a lawsuit
and a possible loss of a lot of money and
High
Vitality and Quaity of Life
Low
Low High
EER: Entanglement/Entropy Ratio
Figure 6. EER and The Daily Practice: The purpose of The Daily Practice is to enhance the entanglement/entropy
ratio. It tends to encourage the emergence of a pure state – from what might otherwise have been a mixed
quantum state of high entropy.
97
voila: a recipe for disaster. I felt powerless. Being a clinician, I kept wondering why the
PRECISION TOOLS
Unable to cause changes, I felt I was failing. stroke had occurred. Had I become a victim of
The underlying feeling of stress was spinning stress, in spite of my theoretical knowledge?
out of control. This was the explanation… As I began collaborating with the senior author
of this paper, our research clarified for me
In the next few days, calmness and mindfulness
the quantum biological processes that were
began to emerge. Fear that I might not survive
at work. Prior to the stroke, I attracted high
past the current week was being replaced with
entropy stimuli into my life. I was clueless of
hope and optimism that my healthy life will
the immense body burden of the resulting state
return…
|ψ stress>>. My current lifestyle is one in which I
nudge myself into a state of awareness, |ψaware
I felt a wave of energy to take responsibility
>,with inherently low entropy and high
for my life and to seek inner balance. It
quantum entanglement. The Daily Practice
became my utmost goal to leave the past in the
past and to stop any form of draining chit-chat has given me a new lease on life!
in my mind and any negative judgement. That
Acknowledgements
had to stop, right then and there!
One of us (TP) appreciates the hundreds of
My daily actions in the neurological clinic and clients who have benefited from the in vivo
rehab were: meditation, soundbaths, brain quantum biology services offered through
wave therapy, Qi Gong, physical therapy. My Center for Vitality. I also appreciate the
inner order and focused energy propelled the hundreds of quantum biology students who
rehabilitation forward. After 2 weeks I was have transformed their lives in unexpected
walking normally again. After 4 months I was ways. Many friends and colleagues have
100% back at work as an emergency surgeon in supported this work.
the Heidelberg University Clinic. Unbelievable!
 References
1. McEwen BS. Protective and damaging effects of stress
mediators. N Engl J Med 1998; 338:171-179
2. http://www.stress.org/what-is-stress/
3. Schrodinger E. What is Life. Cambridge University Press
4. Abbott D. Davies P. Patti A. Quantum Aspects of Life.
Imperial College Press
5. Padikal T. A Physicists Desk Reference. American
Institute of Physics
6. Hoffmann PM. Life’s Ratchet – how molecular
machines extract order from chaos. Basic Books. 2012
7. Padikal T. Championing your Well-being. Lessons and
Practices of the most unwavering quantum Biology Practi-
tioners and Intuits. Balboa Press. 2013
8. Animations available in the live Online Classes. http://
qbonline.webs.com/art-and-science-of-qb
9. Bloch F. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. 1957
10. Von Neumann J. Mathematical Foundations of
Quantum Mechanics. Princeton University Press. 1955
11. Case Study 2: Dr. Jill Bolt Taylor. https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU
12. Guillaume LP, Natsuko HI, Carmen S. Emergence in
extinction of enhanced and persistent responding to
ambiguous aversive cues is associated with high MAOA
activity in the prelimbic cortex. Neurobiology of Stress
2016; 5: 1–7
THOMAS PADIKAL, Ph.D, After receiving his doctorate
in Physics from the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Padikal
received further training in Radiology and Radiation
98 Oncology at the University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine and General Hospital. In collaboration with some
of the most recognized names in Radiology and Oncology,
he participated in the treatment of over twenty thousand
cancer patients in the last thirty-five years. He is a Clinical
Medical Physicist, and a Diplomate of the American Board
of Radiology.
Introduced to experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
in graduate school in 1969, he has worked in Magnetic
Resonance Imaging and Computed X-ray Tomography since
inception. He was a Cancer Expert at the National Cancer
Institute, National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, an
Assistant Professor of Radiology at the George Washington
University Hospital in Washington, DC, a clinical physicist
at Divine Providence Hospital in Williamsport, PA, a medical
physicist at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and
a Clinical Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He is
now a consultant to many Hospitals, Radiology, Radiation
Oncology, and Cardiology Departments in the Northeast
United States. As Chairman of Medical Imaging at The
Institute of Medical Imaging Technology, he is active in
medical education, leading seminars on CT, MRI, and
Nuclear Medicine in the US and around the world. He also
serves on the Board of Science and Spirituality, a non-profit
organization that provides services in Precision Medicine
using in vivo Quantum Biology and Genomics, and leads
workshops, webinars and online classes on Quantum
Physics, Quantum Biology, Consciousness and Life across
the United States and overseas.
Dr. Thomas Padikal is a pioneer in the field of in vivo
QUANTUM BIOLOGY. Fact that he, in collaboration with
some of the most recognized names in Radiology and
Oncology, participated in the treatment of thousands of
cancer patients in the last thirty-five years is indicative of
his commitment to the public. Now, in collaboration with
thousands of physicists, physicians, clinicians and scientists,
he continues that commitment by developing in vivo
quantum biology from first principles. His devotion,
scientific rigor, empathy, personal commitment and
generosity are some of the characteristics that makes
him effective in supporting people regain optimum life
and well-being without any side effects. His clients are
predominantly from the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area,
but extend to Europe, Asia and North America.
ROLAND HENNES, M.D Surgeon, General and Trauma
surgery, Department of General, Visceral and
Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg,
Heidelberg, Germany
Senior physician, Department of Surgery, University
Hospital of Heidelberg
Consultant and Trainer in a Health Care Sector
Head, Heidelberg Port Center
Deputy Head, Surgical outpatient clinic, University of
Heidelberg
Born in 1959 in Worms, Germany, Dr. Roland Hennes is
well-known for his expertise in port surgery treatments,
and is internationally recognized in that capacity,
particularly for patients with cancer and nutritional issues.
He has developed innovative methodology in their surgical
treatments and is widely recognized. He is the editor of
a definitive textbook dealing with current standards and
procedures.
His vision is that all human beings are responsible for their
health and that experts from health sector work together
to promote well-being and peace for humanity. Dr. Hennes
is active in charity work with frequent trips – including
a project in Ghana jointly with the Gye-Nyame Kidz
Foundation.
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