THE SCIENCE OF EFT Tapping
Learn how Tapping on acupuncture points helps to turn down the stress response, how and why EFT Tapping works, and where it is rapidly being accepted in mainstream practice.
WHAT IS EFT?
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a brief self-applied stress reduction technique using elements of cognitive therapy, with physical stimulation of acupuncture points.
It is often referred to as ‘Tapping’ as it uses a two finger tapping process on known acupuncture points.
EFT can address a range of issues by simply focusing on the issue you would like to address with an acceptance statement, along with a simple two finger tapping technique.
Research, including randomised clinical trials and meta analyses has established effectiveness for phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, pain and more.
WHAT ARE THE RESEARCH FACTS?
As of 2025
There are 300+ Energy Psychology Research Studies published in peer reviewed journals, researched by 200+ investigators, across 12+ countries.
Multiple research studies show EFT is effective for
Pain, Anxiety, Depression, Food Cravings, Trauma and PTSD, Peak Athletic Performance, Phobias and more.
EFT is the most researched energy psychology modality
It is both evidence-based and in the top 10% in terms of published research for psychotherapy modalities.
Specifically there have been more than 100 randomised controlled trials, and 95 pre-post clinical outcome studies. Analyses show that 99% of these studies have significant outcomes for energy psychology, on at least one of the variables being measured. Randomised controlled trials also document positive physiological outcomes for EFT on gene expression, immunological changes and stress biochemistry. There have now been 5 fMRI studies that document the neurological changes after EFT.
In addition, there is enough research for 6 meta-analyses that these indicate large effect sizes and effectiveness for depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. There have been an additional 11 systematic reviews, and 27 comparative reviews, all highlighting the effectiveness of energy psychology.
The 8 studies comparing cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and EFT show that it is either equivalent to or more effective than CBT. However, EFT achieves these similar results in significantly less time.
Lastly, more than 120 clinical trials of SEFT (Spiritual Emotional Freedom Techniques) have been published in regional and non-English journals.
HOW DOES EFT WORK?
Recent academic research has provided insights into the mechanisms and efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), commonly known as tapping. EFT combines elements of cognitive therapy with acupressure, involving the stimulation of specific acupoints on the body while focusing on emotional issues.
EFT is believed to work by addressing both the psychological and physiological aspects of stress and trauma. The proposed mechanisms behind EFT include deactivation of the amygdala (stress centre in the brain) and hippocampus (memory centre), as well as recent research into vagal nerve improvement. Ultimately the research to date points to regulation of the autonomic nervous system.
EFT has also been shown to significantly lower cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone, in clinical trial research1.
Research on gene expression indicates EFT has the ability to down regulate genes associated with the stress response, and up-regulate or improve immune functioning2.
WHERE HAS EFT BEEN ACCEPTED?
A Few Key Clinical EFT Studies
The World's First fMRI Study of EFT
This is the first time anywhere in the world that Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans (fMRI) have been used to see physical, scientific evidence of exactly how EFT self-help techniques work on these conditions by changing the brain’s neural pathways involved in addiction and food cravings. After 4 weeks (2 hours per week) of EFT Tapping, participants’ brain scans showed a remarkable reduction in activation. The control group who did not receive any EFT did not change. The full paper and scans are available below.
First fMRI Study of EFT for Pain
This clinical trial investigated the effect of Clinical EFT on brain activation in chronic pain sufferers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty-four adults were allocated to a six-week online group EFT treatment and underwent resting-state fMRI pre and post a 6-week (12 hour) EFT program. Analysis showed significantly decreased connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (a pain modulating area) and bilateral grey matter areas in the posterior cingulate cortex and thalamus (both related to modulating and catastrophizing of pain). No brain areas showed significantly increased connectivity post-EFT treatment. Full paper below.
Systematic Review of all EFT Studies
This paper identified 56 randomised clinical trials of EFT (2,013 participants), and 8 meta-analyses. EFT is effective for psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, phobias, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); physiological issues such as pain, insomnia, and autoimmune conditions; professional and sports performance; and biological markers of stress. Meta-analyses evaluating the effect of EFT have found it to be “moderate” to “large.” Successful independent replication studies have been carried out for anxiety, depression, PTSD, phobias, sports performance, and cortisol levels.
Worth the Read
The Evidence Based EFT Manual
Foundations, Key Concepts, and Core Techniques of Clinical EFT
This Manual will guide you through the foundational principles and practical applications of Clinical EFT. You will explore its effectiveness through various case studies and examples, with specific instructions and adjustments to try. The Manual gives a brief overview of the techniques, from simplest to most complex. This is followed by a step-by-step description of each technique’s core version plus adjustments to try that have merged from clinical practice.
The Manual also includes a range of downloadable handouts and graphic illustrations of the key concepts and core techniques.
The Science Behind EFT Tapping
A Proven Stress Management Technique for the Mind and Body
In The Science behind Tapping, you'll come away with a deeper understanding of what EFT is and how it can help you. The book starts with a beginner's guide to EFT, which includes tapping statements and phrases, as well as helpful charts showing the location of tapping acupoints on the face and upper body. After taking you through its many uses, you will learn the history, the mounting evidence and research. You can also read the common obstacles to success with EFT--and how to combat them. Available worldwide by Hay House in paperback, kindle and audio.
FREE VIDEO SERIES
THE SCIENCE BEHIND TAPPING
Access our Free Online Series "The Science Tapping" with World Leading Researcher Dr Peta Stapleton who has over 30 years experience in teaching and delivering EFT based education.
This three part series explores all of the latest findings and discoveries in clinical EFT.
ACCESS NOW
I'm Dr Peta Stapleton.
A registered clinical/health Psychologist and Professor in Psychology at Bond University (Australia) and embrace evidence-based and innovative techniques. I have been awarded many achievements including the Harvey Baker Research Award for meticulous research (Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology), and the 2019 Psychologist of the Year (Australian Allied Health Awards). In 2024 I was awarded the Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award from the Australian Psychological Society.
I have authored The Science Behind Tapping: A Proven Stress Management Technique for the Mind and Body (Hay House), which won Best Self-Help Book (2019 Best Book Awards, American Book Fest). I have presented at more than 100 Australian and international conferences and am the featured presenter of the Everyday Tapping Series for Gaia, TEDx talk Is Therapy Facing a Revolution?, and The Infinite Game.
References
1. Church, D., Yount, G., & Brooks, A. J. (2012). The effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 200(10), 891–896. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e31826b9fc1
Stapleton, P., Crighton, G., Sabot, D., & O'Neill, H. M. (2020). Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy, 12(8), 869–877. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000563
2. Maharaj, M. E. (2016). Differential Gene Expression after Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Treatment: A Novel Pilot Protocol for Salivary mRNA Assessment. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 8, 17-32.
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. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2016;32(1):112-122. doi:10.1177/0890117116661154
Yount G, Church D, Rachlin K, Blickheuser K, Cardonna I. Do Noncoding RNAs Mediate the Efficacy of Energy Psychology? Global Advances in Health and Medicine. 2019;8. doi:10.1177/2164956119832500
Disclaimer
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is considered experimental in nature. While it is gaining in scientific support and is accepted as a legitimate psychological technique, it is not yet widely accepted as a formally validated scientific technique.
All workshops and trainings are intended to promote awareness of the benefits of learning and applying Clinical EFT (the version tested in clinical research trials). However, the general public must take full responsibility for their use of it. The content on this website and any materials we provide you about EFT are provided for general informational purposes only. They are not intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric, or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, psychologist, or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental health issue. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
If you experience any unusual symptoms practicing the technique you should seek the advice of a health professional immediately. Although the results of our research and others in the academic world indicate that many people benefit from the use of Clinical EFT with their food cravings, weight loss, anxiety and depression, the responses to the technique are quite specific to each individual. The effectiveness of EFT may vary from person to person, and such we make no guarantees about individual outcomes. A lack of result or progress may mean you need advice or intervention from a health professional. For assistance to locate an appropriate health professional, please email us at [email protected].
Before making any dietary changes or discontinuing, reducing or increasing prescription medications it is recommended that you consult with your doctor, pharmacist or other qualified medical or health professional first.
While Dr Peta Stapleton is a registered psychologist, all EFT trainings, courses and products (free or for purchase) offered by the Company are not a psychological service. Any reliance you place on the information provided on this website or any other content is strictly at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage, including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss or damage arising from your use of our trainings, courses or products.Please visit our terms and conditions of using this website here https://www.evidencebasedeft.com/terms-and-conditions