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Limbic System
The limbic system, situated approximately in the center of the brain, consists of various organs. It is involved in rapid unconscious processing, instinctive behaviors deep-seated emotions, and basic impulses such as anger, pleasure, and general survival. It has the power to override the executive function of the pre-frontal cortex. The limbic system consists of the amygdala, hypothalamus, thalamus among others.
Pre-frontal Cortex
The pre-frontal cortex is situated in the front part of the brain. As the "CEO" of the brain it performs mostly executive functions: judging, planning, concentration, weighing cost and benefits.
Amygdala
Almond-shaped organ, heavily involved in emotional responses (including fight-freeze-flight response), decision-making, and memory. Also, hard-drive for heavy emotional experiences.
Hypothalamus
Controls body temperature, hunger, fatigue, sleep.
Thalamus
Regulation of sleep, consciousness, and alertness.
Hippocampus
Memory and navigation.
Pituitary Gland
Known as „master gland" it produces, triggers glands to produce, and stores hormones - cortisol and oxytocin among many others.
Find out how EFT Tapping works
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Tapping is a unique, science-backed breakthrough in the field of human performance. It combines gentle, targeted tapping on specific acupressure points with focused attention on the challenge at hand. This revolutionary yet remarkably simple method works with your body’s own stress-regulation system. By calming the overactive stress response, it clears mental blocks, restores clarity, and unlocks your capacity to think, decide, and act at your highest level—precisely when the stakes are high.
The interplay between your pre-frontal cortex (executive function) and your limbic system (instinctive behaviour) is key to your performance. When you experience a threat – even if it is not life threatening like an upcoming presentation – your limbic system turns into alarm mode. Attempts by your pre-frontal cortex to calm you down often fail as the limbic system is stronger. The result: you feel blocked and cannot perform at your best. Find out below how EFT Tapping frees your limbic system so you can perform exceptionally.
Why is EFT TAPPING such a revolutionary technique?
EFT Tapping is based on the latest research in neuroscience. It has the capacity to transform negative thoughts and emotions which are holding us back – in just a few coaching sessions.
What makes EFT TAPPING so different?
Unlike traditional coaching approaches, EFT Tapping addresses the specific area of the brain that causes our performance blockage – the limbic system.
When you experience a stressful situation – a work deadline, important presentation, giving tough feedback to your boss, or saying NO to an important client – your amygdala, part of the limbic system, turns into alarm mode. It then communicates with other parts of the limbic system, first and foremost the hypothalamus which initiates the release of with various stress hormones such as cortisol and noradrenalin. If our brain is over- flooded with stress hormones, our rational thought processes in the pre-frontal cortex are blocked. We cannot perform at our best. All we have left is the fight-flight-freeze response.
What are limits of traditional coaching methods?
Traditional coaching methods focus mostly on the rational part of our brain (pre-frontal cortex), by changing our thinking pattern into something more positive. However, the anxiety never ceases completely. The reason being, is that the amygdala does not understand language. It is part of our ancient brain and therefore responds to cues only.
How does EFT TAPPING work?
EFT Tapping uses rhythmic interventions (a form of cue) such as tapping, breathing and eye movement to address the blockage in amygdala. Along with other techniques, this helps increase oxytocin, a hormone which reduces cortisol and noradrenalin levels in our brain. The result: anxiety and negative thoughts cease (for the particular situation, the effect is permanent) – and you can access your potential and perform at your best.
The science
There are over 100 peer-reviewed studies showing the effectiveness of EFT Tapping alone. A substantial amount of studies show the effectiveness of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensatization Reprocessing). Dr. Peta Stapleton, clinical and health psychologist and world researcher in EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and Professor at Bond University in Australia gives a nice overview of the scientific work. Check out her short video and enjoy browsing through the science.
Dive into the research
EFT TAPPING GROUP
43%
DECREASE IN
CORTISOL LEVELS
19%
CORTISOL DROP
Psychoeducation
2%
CORTISOL DROP
MAGAZINE READING
Reduction in stress-hormone cortisol
In a 2020 study, published in the official data base of the respected APA (American Psycholody Association), Dr. Peta Stapelton found a significant reduction in cortisol levels using EFT Tapping.
In a radomized control trial, saliva samples were taken from 53 participants 30 min before and after treatment (One group received EFT, another one psychoeducation, the third one read magazines). The EFT group did not only achieve the highest cortisol drop, 43% vs. 19% with psychoeducation and 2% with reading a magazine. This study also showed the impact EFT Tapping has on the (stress-related) neurobiology of humans.
Complete remission
Anxiety
76%
PATIENTS IN
ACUPOINT GROUP
Complete remission
Anxiety
51%
PATIENTS IN
CBT GROUP
Complete remission of anxiety
A large-scale study of 5000 patients seeking treatment for anxiety, published in 2004, sought to compare the effectiveness of acupoint treatment (precursor to EFT) and traditional psychological treatment (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT) that included medication
Clinical interviewers blind to the treatment modality diagnose the patient’s improvements: no improvement, some improvement, complete remission. Complete remission was reported in 76% of patients in acupoint group, whereas there was only a 51% remission in the CBT group. Moreover the results for acupoint treatment were achieved with an average of 3 session whereas the CBT group needed 15 sessions.
58%
Anxiety
Reduced
49%
Depression
Reduced
41%
Pain
Reduced
Significant & rapid reduction in anxiety, depression & pain
This study, published in 2012 in The Journal of Nervous And Mental Disease demonstrated statiscitcally significant improvement in anxiety, depression, and overall symptom breadth through EFT Tapping.
In a radomized control trial, 83 non-clinical subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups for a 50min session: No treatment, EFT treatment, standard treatment (cognitive behavioral therapy). The Eft group had the highest reduction in anxiety, depression, pain (and other symptoms) from all groups.
Test anxiety
Significant
Reduction
After 2-hour
EFT session
ETF Tapping more effective than progressive muscle relaxation
This study published in 2014 by Jain & Rubio showed how EFT contributes to a significant reducation in test anxiety.
Public Speaking Anxiety
Significant reduction
in anxiety with only
45 MIN
EFT session
Rapid reduction in public speaking anxiety
This study, conducted in Indonesia in 2018, showed not only significant reduction in anxiety but also to be more effective than than desensitization techniques (controlled breathing, progressive muscle relaxation among others). In addition, the more EFT was administered, the higher the decrease in anxiety.
16 Students with high level public anxiety were divided into 2 groups receiving systematic desensitization treatment and EFT respectively. Using the Personal Report of Public Speaking Axiety (PRPSA) participants self-assessed their level of anxiety pre and post treatment. Both groups showed reduced anxiety whereas the EFT group showed the biggest reduction, from 145,5 to 100.88.
Number of indiviudals with
Fear of flying
Dropped by
73%
High success rate in overcoming fear of flying
In a 2022 Wittfoth et al published a study examining PEP (a version of EFT) as a treatment for individuals with fear of flying. 26 participants underwent one treatment session (60-90 min) only. The proportion of individuals with fear of flying dropped from 89.7% to 24%, a 73% reduction.
fMRI scans also demonstrated the direct impact tapping has on the arousal level of amygdala (responsible for emotional processing and threat detection).
Number of individuals no longer diagnosed with
PTSD
90%
After 6 hours of
EFT coaching
Outstanding remission rate of PTSD
In this 2013 study published published in the Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, Dawson et. Al showed that after 6 hours of EFT Tapping 90% of subjects were diagnosed PTSD-free.
In a randomized control trial 59 army veterans meeting the clinical criteria for PTSD were randomly assigned to two groups: 1 EFT Tapping, 1 standard care/ wait list. The groups were compared pre and post (6hours of EFT Tapping, 1 month for standard care/WL group). EFT subjects showed significantly reduced psychological distress. In addition, 90% of the EFT group no longer met symptoms of PTSD compared with 4% in the standard care/WL group. Huge difference.
Athletic Performance
Improvement by
20%
With one 15-minute
EFT session
Fast improvement of athletic performance
In 2009, Dawson Church published this study in The Open Sports Science Journal. It showed a 20% improvement in basketball free throws after only 15 minute EFT treatment (comparedt o control group).
14 men’s and 14 women’s basketball players from an elite US university were randomly assigned to 2 groups: Group 1 EFT, group 2 reading material o tips and tricks re. Free throws. Participants of group 1 received a 15-minute EFT treatment individually before they went onto the court and performed the free throws. The hypothesis tested was that EFT wouldmitigates stress , thus improving performance. Interestingly, free throw performance of the control group decreased by 16%. So reading about tips and ricks actually reduced performance.
74%
Food Cravings
57%
PAIN
40%
ANXIETY
37%
Cortisol
35%
DEPRESSON
32%
pTSD
SYMPTOMS
8%
RESTING
HEART RATE
8%
BLOOD
PRESSURE
113%
IMMUNE
SYSTEM
Markers
31%
Remarkable improvement in various health markers
In this 2018 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, Bach et. Al showed how EFT Tapping improves even physiological markers significantly.
In a randomized control trial 59 army veterans meeting the clinical criteria for PTSD were randomly assigned to two groups: 1 EFT Tapping, 1 standard care/ wait list. The groups were compared pre and post (6hours of EFT Tapping, 1 month for standard care/WL group). EFT subjects showed significantly reduced psychological distress. In addition, 90% of the EFT group no longer met symptoms of PTSD compared with 4% in the standard care/WL group. Huge difference.
READ MORE
Test anxiety
Significant
Reduction
After 2-hour
EFT session
ETF Tapping more effective than progressive muscle relaxation
This study published in 2014 by Jain & Rubio showed how EFT contributes to a significant reducation in test anxiety.
Public Speaking Anxiety
Significant reduction
in anxiety with only
45 MIN
EFT session
Rapid reduction in public speaking anxiety
This study, conducted in Indonesia in 2018, showed not only significant reduction in anxiety but also to be more effective than than desensitization techniques (controlled breathing, progressive muscle relaxation among others). In addition, the more EFT was administered, the higher the decrease in anxiety.
16 Students with high level public anxiety were divided into 2 groups receiving systematic desensitization treatment and EFT respectively. Using the Personal Report of Public Speaking Axiety (PRPSA) participants self-assessed their level of anxiety pre and post treatment. Both groups showed reduced anxiety whereas the EFT group showed the biggest reduction, from 145,5 to 100.88.
Number of indiviudals with
Fear of flying
Dropped by
73%
High success rate in overcoming fear of flying
In a 2022 Wittfoth et al published a study examining PEP (a version of EFT) as a treatment for individuals with fear of flying. 26 participants underwent one treatment session (60-90 min) only. The proportion of individuals with fear of flying dropped from 89.7% to 24%, a 73% reduction.
fMRI scans also demonstrated the direct impact tapping has on the arousal level of amygdala (responsible for emotional processing and threat detection).
Number of individuals no longer diagnosed with
PTSD
90%
After 6 hours of
EFT coaching
Outstanding remission rate of PTSD
In this 2013 study published published in the Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, Dawson et. Al showed that after 6 hours of EFT Tapping 90% of subjects were diagnosed PTSD-free.
In a randomized control trial 59 army veterans meeting the clinical criteria for PTSD were randomly assigned to two groups: 1 EFT Tapping, 1 standard care/ wait list. The groups were compared pre and post (6hours of EFT Tapping, 1 month for standard care/WL group). EFT subjects showed significantly reduced psychological distress. In addition, 90% of the EFT group no longer met symptoms of PTSD compared with 4% in the standard care/WL group. Huge difference.
Athletic Performance
Improvement by
20%
With one 15-minute
EFT session
Fast improvement of athletic performance
In 2009, Dawson Church published this study in The Open Sports Science Journal. It showed a 20% improvement in basketball free throws after only 15 minute EFT treatment (comparedt o control group).
14 men’s and 14 women’s basketball players from an elite US university were randomly assigned to 2 groups: Group 1 EFT, group 2 reading material o tips and tricks re. Free throws. Participants of group 1 received a 15-minute EFT treatment individually before they went onto the court and performed the free throws. The hypothesis tested was that EFT wouldmitigates stress , thus improving performance. Interestingly, free throw performance of the control group decreased by 16%. So reading about tips and ricks actually reduced performance.
74%
Food Cravings
Reduced
57%
PAIN
40%
ANXIETY
37%
Cortisoil
35%
DEPRESSON
32%
pTSD
SYMPTOMS
8%
RESTING
HEART RATE
8%
BLOOD
PRESSURE
113%
IMMUNE
SYSTEM
Markers
31%
Remarkable improvement in various health markers
In this 2018 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, Bach et. Al showed how EFT Tapping improves even physiological markers significantly.
In a randomized control trial 59 army veterans meeting the clinical criteria for PTSD were randomly assigned to two groups: 1 EFT Tapping, 1 standard care/ wait list. The groups were compared pre and post (6hours of EFT Tapping, 1 month for standard care/WL group). EFT subjects showed significantly reduced psychological distress. In addition, 90% of the EFT group no longer met symptoms of PTSD compared with 4% in the standard care/WL group. Huge difference.
For the full range of scientific research on EFT Tapping click here