In recent years, alternative therapeutic methods and parapsychological theories have gained popularity, promising effective treatments without solid scientific backing. Examples include “Total Biology” and “Hellinger’s Family Constellations” (also known as systemic constellations). From a scientific perspective, these methods are highly controversial, with little evidence to support their effectiveness. In this article, we’ll explore why it’s essential to approach these techniques critically and examine the true scientific grounding behind epigenetics—the study of how environmental factors influence the expression of inherited traits.
1.What Is "Total Biology"?
"Total Biology" suggests that all diseases stem from unresolved emotional conflicts. According to this theory, health issues arise when the body somatizes, or physically manifests, these internal struggles. Healing, it claims, depends on identifying and resolving these conflicts to relieve the symptoms.
Critical Analysis:
Total Biology has been widely criticized by the scientific community for several reasons:
There is a lack of rigorous scientific research supporting its effectiveness. Most claims rely on anecdotal reports, which do not meet the standards for evidence-based practice.
This approach overlooks the complex biological, genetic, and environmental factors that can contribute to disease.
Promoting Total Biology as an alternative to conventional medicine can deter patients from seeking appropriate medical care, posing significant health risks.
Example: Total Biology asserts that breast cancer is triggered by unresolved conflicts related to one’s mother or children. However, research shows that breast cancer has multifaceted genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle-related causes, which cannot be explained through such a simplistic framework.
2. Hellinger’s Family Constellations
Developed by Bert Hellinger, family constellations assume that emotional struggles can be rooted in unresolved family conflicts passed down through generations. During a session, participants act out the roles of a patient’s family members, supposedly allowing the patient to access the underlying cause of their problems.
Critical Analysis:
Family constellations are similarly contentious:
This method lacks a solid theoretical foundation and rigorous scientific evidence. Few studies of adequate quality support its therapeutic value.
Critics argue that this technique can even be harmful, as it relies heavily on suggestion and the therapist's interpretations, which may distort or exaggerate family dynamics and create false memories.
Example: A patient with depression may "discover" the root of their issue in past family conflicts during a constellation session, overlooking real biological factors that contribute to mental health conditions, such as brain chemistry, genetics, and personal life experiences.
3. Epigenetics: What It Really Is?
The concept of epigenetics is often misinterpreted in the context of theories like Total Biology and systemic constellations, which claim that emotional traumas directly alter one’s genetic makeup. In reality, epigenetics studies changes in gene expression caused by external factors—such as lifestyle, diet, stress, and environment—without altering DNA sequences.
However:
While epigenetic changes can sometimes be passed down, the process is complex and does not support the simplistic notion of "inheriting trauma" as promoted by proponents of these alternative therapies.
The inheritance of epigenetic changes impacts disease risk and physical traits more so than the transmission of specific emotional experiences.
Scientific Example: Studies on famine survivors, such as those conducted on children born during the Dutch famine in WWII, show that malnutrition in mothers was associated with higher obesity and diabetes risk in their offspring. This phenomenon is due to shifts in gene expression related to metabolism, not “inherited emotional trauma.”
4. Why Are Pseudoscientific Methods So Popular?
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, theories like Total Biology and family constellations remain widely popular. Some key reasons include:
Desire for Simplicity: Diseases and emotional challenges are complex, but alternative methods often provide straightforward answers and quick-fix solutions.
Placebo Effect: Many people report feeling better after these treatments, which may be due to the placebo effect rather than any inherent efficacy of the methods.
Social Pressure: Participation in alternative therapies can sometimes be influenced by social trends or group dynamics, where belief in effectiveness takes precedence over scientific skepticism.
The Importance of Evidence-Based Methods
While alternative methods like Total Biology and family constellations may provide hope, they also carry risks. Without scientific evidence and with limited research supporting these approaches, they could endanger the health of those who abandon evidence-based treatments in favor of unproven alternatives.
Empowerment through informed health choices should go hand in hand with a commitment to evidence-backed therapies that have demonstrated positive outcomes.
Sources:
1. Shermer, M. (2011). The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies – How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths. Times Books.
2. Lilienfeld, S. O., Lynn, S. J., Ruscio, J., & Beyerstein, B. L. (2010). 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions about Human Behavior. Wiley-Blackwell.
3. Carey, N. (2012). The Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology Is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease, and Inheritance. Columbia University Press.
4. Pembrey, M., Saffery, R., & Bygren, L. O. (2014). "Human transgenerational responses to early-life experience: potential impact on development, health and biomedical research." Journal of Medical Genetics,
5. van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.