Should you charge for Reiki?
October 12, 2026Radiance Series: Dr. Ann Baldwin on Real Life Experiments on Reiki Outside Clinics with Reiki Women Podcast
In Episode 3 of the Reiki Women Podcast’s Radiance Series: Reiki in Clinical Settings, Bronwen and Michaela speak with Dr. Ann Baldwin, a physiologist, Reiki master, and longtime research director for the Center for Reiki Research.
Content note: This episode includes discussion of scientific research conducted on laboratory rats (from approximately 04:30–09:20). If this is difficult for you, you may wish to skip that section or the episode.
Dr. Baldwin describes how her background in physiology led to NIH-funded studies on stress and inflammation, including early research exploring the effects of Reiki with animal models. She reflects on the challenges of introducing Reiki research into academic environments, the skepticism she encountered, and the ways the conversation around Reiki and healthcare has evolved.
The discussion explores the evidence for Reiki as a complementary approach, including research related to pain, anxiety, wellbeing, perioperative care, oncology support, endoscopy, advanced cancer, and the experiences of caregivers and families.
Dr. Baldwin also explains the different phases of research, the difficulty of securing funding for large clinical trials, and the potential of citizen-science approaches using large real-world datasets. The conversation considers the need for longer-term follow-up studies, ethical questions surrounding animal research, and emerging models for integrating Reiki practitioners into hospitals.
This episode offers an accessible exploration of how Reiki research is developed, evaluated, funded, and translated into real-world healthcare settings.
Watch here:
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▶️Watch the full episode and share your thoughts about the future of Reiki research in the comments.
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About Dr. Ann Baldwin
Dr. Ann Baldwin is a Research Professor of Physiology and Psychology at the University of Arizona and the director of Mind-Body-Science. With academic degrees in Physics, Radiation Physics, and Physiology, she brings an extensive scientific background to the study of stress, wellbeing, and mind-body practices.
Her research explores the physiological effects of mental and emotional stress and ways to support healthier stress responses. She has investigated the effects of the system of Reiki on cardiac function, peripheral blood flow, and heart rate variability in both humans and animals.
Dr. Baldwin’s work aims to bridge energy healing and quantitative scientific research. She has published more than 110 peer-reviewed scientific articles, contributed to research funded by organizations including the NIH and NSF, and authored Reiki in Clinical Practice: A Science-Based Guide.
🌐 Learn more about her work: http://www.mind-body-science.com/
About the Podcast
Reiki Women Podcast shares the voices of women-identified Reiki practitioners from around the world. Through stories of healing, lineage, and spiritual practice, we explore the culture and community of Reiki practice.
Join hosts Bronwen Logan, Carrie Varela, and Michaela Daystar as they reflect on the system of Reiki and the women who shape its path.
Meet the Hosts :
🌿 Bronwen Logan — @reikiwithbronwen
🌿 Carrie Varela — @reikihealingsociety
🌿 Michaela Daystar — @heartscapes.insight
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