Theory Of Biorhythms: The Activity That Starts When We Are Born

According to the theory of biorhythms, humans have three types of biological cycles:

• One of them is the physical cycle that lasts 23 days.
• The second is the 28-day emotional cycle.
• Finally, we have an intellectual cycle that lasts 33 days.

These cycles are present from the moment of birth. The theory of biorhythms indicates that such cycles have a rising and falling curve. At the top of the curve is the physical, emotional and intellectual capacity at the top.

At the lowest points, each capacity is reduced to a minimum. When two or more of the low points coincide on the same date, that day is considered “critical”.

The theory of biorhythms

This theory was created by Wilhelm Fliess, Alfred Teltscher and Hermann Swoboda.

Wilhelm Fliess was a German physician and Sigmund Freud’s patient and personal friend. Furthermore, he was the first to mention that he had observed regularities at certain intervals, and spoke of them as an inner biological clock.

Fliess described the physical and emotional cycle. He remained a close friend of Freud, and they created strange theories together. Among them a rare connection between the genitals and the nose.

Alfred Teltscher was an Austrian researcher and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Innsbruck. He was interested in Flies’ theories and decided to prove them with his students. He ended up affirming them and also adding a new cycle: the intellectual cycle.

Hermann Swoboda was an Austrian psychologist and professor at the University of Vienna. He studied biorhythms for several years, and like Telscher, believed that he identified defined intellectual cycles in his students. He shaped the theory of biorhythms as we know it today.

Popularization of the theory of biorhythms

In the 70’s, a man named Bernard Gittelson published several books on the subject. At that time, the postulates of the New Age were quite popular. However, the audience was very receptive to the theory of biorhythms.

In the United States, computer programs about biorhythms were stored. The business world also gave in to the trend. United Airlines actually used biorhythms to avoid human error during the flights. Similarly, thousands of companies joined the wave because Gittelson’s books provided guidelines for improving work productivity based on biorhythms.

Lies and pseudoscience

Although the theory of biorhythms was not well received in the world of science, it was not until 1998 that neurologist Terence Hines conducted a lengthy study on the subject. He concluded that biorhythms did not exist.

Hines condemned that the observations and theorizations on which the theory was based were completely arbitrary. The scientific method was not used and conclusions were reached based on incomplete information.

Hines also proved that the physical, emotional and intellectual cycles do not exist. Yes, humans have physiological and hormonal cycles. However, they have nothing to do with productivity, critical days or anything like that.

Despite this, many people in the world still believe in biorhythms.