Royal Raymond Rife and His Alleged Invention

Starting with the man behind the myth, Royal Rife, there's surprisingly little credible information available about him. Born in 1888 and passing away in 1971, Rife was an American inventor who, in the 1930s, made claims about developing an exceptionally powerful microscope. The results were mixed; while some physicians praised the findings, many of Rife's assertions were later disproven.

For instance, he claimed to have found microbes in cancerous tumors, which we now understand are primarily composed of human cells and not pathogens.

He also asserted that he witnessed bacteria morphing into drastically different shapes, a phenomenon that does not occur, especially with the types of bacteria he studied.

Rife’s primary focus was on using radio waves to generate vibrations that could purportedly destroy disease. His theory suggested that, similar to how an opera singer can shatter a glass by hitting its resonant frequency, the correct frequency could cause bacteria or tumors to vibrate destructively.

However, the irony lies in the fact that the Rife machine may not have actually been built by him. Although Rife died in 1971, the machines only became commercially available after Barry Lynes published a book about Rife in 1987, alleging that Rife had created a cancer-curing device that was suppressed by the medical community.

One claim from that book states:

> "Years of experimentation led to Rife’s invention of the Frequency Instrument, a device that produced the exact frequencies needed to destroy various viruses. In 1934 at the clinic in California, diseased people were exposed to the exact same frequencies […] to destroy the virus causing their illness."

The term “cancer viruses” is misleading; while certain viruses can indirectly contribute to cancer, they do not directly cause it.

Nonetheless, the central claim of the Rife machine remains: specific vibrational frequencies can eliminate pathogens while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Claims have been made regarding its efficacy against viruses, bacteria (including those causing Lyme disease), and cancer cells, which are technically our own cells.

But are any of these assertions scientifically valid? What does the evidence say about vibrational therapy?

Scientific Support for Rife Machine Claims

Vibrations indeed carry energy. Most of us have heard about how an opera singer can break a wine glass. This principle of resonance can apply to other objects, too.

Even a child can create vibrations strong enough to break items!

To put it simply, sound waves transfer energy, and when a sound wave matches an object’s resonant frequency, it can impart enough energy to cause it to vibrate and ultimately break. This phenomenon is known as resonance.

Resonance can affect medium-sized objects like wine glasses and even larger structures (there are reports of soldiers marching in sync causing a bridge to collapse due to excessive vibration).

But can cells vibrate?

The answer seems to be yes! Researchers are investigating the use of ultrasound to target cancer cells, a concept known as “oncotripsy.” This method takes advantage of the fact that cancer cells can often be larger than normal cells, sometimes up to seven times their size.

Viruses can also be disintegrated by vibrations, but that typically requires laser pulses, as their size necessitates light waves to create a resonant frequency.

Thus far, it appears promising, but ultrasound and laser technology are quite different from a handheld Rife machine that sends out gentle pulses similar to old electroshock belts.

Here lies the issue: the frequencies touted by Rife machines differ significantly from those employed in scientific experiments aimed at eradicating cancer cells or viruses. The former operates on very low-frequency radio waves, while the latter utilizes short, high-frequency waves.

Rife machines exist in a realm of half-truths; the fundamental principle may hold some truth, but the machines themselves do not fulfill their claims.

It is akin to acknowledging that birds fly by flapping their wings and then suggesting that anyone can fly simply by using cardboard wing cutouts.

Furthermore, even the companies researching ultrasound for cancer treatment do not claim to eliminate cancer cells solely through waves; instead, they utilize high-frequency waves to break apart tumors, making it easier for the immune system to target them.

A significant point against Rife machines is the absence of credible scientific literature supporting their efficacy.

Should the Medical Community Reconsider Rife Machines?

We can often glean valuable insights from what is conspicuously absent.

In this instance, the lack of peer-reviewed scientific studies on Rife machines stands out.

If you were to inquire with a seller, they would likely argue that the medical establishment is suppressing research, but such claims are not logical. The medical field is not monolithic; individual researchers would have strong incentives to publish findings if the Rife machine were effective.

However, a search on PubMed for “Rife machine” yields just one result—a study by researchers focused on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that debunks the use of the Rife machine, pointing out that its claims about using radio frequencies to cure diseases are unsupported. They noted:

• No published animal studies on Rife machines related to ALS.
• No clinical trials regarding the Rife machine for ALS; only one case study of a patient who reported no benefits.
• Searches revealed only two individuals who used the Rife machine for ALS; one claimed an unbelievable recovery without formal diagnosis, while the other passed away.
• The researchers even consulted a Rife machine manufacturer, who could not provide specific patient data or evidence beyond vague claims of “symptom improvement.”

According to promotional materials, the Rife machine is touted as a near-miraculous solution for various cancers, attributed to a common virus supposedly responsive to radio frequencies.

If true, why wouldn’t clinical trials be conducted? Publishing such findings could lead to considerable accolades and financial rewards, not to mention widespread adoption in hospitals.

Alternatively, could it be that the device simply does not work?

While there are instances of radio waves utilized in cancer treatments, these typically involve high-intensity waves applied in targeted areas, not the low-frequency waves propagated throughout the entire body by Rife machines.

The absence of peer-reviewed studies that validate the claims made about Rife machines suggests they may belong in the realm of pseudoscience.

In Conclusion: Rife Machine Claims Are Inconsistent

Medical pseudoscience often takes legitimate concepts and exaggerates them to apply universally, or assumes that a basic idea means all variations will also be effective.

Using specific frequencies to treat diseases? There’s potential in that. High-energy waves can indeed target specific areas non-invasively to disrupt cancerous tumors. However, this does not validate the claims made by Rife machines, which utilize low-frequency, low-energy waves.

It’s akin to hearing that construction workers break concrete with a jackhammer and concluding that any hammer, even a toy, will achieve the same results.

Despite decades of existence, there is no scientific evidence supporting the specific claims of Rife machines. While Ross Douthat of the New York Times reported some relief from Lyme disease, that assertion comes from an author lacking scientific credentials who suggests a connection between Lyme disease and autism.

Overall, the evidence surrounding Rife machines is less substantial than the minuscule viruses they claim to target as the root cause of all cancers. It is not a conspiracy if the device simply fails to deliver on its promises.

Curious about more instances of medical pseudoscience? Check out the issues surrounding rectal ozone therapy.