Do Plants Read Our Thoughts?

In 1966, renowned expert Cleve Backster, best known for his work with lie detectors, conducted a series of unconventional experiments that challenged our traditional view of plants. His research suggested that plants are not merely passive organisms undergoing photosynthesis but might instead be capable of sensing their environment—and even human emotions—through measurable electrical responses (Tompkins & Bird, 1973, Çev: Sulhi Dölek).

Table of Contents

Do Plants Read Our Thoughts?
The Experiment’s Inception and Initial Observations
Expanding the Experiments: Responses to Emotional and Physical Stimuli
The Communication Network and Memory Capacity of Plants
A New Perspective on Human-Plant Relationships
References

The Experiment’s Inception and Initial Observations

Backster’s curiosity was sparked during a training session for security personnel on using polygraph devices. In a moment of experimentation, he attached the electrodes of the lie detector to a tropical plant with large leaves. Initially, when the plant was watered, the galvanometer displayed a series of downward zigzag patterns. Although Backster anticipated an upward response as an expression of joy, the result was unexpected. Further experiments, such as immersing the plant’s leaf in hot coffee, failed to produce any significant reaction. However, when the plant was exposed to a flame—created by igniting a match—the galvanometer’s needle suddenly shot to the top. This dramatic shift led Backster to wonder: Could it be that the plant was, in a sense, reading his thoughts? (Tompkins & Bird, 1973, Çev: Sulhi Dölek).

Expanding the Experiments: Responses to Emotional and Physical Stimuli

Encouraged by his initial findings, Backster designed further experiments to explore the plant’s sensitivity. The studies revealed that plants responded not only to physical stimuli like temperature changes and water but also to the presence and emotional states of nearby humans. For instance, when a botanist arrived from out of town, all the plants in the room fell silent, displaying no electrical activity. Remarkably, about 45 minutes after the botanist departed, the plants resumed their typical responses. This phenomenon suggested that plants might be able to detect and react to human energy and presence (Trewavas, 2005).

Another striking experiment involved a team member who was tasked, at midnight, with removing and damaging one of the plants. The next day, upon entering the room, a surge of electrical activity was recorded from the remaining plants. This reaction indicated that the plants were not only reacting in real time but were also retaining a form of memory regarding the traumatic event, responding collectively to the environmental change (Baluška & Mancuso, 2009).

The Communication Network and Memory Capacity of Plants

Further investigations uncovered even more extraordinary aspects of plant behavior. Research demonstrated that plants could “remember” environmental stresses, including sensations of pain, joy, and fear. For example, leaves that had been detached but received kind, encouraging words were found to remain viable for considerably longer than expected. Some experiments even suggested that plants could sense stimuli occurring as far as 120 kilometers away. Such findings imply that plants have the capacity to store emotional experiences, effectively creating a biological memory of their interactions with the environment (Gagliano, 2014).

Additionally, it appears that plants may share these memories through a complex communication network. When one plant experiences distress or harm, neighboring plants seem to register the event, even if they are not directly affected. This kind of inter-plant communication suggests a level of communal awareness that challenges our understanding of the plant kingdom.

A New Perspective on Human-Plant Relationships

Cleve Backster’s pioneering experiments have opened the door to a new perspective on the relationship between humans and plants. His work indicates that plants may not be passive entities, but rather active participants in their environment—capable of perceiving, remembering, and communicating in ways that mirror some aspects of human emotional responses. These discoveries have inspired research across diverse fields such as ecology, neurobiology, and communication theory, leading to a reconsideration of how we define intelligence and awareness in living organisms (Tompkins & Bird, 1973; Trewavas, 2005; Baluška & Mancuso, 2009; Gagliano, 2014).

The experiments led by Backster have fundamentally altered our view of plant life. The evidence suggesting that plants can sense their environment, retain memories of interactions, and even react collectively to negative stimuli invites us to rethink the boundaries of perception and communication in the natural world. As research continues, the potential to understand and even communicate with plants may reveal a rich, silent language that has long been hidden from human perception.

References

Tompkins, P., & Bird, C. (1973). The Secret Life of Plants. Sungur Publications. (Çev: Sulhi Dölek)
Trewavas, A. (2005). Plant intelligence: Not just a metaphor. Journal of Experimental Botany, 56(411), 1–10.
Baluška, F., & Mancuso, S. (2009). Deep evolutionary origins of neurobiology: Turning the essence of ‘neuron’ upside-down. Journal of Experimental Botany, 60(14), 4003–4014.
Gagliano, M. (2014). Experience teaches plants to learn faster and forget slower in environments with predictability. Oecologia, 175(1), 63–72.

This article explores the groundbreaking experiments that suggest plants may possess an intricate system of perception, memory, and communication. These insights not only challenge conventional biological paradigms but also pave the way for innovative approaches to understanding the hidden lives of plants—a subject that continues to fascinate scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.