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The Discovery of the Orgone #2
The Cancer Biopathy
A Shrinking Disease Due to Chronic Sexual Starvation
What is Cancer? Traditionally, medical science has thought of it as an invasive tumor arising spontaneously in an otherwise healthy organism. In contrast, Wilhelm Reich defines cancer not as a tumor—the tumor is merely a late manifestation of the disease—but a systemic disease due to chronic thwaring of natural sexual functioning. In this radically different scientific investigation of a process that ends, literally, in the putrefaction of the living body due to chronic suffocatin of the tissues, Reich has arrived at the conclusion that "cancer is the most significant somatic expression of biophysiological effect of sexual stasis." If this is so, there is a far greater possibility for prevention of cancer than for its treatment.
The Cancer Biopathy is Volume II of The Discovery of the Orgone. Volume I is The Function of the Orgasm.
What is Cancer? Traditionally, medical science has thought of it as an invasive tumor arising spontaneously in an otherwise healthy organism. In contrast, Wilhelm Reich defines cancer not as a tumor—the tumor is merely a late manifestation of the disease—but a systemic disease due to chronic thwaring of natural sexual functioning. In this radically different scientific investigation of a process that ends, literally, in the putrefaction of the living body due to chronic suffocatin of the tissues, Reich has arrived at the conclusion that "cancer is the most significant somatic expression of biophysiological effect of sexual stasis." If this is so, there is a far greater possibility for prevention of cancer than for its treatment.
The Cancer Biopathy is Volume II of The Discovery of the Orgone. Volume I is The Function of the Orgasm.
433 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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About the author
Wilhelm Reich
163 books721 followersWilhelm Reich (24 March 1897 – 3 November 1957) was a Jewish Austrian-American doctor of medicine, psychiatrist/psychoanalyst and a member of the second generation of analysts after Sigmund Freud. Author of several influential books, he became one of the most radical figures in the history of psychiatry.
Reich was a respected analyst for much of his life, focusing on character structure, rather than on individual neurotic symptoms. He promoted adolescent sexuality, the availability of contraceptives and abortion, and the importance for women of economic independence. Synthesizing material from psychoanalysis, cultural anthropology, economics, sociology, and ethics, his work influenced writers such as Alexander Lowen, Fritz Perls, Paul Goodman, Saul Bellow, Norman Mailer, A. S. Neill, and William Burroughs.
He was also a controversial figure, who came to be viewed by the psychoanalytic establishment as having gone astray or as having succumbed to mental illness. His work on the link between human sexuality and neuroses emphasized "orgastic potency" as the foremost criterion for psycho-physical health. He said he had discovered a form of energy, which he called "orgone," that permeated the atmosphere and all living matter, and he built "orgone accumulators," which his patients sat inside to harness the energy for its reputed health benefits. It was this work, in particular, that cemented the rift between Reich and the psychoanalytic establishment.
Reich, of Jewish descent and a communist, was living in Germany when Adolf Hitler came to power. He fled to Scandinavia in 1933 and subsequently to the United States in 1939. In 1947, following a series of critical articles about orgone and his political views in The New Republic and Harper's, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began an investigation into his claims, winning an injunction against the interstate sale of orgone accumulators. Charged with contempt of court for violating the injunction, Reich conducted his own defense, which involved sending the judge all his books to read, and arguing that a court was no place to decide matters of science. He was sentenced to two years in prison, and in August 1956, several tons of his publications were burned by the FDA. He died of heart failure in jail just over a year later, days before he was due to apply for parole.
Reich was a respected analyst for much of his life, focusing on character structure, rather than on individual neurotic symptoms. He promoted adolescent sexuality, the availability of contraceptives and abortion, and the importance for women of economic independence. Synthesizing material from psychoanalysis, cultural anthropology, economics, sociology, and ethics, his work influenced writers such as Alexander Lowen, Fritz Perls, Paul Goodman, Saul Bellow, Norman Mailer, A. S. Neill, and William Burroughs.
He was also a controversial figure, who came to be viewed by the psychoanalytic establishment as having gone astray or as having succumbed to mental illness. His work on the link between human sexuality and neuroses emphasized "orgastic potency" as the foremost criterion for psycho-physical health. He said he had discovered a form of energy, which he called "orgone," that permeated the atmosphere and all living matter, and he built "orgone accumulators," which his patients sat inside to harness the energy for its reputed health benefits. It was this work, in particular, that cemented the rift between Reich and the psychoanalytic establishment.
Reich, of Jewish descent and a communist, was living in Germany when Adolf Hitler came to power. He fled to Scandinavia in 1933 and subsequently to the United States in 1939. In 1947, following a series of critical articles about orgone and his political views in The New Republic and Harper's, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began an investigation into his claims, winning an injunction against the interstate sale of orgone accumulators. Charged with contempt of court for violating the injunction, Reich conducted his own defense, which involved sending the judge all his books to read, and arguing that a court was no place to decide matters of science. He was sentenced to two years in prison, and in August 1956, several tons of his publications were burned by the FDA. He died of heart failure in jail just over a year later, days before he was due to apply for parole.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 26, 2019
This was eye-opening and mind-opening to me as a biology undergrad. I still think medicine ignores this body of experimental work to the detriment of many millions of lives.
January 5, 2016
Part of this book is like reading science fiction. When he sets the stage for orgone energy, I felt the need to set aside my (dis-)belief since what he is describing is something I have never observed in a "scientific" setting (as opposed to electrical or mechanical energy). However, it does seem plausible (or at least within my realm of things I find believable), especially when considering various experiments with plant reactions to thoughts (woo-woo energies), and all the other "unexplained" phenomenon that have been witnessed.
In terms of using this energy for cancer, it's a little misleading to say that it's a cure. There seem to be an overwhelming amount of case where Reich did not actually cure a patient's cancer, but only extended their life a little longer. But he's forthcoming about this with his belief that orgone energy is better as a preventative method. One of the overarching points he makes is that we need to think of pathology in a total, rather than mechanistic, manner.
I find character analysis and orgonomy to actually be quite compelling methods of medicine/treatment/prevention. There seems to be a lot of resonance with "ancient"/"traditional" healing methods and I'm interested in knowing how much familiarity Reich had with these. If so, it's a shame there's no mention or syncretism. If not, then it's a striking coincidence.
In terms of using this energy for cancer, it's a little misleading to say that it's a cure. There seem to be an overwhelming amount of case where Reich did not actually cure a patient's cancer, but only extended their life a little longer. But he's forthcoming about this with his belief that orgone energy is better as a preventative method. One of the overarching points he makes is that we need to think of pathology in a total, rather than mechanistic, manner.
I find character analysis and orgonomy to actually be quite compelling methods of medicine/treatment/prevention. There seems to be a lot of resonance with "ancient"/"traditional" healing methods and I'm interested in knowing how much familiarity Reich had with these. If so, it's a shame there's no mention or syncretism. If not, then it's a striking coincidence.
August 2, 2011
I am not yet finished with this book as Google only makes the first two chapters available and print copies can be difficult to come by. What I have read thus far leads me to believe that Reich was far ahead of his time and that modern biology and medicine has not progressed much if at all since he created and published his theories on Orgone energy. What is clear to me in the first few chapters of this book is that Reich was onto something big and that it was dangerous to cancer medicine. It was clearly well researched and I would love to know if any scientists out there have further pursued his work. Essentially he is digging into life processes and the creation and release of energy which has implications for both the future health of our bodies and planet, but also could revolutionize the way we look at life on this Earth. I look forward to eventually finishing this when I can find another copy of the book and seeing if his integrity and dilligence continue all of the way through. Recommended for all biologist, chemists, and phycicists that might be searching for something more beyond contemporary scientific beliefs and are willing to lay aside their assumptions as they read.
June 3, 2015
This is one of the first books I read about cancer and it was like reading a science fiction story, but after reading more and more and also learning of how this wonderful man was hunted down and thrown in jail for his inventions and achievements it only made me conclude that his forgone theory and orgone experiments and instruments actually cure forms of cancer. This book along with Dr. Max Gerson’s books, for me it’s the ultimate guide of how to prevent and cure cancer.
Do not miss out of the extraordinary and magnificent story of Wilhelm Reich a man that literally gave his life to science.
Do not miss out of the extraordinary and magnificent story of Wilhelm Reich a man that literally gave his life to science.
April 18, 2021
"Ben kanseri araştırmadım, araştırmalarım sırasında o geldi beni buldu." der Reich. Orgonterapi ile de kanser hücrelerinin öldüğünü söyler. Almanyada hala işleyen Orgonterapi merkezleri olduğunu biliyorum, şansı olan gözlem yapsın.
February 23, 2015
I've read the abridged version, so the full analysis will come in later when i read the full version of the book but so far. So, there exists so called "life energy" which are blue bions. On the other hand, there exists the "dead energy" which are T-bacilli. The bions contain so called "orgone" energy which is basically sexual energy. When its restrained it brings a variety of emotional/psychological/physical diseases. Blue bions exist independently of chemo/mechanical processes which we studied so far. An interesting idea, no less but where there any repeated experiments that proved the hypothesis. Wilhelm mentions some who did repeat it, but then why was it rejected. Basically tons of questions abound. Can't deny it's an interesting idea, so when i read the full book - i'll return and write what i think.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews