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Everything You Need to Know About Rife Machines and EMFs

If you’ve recently heard about a Rife machine, then you’re most likely struggling with Lyme disease. You may have also visited conventional doctors who prescribed antibiotics and other drugs that don't seem to be helping. You're not alone!


The good news is that there are many reports of people with Lyme disease who use Rife machines and feel better, sometimes dramatically. This article discusses what Rife machines are, how they work, and which are currently available on the market.


What is a Rife Machine?


A Rife machine is a device that generates low-power electromagnetic (EMF) waves. These EMF waves are thought to affect the life cycles and integrity of germs like staph, strep, and Borrelia (Lyme disease).


The machine was created by American inventor Royal Raymond Rife, who also invented a pivotal device called the Universal Microscope. This microscope allowed scientists to see germs (microbes) for the first time in history.


Rife was fascinated by observing microbes after discovering that they were affected by light exposure. After thorough experimentation, Rife decided to try exposing microbes to radio waves, a type of low-power EMF.


Rife Machines, Radio Waves, and EMFs


Radio waves are low-power EMF waves, which are one type of wave on the EMF spectrum. These waves differ from high-power energy waves, like those used in microwaves to reheat food.


Diagram showing electromagnetic spectrum: Radio waves, Infrared, Ultraviolet, X-rays, Gamma rays. Visible spectrum highlighted below.
You can see here that radio waves are nowhere close to the same power as X-rays.

Radio waves are not powerful enough to generate heat, but instead be used to transmit information over long distances. That’s why you can receive AM and FM radio broadcasts at particular frequencies, such as AM station 1010 kHz or FM station 97.5 MHz.


The term MHz means “megahertz,” and “hertz” is a fundamental measurement of waves and their power. One megahertz is equivalent to one million hertz.


Does Rife Treatment Work?


There aren’t any specific studies that examine the relationship between the use of Rife machines and their effects on people with illness. But that doesn’t mean that Rife machines don’t work.


The Rife machine has been a highly controversial piece of medical equipment since its inception. Perhaps the biggest controversy is the use of the Rife machine in cancer.

Years ago, Rife and a team of scientists studied the effectiveness of the Rife machine on terminally ill cancer patients. This study was initiated after Rife discovered several viruses, which he called “BX” and “BY,” found in rodents with cancer.


Ray Rife holding a microscope is shown beside an old newspaper with the headline "Dread Disease Germs Destroyed by Rays, Claim of S.D. Scientist."
Rife making headlines here for his work.

Rife theorized that these viruses were causative agents of cancer, and that by targeting them with radio frequencies, they could be destroyed, leading to cancer remission. Since Rife had success targeting infectious microbes like pneumonia, scientists were naturally interested in his device for cancer treatment.


Fourteen terminally ill cancer patients were enrolled in the study and were treated using the Rife machine several days per week for three months. According to that study, 11 of the patients went into remission, and the remaining three went into remission after three additional months of treatment. This is why the Rife machine has been so controversial.


Does Rife Treatment Work for Lyme Disease?


Many people living with Lyme disease currently use a Rife machine to help improve their symptoms. Some report that the Rife machine is the main therapy that helps them.


Generally, Rife therapy is still considered an experimental treatment, although there is evidence that electromagnetic therapies influence the health of microbes.

There are no specific studies that examine the effect of Rife machines on Lyme disease, but various studies suggest that microbes can be killed with electromagnetic frequencies, including radio waves.


Personal Experience


I spent a year working exclusively with Lyme patients and treating them with the Rife machine. I joined a Lyme-focused practice that specialized in naturopathic approaches to Lyme, and Rife therapy was used monthly with these patients.


When I joined the practice, I had no knowledge of Rife machines or how they worked. After seeing many Lyme patients benefit from Rife, it became apparent to me—especially because I approached the therapy without bias—that the Rife machine was a beneficial medical device for Lyme.


Sad boy in dark clothes stands on orange background; happy boy wearing a blue top and shorts walks energetically on green background.
Rife treatments can feel energizing!

Many of the patients I treated reported feeling more energized after treatment. Others felt more tired and typically needed to rest for a couple of days before noticing any improvement. Some did not notice any difference from the treatment.


Like most medical treatments, there’s no guarantee that it will work for you. This is no different from taking antibiotics or any other medicine for Lyme and not seeing a benefit. The difference is that with Rife, there haven’t been any reported side effects, whereas antibiotics can disrupt the microbiome and cause side effects, including gastrointestinal disorders.


I decided to do more research, but research on electromagnetic frequencies and their medical applications is limited. While various books contain anecdotes from patients who’ve had success with Rife therapy, understanding how to use the machine properly can be challenging.


Publicly available databases provide lists of frequencies and their suspected uses, but there’s no guarantee they'll work for you. Some of the frequencies come from Rife's studies, and other from another prominent EMF researcher, Hulda Clark.


How Does Rife Treatment Work?


It can work in different ways depending on the machine you’re using. Most Rife machines are programmed with a set of frequencies, or the user manually inputs them into the program.


The frequencies are then output to a bulb that creates a measurable electromagnetic field as it pulses through each frequency. During treatment, you relax and stay within a few feet of the bulb.


It's believed that the Rife machine only targets the microbes that respond to the specific frequency you’re exposed to, making it a more precise way to address harmful microbes without harming healthy cells or beneficial bacteria.


Currently Available Rife Machines


During my tenure at the Lyme practice, I used the True Rife device with patients. I researched publicly available devices for patients, and here are three of the most accessible:



Currently, I use the Spooky2 Rife because it's the most versatile.


Other EMF Treatment Devices


There are various other electromagnetic treatment devices with different purposes that don’t involve killing microbes. Here are a few popular ones and their applications:


  • BEMER – A device that uses pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) that may improve local blood circulation, making it useful for a variety of health conditions.


  • Microcurrent – A variable frequency EMF device with lower power than Rife machines. These devices usually have different programs based on the condition being treated.


  • BioCharger – A Rife-inspired device using PEMF technology, potentially beneficial for stress-related fatigue.


What's the Verdict?


Since there isn’t enough interest in the scientific community to support large-scale trials and funding of EMF-related therapies, the science remains limited. However, that doesn’t mean EMF devices aren’t beneficial.


In the least, they don’t appear to cause harm. That’s why I usually recommend that patients give them a try.


However, if you have a pacemaker or are pregnant, you should probably avoid using these devices. It’s best to work with a practitioner who understands how to navigate these understudied technologies.


If you’re living with Lyme disease and looking for an alternative therapy, consider trying Rife! I have the Spooky2 Rife machine set up at my office in Hamden, CT.




(959) 333-9128

Hamden, CT

© 2020 by Dr. Pistoia, PLLC

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