Neuroplasticity and the Waters Within: Why Positive Thoughts Matter

“If thoughts can do that to water, imagine what they can do to us.”  – Dr. Masaru Emoto 

In the quiet stillness of his laboratory, Dr Masaru Emoto set out to prove something extraordinary: that water, the element that makes up nearly 80% of the human body, responds to intention. 

His now-famous experiments involved exposing water to spoken words, written messages and music- both positive and negative- and then freezing the water to examine the resulting crystals under a microscope. 

The results? Nothing short of breathtaking. 

The Power of Thought on Water  

When the water was exposed to positive words such as love, gratitude, and peace, the frozen crystals formed beautiful, intricate, symmetrical patterns- like delicate snowflakes. In contrast, water exposed to negative words such as hate, fool, or you make me sick resulted in distorted, fragmented and chaotic shapes. 

Even classical music like Mozart or Bach created elegant, soothing crystal patterns- while heavy metal and aggressive words formed jagged and disorganised ones. 

While Dr Emoto’s work has received both admiration and criticism in scientific circles, its core message strikes a universal chord: our words- and thoughts- carry frequency and influence. 

But What Does That Have to Do With You?  

Here’s where it gets deeply personal. 

You are around 75 - 80% water. That’s not poetic licence- it’s biological fact.  

Your brain, your heart, your cells- all immersed in water. So when you speak or think, you are literally vibrating the waters within you. 

If your thoughts are full of harshness, self-judgement, or anxiety, your internal waters can feel turbulent. If they are gentle, compassionate, and encouraging, your internal world becomes more harmonious. 

This isn’t just metaphor- it’s neurochemistry. 

The Science Behind the Feeling  

Modern neuroscience confirms what ancient wisdom has long known: your thoughts influence your physiology.

When you think a stressful or fearful thought, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline. Your heart rate increases, your digestion slows, and your muscles tense. When you think calming, kind, or grateful thoughts, your body releases serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin- chemicals that promote healing, calm, focus and connection. 

This is what makes modalities like Clinical Hypnotherapy so powerful. They work directly with the subconscious mind to rewrite old patterns, replace negative self-talk, and install empowering beliefs- literally helping to re-tune your internal waters. 

A Glass Half Full...of You  

If thoughts affect water—and you are mostly water—then the tone of your internal dialogue is not just important, it’s essential to your health and wellbeing. 

This is why at Highway to Happiness, we begin with compassion. Not because it’s fluffy—but because it’s foundational. Positive thinking isn’t about ignoring problems; it’s about choosing a constructive and kind way of navigating them. 

Try This: A Mini Experiment of Your Own  

For the next 7 days, pick one phrase of kindness to say to yourself each morning. Something simple, like: 

• ‍“I am learning and growing every day.” 
• ‍“I’m doing the best I can, and that’s enough.” 
• ‍“I choose to speak to myself with love.” 

Say it out loud. Say it like you mean it. And just observe how you feel. 

It might seem small- but you’re not speaking into air. You’re speaking into every drop of you. 

Final Thoughts: Be the Calm in Your Own Waters  

Dr Emoto’s work, whether viewed as science, metaphor, or both, holds a mirror up to something deeply true: our internal dialogue matters. 

What you say to yourself, and how you say it, isn’t just background noise- it’s the soundtrack to your emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. 

So today, take a breath. Say something kind. 

And remember: you are water, and your words ripple.