Vital energy

Vital energy" is a traditional and cross-cultural concept, not a molecular target, receptor, enzyme, or other quantifiable biological entity. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is called **qi** or **chi**—a life force believed to circulate through the body and be essential for health[1][5][9]. In Hinduism, it is known as **prana**, and in other traditions, it may be called vital force, spirit, rlung, or similar terms[1][5][7]. Vital energy is commonly described as an animating or dynamic force necessary for health, harmony, and well-being, and its flow is thought to be regulated by practices like acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, and breathwork[1][5][7]. Scientifically, vital energy is not recognized as a discrete molecule or structure and is considered a pseudoscientific or prescientific idea rather than a measurable physiological entity[3][9]. Attempts to equate vital energy with scientific concepts such as cellular ATP or NAD are metaphorical and not accepted as literal equivalents in biomedical science[2][4][6][10].

Other names

Vital forceLife forceChi (Qi)PranaVitalityEssenceSpiritAnimating forceDynamic energyRlung (Buddhist context)