Introduction
Wilhelm Reich, a renegade psychoanalyst turned fringe scientist, claimed to have discovered a universal life force—“orgone energy”—that could heal, control weather, and liberate humanity. He was hounded by the U.S. government, had his books burned, and died in prison, creating a legend of suppressed science and state paranoia.
Origins
Reich was a student of Freud who later broke from orthodox psychoanalysis to study sexual energy, atmospheric physics, and his own invention, the orgone accumulator. His claims that orgone could combat cancer, and his rainmaking “cloudbusters,” drew the ire of the FDA, leading to raids, book burnings, and his incarceration.
The Conspiracy Theory
Conspiracy theorists believe Reich was targeted because his discoveries threatened Big Pharma, energy monopolies, and the established scientific order. His persecution is cited as a textbook case of how radical ideas are erased, discredited, and violently suppressed by the state.
Core Principles and Beliefs
- Orgone energy is a real, suppressed phenomenon.
- Authorities destroyed evidence, ruined Reich, and silenced his followers.
- Modern weather control and mind control projects (HAARP, cloud seeding) are linked to his work.
Controversies and Criticism
Mainstream science regards Reich as a quack, but counterculture movements and alternative researchers still champion his ideas.
Key Examples
- The burning of Reich’s books and equipment by the FDA.
- Modern “orgonite” and cloudbuster communities online.
Critical Analysis
Whether genius or madman, Reich’s story is a classic of suppression and the dangers of questioning orthodoxy.
Influential Literature: Pro & Contra
- Wilhelm Reich – “The Function of the Orgasm” – Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1981.
- James DeMeo – “The Orgone Accumulator Handbook” – Natural Energy Works, 2010.
- David Boadella – “Wilhelm Reich: The Evolution of His Work” – Archan, 1985.