In search of magnetic anomalies associated with haunt-type experiences: pulses and patterns in dual time-synchronized measurements

Journal of Parapsychology, The, Fall, 2004 by Jason J. Braithwaite, Katty Perez-Aquino, Maurice Townsend

Clearly not all buildings have a reputation for being haunted. For those buildings that do, such anomalous experiences and events do not take place all of the time. Furthermore, when such instances do occur, not all persons present report them. These observations imply that there may be some critical dimensions or factors that distinguish such properties from other neutral locations and differentiate certain observers from other individuals. Certainly one effective method for a contemporary field-based investigation of a haunting would be to evaluate (1) environmental factors specific to the location, (2) individual factors specific to the observer, and (3) factors specific to an interaction between the location and the observer. In the case of specific locations associated with numerous instances of anomalous haunt-type experiences, an evaluation of how the surrounding microenvironment could be responsible for inducing such an experience would seem crucial. The idea that a given location may be influencing the perceptions of observers is nothing new. Many studies have carried out detailed surveys of such locations and revealed potential contributing influences from (1) contextual and situational specific factors, (2) diverse lighting levels, (3) drafts, (4) infrasound levels, (5) the localized distribution and changes in geomagnetic fields (GMFs), (6) time-varying electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and (7) transient tectonic events, to name but a few (Gearhart & Persinger, 1986; Houran, 2000; Lange & Houran, 1997, 2001; Persinger, 1974a, 1974b, 1985, 1988, Persinger & Cameron, 1986; Persinger, Ludwig, & Ossenkopp, 1973; Persinger & Koren, 2001; Persinger, Koren, & O'Connor, 2001; Persinger, Tiller, & Koren, 2000; Richards, Persinger, & Koren, 1993; Roll & Persinger, 2001; Tandy, 2000; Tandy & Lawrence, 1998; Wiseman, Watt, Greening, Stevens, & O'Keeffe, 2002; Wiseman, Watt, Stevens, Greening, & O'Keeffe, 2003; see also McCue, 2002, for a discussion). All of these factors, either collectively or individually, could either induce a direct experience or facilitate an experience-prone state in certain observers and under certain circumstances.

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With respect to magnetic fields, researchers are proposing that perhaps some aspect of these fields have "experience-inducing properties"--even more so if observers have shown a degree of increased neuronal hypersensitivity and susceptibility to these fields (Cook & Persinger, 2001; Makarec & Persinger, 1987; Persinger, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1993a, 1993b; Persinger & Makarec, 1993; Persinger & Koren, 2001; Persinger & Roll, 1985; see also Fuller, Dobson, Wieser, & Moser, 1995, for an example of induced epileptiform activity). The general hypothesis from this is that such Experience Inducing Fields (EIFs: Braithwaite, 2004) could be present at reputedly haunted locations and may well underlie a number of reports ranging from nebulous and ambiguous sensations to extreme and complex hallucinations (Persinger & Koren, 2001; Persinger et al., 2001; Persinger & Richards, 1994; Persinger, Richards, & Koren, 1997; Roll & Persinger, 2001). (1) Within this view, what many haunt-type experiences could represent is, in essence, a spontaneously occurring magnetically induced hallucination. Here discrete shifts and changes in the localized magnetic field would correlate with sympathetic changes and shifts in the neurophysiology, perception, and behavior in observers. The net consequence of this process would be some degree of altered state for cognition and consciousness under certain circumstances. This proposal need not necessarily assume any degree of paranormality is involved in the experience or event. Here a magnetically remarkable environment may interact with an observer's brain, which may also show an increased susceptibility to such fields.

Clearly, a crucial step towards a proper field-test of the magnetically remarkable hypothesis would be to demonstrate that such magnetic anomalies are indeed present and available in such environments in the first place. The purpose of this would simply be to ascertain whether, at least in principle, there is some distinguishing component or factor that identifies certain regions of interest when compared to baseline areas. If this could be shown, then one side of the environment/observer equation may be supported. This could provide field-based physical evidence that potentially stimulatory magnetic fields (EIFs) that are available in the natural environment may underlie some instances of anomalous experience. Conversely, no magnetic anomalies may be detected, which may indicate that such components are not crucial for these specific reports, and if enough studies find similar null results, then the relevance of the idea applied to the natural setting could be legitimately questioned.

Crucial Aspects of Experience Inducing Fields (EIFs)

Growing evidence suggests that crucial EIFs are characterized primarily by their complexity rather than overall field strength/ amplitude (Persinger, 1999a, 1999b; see Persinger & Koren, 2001). In the laboratory, complexity has been implemented in a number of ways, including (1) increased varying amplitudes and amplitude modulation, (2) varying frequencies and frequency modulation, (3) using patterned amplitude-modulated fields, (4) using complex patterns of pulsed fields, and (5) using rotating fields. In all cases the amplitudes used are very low, usually between 100 nanoTesla (nT) and 1000 nT, and rarely above 5000 nT. Furthermore, only small windows of frequencies seem to have potent consequences for neural activity and anomalous consciousness, and these can generally be described as being within the spectrum of the human brain (i.e., between 0 and 50 Hz and typically below 30 Hz: Bell, Marino, & Chesson, 1992, 1994; Persinger & Koren, 2001). The low-amplitude, low-frequency, complex nature of these fields seems important in order for them to be integrated into, and alter, the overall current perceptual gestalt.

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In search of magnetic anomalies associated with haunt-type experiences: pulses and patterns in dual time-synchronized measurements

Journal of Parapsychology, The, Fall, 2004 by Jason J. Braithwaite, Katty Perez-Aquino, Maurice Townsend

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