Geophysical variables and behavior: CIV. Power-frequency magnetic field transients (5 microtesla) and reports of haunt experiences within an electronically dense house.
Magnetic field measurements for power frequencies were measured continuously over two 24-hr. periods for a small house in which two adults who exhibited above normal occurrences of complex partial epileptic-like experiences had reported "waves of fear", tactile sensations, nightmares, apparitions, and a sensed presence. The experiences occurred within an area in which irregular amplitude modulations between 1 microT and 5 microT (50 mG) from 60-Hz sources, with durations of a few seconds to several tens of seconds, were measured. This case suggests that transient, complex temporal patterns of power-frequency magnetic fields generated by less than optimal grounding in dwellings and telluric currents may be sufficient to evoke experiences in the brains of sensitive individuals. Cultural labels, applied by the experients, then affect the explanations and expectancies for these experiences.
Persinger
M A
MA
Department of Psychology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Koren
S A
SA
O'Connor
R P
RP
D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003469:Culture; D018534:Earth, Planet; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004581:Electronics; D006801:Humans; D010268:Parapsychology; D013997:Time Factors