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 Electro
Magnetic Fields (EMF’s) have been a hot topic in the field of the
paranormal for many years. “Ghost Hunters” and “Paranormal
Investigators” have been using EMF detection devices for quite some
time in order to help corroborate or rule out supposed, alleged, or
real paranormal experiences. There are several different views in
regards to EMF’s and their relation to the paranormal and this article
will briefly outline those different theories. Before I begin, for
those of you who may not understand what an electromagnetic field is,
here is a brief tutorial on the subject.
An electromagnetic field is an invisible, physical
field created by electrically charged objects. All electrical devices
such as appliances, power lines, or even batteries, etc., will have an
EMF. The higher the voltage of the appliance or electrically driven
device, the higher the EMF will be.
Also, the EMF of any electrical device is
often present, even when the device is shut off.
EMF’s also occur naturally and are one of the four fundamental forces of
nature. As well, the sun constantly bombards us with electromagnetic
fields. EMF’s often occur in the atmosphere when electrically charged
particles are built up resulting in thunder storms. Human beings have
an electromagnetic field and there is even a theory called “The
electromagnetic theory of consciousness” which states that the
electromagnetic field
generated by the
brain
is the actual carrier of
conscious
experience. However, that is a much deeper discussion for another day.
So, as you can see electromagnetic fields are constantly surrounding us;
they are part of life and something that we cannot ignore.
Ok, now that we have
a basic understanding of what an electromagnetic field is, let’s move on
to the various theories in relation to the paranormal.
INDICATOR
The first theory
behind EMF’s and paranormal activity is that a high and unexplained EMF
reading could be an indicator that something is going on that cannot be
explained, such as paranormal activity. It is believed that when a
spirit is manifesting it draws energy from the available electrical
fields around it. By drawing on external electrical fields, that spirit
would then register its own detectable EMF. These fields would of course
be measured using an EMF detector.
For an EMF reading to
be considered a potential indicator of paranormal activity it needs to
be unexplained -meaning it didn’t come from wiring, nearby appliances,
people (yes people have EMF’s as well), or another explainable reason.
The investigator must also be very thorough in ruling out all other
potential natural causes before considering labeling the EMF as
paranormal.
Along this line of
thinking, EMF readings are useful in verifying potential paranormal
activity. For example, if a witness sees an apparition and a high
unexplained EMF reading is taken at the same time in the same location,
then that could be seen as possible verification that what the witness
saw was potentially authentic. If someone is hearing unexplainable
sounds and a high EMF reading is taken at the same time, then that could
be an indicator of paranormal activity. Most people do not believe that
a high EMF reading alone is verification of paranormal activity of
course, but in conjunction with other indicators such as noises, smells,
apparitions, objects moving, unexplained cold spots, etc., it can be
verification of potential paranormal activity. When it comes to
verification, ideally, the more indicators of a single incident, the
more believable that the activity is of a paranormal nature. So, with
this theory an EMF detector can help confirm whether or not a witness
has observed something potentially paranormal by way of measuring
unexplained EMF’s.
Many different
paranormal investigation groups utilize the high EMF readings theory in
conjunction with paranormal activity, which does give some credence to
this line of thinking. Some of these more respected, well known
individuals and groups include Loyd Auerbach, TAPS, Joshua Warren, and a
host of others that are regarded by most in the field to be reputable.
CAUSE
Another theory on
EMF’s is that perhaps the high EMF’s are the cause of the
paranormal activity. In other words, there is nothing paranormal going
on; it is the actual EMF that is causing the witness to experience what
is perceived as paranormal.
This theory is also backed up by scientific
studies involving the number of reports of paranormal activity in
conjunction with EMF’s. One such study was done by Dr. Michael Persinger,
Professor of Psychology at Laurentian University, Ontario, Canada. Dr.
Persinger was inspired to conduct his study based on a previous study he
was involved with. In this previous study, Dr. Persinger compared thirty
seven years of haunting incidents reported in Fate magazine to
geometric activity occurring on the same dates as the reported
incidents. He found enough correlation between the two that he began his
own study in order to further develop this theory.
In
his own study he was able to duplicate similar incidents of paranormal
activity by
bombarding the subject’s temporal lobes with
elevated electro-magnetic energy. Through his experiments he was able to
prove that increased EMF
exposure—even short term—can cause
frontal-lobe hallucinations. Some of
the reported effects of being exposed to higher-than-normal
electro-magnetic energy were very similar to those of paranormal
activity. The study participants reported feelings of a presence in the
room, being watched, fear and general paranoia, seeing blurry dark
figures out of the corners of their eyes, and hearing unexplained
noises. This of course does not prove that
all paranormal phenomena are caused by EMF’s, but it does prove that
higher-than-normal EMF’s can produce similar effects on subjects in a
laboratory, which is a big deal when it comes to science.
Dr. Persinger’s
findings have also been backed up by another study called “Project
Hessdalen,” which was done by a more ‘pro-paranormal’ group.
This project came to similar results in regards to seeing a correlation
between electromagnetic energy on the brain's temporal lobe and
hallucinations of a paranormal nature. The fact that paranormal
phenomena can be reproduced in a laboratory gives a lot of weight to the
theory that high EMF exposure can cause seeming paranormal activity.
(further
research into Project Hessdalen can be found on
www.hessdalen.org.)
GATEWAY
A third theory regarding EMF’s and the paranormal
is that strong EMF’s actually act as a gateway, enabling the brain to
tap into abilities that allow us to see into other dimensions.
Supposedly, we only use a small percentage of our brain power and the
theory is that perhaps higher EMF’s can help us in
accessing that
brain power in order to view information or “things” that are always
around us yet unperceivable in our normal state of being. Basically
stated, the effect of the EMF on the brain in relation to other
dimensions/worlds is similar to using a descrambler to pick up channels
on a television set that you can’t normally receive. When the brain is
exposed to higher-than-normal EMF’s, we are potentially able to view
these other worldly “channels.”
The
backdrop to this theory is that we are possibly surrounded by other
dimensions and other life forms at all times. For example, it is
believed that when we pass on, our soul enters into one of these other
dimensions (Heaven?). Hence, we may be able to see people or things from
other dimensions which we then perceive as “ghosts.” If this is the
case, then the things and people we see as “ghosts” may actually be
real, just residing in another dimension or time.
In regards
to seeing into other times, this could be why some people report
witnessing an out of time apparition or vehicle (apparitions in period
specific outfits, old cars, UFO’s, etc.). Could we be receiving signals
from the past or future? If this theory were to one day prove correct,
it would sure make for an interesting existence. Imagine the possible
breakthroughs in communication systems!
Of course,
this theory is difficult to prove either way and there is no scientific
evidence to back it up at this time. Perhaps in the future, as science
evolves, it will provide us the means with which to test this theory.
SO WHICH
IS IT?
So, here are three theories in relation to
electromagnetic fields and the paranormal.
The line of thinking to which you subscribe
would correspond to your own belief system.
Could one of these theories be correct? Could they all be correct?
Perhaps we will never know, at least not in our lifetime. However,
science is evolving at an incredible rate so no doubt in the future,
answers will be more attainable on this subject.
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