Do magnetic fields actually affect human emotion?

Question

On Ghosthunters and ghost hunting related web sites I see claims that magnetic fields actually affect human emotion, apparently causing paranoia. Has this actually been scientifically tested and resulted in definitive emperical evidence of such claims?

Answer 1

Possibly. A lot of research has been done on magnetic stimulation of the brain to relieve depression and pain and reduce Parkinson's symptoms. As far as causing paranoia or making people see apparitions, however, I personally have not seen any research supporting those specific things. However, some researchers have found that EM pulses can induce people to "sense a presence", for lack of better wording, which they interpreted as the presence of god (see second link).

See the report in the first link for a good overview of neurological research done with magnetic fields.

Answer 2

I am not aware of any data on this, but I do know magnetism is one of those go-to magical panaceas. It's an invisible force that occurs naturally and is not difficult to produce, so many of the hucksters out there try to apply it to everything as the miracle cure. Just look at all of the magnetic bracelets. They're complete nonsense but people are still buying them up.

We are in Earth's magnetic field right now. Most magnetic fields are very localized--the force dissipates very quickly over distance. Most magnetic fields we come across are very weak anyway, so I'm curious to know what sort of field these ghost hunters were referring to.

I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that a strong physical force could possibly have an effect on a human, but I don't see how you could necessarily pin down what sort of effect (i.e. paranoia) would be.

The methodology most ghost hunters use are laughable (scientifically speaking), so take any science advice they offer with a grain of salt.

Answer 3

The Earth's magnetic field is barely detectable! It doesn't affect you. You would be exposed to something like 5 years of earth's magnetic field in 10 seconds simply by putting a cell phone to your ear and making a phone call! And I doubt those enviro chips will stop any of those dozens of radio and television signals passing through your body right now. I'd say that enviro chip is a waste of money!

Answer 4

Hi,

While EM force & human emotion are related (IMO), I think that some of those medical claims are overdone & overly paranoid - or, @ least set up negative suggestions that can be self-fulfilling. I think the human bodymind has all kinds of automatic, natural, resiliences that sort of auto-protect against these things...like skin protects against air, dirt, rain, etc.

I found that the best concepts about connections between emotion, & emotionally / EM - generated effects, place memories, etc, runs the other way around - w emotions producing the EM effects (hence 'place memories' being one form of ghost theory) This process is extensively plumbed in Jane Robert's Seth book, 'The Nature of Personal Reality; A Seth Book'. (try www.sethbooks.com) (or B & N)

Jane's (no longer physical) source, Seth, from his 'viewpoint', goes into how emotion does indeed generate what he calls 'EE' units (of consciousness) which indeed do affect physical ocurrences, the weather, & so on. (but certainly doesn't think people should be paranoid about the process, BTW - just see it as an explanation for many things unexplained so far)

Her/Seth's books also describe 'coordinate points' of varying intensities - places where these EE (electromagnetic energy)units/particles are more readily propelled into physical effects & reality-creation than others.... These are supposed to be places of greater-than-usual 'effects' in terms of physical alterations of time & space ,& phenomena of any kind..places where the 'laws' of physics are more malleable, & bend & shift. Where some of the proverbial 'odd things happen..'

As described by Seth, several far earlier (& little recorded) more advanced civilizations knew how to readily make very practical use of these areas for building more permamentized structures, levitation of matter, & other practical material activities. They used the the EM - or 'EE' particle-level for pragmatic, everyday, physical results, in other words.

Answer 5

Great question! Radio waves (electro-magnetic) can affect emotions. If the waves are very low frequency, like brain waves are, they could stimulate Alpha or Beta waves (among others).
If you're close enough and the waves are strong enough, they'll heat up tissues and cook them (starting with the eyes and testes). That would certainly affect my emotions!
Here's a link which also leads to other links of interest. The European links it leads to are very informative.
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/...

Answer 6

You're minding your own business. Wearing a nice but expensive suit.
Out of nowhere, someone tosses a pie in your face and laughs!Your suit is ruined.
The magnet you've hooked up to your brain gets turned on and you are no longer feeling anger and outrage!
Sound unikely? It wouldn't work for me, I wouldn't be laughing that off!
Don't trust Ghost hunters or ghost hunting websites.
Extrodinary claims require extrodinary proof.
And Targ and Puthoff are complete buffoons!

Answer 7

It may be possible - but most magnetic fields we experience are relatively small. I am sure large electric or magnetic fields will affect our brain and emotions.

Answer 8

i don't think it has been tested under scientifically controlled conditions.


But i remember an attempt to test this at Georgia Tech - maybe
30 years ago????? I think in the Electrical Engineering Department.


also, check the articles and book by
Putoff and Targ


i may have misspelled Putoff. but Targ is spelled correctly.

Answer 9

I don't know about emotions, but I heard from someone that people who spend a lot of time around high tension power lines go a little bonkers.

Answer 10

Yes. Below is a link to an article on transcranial magnetic stimulation as a treatment for depression. Be careful though it's from some new age quack establishment in medicine called the Mayo Clinic ;)