Paranormal

The Curious Case of Freeman Dyson and the Paranormal

by Matthew Dentith

Published in 'Skeptic,' Vol. 14, No. 2, 2008, pp. 48-51

In this paper I analyse Freeman Dyson's anti-reductionist views about the paranormal and argue that Dyson's... more In this paper I analyse Freeman Dyson's anti-reductionist views about the paranormal and argue that Dyson's anti-reductionism is not, in itself, an unreasonable position to take on the extent and limits of scientific reasoning.

Vampire Autopsies

by Leo Ruickbie

Fortean Times, issue 288 (Special, 2012)

In the eighteenth century medical investigations of alleged vampires were conducted by military surgeons serving in... more In the eighteenth century medical investigations of alleged vampires were conducted by military surgeons serving in the Habsburg army in Serbia. Their reports seemed to confirm the existence of the vampire to the general astonishment of Europe. This article examines the context and impact of these reports before proposing an explanation for these remarkable findings.

The Varieties of Pseudoarchaeology

by David S. Anderson

by David S. Anderson and Jeb J. Card, presented in the session, "Answering Pseudoarchaeology: Proactive dialogue and research in response to extraordinary popular and esoteric archaeological claims" at the 77th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Memphis, Tennessee

Professional archeologists have long lumped pseudoarchaeological theories into a single category of unsubstantiated... more Professional archeologists have long lumped pseudoarchaeological theories into a single category of unsubstantiated “bunk,” yet a closer examination reveals that there is tremendous variety in these theories and in the people that hold them. Building upon a recent survey of American beliefs in the paranormal, we examine the relationship between the content and structure of pseudoarchaeological beliefs, and the intensity that they are believed in or practiced. These factors are critical to guiding archaeologists to better understanding and interacting (or not interacting) with creators or promoters of pseudoarchaeology, and more importantly, a general public looking for answers.

„Two wise women and their young apprentice: a miscarried magic class,“ Arkiv för nordisk filologi 122 (2007), 43–57.

by Ármann Jakobsson

Good Vibrations: The Case for a Specific Effect of Infrasound in Instances of Anomalous Experience has Yet to be Empirically Demonstrated

by Dr Jason J Braithwaite

Paper published in 2006 in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, vol 70.4, Number 885, pages 211-224.

review - Mysticism Experience, Response and Empowerment by J. B. Hollenback

by Jonathan Garb

Journal of Religion 78, pp. 593-601

Discarnate Entities and Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Psychopharmacology, phenomenology and ontology

by David Luke

Luke, D. (2011). Discarnate entities and dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Psychopharmacology, phenomenology and ontology. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 75, 26-42.

The highly psychoactive molecule N,N -dimethyltryptamine (or simply DMT), is found naturally occurring in the brains... more The highly psychoactive molecule N,N -dimethyltryptamine (or simply DMT), is found naturally occurring in the brains of humans, mammals, and some other animals, as well as in a broad range of species of the plant kingdom. Although speculative, neurochemical research suggests that DMT may be made in the pineal gland, and it is hypothesised that, as much as melatonin helps activate sleep cycles, DMT activates dreaming, and may also be implicated in other natural visionary states such as mystical experience, near-death experience (NDE), spontaneous psi and psychosis. Amazonian shamans have made use of this chemical for its visionary properties for thousands of years, most likely, and take it as part of a decoction frequently called ayahuasca, which translates from Quechua as “vine of the spirits” or “vine of the dead”. The psychedelic brew is taken because it gives rise to extraordinary mental phenomena that have shamanic and supposed healing qualities, such as synaesthesia, ostensible extra-dimensional percepts, out-of-body experiences, psi experiences and perhaps most commonly, encounters with discarnate entities. When described by independent and seemingly naïve DMT participants the entities encountered tend to vary in detail but often belong to one of a very few similar types, with similar behavioural characteristics. For instance, mischievous shapeshifting elves, preying mantis alien brain surgeons and jewel-encrusted reptilian beings, who all seem to appear with baffling predictability. This opens up a wealth of questions as to the reality (i.e., the ontology) of these entities. The discussion of the phenomenology and ontology of these entities mixes research from parapsychology, ethnobotany and psychopharmacology – the fruits of science – with the foamy custard of folklore, anthropology, mythology, cultural studies and related disciplines. Hopefully however, given the varied readership of this journal, it won’t prove to be a trifle too interdisciplinary.

Ecstasy and the Soma Ceremony: Healing, Rejuvenation, and Immortality

by David L. Spess

ON SOME OF THE PSYCHO-ACTIVITY (Ecstasy Inducing Properties) OF THE BLUE WATER LILY FLOWER AT LOW DOSAGE SEE THIS VIDEO:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4nqKu3_kwVsZTQ3NWIxMWMtNDBkOC00MzZiLWFhZWItNTdlYjNhMTNjN2Rj

Ecstasy and the Soma Ceremony: Healing, Rejuvenation, and Immortality by David L. Spess

One of the most... more Ecstasy and the Soma Ceremony: Healing, Rejuvenation, and Immortality by David L. Spess

One of the most important traditional sources for the study of ecstasy states as well as how they are induced, and to what functions they were employed can be found in ancient Indo-European documents. The oldest Indo-European written source on ecstasy that deals with ecstatic states as a major fundamental religious experience is found in the Rg Vedic Soma ceremony. The Soma ceremonies of the Rg Veda can be seen to form a fundamental, even a foundational component, in understanding some of the earliest systemized methods of healing, rejuvenation, longevity, internal alchemy, early botanical medicine, psychiatry, psychology and magic, all of which were mediated through the processes and stages of ecstasy.


ON SOME OF THE PSYCHO-ACTIVITY (Ecstasy Inducing Properties) OF THE BLUE WATER LILY FLOWER AT LOW DOSAGE SEE THIS VIDEO:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4nqKu3_kwVsZTQ3NWIxMWMtNDBkOC00MzZiLWFhZWItNTdlYjNhMTNjN2Rj

Anthropology and parapsychology: still hostile sisters in science?

by David Luke

Luke, D. (2010). Anthropology and parapsychology: Still hostile sisters in science? Time and Mind: The Journal of Archaeology, Consciousness & Culture, 3 (3), 245-266.

After a long, slow journey from the leather armchairs of its forefathers to out-of-body travels over Amazonian... more After a long, slow journey from the leather armchairs of its forefathers to out-of-body travels over Amazonian jungles, the anthropology of psi has progressed through a number of historical, methodological, and ontological developments. The course of this transformation from the detached and disbelieving dismissal of the occult to the engaged and emic entertainment of psi as a scientific possibility is discussed. Following a century of obscurity within anthropology, the notion of magic as psi finally found unique refuge within the anthropology of consciousness. Nevertheless, despite decades of research anthropological parapsychology can still be considered a completely nascent field of study and is speculated to remain so until its interdisciplinary imperative is actually fulfilled and its subject matter is shared fully by the disciplines that border it.

Psi may look like luck: perceived luckiness and beliefs about luck in relation to precognition

by David Luke

Luke, D. P., Delanoy, D., & Sherwood. S. J. (2008). Psi may look like luck: Perceived luckiness and beliefs about luck in relation to precognition. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, 72 (4), 193-207.

Smith (1998) has shown that different people use the term “luck” to mean different things, some of which might be used... more Smith (1998) has shown that different people use the term “luck” to mean different things, some of which might be used euphemistically to account for psi experiences. However, previous luck-psi experiments have only measured perceived personal luckiness (PPL) without investigating what participants actually mean by the term luck, so luck beliefs were measured using the Questionnaire of Beliefs about Luck (QBL). Previous literature indicates that luck might best be understood in terms of Stanford’s model of ‘psi-mediated instrumental response’ (PMIR), so 100 participants completed a PMIR-inspired non-intentional precognition experiment with static fractal images as targets, and depending on success experienced either a task involving erotic images (psi incentive) or a boring vigilance task (psi disincentive). The mean psi score over ten forced-choice trials was 2.85 (MCE = 2.5), which gives a significant overall precognition effect (t[99] = 2.508, p = .014, r = .244). Furthermore, scores on the PPL and the Luck subscale of the QBL were found to correlate significantly with precognition performance (r = .263, p = .008 for both). However, only the Luck subscale was found to be a significant predictor variable of psi score (adjusted R2 = .06, t[99] = 2.7, p = .008), indicating that beliefs about luck are more relevant to psi performance than PPL alone. Psi task performance was also related to belief in psi (rs[98]= .236, p = .02) and suggestively with belief in the paranormal (rs[98]=.194, p = .10), offering tentative support for the notion that psi ability drives belief initially. Precognition performance was also found to be suggestively higher amongst the erotically reactive than the erotically unreactive (t[99] = 1.65, p = .10) offering indirect support for the experiment’s validity and the need-serving aspect of PMIR. A number of other exploratory hypotheses are discussed. The findings support the suggested relationship between luck and psi but further investigations should consider beliefs about luck not just perceived luckiness.

A preliminary survey of paranormal experiences with psychoactive drugs

by David Luke

Luke, D. P., & Kittenis, M. (2005). A preliminary survey of paranormal experiences with psychoactive drugs. Journal of Parapsychology, 69 (2), 305-327.

The occurrence of transpersonal experiences with psychedelic substances is well attested, and several surveys have... more The occurrence of transpersonal experiences with psychedelic substances is well attested, and several surveys have consistently found a small relationship between paranormal experiences and the use of such drugs in general. Isolated investigations of experiences with specific drugs exist, but no surveys have systematically examined whether particular experiences relate to particular drugs. In an online survey, 139 respondents were recruited through parapsychology or psychedelic interest groups and completed a questionnaire detailing psychoactive drug-use behaviour and the frequency of occurrence of a number of paranormal, shamanic, and mystical type experiences. Patterns of drug-induced transpersonal experiences reported elsewhere were mostly corroborated, particularly the proclivity for telepathic experiences with cannabis, out-of-body experiences with ketamine, entity encounter experiences with N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and plant-spirit encounters with a host of psychedelic plants. Several small correlations were found between drug-use frequency and experience frequency with certain drug and experience types, particularly those termed mystical. As expected, alcohol and opiate/opioid-use did not correlate with any transpersonal experiences although, surprisingly, no sizable correlations were found for psi experiences and the use of any one type of drug, possibly due to the high rate of occurrence of psi experiences among both drug users and non-drug users with this particular sample.

Psychedelic substances and paranormal phenomena: a review of the research

by David Luke

Luke, D. P. (2008). Psychedelic substances and paranormal phenomena: A review of the research. Journal of Parapsychology, 72,77-107.

This paper reviews the research on psychedelic substances in relation to so-called paranormal phenomena, such as... more This paper reviews the research on psychedelic substances in relation to so-called paranormal phenomena, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition (i.e., ESP), as well as out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and near-death experiences (NDEs). Reference is made to the age-old shamanic use of these substances to specifically induce such experiences, and to contemporary reports from within academia and psychotherapy bearing witness to such phenomena. However, the review focuses primarily on describing and critically evaluating the contribution of controlled experiments that have attempted to induce ESP using psychedelics, and of surveys, which have either directly or indirectly investigated the belief in, and experience of, the paranormal in relation to the use of such substances. Furthermore, a methodological critique of the experimental research is offered alongside some recommendations for further research in this field.

Cognition and Belief in Paranormal Phenomena: Gestalt/Feature-Intensive Processing Theory and Tendencies Toward ADHD, Depression, and Dissociation

by Justin L. Matthews

Matthew J. Sharps, Justin Matthews, & Janet Asten

Belief in paranormal phenomena and cryptids—unknown animals such as Bigfoot—may predispose individuals to interpret... more Belief in paranormal phenomena and cryptids—unknown animals such as Bigfoot—may predispose individuals to interpret real-world objects and events in the same way that eyewitness identification can be biased by unrelated information (P. James & N. Thorpe, 1999). Psychological tendencies toward attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dissociation, and depression, even at subclinical levels, may be associated systematically with particular paranormal or cryptozoological beliefs. The authors evaluated these psychological tendencies using the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (C. K. Conners, D. Erhardt, & E. Sparrow, 1999), the Dissociative Experiences Scale (L. Coleman & J. Clark, 1999), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (A. T. Beck, 1996). They performed regression analyses against beliefs in ghosts, unidentified flying objects (UFOs), extrasensory perception (ESP), astrology, and cryptids. ADHD, dissociation, and depression were associated with enhanced tendencies toward paranormal and cryptozoological beliefs, although participants who believed in each of the phenomena differed from one another in predictable and psychologically distinguishable ways. Cognitively biasing influences of preexisting psychological tendencies may predispose individuals to specific perceptual and cognitive errors during confrontation of real-world phenomena.

Miracle or Coincidence in Aquatic Rescue: A Case Report

by Stathis Avramidis

Avramidis, S. (2007)  In: Abraldes Valeiras, J.A. & Rodriguez, N. eds. Abstract Book of the International Lifesaving Congress, Spain: Lifesaving Federation of Galicia, p. 54.

Aim: To report the case of a fisherman who was speared and successfully rescued by lifeguards and neurosurgeons.... more Aim: To report the case of a fisherman who was speared and successfully rescued by lifeguards and neurosurgeons. Method: The case of a 20-year old fisherman is reported, who was speared in head entering at his jaw and protruding from the top of his scull; he was rescued, admitted to the intensive care unit for operation, stayed in comma for few days and had full recovery. About 10 days before the rescue, he had visited a monk who had told him that he ‘should not be afraid of anything’ rubbing the top of his scull and the jaw exactly at the points where the 40 inches spear passed. After the incident the monk predicted also the day that he will recover from comma. The author concludes that although there is not scientific evidence to support an ‘act of God’ similar to those reported in historical, mythological and Biblical references (Avramidis, 2007; Avramidis, Giannakidis, Petenioti & Avramidou, 2007), this case raises the likelihood of the existence of a miracle as contributing variable to survival. Future research on the basis of ‘is the rescuer or the casualty likely to be assisted by spiritual powers?’ remains in order.

Treating a Drowning Casualty with a Near-Death Experience

by Stathis Avramidis

Avramidis, S., Miner Holden, J.M., & Clark Sharp, K. (2007) In: Abraldes Valeiras, J.A. & Rodriguez, N. eds. Abstract Book of the International Lifesaving Congress, Spain: Lifesaving Federation of Galicia, p. 63.

Aim: Drowning casualties have sometimes reported near-death experiences (NDEs). Method: In this article, we review and... more Aim: Drowning casualties have sometimes reported near-death experiences (NDEs). Method: In this article, we review and suggest coping strategies that enable professional rescuers and lifeguards to provide more quality services to these individuals. We provide recommendations for the way that resuscitation should be performed, assuming that the casualty might be having an NDE, and for providing effective aftercare to an unconscious drowning casualty, a conscious casualty that cannot verbalize, and the recovered drowning casualty who had an NDE. Results-Discussion: Drowning is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and it is likely that about 10-30% of successfully resuscitated drowning casualties have had NDEs (Greyson, 2000). Thus, it is logical to assume that water safety professionals may have overlooked the occurrence of NDEs in previous resuscitants and that they are best equipped to provide the highest quality care to future resuscitants if they are armed with NDE-related knowledge and skills. Information about NDEs can be helpful not only to resuscitants but also to water safety professionals themselves. Equipped with the above knowledge and skills, they can feel prepared for the occurrence of NDEs among their successful resuscitants and confident that they will be able to respond in a way that is most facilitative of the drowning casualty’s future psychological well-being. In addition, the great majority of reported NDEs suggest a profoundly pleasurable existence beyond physical death, one to which nearly all NDErs look forward to returning when their life’s work has been completed. Thus, lifeguards and lifesavers can rest in the knowledge that drowning casualties who remained conscious beyond the first few moments of the drowning process probably moved beyond an experience of terror into one of profound peace and pleasure. Perhaps most importantly, when water safety professionals inevitably encountered victims who could not be saved, they might very well be comforted to know that any ongoing conscious experience on the part of the victim was most likely of a profoundly pleasurable nature (Holden, in press).

Paranormal beliefs and Personality Traits in Croatia

by Igor Miklousic

Co-authored with dr.sc. Boris Mlacic & dr.sc. Goran Milas

Published in Social Research (Drustvena Istrazivanja)

Cite as

Mikloušić, I, Mlačić, B, Milas, G. (2012s). Paranormal beliefs and Personality Traits in Croatia. Drustvena Istrazivanja

Keywords; paranormal beliefs, personality traits, Tobacyk, Five Factor Model, evolution

The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between the Five Factor Model of personality and the belief in... more The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between the Five Factor Model of personality and the belief in the paranormal. Participants (N=307) were students from the University of Zagreb, Croatia. The measures used were the IPIP version of the Five Factor Model questionnaire (Goldberg et al., 2006) along with the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (Tobacyk, 1988). The factor analysis of the latter yielded three previously unreported paranormal belief dimensions named: General paranormal belief, Traditional religious belief and Rituals and Practices. Most significant personality correlations with all three factors were found for Openness, Conscientiousness and Neuroticism, respectively. Results to an extent confirmed previous findings, suggesting that open individuals accept more General paranormal beliefs, while rejecting Traditional religious belief. Conscientiousness displayed an opposite trend being positively related to Traditional religious beliefs and negatively to General paranormal beliefs. Finally, Neuroticism was related to Rituals and practices, i.e. superstitions, divinations and occult control of life outcomes. The relations are however modest ranging from .11 to .25. Both the novel paranormal belief structure and its significance to personality are discussed within an evolutionary perspective, with guidelines for further research highlighted in the end.

Hayward, R. (2010) Revelations of the Spiritual Consumer: An exploration of the search for meaning and purpose within consumer culture. Unpublished Undergraduate dissertation.

by Rachael Hayward

Unpulished Undergraduate dissertation

At the root of modern society two important influences can be identified; religion and consumerism. Initially, it... more At the root of modern society two important influences can be identified; religion and consumerism. Initially, it would appear that a significant contrast exists between these two societal forces
concerning the contradictory orientations of each, most obviously the intangible vs. material. On deeper analysis, however, it is possible to see an important overlap between the two, which on
discovery provides a valuable insight into the innate desires and motivations of consumers in modern day society.

The examination of this connection highlights the important emergence of spirituality as a significant influence in consumer behaviour (Baumgartner, 2002; Hirschman, 1985; Ulvaos, 2009),
providing the foundations for the construction of meaning and purpose to ones life (Kale, 2006). In addition, it provides further insight into the need for consumers to construct a moral identity
(Kozinets & Handleman, 2004), meaning (Baumgartner, 2002; Kale, 2006) and self-reassurance (Ulvoas, 2009) through their consumption behaviours. Consequently, the examination of spirituality as part of consumer research has started to attract increased interest from researchers who identify this area as an important contribution to the academic literature (Kale, 2006; Linquist, 2002; Ulvoas, 2009). However, despite an increased awareness of spirituality as an area worthy of further research, little literature exists on its application to consumer behaviour.

In response to this significant gap in the research, this study has been devised with the intention of providing a greater insight into the connection between religion and consumerism. Drawing upon a facet of multi-disciplinary literature focused on sub-cultures, religion and spirituality, this study identifies a range of emergent themes that present the basis for the formulation of research
questions. Preceding this, an in-depth qualitative study is presented examining the motivations of consumers to invest in the paranormal market. An industry deeply rooted in spirituality and one which has recently become focus for a number of new paid services for the consumer.

The following chapter provides a review of the relevant literature presenting the significant themes that have emerged through close analysis. In the third chapter, an outline of the methodology of the study is provided along with the research philosophy and questions. Following this the results are detailed and discussed in reference to the literature review. Finally, conclusions are drawn from the study and the broader relevance of this research is discussed in terms of providing support to current literature, implications for current research and avenues of further study.

How To Make A Horcrux

by Leo Ruickbie

Paranormal, 55, January 2011, pp. 20-4

[Beliefs and practices concerning the idea of the external soul in folklore and magic]

The Horcrux is a... more [Beliefs and practices concerning the idea of the external soul in folklore and magic]

The Horcrux is a gruesome mystery at the heart of the later Harry Potter books. In 'How To Make A Horcrux' we will go where Magick Moste Eville fears to tread and reveal the secrets of spirit capture and containment.

In folklore, folk cutsom and magic there is a long tradition of what is known as the 'external soul', whereby the spirit/soul can be removed from the physical body for protection or harm. This article explores that tradition from Koschei the Deathless to Haitian Zombie Bottles.


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