Sensed presence and mystical experiences are predicted by suggestibility, not by the application of transcranial weak complex magnetic fields
Pehr Granqvist, Mats Fredrikson, Patrik Unge, Andrea Hagenfeldt, Sven Valind, Dan Larhammar, Marcus Larsson
Neuroscience Letters December 10, 2004 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.10.057 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 89 |
| Population | General population |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Suggestibility Transcranial magnetic stimulation Personality Population Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 189 |
| Key findings | No evidence was found for any experiential effects of weak complex waveform TMS fields, and suggestibility may account for previously reported effects. |
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with weak (micro Tesla) complex waveform fields have been claimed to evoke the sensed presence of a sentient being in up to 80% in the general population. These findings have had a questionable neurophysiological foundation as the fields are approximately six orders of magnitude weaker than ordinary TMS fields. Also, no independent replication has been reported. To replicate and extend previous findings, we performed a double-blind experiment (N=89), with a sham-field control group. Personality characteristics indicating suggestibility (absorption, signs of abnormal temporal lobe activity, and a "new age"-lifestyle orientation) were used as predictors. Sensed presence, mystical, and other somatosensory experiences previously reported from the magnetic field stimulation were outcome measures. We found no evidence for any effects of the magnetic fields, neither in the entire group, nor in individuals high in suggestibility. Because the personality characteristics significantly predicted outcomes, suggestibility may account for previously reported effects. Our results strongly question the earlier claims of experiential effects of weak magnetic fields.