Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Red light facilitates the sensed presence elicited by application of weak, burst-firing magnetic fields over the temporal lobes med./bio.

Published in: Int J Neurosci 2009; 119 (1): 68-75

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To test the hypothesis that the wavelength (color) of ambient light should modulate experiences of a "sensed presence" when the right hemisphere was stimulated by weak, burst-firing magnetic fields.

Background/further details

The authors define "sensed presence" as the prototype for reports of noncorporal entities including gods, deceased family menbers and other ethereal forms. "Sensed presence" can be reliably elicited by weak magnetic fields.
30 psychology students (15 men) were either exposed or sham-exposed for 30 minutes while they sat with eyes open in either red, green or white light. The subjects were told that the study was involved with relaxation and hypnosis; the "sensed presence" was not discussed.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1:
  • unspecified
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 30 min
-

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency
  • unspecified
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 30 min
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 3 ms
Additional info

1 burst of 239 pulses every 4 s

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup four sets of solenoids embedded in a helmet
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Reference articles

  • Olcese J et al. (1986): Magnetic field effects on pineal gland melatonin synthesis: comparative studies on albino and pigmented rodents

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Participants under exposure reported significantly more visual sensations along the left side in red light and along the right side in green light.
The significant interaction between ambient color and the field treatment was due to the marked increase in experiences of dizziness, "sensed presence", "ego-alien" thoughts, and detachment from the body and "being somewhere else" for subjects exposed to the magnetic field while sitting in red light.
The concurrence of entopic images experienced within the upper left peripheral visual field and the sensed presence supported the hypothesis that both are associated with the intrusion of right hemispheric processes into left hemispheric awareness.

Study character:

Study funded by

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