The ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field— known as magnetoreception—is well documented among animals, but until now, there has been little research on the human ability to sense magnetic energy. Now, new experimental evidence is indicating that humans are responsive to magnetic fields, whether or not they are conscious of it. Scientists are wondering how this could be contributing to our behaviour and to our abilities.
A magnetic field is generated by moving charges. In the sense that all matter is made up by elementary particles which have a spin, there are magnetic fields for all matter, but it is only if the molecules are organized that it can build up to a value to show large scale magnetization, as with ferromagnets. For the great majority of matter the directions of individual fields from the nuclei and electrons and atoms cancel each other and one has to go to smaller than nanometer distances to be able to measure any effects.
Caltech geophysicist Joseph Kirschvink
“There is no such thing as ‘extra-sensory perception’. What we have shown is this is a proper sensory system in humans, just like it is in many animals.”
In the study, the researchers recorded “a strong, specific human brain response” to simulated “rotations of Earth-strength magnetic fields.” Specifically, the magnetic stimulation caused a drop in the amplitude of EEG alpha waves between 8 and 13 Hertz—a response shown to be repeatable among those four participants, even months afterward. Two simple rotations of the magnetic field appeared to trigger the response—movements comparable to a person nodding their head up or down, or turning it from left to right.
The alpha rhythm is the dominant brain wave produced by neurons when individuals aren’t processing any specific sensory information or performing a specific task. When “stimulus is suddenly introduced and processed by the brain, the alpha rhythm generally decreases,” the authors wrote. The drop in alpha waves observed during these experiments suggested the brain interpreted the magnetic fields as some kind of stimulus—the neurological purpose or result of which is unclear. But as the new study pointed out, this observation now “provides a basis to start the behavioral exploration of human magnetoreception.”
The researchers don’t yet know how the human brain is able to sense magnetic fields, but Kirschvink is pondering “specialized sensory cells that contain tiny magnetite crystals,” which he says is currently “the only theory that explains all of the results, and for which there is direct physiological data in animals.”
Without the software in the computer, the microphone or video camera will not work.
“Magnetoreception is a normal sensory system in animals, just like vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell, gravity, temperature, and many others,” Kirschvink told the online journal Gizmodo. “All of these systems have specific cells that detect the photon, sound wave, or whatever, and send signals from them to the brain, as does a microphone or video camera connected to a computer. But without the software in the computer, the microphone or video camera will not work. We are saying that human neurophysiology evolved with a magnetometer—most likely based on magnetite—and the brain has extensive software to process the signals.”
Georgi Y. Johnson
The scientists believe it might be possible to bring magnetoreception into conscious awareness, a possibility that could spawn entirely new directions of research, with probably some surprises for those that have been skeptical about the human ability to perceive the energy of thoughts, feelings, emotions, pleasure, and pain in the areas surrounding physical forms.
These experiments were conducted in an isolated environment – free of interference – through the use of a chamber shielded from external electromagnetic fields. For the rest of us, if we want to manifest our ability to sense energy, time away from this interference could be critical. The difference could be as wide as between natural duality (left hand and right hand) and the battlefield of artificial duality (me V you).
Artificial magnetic fields and how they affect our well-being
Tiny electrical currents exist in the human body due to the chemical reactions that occur as part of the normal bodily functions, even in the absence of external electric fields. For example, nerves relay signals by transmitting electric impulses. Most biochemical reactions from digestion to brain activities go along with the rearrangement of charged particles. Even the heart is electrically active – an activity that your doctor can trace with the help of an electrocardiogram.
Low-frequency electric fields influence the human body just as they influence any other material made up of charged particles. When electric fields act on conductive materials, they influence the distribution of electric charges at their surface. They cause current to flow through the body to the ground.
When there is a meeting between two individuals, it is not unreasonable to expect that there will be an impact on the magnetic fields of both, even a merging into one field. In spiritual psychology, the heart-felt wish is to create a positive impact, in which the merge pulls dissonance, stress and distress into the fields of balance, harmony, peace and resilience.
Both electric and magnetic fields induce voltages and currents in the body but even directly beneath a high voltage transmission line, the induced currents are very small compared to thresholds for producing shock and other electrical effects. Yet, the healing and balancing effect of being in nature (away from such interference) has been widely documented. The suffering of being disconnected from nature has even been given its own name. Australian sustainability professor Glenn Albrecht coined the term psychoterratic, creating the beginning of vocabulary to discuss the relationship between mental health and environment.
During the 20th century, environmental exposure to man-made electromagnetic fields has been steadily increasing as growing electricity demand, ever-advancing technologies and changes in social behaviour have created more and more artificial sources. Everyone is exposed to a complex mix of weak electric and magnetic fields, both at home and at work, from the generation and transmission of electricity, domestic appliances and industrial equipment, to telecommunications and broadcasting.
There is no energy unless there is a tension of opposites.
C.G. Jung
