Abstract 2 Increased geomagnetic activity and the occurrence of bereavement hall
ID: 19574 • Letter: A
Question
Abstract 2Increased geomagnetic activity and the occurrence of bereavement hallucinations: Evidence for melatonin-mediated microseizuring in the temporal lobe?
Michael A. Persinger
Neuroscience Letters
Volume 88, Issue 3, 7 June 1988, Pages 271-274
Abstract
This study was designed to test the hypothesis that common bereavement apparitions are hallucinatory experiences evoked by transient electrical instability within the (glucocorticoid) sensitized mesiobasal temporal lobes. All first hand reports of ‘postmortem apparition’ experiences were collected from a published data base. The days on which the experiences occurred displayed significantly greater (mean increase = 10 gamma) geomagnetic activity compared to the days before or afterwards. These results suggest that bereavement apparitions are situation-specific hallucinations evoked by microseizures within sensitized temporal lobe structures; the occurrence of these microseizures might be facilitated by suppression in melatonin levels that could accompany sudden increases in geomagnetic activity.
Abstract 2 Evaluation: Classify this study as “science” or “pseudoscience”. Write a paragraph or two and defend your classification of the study. Geomagnetic activity is a form of radiation that can disturb the outer atmosphere and is associated with flare up activity on the sun’s surface. These flare ups cause the “Northern Lights” – geomagnetic storms.
Explanation / Answer
This study is an example of pseudoscience. There are many ways to distinguish the two (see Dr. Coker's main points: http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/pseudo.html) but a few points that stood out to me.
1. How is a "postmortem apparition experience" defined? What does this even mean? There is no way to understand what is being analyzed unless a clear definition of what one of these experiences is. Pseudoscientists invent their own vocabulary in which many terms lack precise or unambiguous definitions, and some have no definition at al
2. There may be an increase observed however, how could this be evoked by microseizures within sensitized temporal lobe structures? Pseudoscience makes extraordinary claims and advances fantastic theories that contradict what is known about nature.
3. Melatonin is a pigment found in the skin... How does this even relate?
Last and most importantly, pseudoscience deliberately creates mystery where none
exists, by omitting crucial information and important details. Without this information, no conclusions can be made.
4. Pseudoscientific "explanations" tend to be by scenario, unless many other scenarios are implemented and analyzed this doesn't mean anything.
Last and most importantly, pseudoscience deliberately creates mystery where none
exists, by omitting crucial information and important details. Without all the information presented, there is no way to come to true conclusions