Adrian Ryan's
Research Library



Journal Papers

New Insights into the Links between ESP and Geomagnetic Activity
Journal of Scientific Exploration
2008

Abstract

A database of 343 free-response ESP trials conducted at centers in the UK was constructed in order to test the hypothesis that the relatively fast varying components of geomagnetic activity, geomagnetic pulsations, might be driving the reported associations between ESP, geomagnetic activity and local sidereal time. Local geomagnetic field-strength measurements taken at 1-second intervals during 99 trials, and at 5-second intervals during 244 trials, were converted by fast Fourier transform into power within five frequency bands. Two patterns were observed: ESP was found to succeed only during periods of enhanced pulsation activity within the 0.2-0.5 Hz band, but ESP effect was absent during the most disturbed periods of activity in the 0.025-0.1 Hz band.

The pattern of ESP effect by local sidereal time was similar to that found by Spottiswoode (1997b), and this shape was found to be attributable to the pattern of ESP results by pulsation activity in the 0.2-0.5 Hz band.

The observed patterns were demonstrated to have excellent explanatory power in terms of accounting for findings previously reported in the literature.

Full Text

New Insights into the Links between ESP and Geomagnetic Activity (PDF 0.44MB)



Presentations

To view speaker's notes, right click on the PowerPoint file then save and run locally.


Exploring the Association between ESP and Geomagnetic Activity using 5-second Local Geomagnetic Field Measurements
28th International Conference of the Society for Psychical Research, Winchester, U.K.
2004

Presents an analysis of 207 ganzfeld sessions. ESP effect size was found to be lower during periods of pulsation activity between 0.025-0.1 Hz. Could this explain the pattern of ESP effect by local sidereal time (LST) reported by James Spottiswoode in 1997?

Abstract (Word 0.06MB)

Presentation (PowerPoint 1.30MB)

New Insights into the Links between ESP and Geomagnetic Activity
51st Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association, Winchester, U.K.
2008

Presents the journal paper of the same name (see above). The results of 343 ganzfeld and remote viewing sessions were analysed and ESP effect size was found to be higher during periods of pulsation activity within the 0.2-0.5 Hz band, but around zero during the most disturbed periods of 0.025-0.1 Hz activity.

Extended Abstract (Word 0.01MB)

Presentation (PowerPoint 2.20MB)

ESP, Geomagnetic Activity and the Brain
Society for Psychical Research Study Day, London, U.K.
2009

Begins with an overview of research into the link between geomagnetic activity and ESP, and then explores whether geomagnetic activity may be acting on the brain of the receiver. Historically, this idea has been met with scepticism because geomagnetic fluctuations are below the thermal noise threshold, but recent advances suggest that such an interaction may be plausible. Two leading theories of magnetic field / brain interaction are discussed: the magnetite model, and the radical pair mechanism. The pineal gland within the brain is known to respond to weak magnetic fields, and the gland is the suspected synthesiser of a hallucinogen, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which has been linked with ESP. Consideration of the link between ESP and geomagnetic activity from an evolutionary perspective suggests that the brain may be using geomagnetic pulsations to recognise night-time and intiate dreaming.

Presentation (PowerPoint 2.36MB)

Geomagnetic Activity & Dreams
33rd International Conference of the Society for Psychical Research, Winchester, U.K.
2009

Presents a confirmation of Darren Lipnicki's research which suggests that the length of dream reports is linked with geomagnetic activity, and presents preliminary results of an investigation to assess whether geomagnetic pulsations are the active factor. Can the study of the link between dreams and geomagnetic activity inform our research into the link between ESP and geomagnetic activity?

Abstract (Word 0.01MB)

Presentation (PowerPoint 1.24MB)

Negative Correlation of Remote Viewing Performance with 0.025 – 0.1 Hz Geomagnetic Pulsations
34th International Conference of the Society for Psychical Research, Sheffield, U.K.
2010

Presents a first confirmation that geomagnetic activity in band 3 (0.025 – 0.1 Hz) correlates negatively with remote viewing performance.

Abstract (Word 0.01MB)

Presentation (PowerPoint 4.00MB)