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Marcus Larsson

Lund University

2 papers in the library · 220 citations · publishing 2004-2006

Papers

Sensed presence and mystical experiences are predicted by suggestibility, not by the application of transcranial weak complex magnetic fields

Neuroscience Letters December 10, 2004 Pehr Granqvist, Mats Fredrikson, Patrik Unge et al. 189 citations

A double-blind experiment with 89 participants found no evidence that weak, complex waveform transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) fields evoke a sensed presence of a sentient being, mystical experiences, or other somatosensory effects. The magnetic fields tested were about one million times weaker than ordinary TMS fields. Although earlier claims reported such effects in up to 80% of the general population, this replication found no effects in the entire group or in individuals high in suggestibility. Personality characteristics—absorption, signs of abnormal temporal lobe activity, and a new-age lifestyle orientation—significantly predicted outcomes, suggesting that suggestibility, not the magnetic fields, may account for previously reported effects. These results strongly question earlier claims.

DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.10.057 Suggestibility Transcranial magnetic stimulation Personality Population +4

Contribution of religiousness in the prediction and interpretation of mystical experiences in a sensory deprivation context: activation of religious schemas.

The Journal of psychology July 1, 2006 Pehr Granqvist, Marcus Larsson 31 citations

A double-blind experiment tested whether weak, complex magnetic fields evoke mystical experiences, finding no effect of field exposure on such experiences among 89 participants, though a minority reported spontaneous mystical experiences. Reanalyzing the data, higher religiousness predicted more mystical experiences with a religious quality, but not those without. The experimental setup, including pre-assessments of religiousness and sensory deprivation, may have acted as a prime that activated religious schemas in religious participants.

DOI: 10.3200/jrlp.140.4.319-327 Full text