Electromagnetic fields or EMF, as it's otherwise known, are unseen fields of energy which surround anything and everything electrical. Although we cannot see or hear it, it can have an enormous effect on our bodies and in particular the frontal lobe of the brain. It has been proven that electromagnetic stimulation in this area of the brain can cause a feeling of oppression and make us feel uneasy as though we were being watched.

It has been suggested that this is what makes us feel this way when a spirit is present, that they can alter the fields in some way to alert us of their presence. This is why it is important therefore to measure the location you are investigating to ascertain if it has high amounts of EMF pollution, where it is and what in the location could be causing it. Only when there is no obvious cause for such pollution can we start to entertain the notion of a paranormal source.

The magnetic field is measured in Gauss or Tesla (G or T), and the electric field is measured in Volts per meter (V/m). It is true that in order to produce a magnetic field a piece of electrical equipment would need to be switched on, but it doesn't necessarily need to be switched on for an electrical field to be produced, it just needs to still be connected to the source e.g. the socket. And sometimes even when everything is switched off or unplugged you can still have small surges of EMF produced!

We have all heard that high levels of EMF from say phone masts or power cables have been linked with increased cancer risks, although this has been most noticeable in the US, Australia and New Zealand. Why is this so? Well the Human Body contains electrolytes and ions, which are positively or negatively charged. The water molecule is a polar molecule, meaning it has positive and negative charges. As we are made up of approximately 65-70% water, electrolytes and ions, it follows that the human body has its own weak electromagnetic field and each of our cells has its own EM Field too. It follows then that strong and even weak electromagnetic fields emitted from any electrical equipment etc. will interact with and affect the human body's own weak electromagnetic fields, and, therefore, interfere with the body's natural healing processes.

Knowing this, CaSPIR always do baseline readings before, throughout and after every investigation and take these readings very seriously. Although we do not believe that 'ghosts' or 'spirits' can be discovered using an EMF meter (as there is no evidence for this) we do believe that if high levels of EMF are present within a location, affects on our bodies can give strange feelings which could be misread as something paranormal.

First of all it's very important to take baseline readings. These should be taken everywhere at the location. You may find odd readings in places and later discover a generator behind a wall for example. These are your control readings and as such should be taken under the same conditions in which you carry out the rest of the investigation.

It is advisable to take readings every 10 - 15 minutes or so. The time that every measurement is taken is very important so that any unusual activity can be checked against the EMF reading at that time. The best way to do this is to make a quick map of the room your are taking readings in, mark specific points on the map and label them 1, 2, 3, etc. Record these readings in a table so you can compare them with subsequent readings throughout the night. Readings should also be taken if anyone feels uncomfortable, uneasy or anyone should start to feel any strange effects on their bodies, such as headaches etc. during the course of the investigation.

© County Society for Paranormal Investigation and Research - 2008

 

Last Updated 27/07/2008