Atmospheric electromagnetism: individual differences in brain electrical response to simulated sferics

Int J Psychophysiol. 1996 Feb-Mar;21(2-3):177-88. doi: 10.1016/0167-8760(95)00052-6.

Abstract

The living organism is constantly affected by natural electromagnetic influences covering a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes. One of these natural influences is represented by a phenomenon called atmospherics or sferics. Sferics are very weak electromagnetic impulses generated by atmospheric discharges (lightning). With a newly developed simulation system it was possible to reproduce a previously registered sferics signal and present it to 52 subjects while recording the electroencephalogram (EEG). The repeated application of this stimulus for ten minutes evoked a significant decrease in alpha power in parietal and occipital regions compared to the control condition without sferics presentation. Two constitutional factors were revealed as mediators of sferics effectiveness: the general physical condition of the subjects, and their neuroticism. Individuals with many somatic complaints and a high degree of emotional lability did not respond to the sferics stimulation. This absence of a response is interpreted as an adaptational deficit in reaction to variations in atmospheric parameters.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect / physiology
  • Atmosphere*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Extraversion, Psychological
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurotic Disorders / psychology
  • Personality
  • Personality Tests
  • Weather*