On a recent podcast interview on Radio Misterioso, Dr. Dean Radin was asked by the host Greg Bishop about what he’s currently working on, now that his most recent book Real Magic has finally been released –be sure to check out Greg’s own review of the book here— and what research beside his own he’s interested in. For the first question Radin talked about a study of presentiment using data-crunching of Tweets before and after a mass shooting event, in other to see if such events can be predicted beforehand. And for the second question he mentioned a scientific study of full-trance channeling headed by one of his colleagues at the Noetic Institute of Scientific Research (IONS) intended to study the phisiology and brain activity of channelers using EEG’s and other instruments, in order to pinpoint the regions of the brain involved in this particular state of consciousness.
Dr. Radin explained this is not the first study of mediums they have conducted at IONS, and that what they have discovered so far is that as far as mental activity is concerned, mediumship is markedly distinct than if the person was just imagining or remembering things. But full-trance channelers are a bit different, though, because in their case their personality is completely replaced or taken over temporarily by a different one, which is considered to be an external agency whose origin and nature would be interpreted according to the channeler’s cultural frame of reference, i.e. among Spiritualists the channel would be explained as a discarnate spirit, whereas among UFO contactees/experiencers it might be interpreted as an alien being –thus the difference between ‘possession’ and ‘channeling’ might just be semantic, although one could argue people who believe to be controlled by demons don’t seem to have any capacity to ‘expel’ the invading personality on their own…
So if you happen to be a full-trance channeler, you (and your spirit guides) might want to consider participating in this online survey prepared by IONS, which is the first stage of the study conducted by Helané Wahbeh, ND, MCR:
PROCEDURES: You will complete this online survey which will take approximately 20-30 minutes. You will answer questions about yourself and your channeling ability, traits relevant to channeling experiences, general health history, and experiences you may have had related to channeling ability. We will also ask you to share your contact information so we can contact you for the next phase of the study if you are interested.
If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this study now or in the future, or you think you may have been injured or harmed by the study, contact Dr. Helané Wahbeh, 707-779-8230.
RISKS: Although we have made every effort to protect your identity, there is a minimal risk of loss of confidentiality. Some of the questions in the survey may seem very personal or embarrassing. You may leave any of the questions that you do not wish to answer blank.
BENEFITS: You may or may not benefit from being in this study. However, by serving as a participant, you will help us learn more about trance channeling and how it works.
CONFIDENTIALITY: We will keep your information on password-protected computers in password protected files.
COSTS: It will not cost you anything to participate in this study.
PARTICIPATION: This research is being overseen by an Institutional Review Board (“IRB”). You may talk to the IRB Chair Garett Yount at gyount@noetic.org if:
• Your questions, concerns, or complaints are not being answered by the research team.
• You want to talk to someone besides the research team.
• You have questions about your rights as a research subject.
• You want to get more information or provide input about this research.You do not have to join this or any research study. If you do join, and later change your mind, you may quit at any time. If you refuse to join or withdraw early from the study, there will be no penalty or loss of any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
LINK: A Mechanistic Evaluation of Full-Trance Channeling
