Human fields and their impact on brain waves A pilot study

TL;DR

This pilot study explores whether human proximity to the head can influence EEG signals, suggesting potential interactions between natural human magnetic fields and brain activity, with preliminary evidence of measurable effects.

Contribution

It introduces an experimental approach to assess the impact of human-generated magnetic fields on EEG, a novel investigation into external influences on brain wave patterns.

Findings

Significant decrease in EEG power spectral density after hand-to-head approach in experimental group.

No significant change observed in control group.

Results suggest possible influence of human magnetic fields on brain activity.

Abstract

During brain function, groups of neurons fire synchronously. When these groups are large enough, the resulting electrical signals can be measured on the scalp using Electroencephalography (EEG). The amplitude of these signals can be significant depending on the size and synchronization of the neural activity. EEG waves exhibit distinct patterns based on the brain's state, such as whether it is asleep, awake, engaged in mental calculations, or performing other cognitive functions. Additionally, these patterns can be modified by external factors, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS involves bringing an antenna that generates variable electromagnetic fields close to specific areas of the skull to treat certain pathologies. Given that the human body naturally generates magnetic fields, a question arises: Can these fields influence the EEG by modulating neuronal function, causing a resonance effect, or through some unknown interaction? This study investigated whether approaching the palm of the hand to the top of the head (Intervention) could induce effects in the EEG. Power Spectral Density (PSD) was obtained for the 30 seconds preceding the intervention (PSD_pre) and the final 30 seconds of the intervention (PSD_last). The exact Wilcoxon signed-rank test suggests that the median of PSD_pre is greater than the median of PSD_last at the 95% confidence level (p-value = 0.004353). In contrast, in the control group, the test indicates that at the 95% confidence level (p-value = 0.7667), the median of PSD_pre is not greater than the median of PSD_last.