Page 162 - Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained Vol. 3

Mysteries of the Mind 143

Rhine, J. B. The Reach of the Mind. New York: metric shapes, quite likely induced by changes
William Sloane Associates, 1947. in the retina or the visual pathway. Some
Rhine, Louisa. Hidden Channels of the Mind. Clifton, researchers suggest that some of the visions
N.J.: Sloane Associates, 1961. experienced by certain mystics and saints were
Targ, Russell, and Harold E. Puthoff. Mind-Reach: Sci- set in motion by migrainous hallucinations.
entists Look at Psychic Ability. New York: Dela- Some people have hypnopompic episodes, a
corte Press/Eleanor Friede, 1977. kind of hallucinatory experience, while either
Tart, Charles T. Body Mind Spirit: Exploring the Para- falling asleep or waking up. They may believe
psychology of Spirituality. Hampton Roads, 1997. that some kind of supernatural being has
———, ed. Altered States of Consciousness. New York: entered the room and settled on their chest.
John Wiley & Sons, 1969. They may even hear the entity speaking to
them in a peculiar language. Some researchers
suggest that such hypnopompic hallucinations
Hallucinations
might explain the incubus and succubus phe-
The term hallucination comes from the Latin
alucinari, meaning “to wander in the mind.” nomena of nighttime demonic attacks that
When a person sees, hears, smells, or feels have been reported since medieval times.
something or someone that is not really there,
he or she has experienced a hallucination.
Although the hallucinatory state is commonly
confused with that of an illusion, the latter is HALLUCINATIONS result when
caused by real sense perceptions that have
been misinterpreted, whether by natural phe- certain situations have altered one’s brain metabolism
nomena or in the case of a stage illusion, by from its normal level.
someone deliberately misdirecting and trick-
ing an audience.
Hallucinations result when certain situa-
Hallucinations caused by sleep or sensory
tions have altered one’s brain metabolism
deprivation require no medical treatment
from its normal level. Common causes of hal-
unless the individual continues to abuse the
lucinations are a high fever, an adverse reac-
normal bodily demands for rest. Those caused
tion or side effect of a drug, the deliberate
by substance and alcohol abuse may likely
ingestion of a psychedelic or hallucinogenic
need medical help to allow the individual to
substance (LSD, peyote, opium), an adverse
establish normality. Hallucinatory manifesta-
reaction to alcohol, or a post-traumatic stress
tions that continue without an individual’s
disorder. The grief of suffering the recent
being able to determine any physical or mental
death of a loved one sometimes prompts hal-
reason may require a psychiatric consultation.
lucinations of hearing or seeing the relative or
close friend. Those individuals experiencing
M Delving Deeper
psychosis or delirium are also susceptible to “Hallucinations.” Medline Plus. [Online] http://www.
the manifestations of hallucinations. nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003258.
While people often associate a hallucina- htm. 18 November 2002.
tion with dramatic circumstances, sleep depri- Krippner, Stanley, with Etzel Cardena and Steven J.
vation can prompt the phenomenon, as can Lynn. Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examin-
boredom, fatigue, and the frightening experi- ing the Scientific Evidence. Washington, D.C.:
ence of “highway hypnosis,” when people American Psychological Association, 2000.
have been behind the wheel driving too long Sacks, Oliver. Seeing Voices. Los Angeles: University
and the monotony of the road causes them to of California Press, 1989.
see things that aren’t really there. ———. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.
Many individuals who suffer from migraine New York: Summit Books, 1985.
attacks report certain kinds of hallucinations, Siegel, Ronald K. Fire in the Brain: Clinical Tales of
especially those of colored, shimmering geo- Hallucination. New York: Dutton/Plume, 1992.

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