Relaying messages telepathically from one mind to the other may sound like something from a sci-fi movie. Well, this is exactly where this activity can be found. But is telepathy possible in real life? A recent study shows promising results.

While reading minds is a thing of fantasy, it could be that now, it’s more factual than you think! It’s true, but it’s definitely different than the scenario that you are used to.

What are we thinking?

During a series of tests, two people played a game which involved answering 20 questions. There were variables to this test that complicated the way you might view mind-reading.

Despite being a kilometer away from each other and not allowed to communicate with talking, connections were made and messages were relayed. The indications of the experiment say that two people might be able to communicate with one person guessing what the other is thinking. Could this be true?

Andrea Stocco, the lead author in the experiment published in PLOS ONE, says:

“This is the most complex brain experiment ever done, at least in humans. It uses conscious experiences in visual signals.”

How is telepathy possible in this experiment?

Well, it’s not easy to explain how this works, but I shall do my best. The first person is considered the “respondent” and is directly connected to an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine. This machine reads the brain activity of the subject in question.

The second person is called the “inquirer” and is located in a separate room. The Inquirer is given a list of possible objects and a set of “yes” and “no” questions. The inquirer asks the questions which then show up on the respondent’s computer screen.

The respondent answers, but not as you might think. There are no vocal answers, instead, the respondent focuses on one of two flashing lights that mean “yes” or “no”. Interesting, huh? But that’s only the beginning.

The EEG machine then reads the respondent’s brain activity, sending the answer back to the inquirer by way of the internet. The “yes” or “no” signal activates a coil behind the inquirer’s head alerting them of the answer.

If the answer is yes, the coil vibrates strongly, stimulating the visual cortex of the inquirer’s brain. What occurs next is simply astonishing. A huge flash of light, or a phosphine, appears in the inquirer’s brain, seen as a blob or set of wavy lines.

To the inquirer, this is an indication of the answer, “yes”. After a series of questions, such as these, the inquirer can guess the object the respondent was thinking about.

Results

Around 72% accuracy was gathered with these tests, as opposed to only 18% accuracy during controlled testing. Controlled testing was merely done by placing a plastic spacer to block phosphene images.

Phosphenes apparently play a large role in the success of the transference. As with the wrong guesses with the 72% accuracy results, scientists believe this comes from the fact that most people haven’t even experienced seeing phosphenes before. They just might not know how to interpret the flashes of light.

Next, on the agenda, researchers wish to focus on transferring images from healthy brains to those which have been affected by stroke. The idea is to possibly provide something called “brain tutoring”.

They also want to try transferring between brain states, say brains that are sleeping connected with fully aware brains – maybe even focused brains’ communicating with those affected by ADHD. The options could be endless! For now, we see another fantasy possibly coming true.

So is telepathy possible? Obviously, this study doesn’t provide any conclusive proof of the possibility of mind-reading but shows some thought-provoking results.


Copyright © 2012-2024 Learning Mind. All rights reserved. For permission to reprint, contact us.

power of misfits book banner desktop

Like what you are reading? Subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss new thought-provoking articles!

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. T'Mihn

    Hhmm. Wellll. Its probably a bit more complex than mere guessing. Sometimes the actual image comes through. Mainly both individuals “inquierer “,and “respondent “,need to be on the same wave length. It makes that connection much easier.

  2. Joe

    You only have to pick up on the vibration (wave length) of the thought (intention), not the person as we all vibrate a similar frequency anyway due to the vibration of gaia

  3. Brendan McCormick

    where is the image under the article title from? curious if i could use it on my website.

Leave a Reply