Soviet Studies of Human Super-Perception
Summary
This document synthesizes the findings from a translated Soviet-era article concerning scientific investigations into "super-perception" and "super-sensitive abilities." Originally published in the magazine "Science and Life" in 1987 and later translated in the "Chinese Journal of Somatic Science" in 1990, the text details Soviet researchers' efforts to understand and scientifically validate claims of extraordinary human capabilities in medical diagnosis and healing.
The central thesis of the Soviet study is that while claims of "mysterious matter" are unfounded, the human body's recognized physical fields—magnetic, electric, and radio-frequency—hold significant, largely untapped potential for advanced, non-invasive medical applications. The investigation was sparked by public interest in individuals, or "super-sensitives," who could allegedly diagnose and treat complex illnesses without physical contact, purportedly by manipulating a "biological field."
Researchers sought to ground these phenomena in established physics by identifying seven distinct "information channels" through which the body transmits data, including infrared radiation, magnetic fields, and optical luminescence. The study provides a detailed analysis of the human body's extremely weak magnetic and electric fields, proposing that with sufficiently sensitive technology, such as SQUID detectors, these fields could be used for highly accurate diagnostics free from the interference that affects traditional methods like EKGs.
The document highlights the critical role of the skin as an interface for these phenomena, examining its electrical properties, high thermosensitivity, and connection to internal organs through "dermatomes." A significant tension is presented between anecdotal claims surrounding a loosely defined "biological field" and the rigorous scientific demand for objective, measurable evidence. The study ultimately concludes that "super-sensitive ability," once understood through the lens of physics, has the potential to become a highly effective method of treatment in the hands of doctors.
1. The Phenomenon of Super-Perception and Initial Investigation
The Soviet inquiry into super-perception was initiated following reports in the popular magazine "Science and Life" (with a circulation of 3.4 million) about a "super-sensitive person" with extraordinary medical abilities. This individual was reported to possess the following capabilities:
- Advanced Diagnosis: Could diagnose illnesses with greater speed and accuracy than conventional instruments and biochemical analysis.
- Non-Contact Method: Performed examinations without touching the patient, holding their hands a few centimeters from the skin. The process was described as immediate and causing no discomfort.
- Broad Treatment Efficacy: Claimed to be able to cure a wide range of ailments, from spinal meningitis to diabetic hardening of the arteries.
- "Biological Field" Healing: The mechanism of treatment was attributed to a "biological field" projected from the hands. Repeated application of this field could reportedly reduce symptoms even if a complete cure was not achieved.
The public's intense interest prompted the magazine's editorial department to launch a special investigation. A reporter was assigned to learn everything possible about the "special field," consult with specialists holding contrary opinions, and locate other individuals with similar reported abilities.
2. The Scientific Investigation Framework
The investigation was guided by a core principle established during the project: "Super-sensitive abilities have to be inspected by science and technology before it is reliable, before it will be accepted by the people and finally widely used by them."
The research was conducted by a laboratory established in 1962, with contributions from prominent figures such as Academician NIKOLAI DEVYATKOV and Academician YURIY GULYAYEV. The primary objective was to move beyond rumor and anecdote by employing "non-radiation methods of information" to "clarify and disclose whether or not there is any element of this theory which coincides with the principles of physics."
Early research into the "physical field surrounded the human body" was deemed impractical for medical application. The focus shifted to seven distinct channels through which the body was found to transmit information.
The Seven Information Channels of the Human Body
Soviet researchers concentrated their efforts on analyzing seven channels believed to transmit different types of information from the body, which have been applied in clinical diagnosis.
Channel Number | Type of Information | Description |
1 | Surface Infrared Radiation | Heat emitted from the surface of the skin. |
2 | Radio Radiation | Radio waves that can reflect the characteristics of internal organs. |
3 | Electronic Fields | Electrical fields generated by the body. |
4 | Magnetic Fields | Magnetic fields generated by biological processes. |
5 | Optical Radiation | Luminescence outside the skin, visible in light waves, reflecting internal parameters. |
6 | Sound Waves | Acoustic signals produced by the body. |
7 | Chemical Compounds | Substances emitted through the skin in the form of gases or aerosols. |
3. Analysis of Human Bio-Physical Fields
A significant portion of the research focused on the body's magnetic and electric fields as potential sources of diagnostic information.
A. The Human Magnetic Field
The magnetic field generated by living organisms is exceptionally weak, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for medical diagnosis.
- Comparative Strength:
- Human Body: 10⁻⁹ oersted
- Earth's Magnetic Field: 0.5 oersted
- Iron Magnet: Approximately 100 oersted
- Diagnostic Potential: Unlike electrical currents used in EKGs, the body's magnetic field is "completely transparent" and does not suffer from interference or distortion from surrounding tissues. This allows for methods that can determine the specific beats of the heart with "no error."
- Challenges: The primary difficulty lies in detection. The brain's magnetic field is tens of thousands of times weaker than the heart's, making it extremely difficult to distinguish from background noise.
- Required Technology: Practical clinical application would require mass production of Super Conductor Quantum Interference Magnetic Field Detectors (SQUIDs). These highly sensitive instruments, capable of detecting fields as weak as 10⁻¹³ oersted, must be immersed in liquid helium to function.
B. The Human Electric Field
The study identified the skin's epidermis as the source of the body's electric power, leading to detailed research into its properties.
- Source of the Field: The human body possesses a static electric field, with a surface skin potential of 0.05 volts, which can reach a maximum of ten volts. This field is generated through processes like friction.
- Capacitor Model: The subcutaneous layer, though only 10 microns thick, acts as an excellent insulating layer (a dielectric). The surface layer and the conductive sweat within pores function together as a "unique capacitor."
- Bio-Current: The potentials conducted through the body create a very weak "bio-current." The discharge of this "capacitor" is extremely slow, taking several minutes for the potential on the external layer to reduce by half.
- Subcutaneous Resistance: The resistance of the subcutaneous layer was measured to be between 10⁴ and 10¹¹ ohms per square centimeter.
4. The Skin as a Diagnostic and Perceptual Interface
The skin was identified as a critical medium for both emitting information and perceiving external stimuli, playing a central role in the phenomena under investigation.
A. Thermosensitivity and Heat Radiation
The human body's thermal properties were considered a key channel for interaction and information transfer.
- Heat Output: The human body radiates an average of 100 watts of power, comparable to a large light bulb. Of this, the hands account for approximately 0.5 watts to 100 milliwatts.
- High Sensitivity: The skin exhibits very high thermosensitivity, capable of detecting the heat from a burning match at a distance of one meter and perceiving temperature changes as small as 0.3 degrees at close range.
- Hypothesized Mechanism: The study posits that it is "very possible that super-sensitive persons collect and make use of patient information and treat the patient based on these heat (energy) channels."
B. Perspiration and "Dermatomes"
The connection between the skin and internal organs was explored as a basis for non-invasive diagnosis.
- Information in Perspiration: The state of perspiration on any piece of skin reflects not only local conditions but also the status of internal organs, as communicated via the blood supply and central nervous system.
- Dermatome Concept: The research references the "SHANMAI connection region" (also known as a dermatome), a concept discovered in the late 19th century. This theory posits that specific skin areas are functionally linked to specific internal organs. An effect on an organ will be reflected on its corresponding skin region, making these dermatomes potential "diagnostic and even treatment windows for internal organs."
5. The "Biological Field": Controversy and Interpretation
The document highlights a persistent conflict between anecdotal claims of a "biological field" and the scientific demand for objective proof.
- Anecdotal Evidence: Proponents of the "biological field" cited examples such as a healer curing a headache in five minutes by placing a hand on the temple, bean seeds radiated with "human animal magnets" producing twice the yield, and a person reviving shriveled leaves from a distance of 15-20 centimeters.
- Scientific Skepticism: Researchers questioned whether these effects could be attributed to the placebo effect, citing experiments where patients' headaches disappeared after taking inert "ANNAIJIN" tablets. This curative effect was described as "totally psychological" and arising from "autosuggestion."
- Defining the Field: When pressed for a definition, a physicist described the biological field as a "special somewhat magical material phenomenon" that "only exists in living bodies," while simultaneously stating they were not interested in measuring its physical properties. This conflict is captured in the quote: "I do not have any factual basis for expressing my approval, but I believe, believe, believe in the biological field..."
- Distant Transmission: The study dismisses the idea that thoughts and images can be transmitted over long distances. Instead, it claims: "Actually, the only thing that is transmitted is the biological field transmitted by the patients subconscious while the super sensitive is working."
6. Final Conclusion of the Soviet Study
The document concludes with a firm rejection of mystical explanations in favor of a physics-based approach to understanding super-sensitive abilities. The final synthesis of the investigation is as follows:
- Rejection of "Mysterious Matter": "Biological bodies do not contain any special mysterious matter which people have been talking about."
- Affirmation of Physical Fields: It is affirmed that biological bodies do possess "certain basic physical fields which have been recognized," including magnetic fields, electric fields, and radio radiation fields.
- Future of Medicine: The study asserts that "very significant information can be gained from them" and that new diagnostic methods and treatments will be generated based on this research.
- Ultimate Potential: The final hypothesis presented is that "Super sensitive ability will eventually become the most effective method of treatment in the hands of the doctors."