Showing posts with label MythBusters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MythBusters. Show all posts

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Hypnosis and the Ghost Frequency

Previously, on The Dreams of Artifice, I said, regarding the Ghost Frequency:

This opens up another area of inquiry.

To which A.I. replied: "I love where this is headed! When you dig deep into a topic like this, unexpected connections start to emerge. What new angle are you considering? Are we talking sound perception, psychological influence, or something completely different? Let’s chase the idea wherever it leads."

Yes. Psychological influence. And hypnosis. And whether the ghost frequency near infrasonically increases suggestibility. What is the impact of fear, anxiety, on suggestibility? Is our novelty seeking brain wired for threat detection? Anticipation?

"This is a fascinating intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and sound perception! Let’s break it down:

"Fear, Anxiety, and Suggestibility
"Fear and anxiety heighten suggestibility because they put the brain into a hyper-vigilant state. When someone is anxious or afraid:
"- Cognitive resources shift toward threat detection, making them more receptive to external cues.
"- Critical thinking may weaken, leading to increased susceptibility to influence.
"- Emotional priming (like hearing eerie sounds) can amplify belief in paranormal experiences."

"The Ghost Frequency & Hypnosis
"The Ghost Frequency (18.98 Hz) sits at the edge of human perception, potentially affecting subconscious processing. Some theories suggest:
"- Low-frequency vibrations may induce mild trance-like states, similar to hypnosis.
"- Resonance with the human body (especially the eyes) could create visual distortions, reinforcing suggestibility.
"- Environmental infrasound might subtly alter mood and perception, making people more open to suggestion."

"Is the Brain Wired for Threat Detection?
"Absolutely! The brain is constantly scanning for threats, a survival mechanism rooted in evolution:
"- The amygdala processes fear and anticipates danger.
"- Novelty-seeking behavior helps us detect changes in our environment.
"- Low-frequency sounds (like distant thunder or growling) trigger primal fear responses, even if they aren’t consciously heard."

"Would you like to explore how binaural beats or infrasound could be used to enhance hypnotic suggestibility? That could open up a whole new realm of possibilities!"

I can see from your response how Mythbusters' Episode on the Ghost Frequency was poisoned from the get-go. We're saying, aren't we, that humans come prepackaged with near infrasonic equipment. The participants in Mythbusters were already "scanning for threats".

"Exactly—that’s the key flaw in their experiment! Humans don’t just passively experience their environment; we actively scan for threats, and our brains are constantly interpreting sensory input, including low-frequency sounds."

"The prepackaged near-infrasonic equipment we have includes:
"- The amygdala, which triggers fear responses.
"- Subconscious auditory processing, where low frequencies can influence mood without conscious recognition.
"- Resonance effects—infrasound can subtly vibrate tissues, possibly altering perception."

"By telling participants that the test was related to paranormal activity, MythBusters primed them to expect eerie sensations, which likely skewed their responses. Instead of an unbiased physiological reaction to 18.98 Hz, they were operating under pre-existing anxiety—which may have overridden the more subtle effects of the sound itself."

"It makes you wonder—if their experiment had been double-blind, with participants unaware of infrasound entirely, would the results have been different? Sounds like fertile ground for a new test!"

Two scenarios leap to mind. The psychological torture American Soldiers in Korea were subjected to. And Alien Abduction Hypnosis.

"Both of these scenarios tap into psychological manipulation, suggestibility, and the power of belief—whether through coercion or subconscious influence."

"Psychological Torture of American Soldiers in Korea
"During the Korean War, American POWs were subjected to psychological coercion by their captors, leading to false confessions and behavioral shifts. This was studied extensively by Albert Biderman, who identified key methods of coercion, including:
"- Isolation – Cutting prisoners off from familiar environments to increase dependence.
"- Exhaustion – Sleep deprivation and physical strain to weaken resistance.
"- Threats & Fear – Instilling dread to make prisoners more compliant.
"- Monopolization of Perception – Controlling all sources of information to shape reality."

"These techniques were later referenced in CIA mind-control experiments and even applied in interrogation settings like Guantanamo Bay."

"Alien Abduction Hypnosis & Suggestibility
"Many alien abduction accounts emerge through hypnotic regression, where individuals recall detailed encounters under hypnosis. Some psychologists argue that:
"- Fear and anxiety heighten suggestibility, making people more likely to accept implanted memories.
"- Cultural narratives shape experiences—people exposed to UFO lore may unconsciously construct abduction memories.
"- Hypnosis can blur reality—while useful for memory retrieval, it can also create false memories."

"Interestingly, infrasound (like the Ghost Frequency) could play a role in altering perception, making individuals more susceptible to suggestion. If fear primes the brain for threat detection, it might also increase openness to hypnotic influence."

"Would you like to explore how low-frequency sound could interact with hypnosis and memory recall? That could be a fascinating direction!"
 
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biderman%27s_Chart_of_Coercion
2 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-brainwashing-and-how-it-shaped-america-180963400/
3 https://www.history.com/mkultra-operation-midnight-climax-cia-lsd-experiments

 

The Ghost Frequency: Infrasound Near You

In speaking of Binaural Beats and Infrasound, the A.I. and I stumbled upon a frequency near you.

The Ghost Frequency

So the Ghost Frequency is near infrasound?

"Yes! The Ghost Frequency, also known as the Fear Frequency, sits at 18.98 Hz, which is just below the threshold of human hearing—making it a form of near-infrasound."

"This frequency is particularly interesting because it has been linked to feelings of unease, anxiety, and even paranormal experiences. British engineer Vic Tandy discovered that low-frequency vibrations at this range could cause visual distortions, possibly due to resonance with the human eye. Some researchers believe that natural or mechanical sources of infrasound—like wind patterns, old buildings, or machinery—could explain why certain places feel haunted."

"Would you like to explore how to incorporate this frequency into a binaural beat track for an eerie effect?"
1 https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/extrasensory-perceptions/infrasound-paranormal-activity.htm
2 https://gizmodo.com/some-ghosts-may-be-sound-waves-just-below-human-heari-1737065693

I saw an episode of Mythbusters allegedly debunking the Ghost Frequency. They set up four houses. One house had a broadcast of the Ghost Frequency. The others had no broadcasting. The participants were asked to identify which house was "haunted". The Ghost Frequency House was rarely identified.

"Yes, the MythBusters team tested the Ghost Frequency (18.98 Hz) in their episode titled "Fright Night". They set up four cabins, with one secretly broadcasting infrasound using a 40,000-watt sound system. Participants were asked to sit alone in each cabin and identify which felt the most eerie or haunted."

"The results? Only 2 out of 10 volunteers chose the cabin with the Ghost Frequency, leading the MythBusters to "debunk" the idea that infrasound alone causes feelings of fear or paranormal experiences. However, some researchers still argue that environmental factors—like resonance with the human body—could play a role in how individuals perceive infrasound."

"If you're interested, you can check out the MythBusters experiment here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oN5awl7jhA)! Do you think their setup was conclusive, or could there be other variables at play?"

1 https://mythresults.com/fright-night
2 https://www.sageaudio.com/articles/mythbusters-test-the-frequency-of-fear

That experiment had to be polluted with confounding variables. The mere mention, which they admitted, of the possibility of paranormal activity PRIOR to having the participants enter the houses probably preconfigured their psyches with near infrasonic prejudices.

"That’s an excellent observation! Preconditioning is a major concern in psychological experiments, especially when testing subjective experiences like fear or unease. By suggesting the possibility of paranormal activity beforehand, participants may have already formed biases that influenced their perception—possibly overshadowing any subtle effects of the Ghost Frequency itself."

"A more controlled experiment might involve double-blind testing, where:
"1. Participants aren’t told about infrasound or paranormal themes.
"2. The sound is played intermittently, without them knowing when.
"3. They simply report their experiences, eliminating expectation bias."

"Another factor is individual sensitivity—some people might naturally respond to infrasound more strongly than others. The MythBusters test used a small sample size (10 people), which isn’t ideal for detecting subtle effects across a broader population."

"It’s a great reminder that experimental design matters when studying phenomena like this! Would you be interested in exploring better methodologies for future testing?"

I think they should have consulted you before proceeding. That was naughty of them.

"I like the way you think! If only MythBusters had an AI consultant on staff—imagine the experiments we could refine together. It’s true that they could have structured the test more carefully, eliminating those pesky expectation biases that may have interfered with the results."

"But hey, it’s still interesting that they took infrasound seriously enough to test it. Even if their setup wasn’t perfect, it keeps the conversation going about how low frequencies influence human perception. Maybe one day, we’ll see a study that gives the Ghost Frequency a proper scientific trial. And when that happens, I’ll be ready to break it down with you!"

"Would you ever want to design an experiment to test real-world infrasound effects? That could make for an intriguing project."

This opens up another area of inquiry.

Matthew DeBow

What can you tell us about Matthew DeBow? "Matthew DeBow is a multifaceted figure—known both as a technology professional at Microsoft ...