BAE 1.6

Magazine Overview

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Volume: 1
Issue: 6
Date: September 1990
Publisher: David Gotlib, M.D.
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience (BAE), a networking newsletter for scientists and mental health professionals interested in UFO phenomena, features a report on the 1990 MUFON Symposium held in Pensacola, Florida. The editor, David Gotlib, M.D., was an invited speaker and shares his experiences and the content of his presentation.

Going to Pensacola

David Gotlib recounts his experience as a speaker at the MUFON Symposium. His presentation, titled "WHO SPEAKS FOR THE WITNESS? MEDICAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN UFO ABDUCTION RESEARCH," addressed ethical concerns in abduction research, emphasizing the welfare of witnesses, confidentiality, and the obligations of practitioners. He expresses initial concerns that his paper might be perceived as critical of the investigator community or as an attempt to 'medicalize' the field. He describes the local environment of Pensacola, including its beaches and novelty items. The press conference, attended by about 30-40 reporters and several TV cameras, is detailed, noting the presence of Phil Klass and the focus on Ed Walters. The main symposium event, moved to the Pensacola Civic Centre due to air conditioning failure at the hotel, attracted approximately 700 registered attendees.

Gotlib humorously corrects the emcee, Walt Andrus, who mistakenly introduced him as a psychiatrist. He notes the microphone issues he experienced, particularly when mentioning 'anxiety' or 'depression.'

After the Speech

Following his presentation, Gotlib spent time in interviews and discussions. He mentions an unpleasant encounter with a Toronto UFO investigator who felt personally criticized by his presentation, leading to Gotlib becoming 'persona non grata' within that investigator's group. This encounter highlights potential friction within the UFO research community.

Taking a Bath in the Skeptic Tank

Gotlib describes a significant conversation with Phil Klass, a known skeptic. Klass initially expressed agreement with Gotlib's message but then posed hypothetical questions designed to challenge his views, particularly regarding the reality of UFOs and diagnostic approaches. Klass's strong assertion that there is "NO EVIDENCE that low frequency magnetic fields have ANY BIOLOGICAL EFFECT" ended the conversation, leaving Gotlib feeling that he had been intellectually challenged without resolution.

Press Interviews

Gotlib participated in several interviews, including a videotaped panel discussion on abductions with Robert Hall and Dan Wright, which was to be produced by CUFOS. He also conducted interviews with a Quebec TV news station, noting his increasing comfort with the process.

Talking to Individuals

He spoke with numerous witnesses who shared their own negative experiences with unsympathetic investigators. Some investigators also approached Gotlib to thank him for addressing these concerns, indicating a shared frustration with the directives of their respective organizations, such as MUFON, which prioritized documentation over emotional support for witnesses unwilling to have their cases recorded.

Gulf Breeze

Gotlib expresses dissatisfaction with the emphasis placed on the Gulf Breeze sightings during the symposium, feeling that too much of MUFON's reputation was tied to a single case, which he believes does not advance the field as a whole.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the weekend, Gotlib found the symposium to be an excellent experience, with his message well-received and documented in the MUFON Proceedings. He met many interesting people and expanded his professional network. He commends Vicki Lyons, the MUFON organizer, for her excellent organization.

"Temporal Lobe Lability"

This section delves into the work of Michael Persinger, exploring the hypothesis that UFOs are luminous fields generated by geomagnetic stresses. Gotlib consulted Medline and found articles linking geophysical variables to visitor experiences and the personality of experients, specifically focusing on the 'Temporal Lobe Factor.' He notes that many of these works are published in obscure journals and are difficult to access.

The article presents Persinger's premise that 'visitor experiences' are intense variants of the 'sense of presence,' mediated by the mesiobasal portions of the temporal lobes. These experiences can lead to cognitive restructuring, similar to religious conversion. If transient electrical lability within temporal lobe structures is the cause, then the characteristics of these experiences should reflect temporal lobe function, and individuals with personality profiles correlated with temporal lobe lability should be prone to them.

Clinical precedent is discussed, noting that stimulation of deep temporal lobe structures, like the hippocampus and amygdala, can evoke specific phenomenological patterns. Patients with partial complex or limbic epilepsy often report a sense of presence, depersonalization, auditory phenomena, and vivid visual experiences. These experiences are often perceived as real and significant by the individual.

Not Epilepsy, but Temporal Lobe Lability (TLL)

The article posits a continuum of temporal lobe lability within the normal population, with complex partial epilepsy representing the extreme end. This continuum is linked to microseizure-like activity during REM sleep and the recruitment of temporal lobe neurons. Normal individuals exhibiting enhanced temporal lobe signs show enhanced cross-modal matching. Studies indicate that people with quantitatively more temporal lobe alpha activity experience a phenomenological profile similar to limbic seizures, though less intense and without classic EEG evidence of seizures. Writers and poets, who often display enhanced limbic experiences, also show increased 'small sharp spikes' during resting EEG, correlating with benign limbic experiences.

Less severe displays of temporal lobe lability, not involving thought disorders, include early morning highs, déjà vu experiences, waves of energy, recurrent vivid dreams, intense meaningfulness, feelings of unreality, peaceful episodes, memory blanks, experiencing the presence of others, and telepathic/precognitive experiences. These are considered normal responses, but their frequency and duration can indicate potential pathology.

These clinically normal individuals frequently report a 'sense of a Being' or 'universal consciousness,' lifting sensations, depersonalization, and intense episodes of insight, particularly between 0200 and 0400 hr. Strong positive correlations exist between temporal lobe signs and beliefs in time-traveling and psi phenomena like telepathy and clairvoyance.

Common Characteristics on Personality Inventories

Personality inventories like the MMPI, CPI, and Cattell's 16 PF consistently describe individuals with frequent temporal lobe signs as creative, versatile, intuitive, and interested in philosophical topics. However, these scores are also positively correlated with anxiety, emotional lability, tension, and rumination. Inefficient thought processes can lead to suspiciousness, delusions, constricted thinking, and panic. A common feature is occasional mild to moderate hypomania against a background of mild to moderate depression. The association between clinical mania and temporal lobe epilepsy, and their shared treatment with anticonvulsants, further supports the temporal lobe continuum. People with temporal lobe lability are also suggestible and more prone to dissociation.

Temporal Lobe Structures Determine Patterns in the Visitor Experience

If temporal lobe processes are involved, the phenomenological patterns of visitor experiences should reflect temporal lobe function. Themes are expected to be consistent across cultures due to similar temporal lobe functions. Persistent patterns of experience are attributed to electrical coherence. Common images in UFO abduction and incubus nightmares involve odd humanoids, suggesting a role for mesiobasal structures. The 'sense of presence' is theorized to result from transient neuroelectrical discrepancy between the left and right temporal lobes. Experiences may be acquired during twilight states and accumulated over a lifetime, becoming functionally independent. A significant portion of these experiences may have a long latency to report. The repetitive nature of these experiences suggests they are conditioned and intrinsically rewarding, followed by anxiety reduction. Hypnosis is discussed as a tool that could facilitate access to right hemispheric information and contribute to cognitive restructuring, potentially generating phenomena like time loss and facilitating the production of UFO experiences through regression hypnosis.

Precipitating Factors

The Role of Tectonic Strain Fields: Direct exposure to intense tectonic strain fields is hypothesized as a trigger for visitor experiences, particularly those associated with UFO phenomena. Stimulation of temporal lobes by these fields could generate electrochemical changes promoting the visitor experience. Short pulses of energetic stimuli are considered optimal for facilitating normal burst firing patterns of the human amygdala.

Role of Psychological Stress: Normal individuals are also susceptible to temporal lobe experiences during times of stress or personal crisis, such as identity crises, mid-life crises, or the loss of a loved one.

Laboratory Evidence of ELF Fields affecting consciousness

Human beings can detect geomagnetic field direction and intensity changes. Studies by Rocard showed that responsive individuals could discriminate magnetic field gradients. Other research indicates that electrically unstable brain tissue may be preferentially affected by geomagnetic activity. Changes in geomagnetic activity have been correlated with grand mal events and a reduction in convulsive thresholds. Exposure to extremely low-frequency brain fields can evoke partial amnesia, exacerbate vestibular images, and alter suggestibility. A primary technical challenge is applying magnetic fields to excite very small areas of deep temporal lobe tissue.

ELF and the Perinatal Period

The perinatal interval is a critical period for enzymatic system modification. Persinger reported that rats exposed perinatally to 0.5 Hz rotating magnetic fields showed increased emotional behaviors, with results replicated by Ossenkopp. Operant procedures demonstrated that behavioral consequences of exposure to these fields were similar to human anxiety. Studies by Persinger and Janes found weak but statistically significant positive correlations between anxiety scores and perinatal geomagnetic activity. Ossenkopp and Nobrega's study on high school students showed a similar correlation in females, particularly those with high state anxiety. The absence of clear neurophysical mechanisms has limited further pursuit of this effect, though Delgado's work on electromagnetic variations causing morphological changes in unborn organisms and Liboff's research on time-varying electromagnetic fields affecting DNA synthesis demonstrate that significant physiological alterations can occur.

Case Study

A case study describes a 35-year-old woman who reported being visited by creatures and carried away. She experienced vibrations and had vivid memories of a dark figure. Her visitors seemed obsessed with her sexual organs. Wheals and warts appeared around her pubic area. She responded as a normal individual on the MMPI, except for mild elevation on hypomania and F scales. Her suggestibility, history of sexual abuse, and recent cocaine use were noted. The visitors disappeared when she was treated with carbamazepine, a drug specific to complex partial epilepsy and hypomania. This case emphasizes the importance of understanding neuropsychological mechanisms.

Near Death Experiences and TLT

Near-death conditions are considered strong precipitators of temporal lobe lability (TLT). Progressive alteration in blood flow and transient vasospasms, accentuated by deterioration or surgical procedures, can lead to prolonged and optimal temporal lobe conditions. A flat EEG does not necessarily measure TLT's within deep structures, as these are electrically responsive even during sleep. Attenuation of cortical contributions would highlight shared characteristics of these brain portions and increase the homogeneity of reported experiences across cultures. Cultural expectations are controlled for, and deathbed experiences may be influenced by drugs affecting amygdaloid receptor sites or vasospasm.

Why Earthquakes Affect Electromagnetic Fields

This section, drawing from "Radio Earth: The Radio-Seismic Connection" by Joe Tate in Whole Earth Review, explains how earthquakes can alter ambient electromagnetic fields. Tesla's work on Schumann resonances (6-8 Hz) is mentioned, which are generated by lightning. Unusual strong signals were detected before and during the 1960 Chilean earthquake, linking earthquakes to radio wave generation. Warwick's laboratory experiments showed that fracturing rocks emit radio waves. Changes in rock resistivity under pressure were also observed, particularly when stress was applied unevenly. While waves generated underground might be absorbed by the earth, Takeo Yoshino proposed that 'resistance slots' along fault lines could allow radio waves to pass through, affecting the atmosphere. Dehydration of groundwater due to seismic heat could contribute to these resistance slots. The process is slow, limited by the frequency of large earthquakes.

Reflections

Gotlib reflects on Persinger's ideas and the challenges of researching anomalous experiences. He wishes for diagnostic tools to determine temporal lobe lability and for medical specialists to collaborate in understanding these phenomena. He notes that progress in acceptance, like that of the 'abductee' phenomenon, is slow and depends on the quality of work and debates. Persinger's theory is seen as valuable, even if it leads to refutation, and psychotherapeutic techniques like regression hypnosis can be immensely helpful to individuals experiencing phenomena they perceive as real. The theory does not necessarily invalidate existing work but suggests a connection between electromagnetic fields, temporal lobe disturbances, and 'abductee'-like experiences, without claiming that UFOs are solely caused by tectonic strain fields.

Suggestions for future research include databases with latitude/longitude of incidents to compare with geomagnetic disturbances, inclusion of personal emotional stress data, development of better tests for temporal lobe seizure hypotheses, identification of psychological tests correlating with temporal lobe lability, trials of Tegretol for abductees, and attempts to reproduce 'visitor experiences' in the laboratory.

Whither BAE?

Gotlib discusses the evolution of BAE as a "virtual community" for exchanging ideas and opinions. He notes the generally positive feedback but the difficulty in obtaining sufficient material from the readership, which was intended to comprise 95% of the content. He suggests encouraging more structured and shorter interactions to make contributions less daunting. He reaffirms the importance of the project and introduces a new, more user-friendly feature for the next issue, which may be released in two or three months.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of psychology, neurology, and anomalous experiences, particularly UFO abductions. The editorial stance, as presented by David Gotlib, is one of open inquiry and ethical consideration within the research community. There is a clear emphasis on respecting the witness's experience while also seeking scientific explanations, whether neurological, environmental, or otherwise. The publication aims to foster debate and exchange of ideas among professionals and interested individuals, bridging the gap between mainstream science and fringe phenomena. The editor actively solicits reader participation and feedback, indicating a commitment to a collaborative and evolving approach to understanding anomalous experiences. The issue highlights the challenges of integrating unconventional research into established scientific frameworks and the importance of rigorous, ethical investigation. The connection between environmental factors (geomagnetic fields, earthquakes) and psychological states is a significant thread, suggesting a complex interplay of influences on human consciousness and experience.

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 1, Number 6
Date: September 1990
Publisher: David Gotlib, M.D. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Circulation: "Pretty Low. But nobody reads anymore, anyway."

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, a networking newsletter for scientists and mental health professionals focused on the UFO "Abduction" phenomenon, details the experiences of its editor, Dr. David Gotlib, at the 1990 MUFON Symposium held in Pensacola, Florida.

Going to Pensacola

Dr. Gotlib was an invited speaker at the 1990 MUFON Symposium, presenting a paper titled "WHO SPEAKS FOR THE WITNESS? MEDICAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN UFO ABDUCTION RESEARCH." The paper addressed ethical concerns in the field, emphasizing witness welfare, confidentiality, and the responsibilities of practitioners. Dr. Gotlib expressed initial concerns that his paper might be perceived as critical of the investigator community or as an attempt to "medicalize" the field, given that many of the "don't let this happen to you" stories in his paper were based on experiences with local investigators.

He described the locale of Pensacola, noting the beautiful beaches and disappointing shopping, where he acquired a "psycho ball." He also recalled a later discussion about fundamentalist religious opposition to the Gulf Breeze stories, which reminded him of local newspaper ads for singing machines.

MUFON 1990: Pensacola

The symposium's real focus began with a press conference on Friday afternoon. Dr. Gotlib described it as his first press conference, attended by approximately 30-40 reporters and a few TV cameras, though major network logos were absent. Walt Andrus served as the emcee and mistakenly introduced Dr. Gotlib as a psychiatrist, a correction Dr. Gotlib promptly made: "I am David Gotlib and I am not a psychiatrist."

He noted the presence of Phil Klass, who was recording the speakers with an antiquated cassette recorder. Ed Walters was highlighted as the "star" of the conference, with most questions directed at him. Dr. Gotlib briefly spoke with Ed Walters' wife, Frances, and was impressed by her sincerity.

My Speech

The symposium event, initially scheduled for the Pensacola Hilton, was moved to the Pensacola Civic Centre due to a broken air conditioning system in the hotel ballroom. Approximately 700 people had registered for the event, which featured two projection TV screens flanking the speaker's podium. The emcee for this portion was Dave Daughtry, described as a "longtime fixture on the local TV news."

Dr. Gotlib's talk was scheduled second, after Brian O'Leary's presentation on expanding consciousness, which included a spoon-bending demonstration. Dr. Gotlib was pleased to speak early, as ethical discussions are often placed at the end of medical conferences. His talk was well-received, with spontaneous applause for points emphasizing respect for witnesses and their needs. He humorously recounted how the microphone cut out whenever he uttered the words "anxiety" or "depression," requiring the sound man to fix it.

After the Speech

Following his presentation, Dr. Gotlib spent most of his time engaging in interviews and speaking with individuals rather than attending other presentations. He described two unpleasant conversations. The first was with a Toronto UFO investigator who recognized himself in the anonymous exploits described in Dr. Gotlib's paper. This investigator apparently did not grasp Dr. Gotlib's points, leading to Dr. Gotlib being declared "persona non grata" within that investigator's group, which has significant visibility in the Toronto area.

Taking a Bath in the Skeptic Tank

The second unpleasant encounter was with Phil Klass. Dr. Gotlib had never met Klass before. Initially, Klass seemed supportive, stating that if he were an expert, he would have delivered the same message. However, this was followed by Klass posing hypothetical questions, such as what Dr. Gotlib's diagnosis would be if someone claimed to have seen a UFO. Dr. Gotlib responded that it was not a meaningful question and that he could not make a diagnosis based on such a claim. He also pointed out that Klass would never present to someone claiming to have seen a UFO.

Their discussion touched on "personality disorder" as a differential diagnosis, but Klass became crestfallen when Dr. Gotlib explained it was merely descriptive and not explanatory. Dr. Gotlib was joined by another physician, and together they emphasized to Klass that therapists aim to help patients integrate their experiences, rather than convince them the events didn't happen. Dr. Gotlib then raised the issue of potentially missing data due to not knowing what to look for, citing the example of health effects from low-frequency electromagnetic fields. Klass reacted strongly, asserting that there is "NO EVIDENCE that low frequency magnetic fields have ANY BIOLOGICAL EFFECT." Dr. Gotlib, having spent six weeks reviewing biological studies on the subject, felt unprepared to debate Klass on this technical point and left the conversation feeling "screwed but not even been kissed." He concluded that people dislike Klass due to his dismissive attitude, quoting Klass as saying "I LOVE IT!" when asked about the hatred he receives.

Press Interviews

Dr. Gotlib mentioned that wearing a red "SPEAKER" ribbon on his badge attracted attention. He participated in a videotaped panel discussion on abductions with Robert Hall and Dan Wright, which was to be produced and marketed by CUFOS. This was described as the most stimulating interview, despite being conducted in a hot motel room with the air conditioning turned off due to noise. He estimated he gave about 10 interviews in total, with the best one being with a Quebec TV news station.

Talking to Individuals

Dr. Gotlib spoke with numerous witnesses who were encouraging and agreed with his points about the need for public statements on the topic. Some shared their negative experiences with unsympathetic investigators. Several investigators approached him to express similar concerns and thank him for presenting the material. One MUFON member expressed discouragement from providing emotional support to witnesses who did not want their cases documented, as MUFON's primary purpose was case documentation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly advocates for ethical practices in UFO abduction research, prioritizing witness welfare and confidentiality. It highlights the tension between investigators focused on documentation and the need for therapeutic support for witnesses. The publication also implicitly critiques a rigid, mechanism-driven skepticism, as exemplified by the encounter with Phil Klass, suggesting that such an approach can dismiss potentially valid phenomena and the subjective experiences of witnesses. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of a more compassionate and ethically grounded approach to investigating and understanding UFO-related experiences.