BAE 2.2

Magazine Overview

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 2, Number 2
Date: February 1991
Publisher: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience (David Gotlib, M.D.)
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience (BAE) is dedicated to reporting on the National Conference on Anomalous Experience (NCAE) held in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, from January 18-20, 1991. The conference, organized by Dave Jacobs and Budd Hopkins, aimed to be an information-sharing and brainstorming session on UFO abductions. The newsletter serves as a networking vehicle for mental health professionals and scientists interested in the phenomenon, providing a forum for discussion and debate.

Editorial

In the editorial, David Gotlib, M.D., addresses constructive criticism received regarding his pieces on temporal lobe epilepsy and electromagnetic fields in relation to abductions. He defends their inclusion by stating four reasons: 1) scanty reader contributions, 2) the need for open-minded consideration of various hypotheses (physical, sociocultural, imaginal) due to the unproven nature of the phenomenon, 3) observed similarities between abduction phenomena and other anomalous experiences (e.g., electrical interference, out-of-body experiences), and 4) the value of being informed to better debate the topic. He emphasizes that BAE is contribution-driven and aims to foster parallel discussions rather than censor topics.

NCAE Report: Introduction

The NCAE conference is described as one of the best on the subject, with a focus on lively debate rather than formal presentations. Michael Swords moderated the sessions. The conference included over 40 attendees, including sociologists, psychologists, and physicians. Notably, it was the first clinically-oriented conference to include a session where abductees shared their stories. The report expresses hope that the collegiality and spirit of inquiry from the conference will continue in BAE's pages. The editor notes that some participants requested anonymity, and he takes responsibility for any errors or omissions.

Phenomenology

Dave Jacobs presented his model of abduction phenomenology, which focuses on three areas: physical, mental, and reproductive systems. Primary, secondary, and ancillary events are categorized within each area. The model is summarized in Table 1. For eliciting information on "imaging," Jacobs suggests asking about the being's location, actions, and gaze. The frequent appearance of "animals" that do not behave normally, but are later identified as "greys" upon hypnotic regression, was also discussed. Initial or herald signals preceding abduction events (auditory or visual cues) were detailed, with similarities noted to temporal lobe epilepsy prodromes. It was also observed that most experiencers had childhood abductions, with "adult-onset" abductees often being taken opportunistically.

Table 1: Dave Jacobs' Classification of Abduction Procedures is included, detailing Primary (Physical, Mental, Reproductive), Secondary, and Ancillary (Physical, Mental, Sexual Activity) events.

Hypnosis Techniques

Several hypnosis techniques for investigating abductions were presented:

• Budd Hopkins suggests guiding subjects through their body sensations, starting from the feet, to overcome fear blocks.
• Dick Haines' Three Stage Technique involves three passes: 1) initial description of everything seen, heard, and felt; 2) adding instructions to describe thoughts and feelings; 3) therapist and subject going through the experience together. Haines believes the first narrative is most reliable and that questioning can alter memory.
• Dave Jacobs addresses confabulation by noting that details become more reliable in subsequent regressions through trial, error, and repetition.
• Ron Westrum countered that forensic literature suggests the original narrative is most accurate.
• Dick Haines also uses two microphones to record regression sessions, observing subvocalizations that precede vocalizations and can have opposite meanings.

Working With Children

• Budd Hopkins uses a projective test with portrait sketches (Santa Claus, Batman, ET, etc.) to elicit distress from abductee children when seeing the ET. Children then sort pictures into good/bad people and create stories.
• E.Z. Brenham uses hand puppets of non-threatening characters to allow children to describe experiences in a role-playing setting, giving them control and a sense of safety.
• The isolation experienced by abductees is particularly difficult for children. Inter-generational talk is stressed. Parents should not dismiss experiences as "dreams" or claim they can protect the child.
• An unanswered question was: "How often do kids refer to the visitors using the word 'aliens?' "

Interventions

Two basic strategies for helping experiencers cope with continued abductions were discussed:

• Interrupting an Abduction:
• E.Z. Brenham suggested Post-Hypnotic Suggestions to limit hypnosis to specific therapists or to make the subject hyperalert to herald signals.
• Suggesting a "white noise" or "electrical storm" sound to interfere with herald signals or telepathic commands.
• Using pain (e.g., biting tongue) or anger to interrupt the experience. An example of Ed Walters biting his tongue and the ETs responding with an image of his child being abducted was given. A story of a subject hitting an ET and terminating the abduction was also shared.
• It was noted that blocking herald signals can lead to new signals, and implanted thoughts like "we can take you anytime" may be used. The theory is that shifting consciousness to an alert state makes the subject "too much bother" for the ET.
• The success rate and side effects of these interventions are unknown.
• Mastery Over the Experience:
• Investigator & Experiencer as a Team: Encouraging the subject to be a "co-investigator" to collect further information, fostering a sense of control and therapeutic mastery.
• A Common "SEND" Message: Investigators and abductees agree on a common message to communicate to ETs during abductions, potentially yielding interesting results if responses show concordance.
• Remember the Event: Post-hypnotic suggestions to help abductees remember events clearly and consciously, addressing the frustration of vague recall.

Therapeutic Issues

• Scientist / Therapist Dichotomy: The primary responsibility of the therapist is debated: to stop abductions or retrieve information. The consensus favored stopping abductions, though clinical treatment can aid scientists through results, case studies, and overviews. John Carpenter works with an investigator assistant to document findings.
• MUFON Complaints: Some therapists reported issues with MUFON investigators prioritizing information collection over the experiencer's well-being. Walt Andrus of MUFON acknowledged this and is revising the field investigator's manual.
• Code of Ethics: Dick Haines suggested the necessity of a code of ethics and self-policing to prevent external regulation.

Implants

A discussion on a scientific approach to implant analysis was presented, followed by three investigator studies.

• Scientific Approach: Requires studying the artifact's pedigree (origin, recovery circumstances, reliability of story, temporal elements) and performing physical analysis (performance, composition, structure). Arguments based on performance are considered more compelling than those based on composition or structure.
• Implant #1: A penile implant recovered from an abductee, placed in 1955. Described as less than 1 mm long with fine, flat, noodle-shaped appendages. Elemental analysis showed carbon and oxygen, but no alien origin could be demonstrated.
• Implant #2: Removed from the penis of a circumcised male. Described as 8 mm x 0.5 mm, firm, pliable, and wire-like. Microscopic slides revealed no inflammatory reaction, unusual fibrosis, and hyalinization changes. Conclusion: Inconclusive, but unusual.
• Implant #3: Coughed up from the throat. Described as 1 cm long, 60 microns in diameter, wiry, flat, thin, with a trilobed structure. Elemental analysis: 65% Carbon, 25% Oxygen, 10% Aluminum. Conclusion: Uncertain.
• Recommendations: It was suggested that accumulating items and forming a committee of professionals would be more efficient than individual testing. The possibility of these being artifacts of an implant procedure was raised. None were visible on X-ray.

Abductee Panel

A panel of eight abductees shared their insights:

• Experiences Before Identification: Many felt they were hiding something, experienced as a vague problem that often resolved with treatment. Some felt they were under instructions not to tell anyone, while others felt a sense of mission or purpose. The "A-Ha" experience of intense familiarity upon hearing a story or seeing an ET sketch was common.
• Reflections On Therapy: Participants found therapy helpful for accepting their experiences and gaining a sense of community. They desired to be treated as equals, not just research subjects or patients. Some felt confused about whether they were in research or therapy. They resented the idea of their experience being treated as an illness.
• How Their Experience Affects Them Today: Abductees struggle with living in a reality that challenges conventional understanding. Many must keep their experiences secret due to potential social and business repercussions. Family acceptance is crucial but often elusive. Treatment has helped some accept they are not defective and have unique perceptions.
• Mission/Purpose: Some feel their mission is to act as "experience collectors/cameras/windows" for ETs. Relationships with ETs are described as "student/mentor" or "draftee/drill sergeant."
• Issues Important Now: Curiosity about the unknown, desire for hard data, and remembered conversations are key. Open dialogue in the field is important.
• Advice To Us: Experiencers stressed the importance of having been through it to understand. Opinions were split on being treated as "data," with some feeling anger and others a desire to cooperate. They suggested symptom reporting for surveys and active participation of abductees in survey preparation. Advice on counseling was split between resisting and going with the flow.

Future Directions

• Determining Prevalence: A $200,000 grant will fund research to determine the extent of the phenomenon. Discussions included surveying the general population versus specific groups, using professional polling organizations, multi-stage survey development, and testing on potential abductees. The difficulty of finding people before they are identified as abductees was noted, as well as the challenge of framing questions to avoid false negatives.
• Strategy: Science is seen as a system for convincing people. Research on the "edge" pushes boundaries. Focusing on scientifically solvable questions is advised. Paralleling early child abuse research strategies, where focus was on peripheral features before core concepts were accepted, was suggested. Presenting the field as a variant on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was found to interest skeptical psychiatrists.
• Issuing a Request For Proposal: RFPs could identify new talent, summarize knowledge, clarify goals, and generate suggestions. Peer reviews are valuable for constructive criticism.
• Publish! The lack of published data is a major drawback. Writing up research in a professional manner is crucial. Multi-authored projects and collaboration between academics and clinicians are encouraged. The editor of the American Journal of Psychiatry suggested that publishing a paper requires describing a new syndrome with criteria for inclusion, number of cases, and anecdotal details.
• Disappearing Pregnancies: Mentioned briefly as spectacular but hard-to-document cases, posing personal tragedy for couples involved.
• Debunking the Lawson Argument: The "Lawson Argument," which claims abductions are artifacts of hypnotic process, needs to be addressed. The issue of "research filtration" and the lack of discussion about rejection criteria for cases were noted as weaknesses.

Reflections

The weekend conference was stimulating and enjoyable, with an appreciated emphasis on exchange of experiences and opinions over formal presentations. A sense of camaraderie and common purpose was evident. However, some weak aspects were noted, including a lack of challenging viewpoints and a tacit acceptance of Budd and Dave's interpretation of the phenomenon. The author suggests that future conferences may benefit from more critical discussion. Despite this, the issue is considered important both clinically and scientifically, fostering empathy and collegiality among professionals and abductees. The organizers, Budd and Dave, and moderator Michael Swords, were congratulated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently emphasizes the importance of open inquiry and diverse perspectives within the study of UFO abductions. The editorial stance, as articulated by David Gotlib, M.D., is one of promoting an open-minded consideration of all hypotheses and evidence, fostering discussion among different camps, and acknowledging the phenomenon's potential connection to other anomalous experiences. Recurring themes include the phenomenology of abductions, the challenges and techniques of hypnotic regression, therapeutic interventions for abductees, the scientific analysis of alleged implants, and the personal impact of these experiences. The issue highlights the ongoing need for research, publication, and a more robust understanding of the abduction phenomenon, while also stressing the importance of empathy and support for those who experience it.