(B.) Magnified view of conidial heads in area outlined in red. Image taken through a dissecting microscope with Sony W-300 camera (40x magnification). The largest heads are about 400 to 500 micrometers (0.4 to 0.5 mm) in diameter. The heads appear roughened by radiating string-like chains of conidia, another characteristic separating this mold from Rhizopus. These chains of conidia are readily broken in prepared slides and are difficult to show intact under high magnification with a compound microscope. The yellowish background is the basal felt (mycelium) on surface of bread.
“I know what you’re thinking; this is about a ghost hunting club that’s investigating the alleged spooks roaming the halls of Clarkson University in New York, right? No, not at all; it’s a serious study conducted by professor Shane Rogers to see if there is a connection between various molds and fungi that may cause various psychotic episodes; that “toxic molds can trigger psychosis and that such might cause you to see and hear things that go bump in the night,” says the Huffington Post.
“Hauntings are very widely reported phenomena that are not well-researched,” Rogers admits, but with the proper research, a connection might be found. He continues to tell us that so-called ghost sightings are often reported in older buildings, and because some people have reported depression, anxiety and other effects from exposure to biological pollutants in indoor air, that a connection might exist. Basically, professor Rogers and his group of researchers are attempting to determine whether some of these hauntings are linked to specific pollutants. If this is so, then the concept of psychical research will have to add a new discipline to the profession – Environmental analysis to reputedly haunted locales.
Though many serious researchers already apply some such tests to research sites, such as ‘ion counting’ to possibly explain certain emotional and topic-specific psychological responses by some sensitive people, the study is logical and timely. Moreover, because historians are well educated on the affects of certain molds if ingested, such as the LSD-like affect of eating Ergot found on wheat and other grains, the testing for molds and fungi as a possible causative agent might end up a fledgling department to the field of psychical research.
Recently, Clarkson University posted their intentions regarding this research project in this online posting on the university’s website. Below are excerpts of such intentions.
Undergrads Research Link between Hauntings & Indoor Air Quality
Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering Shane Rogers said human experiences reported in many hauntings are similar to mental or neurological symptoms reported by some individuals exposed to toxic molds. It is known that some fungi, such as rye ergot fungus, may cause severe psychosis in humans.
“The links between exposure to toxic indoor molds and psychological effects in people are not well established,” Rogers said. “Notably, that many hauntings are associated with structures that are prime environments to harbor molds or other indoor air quality problems … And that hauntings are very widely reported phenomena that are not well-researched,” he said. “They are often reported in older-built structures that may also suffer poor air quality. Similarly, some people have reported depression, anxiety and other effects from exposure to biological pollutants in indoor air. We are trying to determine whether some reported hauntings may be linked to specific pollutants found in indoor air.”
Rogers continues: “By comparing these samples to samples from places with no reported hauntings, the researchers hope to identify factors unique to the haunted locations. They are looking for commonalities in the mold microbiome in the places believed to be haunted compared to the controls, as well as analyzing the types of toxic molds that may cause psychological effects in humans. What I do hope is that we can provide some real clues as to what may lead to some of these phenomena and possibly help people in the process.”
Rogers went n to say that what makes this concept an incredible story for researchers of the paranormal is that it’s a serious study that falls firmly in the arena of empirical research, placing an otherwise important aspect to such research, which has been lambasted with ridicule since people began investigating such incidents, in a fair and honest light.
“As a longtime fan of ghost stories,” Rogers said, “the goal is not to debunk the legends but to instead provide insight on why certain places are perceived to be haunted…What I do hope is that we can provide some real clues as to what may lead to some of these phenomena and possibly help people in the process.”
According to the Clarkson University website:
“Rogers’ team of undergraduate students plan to measure air quality in several haunted locations in upstate New York, including the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg, N.Y. The museum is the former home of Madame Vespucci, and, according to Haunted Places, her voice can be heard echoing from the museum’s upper level at night.”
This is a classic haunting case that has been told and retold for many years, and has a fixed place in the annals of folklore. Though either way the results turn out, we should be happy that those firmly lodged in the arenas of hard science, engineering and other disciplines are taking that first big step in facing obstacles that otherwise frighten, or insult them. Furthermore, if they are honest, and cannot link empirical data that will enforce a cause other than down-to-earth causes, than a great amount of applause should be offered to these researchers, and most certainly to Professor Rogers for bearing the brunt of the obvious naysaying from his detractors, and possible chagrin from his colleagues.
Good show professor! We look forward to your findings…
For more information, check out these websites:
http://www.clarkson.edu/news/2015/news-release_2015-03-31-1.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/05/ghosts-caused-mold-clarkson-university_n_7006836.html
http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2015/04/mold-in-the-air-may-be-causing-ghosts-in-the-house/
http://blackmold.awardspace.com/black-mold-toxic-stachybotrys-mycotoxins.html
PSIresearcher 