Carbon Monoxide Theory

[Hayley]

Wikipedia states that:

"Carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause changes in perception of the visual and auditory systems, was recognized as a possible explanation for haunted houses as early as 1921."

As part of a discussion on another forum a member there is challenging the claim that Carbon Monoxide causes people to experience what they believe to be paranormal occurences.

I was just wondering if anyone could shed some light on wether there has ever been research conducted into this theory as I am totally clueless and quite intrigued.

Thanks in advance for any info you guys might be able to provide.

[Mongrel]

Found this;

One such study has been conducted by Dr. David G. Penney. He suggests that long periods of exposure to carbon monoxide, at low levels, can result in long-term effects. He calls this chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. This can cause effects in an individual for days, weeks, months, or even years. Results vary depending on the age and health of an individual.

(from here)

Which supports the idea as a long term condition.

There's also more information at Toxnet

[Hayley]

Thanks
The member in question seems to not understand how this applies to people experiencing ghosts and paranormal occurences.

I explained that:

If people are living or working in a building with Carbon Monoxide in the atmosphere that they are not aware of for a long period of time, or even for a short period of time, they will most likely develop diziness, headaches, drowziness and changes in perception of the visual and auditory systems.

Yet because they are unaware of the carbon monoxide they are being exposed to, they may put these feelings down to ghostly visitors, or may even hallucinate as a result of the carbon monoxide.

I included the link you gave. Thanks once again.

[Dr B]

The classic original study iin this area is published in a book (circa 1950s) by Meduna on Carbon monoxide therapy I think.

There is one copy of the book in the UK library - just one. But its worth a read. Obviously it is dated now - but worth a read even today.

CMT was / is related to hallucinations and altered states.

[dashwood]

everythings gone quiet on Radon gas latley.
but as far as CM goes what about people who see ghosts outdoors?
i realy hope there is no life after death, it would be like listening to radio 3 forever.

[Mulder]

everythings gone quiet on Radon gas latley.
but as far as CM goes what about people who see ghosts outdoors?
i realy hope there is no life after death, it would be like listening to radio 3 forever.

Ghost sightings are caused by a number of different things such as misperception, suggestion, hallucination. So while CO poisoning may explain a few, there are other reasons for the rest.

The idea that ghosts have just one cause is a common one but it is not supported by evidence.

[VoodooJoe]

Interesting.

What about lead paint in old houses? inhaling lead oxide thats smeared on every wall in your spooky turn of the century home might not do your mental faculties much good.

[Graham Lappin]

Just my opinion and sorry to be the sceptic on this one but I really can't buy carbon monoxide or lead poisoning being responsible for ghost sightings - to me this just does not add up.

CO binds to haemoglobin depriving it of the ability to bind, and hence transport, oxygen round the body, including the brian. Oxygen deficiency can cause all sorts of effects including "mis-perceptions" but the problem is that unlike oxygen CO binds strongly to the haemoglobin and hence the effects are prolonged. CO poisoning to the point of hallucination, I think, would result in longer term effects (vomiting, dizziness etc) that would probably make the victim seek medical help. The margin between this level of poisoning and serious effects such as unconsciousness (followed by death) is very narrow and so again, it makes the theory even more difficult to support.

Lead is a chronic poison and so long as the lead paint remained on the walls, I really cannot see how the symptoms (hallucinating ghosts) tallies with the exposure. Stripping lead paint with a heat-gun might causes acute lead poisoning (perhaps) but again the immediate symptoms are going to be a lot worse than imagining some spectre.

Shoot me down on this one but CO and/or lead poising = ghost sightings = non sequitur in my book.


Occam's razor applied - I would go for common or garden drugs - legal or otherwise.

[frog]

Interesting. Thanks.

There are so many things in everyday life that can effect our perceptions. It always amazes me that some people will dismiss that some abnomally they have seen maybe an hallucination and will assert that it is definitely paranormal, yet our brains will show us thousands of incredible visions while asleep.