Investigation into Assertions of Extraterrestrial Abductions

Mark H. claims to have experienced an alien abduction, vividly recalling a night where he felt paralyzed, saw flashing lights, heard buzzing sounds, levitated, and encountered nonhuman figures by his bedside. Convinced that these were aliens, he underwent hypnosis, revealing an account of being taken onto a spaceship, undergoing medical examinations, and engaging in sexual contact with an extraterrestrial.

To investigate the physiological responses associated with such abduction memories, researchers at Harvard University conducted an experiment. Ten individuals who claimed to have been abducted, some multiple times, participated. Under hypnosis, seven reported experiences involving sperm or egg extraction and direct sexual contact with aliens. The researchers created neutral scripts based on their stories, turning them into audiotapes. When played, these tapes induced strong emotional and physiological reactions, comparable to those in individuals recalling combat or other traumatic events.

Presenting their findings, Professor Richard McNally highlighted the power of emotional belief, emphasizing that those who sincerely believe in alien abductions exhibit responses similar to genuinely traumatized individuals. The researchers, however, never entertained the idea that actual abductions occurred. They associated these memories with a phenomenon called "dreaming with your eyes wide open," linking them to sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and the tendency to find meaning in the experience.

The researchers propose that a combination of pre-existing New Age beliefs, sleep paralysis episodes, hallucinations, and hypnotic memory recovery may contribute to the formation of beliefs and memories about alien abductions. While psychological assessments reveal little evidence of mental illness, abductees often have rich fantasy lives and a strong interest in New Age practices.

McNally and his colleagues conclude that these experiences, akin to historical interpretations of encounters with ghosts, witches, or demons, elicit emotional reactions similar to those with real memories of combat or abuse. Despite the often terrifying nature of the encounters, many abductees interpret them as spiritually transformative, expressing gratitude for their perceived contact with extraterrestrials.

Full story here: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/02/alien-abduction-claims-examined-2/