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["Earth rays"--an underground phenomenon?]

A Baerheim1, H Sandvik

  • 1Seksjon for allmennmedisin, Universitetet i Bergen.

Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening : Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin, Ny Raekke
|June 30, 1997
PubMed
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This study investigated "earth rays," a claimed cause of illness. Dowsers failed to consistently map these rays, suggesting treatments are based on chance, not scientific evidence.

Area of Science:

  • Geophysics
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Scientific Methodology

Background:

  • Lay press reports link illness to "earth rays."
  • Earth rays are purportedly mappable by dowsing.
  • No scientific evidence supports the existence of earth rays.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To scientifically evaluate the existence and mapping of "earth rays" using dowsing.
  • To determine if dowsing can reliably detect and map purported earth ray patterns.
  • To assess the validity of treatments based on earth ray detection.

Main Methods:

  • Four dowsers independently mapped earth ray patterns in a gymnasium.
  • Supervisors ensured dowsers could not communicate during the experiment.
  • Dowsing patterns were compared for consistency and reproducibility.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Dowsers produced four distinct and non-overlapping earth ray patterns.
  • The results demonstrated a lack of consensus and reproducibility in dowsing.
  • No consistent pattern or evidence for earth rays was found.

Conclusions:

  • The dowsing method for detecting "earth rays" lacks scientific validity.
  • Reported patient relief from protective measures appears coincidental.
  • Treatments based on dowsed earth ray patterns are not scientifically supported.