Are certain reports of hauntings caused by magnetically-induced hallucinations? That is the question MADS is designed to answer.

MADS is the name given to the Magnetic Anomaly Detection System recently developed for parapsychological investigations. It is designed to field-test the idea (based on laboratory evidence) that weak, complex magnetic fields can induce ghost-like hallucinations. Such induced hallucinations are seen, by some researchers, as a plausible mechanism to explain some reports of hauntings. Until recently, field evidence to test that theory was scant. MADS is designed to fill that need for further evidence.

The hardware consists of two, high-speed digital fluxgate magnetometers (below) that are directly interfaced to separate laptop PCs (right). The purchase of the PCs was funded by ASSAP, with all other funding coming from private business donations.

MADS sensor

MADS represents the most advanced system currently being used in field-based apparitional research and can also be applied to other laboratory-based studies as well. It provides the investigator with a detailed real-time representation of the magnetic environment being studied.

Early results have already provided promising evidence of suitable magnetic fields at a haunted location.

For a general, non-technical introduction to MADS, as well as an accessible summary of findings to date, look under Other Publications. For more detailed descriptions, look at the Scientific Papers. For a description of the MADS itself, look under Hardware and Software.

MADS laptops