I have had some people
ask me questions about shadow people so i found these articles for the hopes
that it helps with some of these questions.
Shadow people (also
known as shadow men, shadow folk, or shadow beings) are
said to be shadow like creatures of supernatural origin that appear as dark forms in the peripheries
of people's vision and disintegrate, or move between walls, when noticed.[1]
Reports of shadow people are similar to
ghost sightings, but differ in that shadow people are not
reported as having human features, wearing modern/period clothing, or attempting
to communicate. Witnesses also do not report the same feelings of being in the
presence of something that 'was once human'. Some individuals have described
being menaced, chased, or attacked by shadow people. There have also been
reports of shadow people appearing in front of witnesses, of which they stay
there or lingering for several seconds before disappearing. Witnesses report
that encounters are typically accompanied by a feeling of dread.[1][2]
Two commonly-reported types of
shadow people
Accounts of shadow people typically describe them
as being black humanoid silhouettes with no
discernible mouths, noses, or facial expressions, though accounts also exist of
them being child-sized humanoids or shapeless masses that sometimes change to a
more human like form. The eyes are usually not described as being discernible
but in some reports glowing eyes are mentioned. The color of the eyes is red.
Generally, they are described as lacking mass, though their specific nature
varies from a two-dimensional shadow to a vaporous or
distorted three-dimensional form (as though made out of smoke or steam). Their
movement is often described as being very quick and disjointed; they may first
move slowly, as if they were passing through a heavy liquid, and then rapidly
"hop" to another part of a witness's surroundings. Some witnesses describe this
movement as though the shadow entities they have seen "danced" from one wall to
the next, or as moving around the room "as if they were on a specific track".
Rarely, they are seen "standing" in the middle of doorways or off the wall.
Often they are described as being seen staring at the floor. Some accounts
describe what appears to be the outline of a cloak, and in some instances the
outline of a 1930s style fedora hat. This last type is referred as the "hat-man".[1][3]
Various depictions and artists
rendering have been posted on the Internet.[4][5]
Several explanations have been proposed to explain
the phenomena of shadow people.
Explanations for shadow people have been drawn
from the fields of parapsychology, metaphysics,
cryptozoology, demonology,
religion, and the occult:
- A creature/s in an alternate reality whose
dimension occasionally overlaps with ours, allowing it to be
partially visible. [1][2]
- A Manifest Thoughtform (egregore), ghost or demon created through
various means, including negative psychic energy, black magic and other occult practices, or an event in which extreme emotional or
physical stress/trauma has taken place. [3]
- A creature in some way linked to Grey and Reptilian aliens[3][2]
- An unattended shadow or shade (mythology), said in
some cultures, to be similar to that of a ghost, a flicker of a life unable to
end for some reason.
Several non-paranormal hypotheses for the
phenomena of shadow people exist, including optical illusions or
hallucinations brought on by
the physiological/psychological circumstances of the witnesses.
In most instances, witnesses report seeing shadow
people in the peripheral areas of their vision. This area of vision is linked to the areas of the brain that recognizes
patterns, however it provides less detail to the brain than macular (center-forward)
vision. This can lead to a condition known as pareidolia, in which the
brain incorrectly interprets random patterns of light/shadow or texture as being
familiar patterns such as faces and human forms.[6] The same condition can also be observed in
macular vision in low light conditions, or when viewing a complex but random
image. A common example would be perceiving a shadow, thrown by an item of
furniture in a darkened room, as being a person.
Also known as waking-sleep, hypnogogia is
a documented physiological condition in which a person is part-way between
sleeping and waking.[7] During hypnogogia, a person can be conscious
and aware of their environment, but also in a dream-like state where they can
perceive images from their subconscious. People experiencing waking-sleep
commonly report the sensation of lights or shadows moving around them, as well
as other visual hallucinations. A feeling of dread is also a sensation
that occurs when experiencing hypnogogia. Hypnogogia is sometimes known as 'the
faces in the dark phenomenon' because those who experience this state commonly
report seeing faces while experiencing waking-sleep.[8] Similar hypothesis have been put forward
linking this condition to a number of other apparent paranormal experiences,
including alien abductions and
paranormal nocturnal visitations.
The use of narcotics and psychotropic
agents, including methamphetamine, cocaine,
and LSD, can
produce shadow person-like hallucinations. Dopaminergic drugs such as
pramipexole can sometimes
cause these hallucinations.[9] Common over-the-counter medication can also
have a similar effect if taken in sufficient quantity (see diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine).
Under the right conditions, electromagnetic fields
can interfere with the functions of the temporal lobe; creating altered states of perception in which auditory and
visual hallucinations can occur.[10]
Using electromagnetic fields,
researches have been able to recreate many of the experiences reported during
paranormal encounters under laboratory conditions, including those of shadow
people.[11][12] Researchers have also documented correlations
between variances in naturally-occurring magnetic fields and areas where
paranormal events have been reported.[13]
Sound waves in the range
12-18Hz cannot be heard by human ears but can cause feelings of disquiet by
disturbing the parts of the inner ear responsible for balance. They can also
cause temporary moving blind spots in peripheral vision. [14]
Certain neurological conditions, such as photosensitive complex partial seizures, have also been shown to cause sufferers to see
shadow people.[15]
- ^ a b c d e Guiley,
Rosemary Ellen (2006-10-30) "Magic, Hauntings & Shadow People", Coast to Coast AM (Broadcast)
- ^ a b c Wagner
Stephen ": Shadow People", About: Paranormal Phenomena (2007-04-25)
- ^ a b c Hollis Heidi
) "Shadow Beings", Coast to Coast AM (Broadcast)
- ^ Jim ) Witness's rendering of a Shadow
Person", Coast to Coast AM
)
- ^ Hollis Heidi,
"Shadow Being Images" (Various artistic renderings of Shadow
People)
- ^ Wiggins Arthur W. Wynn
Charles M. (2001), "Quantum Leaps in the Wrong Direction : Where Real Science
Ends...and Pseudoscience Begins," National Academies Press, ISBN 0-309-07309-X
- ^ Ohayon M M, Priest RG,
Caulet M, Guilleminault C (1996), Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations: pathological
phenomena?, The British Journal
of Psychiatry (October 2006)
- ^ McKellar
Peter (1957), "Imagination and thinking: A psychological analysis," ISBN
B0007DES76
- ^ Falkowski, Carol L.
"Methamphetamine Across America:
Misconceptions, Realities and Solutions" (PDF), Hazelden Foundation.
- ^ Becker Robert O (1990)
"Cross Currents," Tarcher, ISBN 0-87477-609-0
- ^ Persinger Michael A
(2001), "The Neuropsychiatry of Paranormal
Experiences" (October
2006)
- ^ Arzy Shahar, Seeck
Margitta, Ortigue Stephanie, Spinelli Laurent, Blanke Olaf (21st September 2006)
"Induction of an illusory shadow
person", Nature 443 (7109): 245
- 370 (p287)
- ^ Wiseman, R Watt C
Stevens P Greening E O'Keeffe C (2003). "An investigation into alleged
'hauntings'", The British
Journal of Psychology, 94, 195-211
- ^ Sounds like terror in the
air. Reuters. smh.com.au (2003-09-09). Retrieved on
2007-09-19.
- ^ Shuper, A; Vining EP.
"Photosensitive complex partial seizures
aggravated by phenytoin", Pubmed, 2005-04-23. Retrieved on
2006-10-01. (English)
- ^ Time Radio Horror (available
for free download; all episodes believed to be in the public domain)
- ^ http://www.tornspacefilms.com
This from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_people
Second Article I found Below
Shadow people (also known as
Shadow figures, shadow men, shadow beings, or just
“Shadows”) are a supernatural phenomenon seen by some people. Shadow
people are often described as a black figure or humanoid silhouettes. Sometimes
they have been reported as having a misty or smoky appearance. The height of the
Shadow people varies from very short, 3 feet tall, to the very tall, 10 feet
tall. Shadow people are often seen by people who are suffering from sleep
paralysis but this is not always the case. At times people have only seen these
shadows in their peripheral vision.