Report

OVERVIEW OF CURRENT
PARAPSYCHOLOGY
RESEARCH IN THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION
Edwin C. May, Ph.D. and Larissa Vilenskaya

ABSTRACT

This paper provides an in-depth discussion of research of anomalous mental phenomena (AMP)
in the former Soviet Union. The authors spent approximately two months in Russia during
1992 and 1993, interacting with researchers in Moscow and Novosibirsk. The authors primarily
discuss experiments in anomalous perturbation (often referred to as psychokinesis-PK and bio­
PK) which have been the main focus of AMP research programs in the Soviet Union. In partic­
ular, the authors discuss the methodologies and results of experimental attempts by human
operators to affect the following inanimate and animate target systems: (1) microcalorimeters,
(2) electric noise generators, (3) cellular cultures, (4) plant seeds, (5) plant biopotentials, (6)
frequency of impulses emitted by an electricity-generating fish, (7) eating behavior of mice,
(8) person's reaction time, and (9) parameters of human EEG.

KEYWORDS: parapsychology, distant influence, bio-PK, biological systems, EEG

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 45

INTRODUCTION

I
n this paper, we present some of our observations of anomalous mental
phenomena (AMP) research in the former Soviet Union resulting from our
trip to Moscow in September/October of 1992 and to Moscow and
Novosibirsk in May of 1993. A modified version of this paper was recently
presented at the 36th Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association
in Toronto, Canada. 1 The purpose of our paper is to provide a narrative
overview of the Russian research. Despite a few exceptions, the material we
have is insufficient to provide: (1) a comprehensive assessment of the experi­
mental details, or (2) a formal meta-analysis of classes of studies (e.g., all the
bio-PK investigations). As we are now beginning to work with our Russian
colleagues, we will provide the important additional analyses later, when the
data are available.

AMP research programs in the Soviet Union have primarily focused on experi­
mental studies in "distant influence" on animate and inanimate systems, i.e.,
psychokinesis (PK) and bio-PK. There have been numerous attempts at PK
experimentation with such purportedly gifted individuals as Nina Kulagina,2
extensive studies of mental influence on various physical systems,3-6 plant
growth,7,s and plant biopotentials,9,10 and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
measurements of plant seeds before and after ostensible bio-PK influence. 11 , 12
Following this trend as observed in available Russian literature, we focus our
paper on the analysis of PK and bio-PK studies.

"DISTANT INFLUENCE" ON PHYSICAL SYSTEMS

"DISTANT INFLUENCE" ON MICROCALORIMETER

Since early 1980s, Prof. Georgy K. Gurtovoy (Chief of the Laboratory on

Applying Isotopes in Ophthalmology at the Research Institute of
Ophthalmology and President of the International Academy of Human
Potential in Moscow) and physicist Alexander Parkhomov4,5,13,14 have engaged
in studies of "mental influence" on physical systems like microcalorimeters and
electric noise generators.

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 46

 The set-up of one of the
microcalorimeter devices used in the
experiments is shown in Figure 1.
The system is reportedly sensitive
to changes in temperature of up to
10- 5 °C. It is extremely well
shielded from the environment.
The operators (i.e., individuals who
attempt to influence the target
system) were located from 0.5 to 20
km from the device; some long­
distance tests (Moscow to
Novosibirsk and Moscow to Sofia)
were also conducted. The task of
the operator was to change the
temperature relative to the control
periods. Changes in temperature
observed in these tests were of the
order of 2 x 10-3 °C-a change of
over 10mV on the output of the
Figure 1. Design of the screened recording device was considered a
microcalorimeter. I-Dewar Flask, "hit" (Figure 2). In the experi­
2-glass, 3 and 5-shells, 4-thermistor,
6--temperature stable resistor,
ment between Moscow and
Ice. Novosibirsk (at a distance of about
4,000 km), out of eight trials, six
"hits" were recorded, (.s 2.8 x 10-4 , Poisson's distribution). In nine control
trials during this experiment, there was one "hit," (p = 0.111). In another
long-distance experiment, between Moscow and Sofia, there were 13 trials with
8 "hits." We compute a p-value of 1.1 x 10-4, assuming the previously stated
background rate. Within Moscow (distances of up to 20 km), out of 18 trials,
12 "hits" were recorded (p.s 5.5 x 10-5). The tests seem to be carefully designed,
and there seem to be no obvious artifacts that might provide an explanation
to these results. Using the method of adding p-values,15 we compute a
combined p-value of 1.5 x 10- 11 for the three studies. We emphasize that our
calculations may be based on an incorrect background assumption. Nonetheless,
the results appear quite statistically robust.

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 47

 26. OJ 86

_~----------------~
/s./i'K
z

Figure 2. Fragment of a record of signals obtained during tests with the operator Alan
v: Chumak. i-establishing "contact" with the detector, 2-first distant mental "effict,"
aimed at raising the temperature. The distance between the operator and the detector is
0.5 m, 3-second "effict, " aimed at cooling. The operator is in an adjacent room at a
distance of about 3 m from the detector. At upper left is the result of turning on the
electric heater.

"DISTANT INFLUENCE" ON ELECTRIC NOISE GENERATORS

urtovoy and Parkhomov4,5 conducted another series of experiments

G involving infra-low frequency electric noise generators (e.g., bipolar

and enhancement-mode MOS-transistors, microcircuits, and
polycrystal semiconductors).16 A noise signal was amplified and filtered with
a bandwidth of less than 0.1 Hz. The generator, amplifier, and power source
were located inside a shielded enclosure. During test periods, they observed
an "ordering effect" (i.e., the appearance in the background of an unordered
noise signal of periodic pulsations) with a period of several seconds to hundreds
of seconds, and the subsequent "dissolving" of them within the noise signal
(Figure 3). Other effects observed included the occurrence of gradually
diminishing pulsations of tens of seconds to a few seconds; the reduction of
the amplitude of the noise (Figure 3); or a strong growth of amplitude of the
noise during the effect period (Figure 4).

Usually, during the test, two or three generators were working at the same time.
It is claimed, although there was the lack of a correlation of the signals in the
usual sense, that it was possible to observe in different channels the simulta­
neous (or with a small shift in time) appearance of pockets of periodic pulsations
with a different period; sometimes there was also a simultaneous reduction of
the noise level. At least one example is mentioned when an operator simulta­
neouslyaffected both the micro calorimeter and electric noise generator (Figure 5).

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 48

 ~ ..

r'
i ..

:.: 1,;15207
; : i
,
I ..•

,
21s.:!
. ,
22'11
~.
j: 02~~ ~' Q}~ : ~
•

, " ' , n°.r

• •

.. , .. I !,i ...­ -~1'

, , ..
it'll
~
1.. _

I t­ i -
1.•_..,.._,_

i ,
,.; ~~.+-
I-:.. ':-.l-_

Figure 3. Example of a record of the signal which contains a long pocket of oscillations
within a period of 20 sec. The noise generator is a 1LB201 microcircuit.

The most important question is: what is the probability of these "ordered"
segments appearing by chance? Gurtovoy and Parkhomov do not give a definite
answer to this question, thus making evaluation of this study more difficult.
On the other hand, the "ordering" influence of the mind was hypothesized in
other experiments, such as the attempted influence on background radioactivity
conducted by Dean Radin,17 who concluded that consciousness essentially
"injects order" into random systems (p. 148).

AN INDEPENDENT REPLICATION OF THE TESTS OF "MENTAL

INFLUENCE" ON ELECTRIC NOISE GENERATORS

Two other researchers in Moscow, Kornilov and Rayevsky, 6 undertook an

independent replication of the study of an operator's influence on infra-low
frequency electric noise generators. In the pilot test series, semiconductor

Figure 4. Amplitude growth ofthe noise signal at the time ofthe "effect" of the operator
P. The noise source is a 1LB201 microcircuit (MOS transistors). The time ofthe "effect"
is noted by the horizontal line.

Subtle rn,''Y'fT1Pf • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 49

 '.I61D' ~ ___ L A 1..tJ...-JL
~1~t_~____~2~_____
~_~~J___~~~·I~~-
..J- ___ r----~

'I,.OS.&6

Figure 5. Suppression of the noise of a microcircuit I LB20I and fluctuations of the

microcalorimeter signal during a test with the operator Valery V. Avdeyev. I-establishing
of "contact" with the detector; 2-first "effict" (the operator enters into the state of
"complete calm 'j, 3-second "effict" (strong excitement), 4-an attempt of the operator
M. Nikolayev.from an adjacent room to mentally stimulate V. V. Avdeyev.

generators of flicker noise (bipolar transistors, insulated-gate field-effect transis­

tors-IGFETs, photoresistors) were placed in a brass beaker which, in turn, was
placed in a Dewar flask. Amplifiers of the channels had independent power sources
with precision micropower voltage regulators. Reliable screening and thermosta­
bilization of both the sensors and the amplifiers was provided. During experi­
ments, an operator was located at a distance of 0.5 to 3 meters from the Dewar
flask. In some trials, the operator was in a separate room from the apparatus.

In more than 50 pilot tests with different operators, in only two tests were
anomalous changes of flicker-noise amplitude observed. According to Kornilov
and Rayevsky, the probability that these fluctuations of noise amplitude
occurred by chance is close to 10-6 . The researchers noted that in the process
of operators' influence, instances of "orderliness" of noise fluctuations described
in the study by GUftovoy and Parkhomov 4 ,5 were repeatedly observed.
However, they do not consider these peculiarities of the transistors' behavior
during the operators' influence to be positive effects, because the mechanism
of calculating the probability of obtaining such events by chance is fairly subjec­
tive. According to Gurtovoy, however, an almost "flat" line shown in Figure 5
was never observed during the background periods.

In 1993, Rayevsky and Kornilov conducted a study of an operator's effect on

quartz resonators. The quartz sensors were extremely well shielded (i.e., the
device did not respond to such power noise factors as an electric arc or an

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 50

electric heater with 1 kW power from a distance of 0.5 meters). Yet, in these
tests with a single operator, the researchers observed a change on the order of
100 standard deviations from control runs. These changes do not occur
regularly; however, they do occur often enough to indicate an anomaly. To
understand the origin of the anomaly much further work is required. In such
cases, it is very important to re-examine possible sources of subtle artifacts,
because the statistics of "rare" events are not well understood. Reports of the
study will be available at a later date.

"DISTANT INFLUENCE" ON BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION

I
n this section, we discuss studies conducted by several individuals we met
while in Russia: the above-mentioned Dr. Georgy K. Gurtovoy and
Alexander G. Parkhomov, Dr. Sergei V. Speransky of the Institute of
Hygiene in Novosibirsk and Leonid M. Porvin of the Center for Research of
Bioinformational Unity of Systems in Zelenograd, Moscow region,18 Dr. Tatyana
Krendeleva and her associates of Moscow State University;19,20 Dr. Elvira V.
Morozova,7,8 of the Russian Agricultural Academy in Moscow, as well as the
experiments of psychiatrist Dr. Dmitri G. Mirza and biophysicist Dr. Yuri S.
Dolin in Moscow. A broad range of biological target systems, from tissue
cultures to plants, animals, and humans, were used in these experiments. For
some studies, we provide more detailed descriptions than for others, depending
on the amount of information at our disposal and the availability of the original
sources to other researchers. If the original is a hard-to-find publication in the
Russian language, or we describe the studies from pre-publication copies of
manuscripts, or we base our discussion on personal interaction with the
researchers, we attempt to address the methodologies and obtained results in a
greater length.

BIO-PK EXPERIMENTS WITH CELLULAR CULTURES

Biologists Dr. Tatyana Krendeleva and Sergei I. Pogosyan and their associates
at the Division of Biophysics, Department of Biology, Moscow State University,

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 51

conducted several studies on the effects of operators on animate and inanimate
systems 19 ,20 In one study, the operator (Igor B. Verbitsky) attempted to increase
the chemiluminescence response of peritoneal neutrophils of mice after the
introduction of latex, a standard cell activity promoter. Neutrophils are cells
which take part in providing immune homeostasis of the body. The activity
of cells was estimated from the magnitude of parameter K = (A-F)/F, were
F = the cells' chemiluminescence level in the absence of latex, and A = the
cells' maximum chemiluminescence level after the introduction of latex. For
18 tests, Ftes/Fcontrol 61.5% ± 11.8% and Ktes/Kcontrol = 186.1 % ± 23.9%.
In other words, in test trials, the base level of chemiluminescence decreased
approximately by 40 0/0, as compared to the control; while the effectiveness
of the cells' chemiluminescence stimulation by latex increased by about 800/0.
Thus, according to Krendeleva and her associates, the operator's effect
apparently increases capability of the cells to respond to a standard
stimulator, latex, by an increase in their production of active forms of oxygen.
The results look suggestive of bio-PK effects, but our lack of knowledge of
details of the experiment and possible sources of artifacts pre- cludes definite
conclusions. Additional studies conducted by Dr. Krendeleva and her associ­
ates will be summarized in a later section.

Blo- PK EFFECT ON ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF PLANTS

A group of researchers in Moscow, headed by biophysicist Dr. Yuri S. Dolin,

has been conducting numerous experiments in which electrophysiological
activity of 7 to 15-day-old cucumber plants was the chosen target. 9,10,21 The
plant and measuring equipment were placed into a grounded metal chamber.
The operator, while in another room at a distance of no less than 4 meters
from the plant, attempted to affect the plant by either mentally stimulating or
inhibiting the plant's physiological response to an external stimulus. The
external stimulus involved a change in the illumination conditions, i.e., the
plant was exposed to darkness for 3 minutes. result of each trial was
calculated as the ratio between the test (or control) peak area and calibration
(pre-trial) peak area of the plant's bioelectrical response. In test trials, the
operator stated in advance what kind of was being attempted during a
particular trial, i.e., stimulation or inhibition. There were a total 124 trials;
of these, 91 were control trials and 33 test trials. Using Kolmogorov-Smirnov

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 52

 Distribution Function

... :....................... ~.~. ::. :; :-. :...• ..7?:.:.:.::.:......•.

0.8

0.6
. .:::~ii?:~~~/"···:···
, S tel(Ad)
. . . .
W
.
•
'"
•
:
i' . . •

"• •

r . ,.. . ,. ,.,.,;-,. . . . . . . . . . . . ,

0.4
•
.~
;
:~

0: ~;'~,
.... ' . .'~ . .

0.49 0.69 0.89 1.09 1.29 1.49

Ratio of Areas

Figure 6. Results of the tests on "distant influence" ofplant biopotentials: stimulation

vs. inhibition trials.

statistics, Dolin reported a significant difference between stimulation and inhibi­

tion test trials, with p < 0.01 (Figure 6).

In another test series, the researchers obtained statistically significant results

when an operator attempted a purposeful effect on one of the two plants,
located at a distance of 40 cm from each other. In these tests, only inhibition
of the plant's bioelectric activity was intended. There were 41 test trials and
41 control trials. The data were subjected to analysis by using several nonpara­
metric statistics. The results are presented in Table I and Figure 7.

"DISTANT INFLUENCE" ON ELECTRICITY-GENERATING FISH

Gurtovoy and Parkhomov4 ,5 attempted a bio-PK study in which they monitored

the electric response of electricity-generating fish (Gnathonemus

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 53

 Table I
Results of Statistical Analysis of the Tests with Two Plants

Statistics
Signs Wilcoxon Kolmogorov-Smirnov

p 0.019 0.007 0.032

Petersit) to operators' attempts to "slow down" the fish. This was a replica­
tion of a earlier study by Protasov and his associates 22 conducted in the late
1970s at the Research Institute of Evolutionary Morphology and Clinical
Ecology in Moscow and published in a major Soviet scientific journal. The
dependent variable in these tests was the time interval between the electric
pulses emitted by the fish. In the preliminary series (screening) with unselected
subjects, six out of 31 trials were successful (i.e., a success is defined as greater
than 3 standard deviations), p < 3 x 10- 12 • In the subsequent formal experi­
ment, eight subjects performed 2S trials, 21 being successful, p < 3 x 10- 18 .
In these tests, operators started working at random moments of time. The
tests were conducted with the purpose of "calming down" the fish; thus, the
shifts that occurred were in the direction of an increase in the pulse intervals.
At the same time, as Gurtovoy and Parkhomov pointed out, it is known that
the electric fish primarily responds to changes in its environment (e.g., a change
of temperature, lighting, magnetic field or to sound) with a decrease in the
pulse intervals. Still, although the controls as described by Gurtovoy and
Parkhomov4,5 seem to be adequate, we believe more caution is necessary in
working with biological systems that are highly reactive to changes in their
environment.

"DISTANT INFLUENCE" ON THE EATING BEHAVIOR OF WHITE MICE

Dr. Sergei V. Speransky, whom one of us (LV) has known for over 20 years,
holds a Ph.D. in Biology and is a specialist in toxicology with a long-term
interest in parapsychology. As a biologist, he has always been interested in

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 54

 If
0.8 ~,."
·
....... " " .. ,.
,.. ,~,,:,.:.:.;,:~·::";,:·f·"'~· . ,.. '... '
..,..

t'
,•
....:
. ~

r
II

: ............... .....
,

'
, .... ,.

.:
' ,

: (: .

'Ilt: : : ~£:iol .' ....., ....

· t
• r;JX' ' '
0.6

·· ..•." .
.
0.4 . .. , ... . :
, ' ,
t·:
, :',. " ......... ........... ,., .............. ..

, ,

, . ..
... lr·· ." . ,.'." . . """.,."".,.' . '"
oJ . .

0.2

.:tt J: .

..1 - ­
o .,.. -r ,
67 87 107 127 147

Ratio of Areas

Figure 7. Results of the tests with two plants: Operaor's effect vs. control

studying ESP in animals and using animals as biological detectors of human

"distant influence." In the 1970s, he conducted tests on "anomalous" commu­
nication between two groups of white mice. 23 ,24

The current study that Speransky shared with us during our trip was conducted
in collaboration with Leonid M. Porvin, a specialist in electronic engineering,
who, according to Speransky, developed a "technology" for achieving altered
states of consciousness conducive to "distant influence."18 In these tests, Porvin
was in Moscow, and five target and five control mice subgroups (13 mice in
each, 260 in total) were in Novosibirsk, a distance of 1,700 miles. The

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 55

subgroups belonged to one "social group" (52 mice), i.e., mice which were kept
together for a week or more to reduce the "experimental noise." Photographs
of each subgroup (the mice looked completely "identical," at least to a non­
biologist) were sent to Porvin. In each trial, both mice groups were first starved
for 18 hours to make them more sensitive to external effects. Then the mice
were provided with sufficient amounts of food and water. Meanwhile, Porvin
randomly chose a target picture from each pair of the subgroups and attempted
to either increase or decrease the rate of weight gain by the mice according to
a random protocol. The test was conducted in double blind conditions. The
dependent variable was the difference between the weight gain by the subgroup
of the mice whose increased weight gain was attempted and the subgroup whose
weight Porvin attempted to decrease. The results, according to the statistics
employed by Speransky were significant: there were 70 analysis trials, t = 6.26,
df = 69, P < 2 x 10- 10 .

MENTAL INFLUENCE ON GREY MICE ExPOSED TO

LETHAL DOSES OF IONIZING RADIATION

M
any research groups in Russia are interested in exploring the efficacy
of mental healing, both in biological experiments and clinical
studies. Dr. Dmitry G. Mirza, head of the Research Division of
the National for Traditional Folk Medicine, and his associate V. I.
Kartsev conducted three experimental series on bio-PK (healing) influence on
grey mice exposed to lethal doses of ionizing radiation. 25 The mice were
subjected to 850, 900, and 915 rad from a Cs 137 source in the first, second,
and third series, respectively. All the mice for each series (i.e., the test and
control groups) were irradiated simultaneously with the 30 rad/min dose. There
were 10 mice in each test and 10 in each control group (with one exception
in the second series where one test group contained nine mice). In the first
series, the operators (healers) worked with animals 15 minutes after their irradi­
ation; in the second series, the bio-PK effect was used preventively, i.e., 15-20
minutes before the irradiation; in the third series, a combination of preventive
and post-irradiation effects were used. The dependent variable was the survival
rate of mice after the irradiation.

Subtle L.r..ef Yi-"J • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 56

 10

II)
u
7
~
......
0
6 ... 5
C> 5 . j ...
:.; 4
t::0
~ 3 L. .._ - , 2
2
L - - 1
L
0

5 10 15 20 25 30

Time mer Irradiation (days)

Figure 8. The mortality rate of mice after gamma-irradiation of 900 rad in control
and with attempted preventive bio-Pk effect. (1) control; (2) operator N G. Balashov;
(3) 0. G. Borisoglebskaya; (4) M. B. Fatkin (long-distance); (5) N.l. Pokazeyev.

T
he results of the second and third series are most interesting. There
were four experimental and four control groups in the second series
that was conducted beginning August 13, 1991. For controls, the
mortality was 1000/0, i.e., all 40 mice died without a single one surviving the
19th day after the irradiation. In the test groups, in 19 days, the mortality
was 90 0/0, 50 0/0, 400/0, and 22% respectively (the last was in the group of nine
mice) (Figure 8). While other operators worked at relatively small distances
(meters from the mice), the operaror who turned out to be the most successful
affected mice located in Moscow from the town of Yalta in the Crimea, at a
distance of about 800 miles. In January 1993, 15 mice from 39 in the test
group were still alive as compared to zero in the control group. In the third
series, nine out of 10 animals in one test subgroup and all 10 in another
subgroup survived, as compared to three mice in the control group. The
researchers in Moscow plan to replicate the experiment.

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 57

".MENrAL INIERFERENCE" INfO ANmHER PERsoN'S THINKING PROCESS

natoly Arlashin of the Bioinformation Laboratory at the A. S. Popov

A Society for Radio Engineering, Electronics, and Communications in

Moscow conducted an experiment in which trained sensitives were
asked to "interfere" at a distance into another (sensory-isolated) person's mental
process. Forty-four college students (average age 21 years) were invited to
participate as subjects. They knew neither the focus of the laboratory's activi­
ties, nor the real purpose of the test. Each subject was asked to solve six
mathematical problems which consisted in multiplying a two-digit number by
another two-digit number without the help of pen and paper, with closed eyes.
Problems 4, 5, and 6 consisted of multiplying the same numbers as problems
1, 2, and 3, but because the numbers were reversed, the subjects did not notice
that these subsets were identical (this, however, may be a drawback of the
experiment). The mental "interference" group consisted of sensitives trained
in mental imagery techniques. Prior to the beginning of the test, each subject
was invited to come to the room where the "interference" group was located.
The subjects were led to believe that this was done in order to ask them some
formal questions, but actually it was done to give the members of the "interfer­
ence" group the opportunity to see the subjects they would be asked to affect
mentally. In attempting the "interference," the sensitives imagined mentally
"bombarding" the subject when he was engaged in a mental calculation task,
by a continuous stream of numbers as well as "sending" the subjects emotions
of panic, uncertainty, and a lack of self-confidence. During the test, the
"interference" group and the subject were located in different rooms, with
another room located between the two.

Before the actual test, each subject was asked to solve an additional math
problem to "enter" the working mode. Unknowingly to the subjects, they were
divided into four groups: (1) a group subjected to "mental interference" when
they were solving the first three (1-3) problems; (2) a group subjected to "mental
interference" when they were solving the last three (4-6) problems; (3) a group
subjected to "mental interference" when they were solving problems 2, 4, 6;
and (4) a control group not subjected to "mental interference" at any time.

The results were as follows: when "mental interference" was used when the
subjects were working on problems 1-3, there was a statistically significant increase

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 58

in the time spent by the subjects to solve the problems (42.7 0/0, p < 0.001). The
"interference" of two experienced sensitives, Karl Nikolayev and Ludmila
Korabelnikova, was more effective, increasing the time of calculation by 71.6%.
However, if the "interference" was applied when the subjects were working on
problems 4-6, their calculation time decreased by 21 % (p < 0.01). This is
consistent with literature data on effects of sensory interference on performance
of any mental task: when a person starts concentrating on a task, any distrac­
tion usually impedes his/her performance to a certain degree, but if the person
is further ahead in executing the task he or she responds to distractions by
increasing concentration. If the "mental interference" was applied interchang­
ingly when the subject was working on problems 2, 4, and 6, there was no
significant effect.

"DISTANT INFLUENCE" ON HUMANS WITH EEG RECORDING

D
r. Yuri S. Dolin, a biophysicist, whose experiments with plants we
discussed above, showed us the equipment and design of another
experiment. While in Moscow in the fall of 1992, we were invited to
actually participate in one trial. In this test, a subject was located in a dark,
sound-proof, electrically-shielded chamber, his electroencephalogram (EEG) was
monitored, and changes in alpha waves as the result of remote attention were
recorded. The dependent variable was the relative alpha power change during
effort compared to control periods. In addition, "placebo" trials were employed
when "distant influence" was attempted by a person without "special ability
and/or training." The data obtained in "placebo" trials were similar to those
in control trials.

Dolin later showed us a graphic representation of the EEG analysis in two experi­
ments conducted during our visit to his lab, including the one in which we
participated. One of these tests showed a "perfect" EEG recording of the
complete suppression of alpha during the time of "remote influence" (Figure 9).
We were told that that particular test was a routine trial that directly followed
the trial in which we took part.

A recently published paper by Dolin and his associates 26 provides more details
of the above tests. There were experiments conducted both at short distances,

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 59

 600

~~
400t
200~
effect

5 10 15

Figure 9. Single trial example of remote influence with EEG recording (suppression of
alpha).

when a "sender" (operator) was from 5 to 100 meters from the subject
("receiver"), and at longer distances, from 1 to 10 kilometers. The choice
whether a given trial was a test or control and the direction of influence (activa­
tion or inhibition of the subject's alpha rhythm) were determined randomly.
The subject was blind as to whether the given trial was a test or control. With
four operators and two receivers, 109 trials were conducted: 53 control trials
and 56 test trials. From these, 21 test trials had the operator attempting "activa­
tion" of the subject (thereby intending to decrease the subject's alpha power)
and 21 test trials attempted "inhibition," thereby intending to increase the
subject's alpha power; in the rest of the test trials, operators did not specify the
direction of influence. Thus, the main analysis was conducted for the trials in
which the direction of influence was specified, in the range of alpha (8-13 Hz).
The data for beta and theta waves were also recorded; no effects were observed
in these frequency bands.

The level of significance for changes in alpha was as follows:

The left hemisphere The right hemisphere

Activation p < 0.019 p < 0.004

Inhibition P < 0.067 p < 0.012

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 60

Thus, one interpretation of the data suggests that an operator may be able to
affect alpha power of the sensory-isolated receivers (Figures 10 and 11).
According to Dolin, the main qualification for success of these tests, as in most
of the above-discussed bio-PK tests, is proper training and skill of the operators.

"DISTANT INFLUENCE" ON HUMANS WITH MONITORING

OF REACTION TIME

D
r. Natalia N. Lebedeva, a biologist from the Research Institute of
Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy
of Sciences in Moscow, showed us preliminary results of a pilot bio­
PK study. A subject in a shielded chamber was given a standard task to respond
to a visual stimulus (a dot appearing on a computer screen at random time
intervals) by pressing a button, and the subject's reaction time was measured.
At certain time intervals, an operator located outside the shielded chamber was
asked to affect the subject's right hand to slow down his/her performance with
this hand and thereby increase his/her reaction time. This study is still in
progress, and evaluation of the data has not yet been completed. According
to Lebedeva, preliminary analysis of the data shows a statistically significant
increase in the subject's reaction time during the operator's effect (when the
subject performed the task with the right hand affected by the operator) in the
majority of cases (70-800/0) of the tests. In some cases the significant increase
in reaction time for the right (affected) hand included the period of time after
the operator's effect as well. Thus, a certain degree of variability of the data
probably requires the use of different methods for statistical processing and/or
changes in the experimental protocol, with the purpose being the establishment
of all the variables and factors which may affect the results, e.g., physiological,
methodological, operator/receiver compatibility or mental images created by the
operator. In discussions with Dr. Lebedeva in our laboratory, we identified
some methodological improvements for a formal replication.

ADDITIONAL SUMMARY OF AMP EXPERIMENTS

In our interaction with researchers in Russia, we learned of a number of other

experimental studies. Some of them were very intriguing and were conducted

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 61

 1.

I
0.8 .... " ...... ~
~
0.6
I (­ ~
~ j
:B
('j
A
. . ..... / .• nl>'U'Oe
...
0 0.4
~
:.1 f . nOnYW~p ..e ~
0.2 ~.. • •• a ••••••••••• :•••••••••• -l
,{. . Anb4>A-PHTW
i
0
0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6

Relative Intensity

Figure 10. Results of tests on "distant influence" with EEG recording. Changes in the
alpha power observed during activation of alpha vs. control; the data are shown for the
right brain hemisphere.

under the auspices of prestigious research institutions. At the same time, some
of the studies have methodological problems. For many of them, however, we
do not yet have sufficient information to provide a detailed evaluation.
Therefore, instead of discussing each of these studies separately, we summarized
them in Table II. Although the emphasis is on bio-PK experiments, one PK
attempt to affect inanimate systems is included as well.

CONCLUSIONS
In concluding this review of some aspects of parapsychology in the former
Soviet Union, we would like to point out that in Russia, as elsewhere, there is
a wide range of research skills. We found the researchers to be enthusiastic

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 62

 1.1

"osl
~
.~

k:E ~
-j
<:':I
..0
0
'"'
~
O"6f ~

O"l n::::::..e""l
0.2

...

~f
.~~~~.~~~~.~~ .... "'1
o
0
~ t···
0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2
I
1.5
1
1.9

Relative Intensity

Figure 11. Results of tests on "distant influence" with EEG recording. Changes in the
alpha power observed during inhibition of alpha vs. control; the data are shown for the
right brain hemisphere.

but, in some cases, the experimental work suffers. At times, some experimenters
are not as self-critical as good science might dictate. Varied writing styles and
reporting standards often make formal analysis difficult. Additionally, the
"culture" is strongly biased toward an influence (PK) model. Alternative
theoretical views, similar to the Intuitive Data Sorting (IDS) informational
model, 27 are not only non-existent, but in discussions are often rejected
outright, without being examined.

Nevertheless, one conclusion can be made with a high degree of certainty: for
a number of years, researchers in the former Soviet Union have been engaged
in a broad range of studies of anomalous mental phenomena, primarily in the
PK and bio-PK areas. Such prestigious institutions as Moscow State University
and the research institutes of the Academy of Sciences have been involved in
AMP studies that are supported by both government and private

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 63

 Table II
Summary of Some AMP Studies in the Former Soviet Union

Principal Location Experiment Experiment Comments

author and type task
reference

Krendeleva Moscow State PK on change pH pH appears to de­

(Pogosyan, U niversiry, physical of water crease with opera­
et aL, Biology systems tor's effect; needs
1993) Department more controls.

Krendeleva same bio-PK change positive results

(Nikolayev, NMR- are reported; in­
et aL, parameters sufficient data
1993) of plant for assessment.
seeds

Dolin International bio-PK change significant results;

(Sidyakin, Academy of and EMF animal effects are enhanced
et aL, Human Poten- E&M behavior in the presence of
1992)28 tial in Moscow Effects E&M. In-
and Simferopol sufficient data for
State U niversiry definitive conclusions

Dolin In ternational bio-PK change positive results

(Tkach uk, Academy of enzyme are reported;
et at., Human Potential activiry insufficient data.
1992)29 and a group in in plants
Kiev, Ukraine

Kaznacheyev, Institute of bio-PK mcrease 20% to 30%

mcrease
Mikhailova Clinical and growth in cell mitoses is
(Mikhailova Experimental of a reported; details
Merenkova, Medicine, tissue of the tests are
& Feldman, Novosibirsk culture not described.
1991)30

Mikhailova Institute of bio-PK affect positive results

(Kazna- Clinical and RNA are reported;
cheyev, Experimental synthesis insufficient data
Mikhailova, Medicine, in tissue for assessment.
& Vladimir- Novosibirsk cultures
sky, 1990)31

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 64

funding. We believe a more comprehensive review and meta-analysis of AMP
studies in Russia should be conducted. We also hope that our cooperation
with our Russian colleagues will continue and will provide all of us with a
deeper understanding and further insights into manifestations of anomalous
mental phenomena.

• • •
CORRESPONDENCE: Edwin C. May, Ph.D. • Science Applications International
Corporation • 1010 El Camino Real, Suite 330 • Menlo Park, CA 94025

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: We thank Dr. Marilyn]. Schlitz, Mrs. Charlotte Berney, and Mr.
Douglas MacGowan for their comments and editorial assistance.

REFERENCES AND NOTES

1. E. C. May & L. Vilenskaya, Some Aspects of Parapsychological research in the Former

Soviet Union, Proceedings ofthe 36th Annual Convention ofthe Parapsychological Association,
Toronto, Canada (1993), pp. 57-74.
2. V. N. Volchenko, G. N. Dulnev, K. I. Krylov, et al. [Recording of Extreme Physical Fields
of a Human Operator]. In Tekhnicheskiye aspekty refleksoterapii i sistemy diagnostiki
[Technical aspects of reflex therapy and diagnostic systems] (Kalinin State University,
Kalinin, 1984), pp. 53-59. [in Russian]
3. A. V. Bobrov, T. V. Kolesnikova & F. O. Shraivman, Remote Influence of Man on an
Electrode System, Biojizika 31,2 (1986), p. 365 [in Russian] English translation in:
Biophysics, 31,2 (1986), pp. 406.
4. G. K. Gurtovoy & A. G. Parkhomov, Human Distant Influence on Physical and Biological
systems. In Anomalnyye yavleniya: Fakty, issledovaniya, gipotezy [Anomalous Phenomena:
Facts, studies, hypotheses] Center GALS, Moscow, Issue 1, 1991), pp. 6-11. [in Russian]
5. G. K. Gurtovoy & A. G. Parkhomov, Experimental Study on a Person's Remote Influence
on Physical and Biological Systems. Parapsikhologiya i Psikhojizika [Parapsychology and
Psychophysics] 4,6 (1992), pp. 31-51. [in Russian] English translation in: Journal of the
Society for Psychical Research, in press).
6. G. B. Kornilov & V. Yu. Rayevsky, Experimental study of psychokinesis on semiconductor
structures. In Mezhregionalnaya nauchnaya konferentsiya: Problemy biopolya [Inter-regional
scientific conference: Problems of the biofield] (I. M. Kogan, Ed.) A.S. Popov Sociery,
Rostov Yaroslavsky, 1991), pp. 36-39. [in Russian]
7. E. V Morozova, V. S. Polikarpov, Yeo B. Dashevskaya, M. M. Bokovaya, N. A. Yuriyeva,
& V. L. Lozhkin, Human "Distant Influence" on Plant Growth, In Materialy Vsesoyuznogo
komiteta po problemam energoinformatsionnogo obmena v prirode [Materials of the All-Union
Committee on the Problem of Energoinformational Exchange in Nature] (Union of
Scientific and Engineering Societies of the USSR, Moscow, Vol. I, Part 1, 1989), pp. 304­
312. [in Russian]

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 65

8. E. V. Morozova, V. S. Polikarpov, V. Yeo Suponitsky, & A P. Ilyina, On the Possibility
of transmission of Information from Humans to Plants. In Mezhregionalnaya nauchnaya
konferentsiya: Problemy biopolya [Inter-regional scientific conference: Problems of the
biofield] (I. M. Kogan, Ed., AS. Popov Society, Rostov-Yaroslavsky, 1991), pp. 7-8. (in
Russian]
9. Yu. S. Dolin, V. A Davydov, B. D. Lemeshko, E. V. Morozova, I. V. Mirotin, & D. Yeo
Shumov, Recording of Human Distant Influence on a Plant by Electrophysiological
Reactions, Abstracts of papers presented at the conference Dusha i nauka [Science and Sou~,
Yalta, Crimea, Simferopol (1992), p. 21.
10. Yu. S. Dolin, V. A Davydov, B. D. Lemeshko, I. V. Mirotin, V. Morozova, E, & D. Yeo
Shumov, Recording of Human Distant Influence on Plants, In Sverkhslabyye Vzaimo­
deistviia v tekhnike, Prirode i obshchestve [Ultraweak interactions in technology, nature, and
Society], Abstracts of papers presented at AS. Popov Scientific and Technological Society
of Radio Engineering, Electronics, and Communications, Moscow (1993), pp. 19-20 [in
Russian]
11. T. P. Reshetnikova, Methods for Objective Registration of the Effects of Human force
Fields on Biological Systems, In Materialy Vsesoyuznogo komiteta po problemam energoin­
flrmatsionnogo Obmena v Prirode [Materials of the All-Union Committee on the Problem
of Energoinformational Exchange in Nature] (Union of Scientific and Engineering Societies
of the USSR, Moscow, Vol. I, Part 1, 1989), pp. 300-303. (in Russian).
12. T. P. Reshetnikova, A Sensitive's Influence on the Blood and on Plant Seeds, In Anomalnyye
yavleniya: Fakty, Issledovaniya, Gipotezy [Anomalous Phenomena: Facts, studies,
Hypotheses] (Center GALS, Moscow, Issue 1, 1991), pp. 14-15. [in Russian]
13. G. K. Gurrovoy, Yeo A Dubitsky, & A G. Parkhomov, A person's Remote Influence on
a Screened Microcalorimeter: Experiment Moscow-Novosibirsk, Parapsikhologiya i
Psikhojizika [Parapsychology and Psychophysics] No. 1,9 (1993), pp. 29-39. [in Russian]
14. L. Vilenskaya, Notas Sobre los Estudios Parapsicologicos en la Union Sovietica y en la
Comunidad de Estados Independientes, Revista Argentina de Psicologia Paranormal 4,1
(1993), pp. 9-24. [in Spanish]
15. R. Rosenthal, Meta-Analytic Procedures for Social Research (Sage, Beverly Hills, CA, 1984).
16. These are similar to the random number generator experiments in the West.
17. D. Radin, Beyond Belief: Exploring Interactions Among Mind, Body, and Environment,
Proceedings of the 35th Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association, Las Vegas,
Nevada (1992), pp. 134-150.
18. L. M. Porvin, & S. V. Speransky, Study of Human-Animal Communication at a Distance
Between Moscow and Novosibirsk, Parapsikhologiya i Psikhojizika [Parapsychology and
Psychophysics], No. 1,9 (1993), pp. 8-29. [in Russian]
19. G. M. Nikolayev, G. P. Kukarskikh, N. V. Nizovskaya, 1. B. Verbitsky, & T. Yeo
Krendeleva, Study of Relaxation Characteristics of Water Protons in Sprouting Seeds
subjected to extrasensory effect, In Sverkhslabyye vzaimodeistviia v tekhnike, prirode i obshch­
estve [Ultraweak interactions in technology, nature, and society]' Abstracts of papers
presented at the AS. Popov Scientific and Technological Society of Radio Engineering,
Electronics, and Communications, Moscow (1993), pp. 27-28.
20. S. 1. Pogosyan, V. B. Turovetsky, I. B. Verbitsky, T. Yeo & Krendeleva, Changes of pH
of water with extrasensory effect. In Sverkhslabyye vzaimodeistviia v tekhnike, prirode i
obshchestve [Ultraweak interactions in technology, nature, and society], Abstracts of papers
presented at A.S. Popov Scientific and Technological Society of Radio Engineering,
Electronics, and Communications, Moscow (1993), pp. 26-27. [in Russian]

Subtle Energies • Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 66

21. Yu. S. Dolin, V. A. Davydov, E. V. Morozova, D. Yeo & Shumov, Studies of a Remote
mental Effect on Plants with Electrophysiological Recording, Proceedings ofthe 36th Annual
Convention of the Parapsychological Association, Toronto, Canada, (1993), pp. 41-56.
22. V. R. Protasov, V. D. Baron, L. A. Druzhkin, O. Yu. & Chistyakova, Gnathonemus petersii
as an Indicator of External Influences, Doklady Akademii Nauk USSR [Reports of the USSR
Academy of Sciences], 260,1 (I981), pp. 248-252. (English translation in Doklady Biological
Sciences, 260 (1982), pp. 1-6, 474-477. [in Russian]
23. S. V. Speransky, Extraordinary Transmission of Information about Starvation. In
Psikhicheskaya samoregulyatsiya [Psychological Self-regulation, Moscow] Vol. 3 (1983), pp.
389-391. [in Russian]
24. S. V. Speransky, Experiments on the Study of Human-Animal communication, In
Informatsionnyye vzaimodeystviya v biologii [Informational interactions in biology] (Tbilisi
State University,Tbilisi, 1990), pp. 53-75. [in Russian]
25. V. I. Kansev, Lethal Gamma-Irradiation and Bioenergy Therapy, Parapsikhologiya i
Psikhofizika [Parapsychology and Psychophysics] 1,9 (1993), pp. 44-48. [in Russian]
26. Y. S. Dolin, V. I. Dymov, N. N. & Khatchenkov, Preliminary Study of a Human
Operator's Remote Effect on the Psychophysiological State of Another Individual with EEG
Recording, Proceedings of the 36th Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association
(Toronto, Canada, 1993), pp. 24-40.
27. E. C. May, D. L Radin, G. S. Hubbard, B. S. Humphrey, & J. M. Utts, Psi Experiments
with Random Number Generators: An Informational Model. In Research in Parapsychology
(D. H. Weiner & D. I. Radin, Eds., Scarecrow Press. Mutuchen, NJ, 1985), pp. 119-120.
28. V. G. Sidyakin, V. P. Pavlenko, T. I Orlova, N.P. Yanova, & Yu. S. Dolin, An approach
to Objective Study of Psi Phenomena, Abstracts ofpapers presented at the conference Dusha
i nauka [Science and Soul} Simferopol (1992), pp. 9-11. (in Russian).
29. Yeo Tkachuk, V. Morgun, Zh. Guralchuk, L. Kuzmenko, V. Stetsenko, Yu. Zhivlyuk, &
Yu. Dolin, Changes of Phosphoric Metabolism Enzyme Activity Affected by Biofield,
Abstracts ofpapers presented at the conference Dusha i nauka [Science and Soul}, Yalta, Crimea,
Simferopol (1992), pp. 22-23.
30. L. Mikhailova, A. Merenkova, & P. Feldman, Distant Interactions, Anomaliya [Anomaly},
(1991), pp. 3-5. [in Russian]
31. V. P. Kaznacheyev, L. P. Mikhailova, & I. B. Vladimirsky, Distant Informational Processes
in Biosystems, In Doklady Vse- soyuznoy nauchno-tekhnicheskoy shkoly-seminara, Papers of
the All Union School-Seminar, Tomsk, (1990), pp. 80-86. [in Russian]

• Volume 3 • Number 3 • Page 67