Extrasensory Perception as a Possible Mechanism for Volitional Self-awaking: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Simon Basovich*

Circadian rhythms are biological cycles that control the timing of various processes within living organisms. Particularly, circadian rhythms and the light influence sleep/wake processes. We explored whether factors other than circadian rhythms or light influenced waking time in humans. On a chair located near the bed of the experimenter was placed an analogue alarm clock face up, separated by a screen. The experimenter inspired himself to wake up, if possible, at certain “exact” moments (target points) 00 min, 15 min, 30 min, and 45 min during any hour, with recording the time of waking up. In the first stage of the investigation (the Experiment 1), the alarm clock showed the correct time. The second stage of research (the Experiment 2) was distinguished by the fact that the assistant moved the hands of the alarm clock 7 minutes forward or backward, without informing the experimenter. In both stages, the time intervals between each recorded time point and the nearest ‘exact’ time point, were calculated and registered. Experimental data processing showed that time intervals are grouped around the mentioned target points (in the Experiment 1) and that the subject’s waking time corresponded to the actual clock time even if the clock time was altered without the subject’s knowledge (in the Experiment 2). This suggests that waking times were not regulated by circadian rhythms, but by some extrasensory means of assessing the actual clock time. So, the reason for a person waking at the exact time under the conditions of this experiment is not circadian rhythms or light, but an ability of a sleeping person to see the alarm clock via an extrasensory means.