posted on Sep, 11 2012 @ 04:03 PM
reply to post by SE7EN
I am very certain that it is the scent of death that not only causes the psycho-physiological cascade that occurs when exposed to this type of
stimulus, (The subjective haunting experience) but in all likelihood is why we as Homo Sapiens Sapiens invented religion and tend to embrace the
belief in an afterlife. (Evolutionary psychology) Simply put virtually every creature reacts to the con-specific markers of death of their own
species, and no surprise as it offers a tremendous survival advantage to do so. This ability is ancient and ubiquitous going back to a common ancestor
some hundreds of millions of years ago. If one looks at the debate from this point of view the picture of what is really going on becomes clear and
validates both the skeptic’s perspective and most surprisingly the believers as well! Simply put, it works just as reported once you remove the
mythology believed to be causing it. It turns out that human sensitivity to the long chain molecules is equal to or better than dogs and better than
rats! This not only allows us to smell the BBQ two blocks away it also allows us to detect the death scent before the predator can see us!
The problem actually started when we began building permanent structures, which were perfect for storing dormant odors for very long periods of time
only to be reactivated by moisture. Once we have detected the markers we not only experience a profound physiological reaction that skews our
perceptions (General Adaptation) but also can and do detect and react to the unique odor of the deceased individual as well. Even before we
consciously detect these odors our body is already reacting to them causing a chain reaction that skews our perception and causes us to see and hear
things what would otherwise be irrelevant! Suddenly we begin to see shadows of things lurking in the darkness, etc.! This trait has evolved simply
because it is better to run from the imagined predator and live to reproduce than it is to miss one and get eaten! I am not suggesting that the
skeptics got it wrong, just that their piece of the puzzle is incomplete. The believers for their part were being honest to an extent after all! It is
indeed an ancient and forgotten ability, it is located in the approximate center of our forehead, and even the characteristics of how odors can be
activated and spread in an environment follow the pattern. Some people will be very sensitive to this and others will not because of the tremendous
variation in olfactory sensitivity between any two individuals (several orders of magnitude) and it will run in families. Women will generally be more
sensitive and particularly so during the age of reproduction. (18-45) Of course, virtually all rituals designed to get rid of a ghost or haunting
include some sort of odorant (flowers or incense) to mask the cause of the issue, which is why they tend to work for a while and then wear off if the
organic material is not removed from the location. A proper burial is imperative as our ancestors learned because if you botch the burial you will be
plagued with a haunted experience until you get it right. The beginning of religion! Basically, it works like this. There are three components to a
haunting: location, (how well does the location absorb and retain organic compounds) the source (How much organic material is present), and observer
(how sensitive is the observer to con specific markers). The physiological trigger that prompts a haunted experience simply does not work without
these three components, and falls into the category of belief and psychology! However, the source is not spiritual energy, but organic compounds that
remain after death that becomes active when one introduces humidity to the material.