Science and Halloween - pondering Zombies & Werewolves & the like

[science_spot]

Halloween brings to mind many scary, interesting things, such as werewolves, zombies and other "mythical" creatures.  Most people assume these creatures could not exsist, but is that the truth, or just our fear trying to convince us?

 

Werewolf stories have been around for centuries.  It's pretty scary to think a man can turn into a wolf or wolf-man hybrid and terrorize people.  The internet is full of sites to read about werewolves, stories/legends, sightings, but one site it particular (Werewolves: Myths and Truths) looks at werewolf information with an eye for science.  Can scientific knowledge prove the exsistance of werewolves or explain their sightings? 

It appears that when people think they are werewolves, treatment with antipsychotic medications (or discontinuation of hallucinogenic drug use) seems to cure them.  This leads us to believe modern medicine/science agrees (most cases of) lycanthropy is a figment of the imagination. This imagination can have a variety of sources, including medication, conditions of the brain (such as walnut brain), hallucinogenic drug use, food contamination (such as ergot in wheat), and physical conditions (such as hypertrichosis).

 

Zombies are another story. The thought of undead man-like creatures roaming around the Earth, passing along their zombie-ness really freaks me out.  Can zombies be killed?  Can we defeat them if a zombie break-out occurred?  (check out this past post to find out the answer).  More importantly, do they really exsist?  For some background on zombies, check out this wiki note... which actually gives a fair history on the subject which freaks me out just a little bit more.

Are zombies walking the earth right now?  not that I know of.  Could they in the future?  Possibly.  This website gives a few scenerios of how that could happen (radiation and virus), along with some description of what a zombie brain could look like.  Pretty close to the plot in the movie "28 Days Later".  That's a little scary!  Actually it's ALOT scary!!

 

Many scientists aim to disprove ideas that vampires, zombies, werewolves, ghosts, etc... walk the earth with humans.  This article sounds like it has some good solid reasons why these beings don't exsist, but I am ot convinced.  After all, science is a collection of tools we use to describe the physical world around us.  These beings may not always be part of our physical world, and so there may be other tools to describe their presence, morphology and actions, that we just have not identified yet.  After all, just because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there! I am leaving myself open to the idea that ghosts walk among us, and zombies could happen. Vampires and werewolves I think would explained by a medical condition.  What do you think??  

 

Tonya

AKA sunmoonstars

The Science Spot

 

 

[Momforhealth]

Oct. 29, 2009 at 10:24 AM

I used to be so afraid at night when i was little of vampires!!  lol If you read revelations in the bible, it explains during one of the signs this female creature with teeth like a dog feeding on people for 5 days and they will not die.  Not sure what this represents but if you read it for what it says its spooky!!  I'm sorry I do not know what verse exactly.

[auroragold]

Oct. 29, 2009 at 7:53 PM

as always - great post!

[KristiS11384]

Oct. 30, 2009 at 11:02 AM

According to some mythologies I am a werewolf because I was born on Friday the 13th.

[science_spot]

Oct. 30, 2009 at 12:00 PM

Oh Kristi how very interesting.........  let's see your teeth ;)

(Original Poster)

[gypsysmiles]

Oct. 30, 2009 at 12:51 PM

You didn't mention vampires.

I have a disorder that is called Porphyria. A heme processing disorder causes me to be extremely photosensitive. Porphyria can be traced to middle Europe. There's a good chance that Ol' Vlad had the same. It is pretty nifty.

[science_spot]

Oct. 30, 2009 at 1:07 PM

ah yes gypsysmiles - good one!  That whole co-relation is very interesting.

(Original Poster)

[JoyeAustin]

Oct. 30, 2009 at 2:09 PM

I believe in ancient times when magic was far more active and alive on the earth, you could see creatures such as these that are only mythological now... and I'm going to go ahead and be reeeeeally thankful for that.

[babymomma0306]

Oct. 30, 2009 at 5:49 PM

   Neat thanks

[PinkSodaPop]

Oct. 30, 2009 at 6:04 PM

Interesting stuff.... Cool post!   *Smiles*