High-Voltage Syndrome Explored on TV
The cast of the BBC’s Sea of Souls.
The latest episode of the BBC’s Sea of Souls supernatural thriller series, examined the little-known phenomenon of High-Voltage Syndrome (HVS). The syndrome is related to PK, or psychokinesis: mind over matter. Subjects manifest sudden huge electric charges which endanger anyone near them, and set off electrical instruments.
But does this syndrome actually exist?
There are many cited instances on the Internet. Here are two of them:
“[In the] 19th century D. D. Holmes was known for his ability to levitate and to handle hot coals without being burned. But, also during this time, there were individuals known as ‘electric people’ who experienced a ‘high-voltage syndrome’. They made knives and forks cling to their skin, and with a touch could send furniture flying across a room.”
In 1846, when Angelique Cottin of La Perriere, France, was 14, practical control of electricity was still some 30 years in the future. Thus the sudden appearance of what seemed to be uncontrolled electrical energy in the girl was both mystifying and terrifying. For 10 weeks in all, Cottin appeared to be “charged” her touch sent heavy furniture flying across the room, those around her could not grasp any object she held, and in her presence, compasses danced madly. Sometimes the young girl’s powerful seizures brought her to the edge of convulsion, and she often ran away at the first indication of an attack. Cottin, whose case was reported by French physicist Francois Arago, was one of a handful of historical figures known as electric people, victims of something called “high-voltage syndrome,” a condition that may be related to the alleged psychokinetic powers of certain subjects now being studied in the United States, the Soviet Union and other countries.
Sea of Souls is always well-researched. It seems it’s now reminding us of a very unusual condition with distinct supernatural causes. The TV show came to the conclusion that evil spirits were the cause of the case examined.
I don’t know if it is related, but there are many individuals (myself included) who cannot wear a wristwatch for an extended period of time (what an ironic choice of words LOL)
There seems to be some magnetic or electrical force within their bodies that throws off the mechanism in a wristwatch, causing it to stop working properly. Sometimes the total breakdown is proceeded by the watch runing faster or slower than it should.
I’ve taken wristwatches I’ve owned only a few weeks back to the jeweler and requested a battery replacement when it gave up , only to have them replace the battery and say the battery was not at fault, because a new one doesn’t make it run either. I’ll ask what the problem is if not the batery, and they sigh and give me a replacement watch.
For the first two or three times - LOL
Then they say I must be doing something to it, exposing it to undue stress or such, and they can’t continue to replace them.
So I have learned where the public clocks are, check my cell phone, or ask a stranger for the time.
Have you heard of this?
By Marti on February 20th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Yes, Marti, I’m a little bit that way too. Wristwatches never keep time for me. I use my cell phone instead, and that runs slow. If I’m staying in a hotel, I’ll never touch a radiator because my hair stands on end with shock.
It’s electrostatic energy. But high-voltage syndrome is much more severe and worrying.
By John on February 20th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
I just got a new watch which is relatively expensive and it works when it is not on my wrist, when I take it off, it runs fine. Would this fall under HVS or just extra static? How do you gauge what is excessive? I have shocked a cordless phone dead before. It was ringing and when I got about 8 inches from it a spark came from my finger hit the phone and it stopped ringing, it was dead (there were hard wood floors too, no carpet).
By Lisa on September 18th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
If you’re unsure, Lisa, it’s probably a mild case, but it certainly sounds like you’ve got a problem with electric sparks.
By John on September 19th, 2006 at 7:53 am
Dear John/Lisa/Marti..
Firecracker Films is a reputable and award winning documentary production company based in London, England. We regularly make intelligent observational documentaries for National Geographic, SKY, Discovery, the BBC, Channel 4, Five and we are trying to put together a program on people with electrostatic ability or High Voltage Syndrome. I know your posts were over a year ago but if you still look at this site please get back to me with any info you can give me on your day to day lives with this ability, how it affects you and anyone else you know of with the same condition. my email: poppy@firecrackerfilms.com
thank you! Poppy.
By Poppy Edwards on September 13th, 2007 at 5:56 am