Spontaneous Combustion

          Have you ever heard of spontaneous combustion?  It’s basically when something or someone suddenly bursts into flames.  I’m going to focus on SHC (spontaneous human combustion). 

         The torso and head being extremely burnt characterizes spontaneous human combustion, while the feet and hands may have no burns at all.  In many of the cases the victim’s houses are completely unharmed, and sometimes even their clothes come out unscathed.  So, can people suddenly burst into flames? Scientists say no.

         Scientists have a theory of what SHC really is.  They call it the wick effect.  In the human body there is fat, which happens to be flammable.  When a cigarette, or something along those lines, lights a person, the body fat slowly melts, seeping into the clothes.  Then the fire can keep burning slowly with the fat as the fuel.  That could be why the victims’ items are left intact.

         Honestly, the idea of spontaneous combustion is highly unlikely.  Scientists have plenty of other reasons for the burnt remains. It could have been criminal. Many of the victims were fell asleep with some smoking device.  Some were also thought to be under the influence of alcohol.  Although spontaneous combustion hasn’t been disproven there isn’t that much to prove it either.    

Hypnotism Uncovered

            I’m sure you’ve heard of hypnotism.  You may have seen a show before where a hypnotist makes his volunteers do things they’d never do normally, such as act like a chicken.  Many people wonder how hypnotism works, and why people act like they do when hypnotized.

            Hypnotism is being in a trance like state where you have heightened imagination, are relaxed, and will obey most suggestions.  Although many people think of hypnotism involving a sort of sleep it’s actually very different.  When you are hypnotized you are alert.  It’s closer to daydreaming than sleeping.

            Most people believe that hypnotism is a way that accesses the subconscious mind directly.  Usually, you are only aware of your conscious mind’s thoughts, but all it really does is process the subconscious mind’s thoughts and ideas.  In hypnotism your conscious mind takes a backseat to your subconscious.

            That explains why people are so uninhibited when hypnotized.  The subconscious is the part of the brain that’s in charge of impulses and imagination.  The conscious mind is a filter that acts as the brakes to keep all your thoughts from running wild.  That’s why the hypnotized people will do bizarre things because it seems as if the subconscious is sending the message.  When the hypnotist gives you suggestions you react instantly just like you do to your own thoughts.

            Hypnotism is still a mystery for scientists.  We can’t be completely sure that it does work like that, but it’s the theory that makes the most sense. Hypnotism is an amazing thing, and it could definitely benefit humankind.