Elicitation of “Childhood Memories” in Hypnosis-Like Settings is Associated with Complex Partial Epileptic-Like Signs for Women but Not for Men: Implications for the False Memory Syndrome

Abstract

20 male and 20 female undergraduate students were exposed singly for 20 min. to an exotic setting (partial sensory deprivation and weak, bilateral trans-temporal pulsed magnetic fields) that enhances relaxation and exotic experiences. The numerical incidence of subjective experiences described as old memories, dreams, emotions, or vestibular sensations did not differ significantly between the sexes; however, women who reported a greater prevalence of preexperimental complex partial epileptic-like signs were more likely to report experiences of “old memories” ( r = 0.61) while men who exhibited these signs were more likely to report dream-like ( r = 0.49) experiences. Because complex partial epileptic-like signs are positively associated with suggestibility, the potential contribution of this differential gender effect to the etiology of the False Memory Syndrome requires further investigation.