Human magnetism

Human magnetism is a popular name for the supposed ability of some humans to attract various objects to their skin. People alleged to have such an ability are often called human magnets. Although metal objects are the most prevalent material of attraction, some "human magnets" are also able to stick other types of materials to their skin, such as glass, porcelain, wood or plastic as well as metals with no ferromagnetic properties, such as brass and aluminum.^[1] However, none of the recorded claims of human magnetism corresponds with the physics of magnetism.^[1][2]

A man with a hammer stuck to his skin

Selected claimed human magnets

• Aurel Răileanu from Romania, also known as "Mr. Magnet"; is said to be the strongest human magnet^[3]
• Etibar Elchyev from Georgia, Guinness World Record holder for most spoons on a human body^[4]
• Ivan Stoiljkovic, a boy from Croatia^[5]
• Liew Thow Lin, known as Mr. Magnetic Man^[6]
• Dalibor Jablanović from Serbia, Guinness World Record holder for most spoons on a human face^[7]
• Arun Raikar from India, who could lift 10 kilograms (22 lb) of metal upon his body^[8]
• Agnė Kulitaitė from Lithuania is known to hold metal objects on her forehead or even cheeks.

Explanations

Many of the people who can adhere objects to their body can do so not only with metal but also other materials. That would suggest that the phenomenon cannot be explained by magnetism and uses a *different* kind of physical effect. Since this ability is voluntary, brain scans via fMRI and the High Density EEG (256 recording channels) could show the anatomical regions in the brain, related to producing such an effect. Tracing such nerves "downstream", the biological cellular assemblages enabling human magnetism could be investigated further. This static electricity type of event hints at new discoveries in anatomy and physics. Skeptic Benjamin Radford has used a compass to check the magnetic field of a person that claimed to be a human magnet. He concluded that person did not produce magnetic fields. He also noted that those people usually have smooth and hairless skin and lean back slightly while sticking objects, which would not be necessary if they possessed magnetic powers. Many scientists and proponents of science, including James Randi, have explained this ability by friction and sticky skin; to prove that, Randi has demonstrated that human magnets lose their powers when they are covered in talc.^[1][9][10]

See also

• Animal magnetism
• Biomagnetism
• Magnetoception
• Sherri Tenpenny, who falsely claimed the COVID-19 vaccine turns people into human magnets

References

1. "Are There Really Magnetic People?". Science-Based Life. March 14, 2012.
2. Thomas, James (December 10, 2001). . Science World. CNET Networks, Inc. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2007 – via FindArticles.
3. "Most powerful Human Magnet-world record set by Aurel Raileanu". worldrecordacademy.com.
4. "Magnetic Man Attracts 50 Spoons to his Body to Break Guinness Record". ibtimes.com. December 15, 2011.
5. "Is Ivan Stoiljkovic, Croatia's Magnet Boy, A Hoax?". Huffington Post. May 24, 2011.
6. . Mystery History TV. November 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
7. "Records Smashing melons and juggling chainsaws: Guinness World Record breakers tell their stories". theguardian.com. September 10, 2015.
8. "Magnetic Man: Indian man attracts spoons and nails". India Today. May 6, 2016. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
9. "Famed Magnetic Boy Is Probably Just Very Sticky". LiveScience. February 25, 2011.
10. . Discovery. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2013.