Preparatory Phase (1984 - 1992)

It is possible to divide the history of the Ganzfeld studies in Faculdades Integradas Espírita into 4 phases. The 1st phase, which we could call the preparatory phase, was marked by a theoretical deepening, which was achieved through international trips, study groups and exploratory studies with sensorial privation. At this time, there was no defined structure for the Ganzfeld research. There was, however, the Experimental Parapsychology lab, which also included other research projects, in addition to educational studies. The structure was rather simple and based in one room, with tables and opaque barriers, as well as Zener or ESP card games. There were also two generators of semi-random events. Several studies were conducted, though none were published in any publications or at professional events.

Implementation Phase (1993 - 1996)

The second phase, which we can call the implementation phase, was marked by the creation of the Centre for Ganzfeld Research. A series of trials took place, involving interns and professors in an educational study. A summary of the work and research carried out in this period was presented in the Tercero Encuentro Psi in 1998, in Argentina. In this phase, there was already a physical and technical structure specifically constructed for the usage of the aforementioned technique.

Development phase (1997 - 2002)

The third phase, which we can call the development phase, featured the Ganzfeld Lab at another location and with an improved structure. After receiving the funding from the 1st research scholarship of Fundação Bial of Portugal, new equipment was acquired. Moreover, the physical structure was redesigned to improve the standards of experimental safety. The main change was the distancing of the receiver’s room from the sender’s room. The structure presented below was used in the “Ganzfeld and non-Ganzfeld research: testing the efficiency of the technique itself and in connection with other psi-conducive factors”.

As one can see in the layout above, this structure has 4 rooms, 3 of which are in one building with the other 120 metres away from the first three. Among the first three we have the reception and judgment room (s1), where the subjects are received and the non-Ganzfeld trials are developed. The operation and judgment room (s2) is separated from s1 by a double door. This room contains the equipment for the electronic communication system. Room 2 is separated from the receiver’s room (s3) by a double door covered by cork and acoustic foam, aiming to attenuate any emission of sound that might occur between them. This room is covered with plasterboard, which entails an acoustic decrease of 40 dB. In the room is the bed on which the receiver lies to try to relax and obtain the target information. Next to the headboard there are two red light bulbs (25 and 40 W), 50 cm above the bed. The sender and target’s room (s4) is 120 metres from the other 3, to avoid any type of sensorial leak to the receiver’s rooms. This room also features a double door, two comfortable chairs, a 33” TV and a VCR with speakers, making the activities of emission possible. In it, there is a bookshelf where the videotapes with the research targets are. These tapes are sealed in opaque envelopes. The pictures below better illustrate these rooms and their equipment:

Judgment and reception room (s1)

Judgment and operation room (s2)

Receiver room (s3)

Sender and target room (s4)

Expansion Phase (2003 to present)

This phase is marked by the creation of the Integrated Centre of Experimental Research (ICER), which also includes two other laboratories (DMILS and Micro PK). The necessary equipment for these two labs was included in the Physiological Digital Ganzfeld project, which integrates these types of research projects with the automated Ganzfeld system. Both the ICER and the Digital and Physiological Ganzfeld research, as contemplated with the second research scholarship from the Fundação Bial, required a new, improved physical and technical structure. This area was implemented in a room of around 77 m2, which can be seen below in two different pictures.

In the middle of 2003, the move to this new facility was carried out and restructuring began; this took all of 2004. The picture below to the left shows the team of the Ganzfeld Laboratory working on this room. The picture on the right shows the new receiver’s room being built. A steel and plasterboard structure, with a double covering of glass wool (plasterboard) was used, to attenuate the room acoustically.

The two pictures below and to the left show some details of the construction of this room, which also received a double door with acoustic foam. The sender’s room (to the right), on the other hand, remained the same as in the previous study. Nevertheless, it also received acoustic treatment, with plasterboard and glass wool. The door was moved to the side to allow the placement of the chair in the centre of the room. The following pictures show this room being prepared.

The following pictures show this room (sender’s room) already finished. On the first, the reclining chair can be seen, as well as the projection screen for the target videos and 5.1 surround sound speakers. Above, to the right, the camera can be seen (also in a magnified image) which records entire sessions. The second picture shows the reclining chair, the multimedia projector, which is placed above it, two speakers, a computer and a steel acoustic door, which was implemented to increase the acoustic isolation of the room.

The two following pictures show in better detail the steel acoustic door (inner and outer view), which was acquired from a company specialised in acoustic isolation, called Teoria - Engenharia Acústica Ltda-ME.

Returning to the receiver’s room, to the left we can see the projection screen, 5.1 surround sound speakers and, on the ceiling, very close to the lights, a camera to register the activities in this room. These cameras will be shown in detail below. The image on the right shows the camera, the reclining chair, the multimedia projector above it, speakers attached to the wall, the double door (also shown from the outside in the detailed picture) and, on the right, the computer and the amplifier used in the 5.1 sound system.

We will have two cameras filming the activities of this room. As the picture below shows, these are fixed on the ceiling, right next to the lights. One of them is aimed towards the receiver’s chair and will record his activities and also a part of the door (showing that it will remain closed during the tests). The other camera will be aimed towards the screen and will register the images shown during the tests. This will completely cover the activities of the receiver.

Having already shown the images of the receiver’s and the sender’s rooms, now we can see pictures of the Operation room. The first shows the computers, a keyboard, which was used for the recording of a target and has also served to produce the sound effects of several targets. Next to the ceiling, one can see the camera (also seen on the details on the right), which will record the activities of this room. It is aimed towards the researcher, and also views the room door.

The illustration on the left shows a new angle of the room, highlighting the digital camera used for the filming of the targets, footage that is then captured and edited in the computer. The picture on the right shows another angle of the room, showing files, some books and other materials.

The last room of the ICER, directly connected to this research is the Reception room. Here the subjects are received and prepared for the tests. In the picture on the right, a bookshelf with equipment and videotapes can be seen, as well as a table, a couch and a small refrigerator, where food can be stored for the subjects. Over the refrigerator there is a bottle of mineral water. In the picture on the right, this room can be seen from another angle, showing some couches, a part of the central table and the double door of the receiver’s room.

In the next picture, an ICER meeting is shown. This meeting took place in the same room and included participants from the other labs that form the Centre, such as the DMILS and the Micro PK labs.

The last pictures show the schematics of the rooms of the ICER (receiver’s and sender’s rooms), and the final picture shows a panoramic view of the two ensembles.

ICER – Receiver’s set of rooms, including the Receiver, Reception and Operation rooms. Also shown are the snack area and practice rooms.

ICER – sender set, including his/her room and a general reception room.

ICER – panoramic view of the sender’s and receiver’s rooms.