E36.2 Enfield Haunting: Poltergeist Activity (Part 2)

Last week we learned of the Enfield Poltergeist case, wherein two preteen sisters, along with their family were tormented by an unwelcome and rather destructive entity. They were investigated, reported on, and plenty of evidence was offered up for proof of the paranormal. Skeptics, however, weren't so quick to buy it. So could the Enfield happenings have been merely schoolgirl antics? Or was there something more frightening afoot? Let's see if we can find out on today's episode of Idiopathic..

Co-Host Info: Dr. Sarah Kashdan is a registered naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist in Fort Collins Colorado. Dr. Kashdan practices a whole-body multisystem approach to healthcare using several modalities such as diet, lifestyle, nutrition, and herbal medicine. Dr. Kashdan also has degrees in environmental health and toxicology and is a certified mold-literate provider. Dr. Kashdan can be found at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine. Her instagram is @coloradonaturedoc⁠⁠

References
1. BBC Radio 4 - The Reunion - What it’s like to meet a poltergeist. BBC. Accessed January 12, 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4GjC93L35KcswfsR13Gvj8F/what-it-s-like-to-meet-a-poltergeist
2. Moser Z. Bill Wilkins: Is The Conjuring 2 Enfield Poltergeist Based On A Real Person? ScreenRant. August 30, 2023. Accessed January 12, 2025. https://screenrant.com/bill-wilkins-conjuring-2-enfield-poltergeist-real-person/
3. Roll WG, Saroka KS, Mulligan BP, et al. Case report: a prototypical experience of “poltergeist” activity, conspicuous quantitative electroencephalographic patterns, and sLORETA profiles - suggestions for intervention. Neurocase. 2012;18(6):527-536. doi:10.1080/13554794.2011.633532
4. Chilling: Photos of the real life incident that inspired Conjuring 2. Behindwoods. June 11, 2016. Accessed January 12, 2025. https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/chilling-photos-of-the-real-life-incident-that-inspired-conjuring-2/index.html
5. Gearhart L, Persinger MA. Geophysical variables and behavior: XXXIII. Onsets of historical and contemporary poltergeist episodes occurred with sudden increases in geomagnetic activity. Percept Mot Skills. 1986;62(2):463-466. doi:10.2466/pms.1986.62.2.463
6. Cummings C, Monti J, Kobayashi L, Potvin J, Williams K, Sullivan F. Ghost Attack: The East Providence Carbon Monoxide Mass Casualty Incident. R I Med J (2013). 2018;101(1):26-27.
7. Photographer reveals theory behind infamous Enfield haunting ‘floating child’ picture. The Independent. October 23, 2023. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/enfield-poltergeist-ghost-photo-proof-b2434267.html
8. Hyde D. The Enfield ‘Poltergeist’: a sceptic speaks. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/01/the-enfield-poltergeist-a-skeptic-speaks. May 1, 2015. Accessed January 12, 2025.
9. The Enfield Haunting. Accessed January 12, 2025. https://www.mailplus.co.uk/tv/finder/drama/390013/the-enfield-haunting
10. The Enfield Poltergeist: Why the unexplained mystery that shocked 1970s Britain continues to disturb. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20231026-the-enfield-poltergeist-why-the-unexplained-mystery-that-shocked-1970s-britain-continues-to-disturb
11. The real story of the Enfield Haunting. The Telegraph. May 3, 2015. Accessed January 12, 2025. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11571607/The-real-story-of-the-Enfield-Haunting.html
12. Dagnall N, Drinkwater KG, O’Keeffe C, et al. Things That Go Bump in the Literature: An Environmental Appraisal of “Haunted Houses.” Front Psychol. 2020;11:1328. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01328
Additional Resources
The Enfield Poltergeist Story – The Dark Histories Podcast: https://www.darkhistories.com/the-enfield-poltergeist-story/
ATWWD: Episode 56: Hell’s Carpet and a McDonald’s Airbnb https://www.youtube.com/