Human magnetism explained

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 aluminium.^[1] However, none of the recorded claims of human magnetism corresponds with the physics of magnetism.^[2]

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 10kg (20lb) 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. 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.^{[9] [10]}

See also

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Are There Really Magnetic People?. Science-Based Life. March 14, 2012.
2. Magnet man? . https://web.archive.org/web/20071121192512/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1590/is_7_58/ai_81110868 . November 21, 2007 . . December 10, 2001 . October 16, 2007 . . James . Thomas . CNET Networks, Inc..
3. Web site: Most powerful Human Magnet-world record set by Aurel Raileanu. worldrecordacademy.com.
4. Web site: Magnetic Man Attracts 50 Spoons to his Body to Break Guinness Record. ibtimes.com. December 15, 2011.
5. Web site: Is Ivan Stoiljkovic, Croatia's Magnet Boy, A Hoax?. Huffington Post. May 24, 2011.
6. Web site: Meet Liew Thow Lin aka Malaysias Mr. Magnetic Man. Mystery History TV. June 11, 2016. November 14, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160701184719/http://mysteryhistory.tv/meet-liew-thow-lin-aka-malaysias-mr-magnetic-man/. July 1, 2016. dead.
7. Web site: Records Smashing melons and juggling chainsaws: Guinness World Record breakers tell their stories. theguardian.com. September 10, 2015.
8. Web site: May 6, 2016. Magnetic Man: Indian man attracts spoons and nails. 2020-11-13. India Today. en.
9. Web site: Famed Magnetic Boy Is Probably Just Very Sticky. LiveScience. February 25, 2011.
10. Web site: Magnetic Boy: Mystery or Simple Physics?. Discovery. February 24, 2011. November 12, 2013. May 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160525135720/http://news.discovery.com/human/magnetic-boy-mystery-or-simple-physics.htm. dead.