Human magnetism


Human magnetism is a popular name for an alleged ability of some people to attract objects to their skin. People alleged to have such an ability are often called human magnets. Although metal objects are the most popular, some are also alleged to be able to stick other types of materials, such as glass, porcelain, wood or plastic as well as metals with no ferromagnetic properties such as brass and aluminium. However, none of the recorded claims of human magnetism corresponds with the physics of magnetism, indicating that this "ability" is in fact nothing more than a misunderstanding of the physics and meaning of the term and a misapplication of it to what has been shown to be nothing more than unusually sticky skin.

Selected claimed human magnets

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 can't be explained by magnetism and uses a different kind of physical effects. 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 wouldn't be necessary if they possessed magnetic powers. Many scientists and proponents of science, including James Randi, claim that this ability can be explained by friction and is caused by unusually sticky skin; to prove that, Randi has demonstrated that human magnets lose their powers when they are covered in talc.