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'''Honors Answers'''

'''Honors Answers'''

'''2.''' I chose “What was the cause of apparent possession in the Salem Witch Trials?”

'''2.''' I chose '''“What was the cause of apparent possession in the Salem Witch Trials?”'''

While it is fairly certain that there were no actual demonic possessions, the cause is still debated and unknown.  Some historians believe that the “witches” were simply pretending, out of some psychological motive.  Others, more believably, contend that the cause of the “possessions” was biological or mental.  For example, they suggest convulsive hysteria and sleep paralysis as afflictions that could cause possession-like symptoms.  The “witches” might even have been early hippies: a grain-infecting fungus known as Claviceps purpurea may have caused the “possession” symptoms.  This fungus can cause hallucination and convulsions, and is the substance from which LSD is derived!   

While it is fairly certain that there were no actual demonic possessions, the cause is still debated and unknown.  Some historians believe that the “witches” were simply pretending, out of some psychological motive.  Others, more believably, contend that the cause of the “possessions” was biological or mental.  For example, they suggest convulsive hysteria and sleep paralysis as afflictions that could cause possession-like symptoms.  The “witches” might even have been early hippies: a grain-infecting fungus known as Claviceps purpurea may have caused the “possession” symptoms.  This fungus can cause hallucination and convulsions, and is the substance from which LSD is derived!