Wendigo Psychosis is a disputed medical term describing a syndrome characterized by an intense craving for human flesh and a fear of becoming a cannibal. It is said to occur in individuals living around the Great Lakes region, often during winter isolation.
Initial symptoms include poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting. The individual then develops delusions of being transformed into a Wendigo monster, seeing others as edible while fearing they themselves will become cannibals.
Traditional Native healers often attempted to cure it. If unsuccessful and the person became violent, they were executed. Documented cases date back to the 17th century, with one notable case involving a Cree trapper named Swift Runner who cannibalized his family during a famine.
Reverend J.T. Mann was a Confederate spy during the Civil War who was captured and hanged. He died but was later resuscitated by a Vermont sergeant who believed the wrong man was being executed. Mann later described his experience of dying and coming back to life.
Mann described the sensation as akin to a steam boiler ready to explode, with intense pressure in his veins and a tingling sensation throughout his body. He also mentioned a light breaking in upon his sight and a sweet taste in his mouth before feeling as though he was leaving his body.
Loretta Lyons was brutally murdered in her home in Rockford, Illinois, on June 9, 1966. She was strangled with one of her husband's neckties, and the case remains unsolved.
Despite significant focus on one suspect, there was never enough evidence to charge anyone. The case remains one of Rockford's unsolved crimes, with the torch passed from the original investigator to his son, Deputy Chief Dominic Iasparro.
The Inka Nyamba is a giant serpent with fins on its horse-like head, said to reside in the pool at the bottom of Hawick Falls in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is believed to cause seasonal storms and is only approached by traditional healers.
The Hell House was a home in Logansport, Louisiana, where the family experienced intense paranormal activity after burning an Ouija board. Events included doors opening on their own, objects moving, and physical attacks, leading to the house being burned down by its owners.
Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version. https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate)Info on the next LIVE SCREAM event. https://weirddarkness.com/LiveScream)IN THIS EPISODE: The Wendigo is terrifying enough – with its backstory claiming it is the creation of a person who chose to become a cannibal, and ended up twisting up into the legendary monster. But that’s just it – so far, it’s only just a legend. We have no solid proof of its existence. But even more horrifying than the Wendigo is Wendigo Psychosis – something that is not a legend at all. (Wendigo Psychosis) *** Lauretta Lyons was killed in her own home on June 9th, 1966. And now, so many decades later, authorities are still at a loss as to who committed the murder. (It Was Just An Ordinary Day) *** What does it feel like to die? We obviously won’t know personally until we die ourselves, as it’s hard to talk to someone about their experience of dying if they are… well… dead. But Reverend J.T. Mann can describe it – as he was hanged… died… and then came back to life to tell the story of what happened to his soul while he was gone. (He Was Hanged As a Spy But Came Back to Life) *** We’ll look at a few other legendary creatures and cryptids that have some interesting stories attached to them! (More Mythological Monsters) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Disclaimer and Episode Preview00:01:07.118 = Show Open00:03:37.581 = Wendigo Psychosis00:15:49.938 = More Mythological Monsters00:30:30.709 = It Was Just An Ordinary Day00:38:05.553 = He was Hanged As A Spy, But Came Back To Life00:43:55.281 = Hell House00:56:27.693 = Show Close00:58:30.597 = Bloopers/OuttakesSOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…“Wendigo Psychosis” by Kathy Weiser for Legends of America: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ymvwr3cr)“More Mythological Monsters” by Estelle for ListVerse: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/dd9dy63a)“It Was Just An Ordinary Day” by Kathi Kresol for Haunted Rockford: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ysmfm8ap)“He Was Hanged As a Spy But Came Back To Life” by Robert A. Waters for the website Kidnapping, Murder and Mayhem: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/82vvt58p)“Hell House” by Weirdo family member, Reverend Terry Wheless – submitted directly to WeirdDarkness.comWeird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.= = = = =Originally aired: May 19, 2021CUSTOM LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WendigoPsychosis