Table 2.

Paradigms for “no-effect” loci

1. Does the subject have any reproducible, perhaps subliminal qualium?

Deliver a cue (e.g. the word “now”) at irregular intervals. Deliver stimulation with the cue on 50% of the trials and no stimulation on 50%, selected randomly. Ask the subject to respond (forced choice) after each cue, “Yes, something happened” or “No, nothing happened.” “Yes” responses on significantly more than 50% of the trials indicate that the subject experienced some qualium from the stimulation. As an alternative for language-based responses, the same paradigm could be performed with the subject responding by pressing one button for “Yes” and another for “No.”

2. Can the subject distinguish stimulation at different “no-effect” loci?

If the subject experiences qualia at more than one no-effect locus, then one locus can be labeled “A,” another “B,” etc. Different loci can be stimulated in a randomized sequence at irregular intervals with or without a cue (e.g. “Now”) and the subject asked to respond in each trial (forced choice) with “A” or “B” either verbally or by pressing two different buttons.

3. Repeat testing at “no-effect” loci

If no-effect was obtained at the current locus, but an effect was obtained at the preceding locus, the effect obtained at the preceding locus may have affected the result at the no-effect locus. Consider returning or waiting a sufficient duration and then re-testing the no-effect locus.

4. Multiple “no-effect” loci

Consider stimulating multiple “no-effect” loci either simultaneously or in rapid sequences to determine whether an effect can be evoked.