Havana Syndrome

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One of the most extraordinary cases in science involves the mating calls of insects, which were misidentified as a "sonic weapon," leading to a significant diplomatic incident. Since August 2017, media attention has focused on the alleged "attack" on diplomats from the American and Canadian Embassies in Cuba. Physicians have described the resulting condition as novel and perplexing, with symptoms including brain damage. However, the authors argue that mass psychogenic illness is the true cause of what has been termed "Havana Syndrome." This enigmatic condition is examined across 11 chapters, featuring insights from a prominent neurologist and a psychogenic illness expert. The narrative is both lively and engaging, delving into historical instances of similar fears, such as the 18th-century belief that certain musical instruments could harm health, 19th-century "telephone shock" cases, and modern anxieties linked to wind turbines. The authors present numerous examples of mass hysteria throughout history, psychosomatic conditions, and even the influence of insects in triggering such outbreaks. This work serves as a scientific detective story and a case study in the social construction of mass psychogenic illness.