Do werewolves exist?

Werewolves are the famous heroes who have populated several legends. They exhibit the same animal characteristics as other animals, such as savagery, ferocity, and strong instincts.

The myth of the werewolf dates back to Greek mythology and describes the devastating strength of this evil creature that fed on the flesh of its victims.

The werewolf remains a mysterious and ambiguous enigma, to the point that some people believe this lycanthrope actually exists. But do werewolves really exist ? We'll see what follows.

Lycanthropy : What is it?

Lycanthropy is a term used in ancient times to describe the physical transformation of an animal body with a human soul. It was coined to describe the transformation of the Greek king Lycaon (ruler of Arcadia) into a wolf. This punishment was imposed by Zeus , the supreme Greek god, for serving human flesh at a banquet.

As this phenomenon gained momentum in the 18th century, doctors decided to treat the psychic side of the creature: man-animal, in an effort to propose a more scientific version of the werewolf. Hence the appearance of the word lycanthrope : the combination of the Greek terms: "lykos" for wolf and "anthropos" for man.

The analysis of this physical manifestation varies over the centuries and according to the perceptions of the researchers involved. For scientists, lycanthropy refers to a mental or physical illness, or a psychiatric alteration.

Lycanthropy: A Psychiatric Illness

Lycanthropy has become a well-known illness in psychiatry. So, if you encounter a bloodthirsty man who walks on all fours and howls at the full moon, then you are dealing with a patient who believes he has transformed into a werewolf .

The delusional belief that one is a lycanthrope may stem from a schizophrenic disorder that manifests itself primarily in insomnia and auditory hallucinations that whisper in the patient's ear that he has become a wolf. When faced with a mirror, the patient does not recognize himself and sees a wolf instead. These delusions may also result from intense apnea that disrupts the patient's sleep and prevents him from sleeping peacefully.

Porphyria: an inherited metabolic disease

Porphyria is a rare blood disorder characterized by intermittent symptoms such as chronic stomach pain, pale and bleeding skin, red urine and eyes, and swelling of the upper lip. With these symptoms, the patient may fall victim to hallucinations of werewolves or vampires.

Werewolves: Legend or Reality?

The werewolf is a myth that dates back to antiquity, but it has continued to evolve in a rapidly changing and conflict-ridden world. This explains its survival and development over the centuries.

Each period has its own moral and political peculiarities that create a specific environment for this half-man, half-wolf creature to evolve in. As a result, the werewolf acts as a revealer of the concerns of successive societies.

In France in particular, the werewolf has left its mark for many centuries. So much so that some trials have taken place in the name of the werewolf .

First, this animal man represented the fearsome wild beast in Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. Then, in the Late Middle Ages, he designated the hated devil. In the Middle Ages, people strongly believed in the existence of werewolves, since some legends were based on true stories. Finally, he was considered a mentally ill person in the 18th century.

Indeed, today lycanthropy is scientifically recognized as a symptom of mental illness, connoted with clinical lycanthropy .

The True Werewolf Myth

Tales from the 5th century BC tell of Greeks living along the Black Sea coast who could transform into giant wolves. These lycanthropes transform at full moon into fearsome half-man, half-wolf creatures with large mouths, glowing eyes, and sharp fangs.

The transformation process is agonizing and usually occurs in an undesirable manner. These demonic nocturnal creatures possess supernatural strength that combines the power of both man and wolf . They take advantage of this to devour humans and animals that cross their path. They are predators of fresh flesh and have a preference for children.

As the sun rises, these bloodthirsty people forget all the havoc they have wrought and the victims they have claimed.

🐺 Conclusion 🐺

The development of science fiction and the advancement of technology have dispelled doubts surrounding the enigma and controversy surrounding the werewolf. Scientific analyses of manifestations similar to the phenomenon of lycanthropy explain that they are hallucinations and the effects of psychiatric illnesses. Therefore, apart from disguise and surgical procedures, it is impossible to physically transform into a werewolf.

For more information on werewolves, check out this article: What is a lycanthrope?