When dealing with the subject of real vampires, there are certain questions which seem to be of primary concern to the average individual. I am often asked these questions myself, and they are the basic ones that I ask when conducting interviews. The answers I offer here are the results of my research to date, and so may change based on future findings.
Below is a list of categories in which I have grouped the questions. Clicking on a category will take you to that list of questions. Once you have reached a list, clicking on an individual question will take you to the related answer. You may also choose to read the entire page by simply scrolling down the page.
Categories
The existance of real vampires
Common Misconceptions concerning vampires.
Medical issues related to real vampirism
The existance of real vampires.
1.Do vampires really exist?
Common misconceptions pertaining to real vampirism
11. Do vampires really drink blood?
12. Do vampires really die if they are exposed to the sun?
13. Are vampires really repelled by garlic?
14. Do religious items such as crucifixes really ward off vampires?
15. Can vampires really change into other animals?
16. Are vampires really immortal?
17. Do vampires really hunt unsuspecting victims?
18. Do vampires really sleep in coffins?
19. Do vampires cast a reflection in mirrors?"
20. Can you reall kill a vampire by driving a stake through it's heart?
Medical issues related to real vampirism
21. Are there any documented cases listing vampirism as a medical disease?
22. Are there any diseases which require the ingesting of blood?
23. Is Pyphoria a form of vampirism?
24. What about other problems commonly associated with vampirism, are they caused by other diseases?
11. Do vampires really drink blood?
Some, but not all, real vampires do drink blood. This does not mean that they drain the bodies of those they drink from. The majority of vampires whom I have met that do admit to drinking blood state that they consume the equivalence of a shotglass full of blood during a single feeding. This amount is not exact as some prefer to drink less, but it does seem to be the maximum amount consumed.
12. Do vampires really die if they are exposed to the sun?
I have never heard of any real vampires who burst into flames or crumbled into dust from exposure to the sun. Some vampires do have a severe sensitivity to sunlight as well as certain forms of artificial light. This sensitivity can cause several different problems for the vampire. First it can cause the individual to be more susceptible to sunburn, sunstroke, and certain other sun related malodies. Second, it often causes the individual to suffer a form of day blindness, similar to snow blindness.
13. Are vampires really repelled by garlic?
Although some vampires prefer not to eat garlic, I have never seen one unable to enter a room because of it's presence. Some vampires suffer digestive problems which are aggravated by the consumption of garlic. Others have a hypersensitivity to flavor or smell, which may cause them to be put off by the strong flavored and highly aromatic herb.
14. Do religious items such as crucifixes really ward off vampires?
Real vampires, the ones I have met, belong to all religious and non-religious denominations. There are Christians and Muslims, atheists and agnostics. Religious items, such as crucifixes and holy water do not repel vampires nor do they cause harm to vampires.
15. Can vampires really change into other animals?
Shapeshifting is a phenomenon discussed in many shamanic religions, and therefore not exclusive to vampirism. Native American folklore speaks of people capable of assuming the shape of animals, thereby connecting with the spirit of that animal. Although I do not claim to be an authority on the subject of shapeshifting, none of the vampires I have met have claimed to have the ability.
16. Are vampires really immortal?
I have met vampires who claim they will have a longer lifespan than normal people. I have also read texts claiming that there are documented cases of vampiric persons who have shown slower aging than normal people. None of this indicates however, that vampires are immortal. Vampires do seem to have a stronger immune system than normal people, but as far as my research has uncovered thus far, they do die.
17. Do vampires really hunt unsuspecting victims?
I have heard of some vampires who do prey on unsuspecting persons, but they are most often psychic vampires whose attacks leave the "victim" with no greater harm than a feeling of exhaustion. Blood drinking vampires have a vast wealth of resources available to them for the aquisition of their needed sustenance. Most whom I have met rely on donors, persons willing to allow the vampire to drink their blood. In addition, there are butcher shops, bloodbanks, and blood merchants.
18. Do vampires really sleep in coffins?
Although I am quite sure that some extremely eccentric vampires may participate in this type of activity, those whom I have met do not. They sleep in normal beds, limited only by their preference of traditional matresses over waterbeds.
19. Do vampires cast a reflection in mirrors?"
As far as I have learned, all vampires do indeed cast a reflection. In fact, I know of one female vampire who spends a great deal of time in front of the mirror, much like any normal female. Vampires also photogragh well, thereby dismissing the theory that they arent able to be seen except headon.
20. Can you really kill a vampire by driving a stake through it's heart?
The answer to this is really an issue of common sense. Think to yourself... "how many living things CAN have a stake (wooden or otherwise) driven through their hearts and still live? With that in mind, rest assured that silver bullets, decapitation, and burning will also effectively dispatch a vampire, just as they would any other living thing.
">21. Are there any documented cases listing vampirism as a medical disease?
Vampirism is often cited as a symptom of both physical and psychological diseases. The cases determine those who show certain attributes, such as an aversion to sunlight as displaying "vampiric" tendencies. They do not consider these persons to be actual vampires however. To the best of my knowledge, there are noactual documented cases of vampirism as a medically accepted form of disease.
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