Viking Berserkers - what's up with that?

Keep in mind that although we associate berserkers only with warriors in a violent frenzy, the phenomena was actually more extensive and not limited to martial feats. Simple farmers and craftspeople could be referred to as berserkers as well, while doing their usual (peaceful) tasks, in some special kind of frenzied or altered state.

That makes me think that the narcotic theory is probably on the right track.

Berseker state of mind is connected with auto hypnotic practices of ancient Aryan nations. This warrior state of mind, when one is extremely quick (it is even very difficult to hit him by arrow) and seems invulnerable is made by strong hypnotic state and auto suggestions. These techniques were used by Aryan warriors in India and than spread to the Europe. Russian hypnotist and martial art instructor Vadim Shlahter developed martial system (described in his book Man - Weapon) based on berserker cold manageable insanity during the fight. We still can find this type of fighting at old Russian martial art tradition (Cossacks) and by using almost ESP techniques. The reason is that during deep hypnosis your subconsciousness accept anything you declare as suggestion as a fact. If say that spoon in your hand is very hot, it can damage his skin or make blister, even if that spoon is cold. The berserker is just state of mind, maybe supported by drugs (bud I don´t think so, drugs can change perception of reality which makes fight more difficult).

Salah ad-Din said:

So anyone have any thoughts on the Viking berserkers - specifically, how they acheived the berserk state of mind? I've heard a large range of theories, including narcotics, religious fanaticism, sexual frustration, demonic possession, etc. Which do you think is most likely?

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I don't even want to know how sexually frustrated you'd have to be to end up going berserk in battle...or what the aftermath would be like.

As a Scandinavian, I would have to say that back then it was probably promoted by extremist nationalism, it prompts many kinds of "berserk" phenomena that happened during battle. What we speak of today, is not uncommon. In that it happens very often, even within our own military.

For example, have you ever heard the story of the woman who picked her car off her baby. The kind of superhuman strength we all possess. What it is, is not supernatural, humans only use 33% of their muscle capacity unless driven to extremes. There are records of it being unlocked by every day human individuals. The price however, for unlocking such power that the human body holds, can be none other than your own life depending on how much of the power you actually you use.

If humans used 100% of their power all the time we would rip our bodies from our bone. Our mind text that we only need to use 30% and thus out us telling it it limits it for us. It does this so that if we are ever injured we may use muscles we don't usually use in place of the ones that are damaged. Continuing on with the battle even though you are brutally injured, maybe one form of berserk or juggernaut.

The warriors we speak of were very motivated and brought closely together by the harshness of their countries. They were brought up fighting just to survive, when you push someone like that, when they are no longer fighting "just" to survive, when they are fighting for that which they love for that which they honor and for that which they live they would have no reason to live if they didn't be invulnerable.

It was not uncommon for them to be Marders. I think we know of some small Arabian countries that are willing to fight tooth and nail to the bidder end. What they do not uncommon the circumstances they face are.

Weren't the zulu warriors of the Boers war also under the influence of a drug? what was the name of that battle in which the zulu warriors massacred a British army unit during the night? I remember seeing a documentary about that battle in which they pointed to a drug as one of the factors for the zulu winning the battle.

Drugs have been used by many cultures in history. In Cuba and parts of South America, people would chew coca leaves, which is where cocaine comes from, while they worked. Chewing the leaves would allow men to work longer and with more vigor, but workers would be gray by the time they turned 30. Some villagers still do this today. It is a question of accelerating the way the brain works.

I recall watching a documentary about some hunters in the Amazon jungle who would extract secretion from a frog and spread it over a small wound they would make. The practice allowed them to run faster and longer.

I believe the narcotic was the key to this state of mind, but it's quite possible that it may have been a brew, which they mixed series of plant or animal substance to produce. Having lived in the east for several years, I've seen Chinese medicine that can accomplish unbelievable things, such as abortions. It's all a question of knowing the combination of roots, leaves and ingredients. Some of these medicines can be very beneficial, but they can also be used in improper ways.

Therefore, if you ever travel or come across something you're not entirely familiar with, DO NOT DRINK IT! I have seen potions that can put people out, after which they are robbed and/or ....., and I have seen potions that can make people halucinate and do things they regret.

Actually, the either ate or drank the broth of a mushroom, that can be found all over Iceland. It is red with some spots on. They are called Berserkjasveppir.

corrocamino said:

If you'll watch an NFL game, you'll see that the Vikings have no monopoly on berserkers.

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NFL? As in the actor/wrestlers? They wouldn't know what to do when the berserker won't follow his script

gislio said:

Actually, the either ate or drank the broth of a mushroom, that can be found all over Iceland. It is red with some spots on. They are called Berserkjasveppir.

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Amanita muscaria , or fly agaric.

As far as drugs, go the only thing I am aware of is the Romans using Mugwort for endurance purposes. Externally applied to the feet according to the wiki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_vulgaris#Middle_ages

In the Middle Ages, mugwort was used as a magical protective herb. Mugwort was used to repel insects, especially moths, from gardens. Mugwort has also been used from ancient times as a remedy against fatigue and to protect travelers against evil spirits and wild animals. Roman soldiers put mugwort in their sandals to protect their feet against fatigue.[6] Mugwort is one of the nine herbs invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm, recorded in the 10th century in the Lacnunga.[7]

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If I had imagine myself in an ancient era, withcraft, herbalism, and such probably would have been popular topics.

Berserkers were probably taking drugs, or some sort of supplement. jmo...