A Norwegian researcher's determination to disprove the existence of so-called Havana Syndrome may have led to him giving himself brain damage.
According to reports, the unnamed scientist set out in 2024 to build an experimental microwave weapon similar to what may have been used against diplomats and other staffers at the United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba. Things seemed to go awry for him when he began testing the weapon, intending to show it was harmless to humans; instead, he ended up with severe neurological issues similar to – wait for it – sufferers of Havana Syndrome.
Working in strict secrecy, a government scientist in Norway built a machine capable of emitting powerful pulses of microwave energy and, in an effort to prove such devices are harmless to humans, in 2024 tested it on himself. He suffered neurological symptoms similar to those of “Havana syndrome,” the unexplained malady that has struck hundreds of U.S. spies and diplomats around the world.
It's called Havana Syndrome because of the large number of Americans working out of the Havana outpost affected by the phenomenon, dating back to 2016, and it involves a cluster of unexplained, sudden-onset symptoms such as auditory changes, cognitive challenges, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. The U.S. government often calls these cases “Anomalous Health Incidents” (AHIs).
An X account devoted to exposing the truth behind Havana Syndrome summed up the sequence of events leading to the scientist's condition this way:
Let’s focus on the facts...
• A pulsed microwave device was built
• It emitted directed electromagnetic energy
• The scientist experienced neurological effects
• Pentagon and White House officials reportedly visited Norway
• The U.S. government acquired and tested a separate foreign-made pulsed RF system
A government scientist in Norway built a microwave pulse device to challenge the Havana Syndrome theory.
— Mind Nexus (@MindNexusLive) February 15, 2026
He tested it on himself.
He developed neurological symptoms.
The article we're sharing here reports on the incident, and the Washington Post also covered the Norway… pic.twitter.com/QhrwwEsE3i
Officials from the United States reportedly visited Norway after learning of the disastrous effects of the experiment. Although the scientist's symptoms apparently aren't a perfect match for those suffered by the diplomats in Havana – and, later, others in Russia, China, India, Colombia, the U.S. and the U.K. – they seem close enough to have warranted further investigation by the government.
SEE ALSO: Remember That Intelligence Report on Havana Syndrome? Turns Out It Was Bunk
Senate Intelligence Report Criticizes CIA's Mishandling of 'Havana Syndrome' Cases
News of the botched experiment comes on the heels of the news that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has relocated the Cross Functional Team (CFT) that researches Havana Syndrome from the powerful Undersecretary of War for Policy to the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering. The move isn't sitting well with many.
Numerous sources continue to tell the Washington Examiner that they fear this move will weaken the CFT’s support for victims, its analytical independence, and undermine evidence-based efforts that indicate some AHIs are consequences of Russian intelligence service activity. Specifically, the employment of novel pulsed microwave weapons. CBS News reported last week that Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) wrote to Hegseth, warning that this move would damage efforts to support AHI victims.
It's believed that Havana Syndrome is the result of a targeted attack on U.S. officials by a foreign entity using a pulsed energy weapon like the one recreated in Norway. The goal was to quietly inflict brain damage on those officials through the use of pulsing electromagnetic energy.
Exactly which foreign entity might be responsible for the attacks is undetermined, although Russia, which has conducted years of research into direct energy weapons, is a leading suspect. Moscow has denied having any involvement.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use the promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership!
Join the conversation as a VIP Member