Werewolves have grabbed our imagination for centuries, weaving through stories long before history was written down. These mythical creatures pop up in ancient texts, like the Epic of Gilgamesh, and in legends from different cultures around the globe.
What sets werewolves apart from other mythical beings, like witches or vampires? Often, those characters suffer through an unwanted condition forced upon them by society. Werewolves, on the other hand, usually recognize themselves as such. Some experience a psychological phenomenon known as clinical lycanthropy, causing them to believe they’ve transformed into a wolf, even if no one else can see this change.
This belief can vary. Many think they’ve morphed into a wolf or similar animal, a myth widespread in areas where real wolves roam. Other cultures may feature different transforming animals, like bears or big cats.
These legends inspire countless books, movies, and TV shows. A modern twist is Universal’s upcoming movie, Wolf Man. Directed by Leigh Whannell, it stars Christopher Abbot as Blake, a man who moves his family to his childhood home after his father goes missing. Soon, they face a terrifying creature—a werewolf—and Blake finds himself caught in a transformation of his own.
Whannell approaches the werewolf myth uniquely, focusing on real human struggles like change and loss. While werewolves aren’t real, the emotions behind their stories certainly are.
Clinical lycanthropy, the belief in one’s transformation into a werewolf, is linked to mental disorders like schizophrenia or depression. People may lose their sense of self, leading to these vivid misidentifications. Cultural beliefs can shape how these delusions manifest. For example, in Ancient Greece, some thought eating a mix of wolf and human meat could trigger transformation. Others believed drinking water touched by a wolf would have a similar effect.
Through history, some warriors wore wolf skins to intimidate their enemies, while others claimed to channel the strength of the animals they emulated during battle. Today, reports of clinical lycanthropy are very rare, with only about 50 cases documented over the past 150 years. In a surprising case from 2020, a 12-year-old boy from France reported a conversion experience, thinking he had become a wolf. Fortunately, treatment helped him recover quickly.
Whether seen as ominous magic, mental health issues, or cultural myths, the fascination with werewolves continues. They represent deep-rooted fears and desires that resonate across time and space.
Don’t miss Wolf Man in theaters January 17, 2025.
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