In many cases, the phenomenon of lycanthropy has been closely associated with mental illness. For instance, the cases of Jean Grenier and Roulet previously discussed are emblematic of this link. It is widely believed that the notion of werewolves is a manifestation of deranged minds, and that under certain physical or psychological disruptions, individuals might experience vivid delusions far removed from reality. Ambitious yet lowly individuals may envision themselves as kings, the insatiably greedy but impoverished might dream of discovering vast treasures, and elderly asthmatics might imagine themselves possessing bodies of steel. Similarly, those with inherently cruel dispositions might, under specific mental influences, perceive themselves as ferocious, predatory animals.

The reasons behind such delusions are manifold. Philosophers like Frisius and Burton considered "lycanthropic delusions" as manifestations of profound melancholia. Modern medicine offers a broader spectrum of causes for these hallucinations.

For example, during episodes of fever, the nervous system can become compromised, distorting sensory perceptions. A person might feel their limbs elongating unnaturally or imagine their body covered in fur. Those suffering from typhoid fever often report sensations of their bodies splitting into two, their limbs transforming into fragile materials like glass or porcelain, seemingly shattering at the slightest touch.

Paranoia also frequently leads individuals to believe they have become someone else. They immerse themselves in another persona, adopting their emotions, thoughts, and habits. Their speech patterns, choice of words, and even thought processes may deviate entirely from their usual selves, sometimes resulting in long monologues spoken aloud. The severity of their condition determines the extent of such behavior.

For the uneducated or those with fragile psyches, susceptibility to external influences often makes them more prone to such fantasies. The case of Jean Grenier is a telling example of this vulnerability.

Sorcerers have historically been known to employ artificial means to induce hallucinations. In earlier chapters, we discussed the ointments used by werewolves. Here is an excerpt from The Golden Ass that vividly describes the application of such ointments by witches:

"Fortis passed through a narrow door, motioning for me to follow. Inside, I saw Pamphile undressing, stripping down to her bare skin. From a small cabinet, she retrieved several vials, extracting a peculiar ointment. She rubbed it into her palms and began anointing her body from head to toe. Once every inch of her was covered, she murmured incantations to the nearby oil lamp, as though conversing with it. Finished, she began to wave her arms like wings, as if preparing to fly. Gradually, her mouth elongated into a sharp beak, soft feathers sprouted from her body, and her hands and feet transformed into talons. Before my stunned eyes, Pamphile had become an owl. Spreading her wings wide, she let out a piercing cry before soaring through the window into the night."

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"Staggered by this spectacle, I stood frozen for what felt like an eternity. Finally, I grasped Fortis's hand, begging her to transform me into an owl as well. I swore I would serve her as a devoted slave if she granted me the ability to fly."

"‘Very well,’ she replied, handing me a jar of ointment before disappearing."

"Thrilled, I kissed the jar repeatedly, envisioning myself soaring through the heavens. I hastily stripped and applied the ointment all over my body, flapping my arms in imitation of a bird’s flight. Yet, instead of feathers, my skin sprouted coarse fur; my hands and feet turned into hooves, and a protrusion emerged from my lower spine, elongating until it became a tail. My face elongated into a snout, my mouth grew wider, and my nostrils exhaled in heavy, labored breaths. Before I could comprehend what was happening, I realized I had turned into a donkey!"

The composition of these magical ointments often included hallucinogens, monkshood, dried henbane leaves, belladonna, and opium. Sorcerers mixed these ingredients with fat, sometimes sourced from human corpses, and added bat’s blood and other psychotropic agents.

While the precise mechanisms by which these substances induced hallucinations remain unclear, what is certain is that everyone who applied these ointments believed they had genuinely transformed into beasts. Intriguingly, the forms they assumed often mirrored the animals they most despised in life. Shepherds frequently claimed to have become wolves, while others imagined themselves as various feral creatures. After recovering from these states, many voluntarily confessed their crimes to authorities, pleading for punishment. Despite their confessions, they insisted that their acts were committed in animal form. Witness testimony almost invariably contradicted these claims, identifying the perpetrators as humans, not beasts.

Even more curiously, some individuals would inexplicably present themselves at court, claiming responsibility for crimes that had not occurred. They would vividly recount elaborate, fictitious accounts, complete with intricate details, convincing many of their guilt. Yet, upon investigation, authorities often discovered these events to be purely imaginary. One such instance occurred during the French Revolution.

In 1788, a group of sailors approached a court, confessing to mutiny and the murder of Captain Piggot, a notorious figure. According to their account, they had infiltrated his quarters, restrained him and several officers, and escaped on a small boat. They claimed to have killed Piggot and his officers en route, dumping their bodies into the sea before fleeing to England. Consumed by guilt, they had returned to France, risking execution to atone for their actions.

Upon investigating, the court found that these sailors had never served under Piggot, and their tales of his atrocities were baseless hearsay. Moreover, Piggot had drowned six months prior, making their confessions impossible. Realizing the sailors’ account was a product of shared delusion, the court acquitted them.