Infrasound from everyday sources may explain ghostly sensations, study finds

Scientists have long sought empirical explanations for unusual experiences reported in places deemed haunted. For decades, researchers have explored how various environmental factors might influence human perception and create what some interpret as supernatural encounters. Previous studies, for instance, have linked reported phenomena to variances in magnetic fields, humidity, and lighting levels within specific locations.

A recent study published in the journal *Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience* points to infrasound as a key contributing factor. Infrasound comprises sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hertz, placing them outside the range of human hearing but still detectable by the human body.

Sources of infrasound are common: vibrating pipes within buildings, mechanical or climate control systems, distant traffic rumbling, and even wind turbines all generate these low-frequency vibrations. Humans cannot consciously hear infrasound, but prolonged or intense exposure can induce a range of physiological and psychological effects.

In one investigation conducted at Edinburgh’s historically significant Mary King’s Close, 70% of participants reported experiencing unusual sensations. These sensations included suddenly feeling cold, a distinct sense of being watched or touched, or hearing unexplained footsteps, mirroring common ghost narratives.

Furthermore, participants in related investigations consistently reported more odd experiences in specific locations rumored to be haunted. This phenomenon occurred even when individuals were entirely unaware of these local legends, suggesting an unconscious environmental response rather than psychological expectation alone. These reactions align with previous findings that people respond to subtle environmental shifts.

These findings propose that specific environmental factors, particularly infrasound, can induce physiological responses often interpreted as paranormal activity. The brain and body react to these imperceptible vibrations, creating concrete physical sensations that individuals then attempt to explain within their existing frameworks of belief.

Future research will likely focus on precisely how distinct environmental frequencies impact human perception and contribute to these unexplained experiences, moving closer to a comprehensive scientific understanding.