health
What's Really Behind 'Haunted' Houses
Heard a ghost in your house? If so, you might want to check your pipes. A new study claims that paranormal activity can be explained by infrasound vibrations in old pipes. Infrasound is a very low-frequency sound that can occur in old buildings. Although people can't usually hear it, even short exposure can alter mood and increase cortisol levels, according to researchers from MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, writes the Daily Mail.
TL;DR
- A new study links paranormal activity to infrasound vibrations, primarily from old pipes and ventilation systems.
- Infrasound, a low-frequency sound undetectable by humans, can alter mood and increase cortisol levels.
- Participants exposed to infrasound showed higher cortisol levels and reported feeling more irritable and less interested.
- Participants were unable to consciously detect infrasound, and their beliefs about its presence did not affect their reactions.
- Researchers suggest infrasound could be the cause of unexplained feelings of unease in old buildings, rather than ghosts.