Buzz
This compilation showcases a variety of fascinating and occasionally puzzling experiments aimed at addressing one of humanity's most profound questions: Does life continue after death? While compiling this list, I remained neutral and open-minded. I encourage anyone with additional insights, personal experiences, or evidence that either supports or challenges these experiments to share their thoughts in the comments.
10. EVP Investigations
EVP, or electronic voice phenomena, refers to unexplained occurrences where human-like voices from unidentified sources are detected in recordings, radio static, and other electronic mediums. These voices are typically not audible during recording but become apparent upon playback. While some skeptics argue that these sounds are random and subject to interpretation, others believe they offer a glimpse into the unknown. You can listen to some EVP examples here.
Interesting Fact: The 2005 movie *White Noise*, featuring Michael Keaton, centers entirely on EVP as the protagonist tries to communicate with his late wife.
9. Dead Weight Experiment
Though not its official title, this experiment has a fitting name. In 1907, Dr. Duncan MacDougall of Haverhill, MA, placed six terminally ill patients on a custom-built bed equipped with a scale, measuring their weight as they passed away. The results indicated an average loss of about 3/4 ounces, or 21.3 grams. MacDougall also tested fifteen dogs under similar conditions but observed no weight change, leading him to conclude that humans possess souls with measurable weight, while dogs do not. His findings were published in the *New York Times* and various medical journals.
Interesting Fact: MacDougall’s journal entries, which mentioned difficulties finding dogs dying naturally, raised suspicions that he poisoned dogs for his experiments. Additionally, these experiments inspired the film *21 Grams*, starring Sean Penn.
8. The God Helmet Experiment
The God Helmet is a contentious neurotheology experiment conducted by Michael Persinger. Using a modified snowmobile helmet, magnetic fields are used to stimulate the brain. Persinger asserts that this can replicate near-death experiences, such as visions of bright lights, encounters with God, or seeing deceased loved ones. Richard Dawkins, a well-known atheist and critic of religion, tried the device and later admitted on the BBC that he was disappointed by the lack of any profound spiritual or cosmic connection. Additionally, a person who had previously experienced a near-death event tested the helmet but reported that it did not recreate the same sensations.
Interesting Fact: Persinger states that roughly 80% of participants report sensing a presence in the room, often described as either God or a deceased acquaintance. You can learn more about the God Helmet here.
7. The Philip Experiment
The Philip Experiment was carried out in the early 1970s by The Toronto Society of Psychical Research. The goal was to determine if a fabricated historical figure could materialize through the group's collective focus. They created a character named Philip, complete with a detailed personality, backstory, and even a portrait to enhance his realism. The eight group members memorized Philip's fictional biography and researched the era he was supposedly from. For months, the séances yielded no results until 1973, when Philip began to communicate. Initial contact came through distinct knocks on the table. Over time, the group established a system where one knock meant 'yes' and two knocks meant 'no,' allowing them to engage in coherent conversations with their imagined ghost. Interesting Fact: The experiment ended abruptly when a group member openly declared, 'We only made you up, you know.' Following this denial, all communication with Philip ceased, and he effectively vanished.
6. Ghost Hunters
Ghost Hunters is a reality TV series that premiered in 2004. The show follows a team of investigators as they visit reportedly haunted locations. Using tools like Geiger counters, EMF scanners, infrared and night vision cameras, digital video and audio recorders, and laptops, the team attempts to detect paranormal activity. They claim to have captured compelling evidence, including strange mists, unexplained lights, moving objects, and fleeting shadowy figures on camera.
Interesting Fact: Critics and skeptics of the show argue that it lacks scientific rigor and critical analysis in its investigations, along with concerns about editing and production practices.
5. Harry Houdini’s Secret Code Experiment
Houdini’s expertise in magic enabled him to debunk numerous fraudulent mediums who had deceived many scientists and scholars. Concerned that spiritualists might exploit his legacy by claiming to communicate with him after his death, Houdini devised a secret code for his wife. The code consisted of ten randomly selected words from a letter by Conan Doyle, which he would use to contact her from beyond the grave. After Houdini’s death on October 31, 1926, Rev. Arthur Ford, a friend of Doyle, claimed to have reached both Houdini and his late mother during a séance through his spirit guide. Ford presented the message in the prearranged code, but many believe he conspired with Doyle and manipulated Houdini’s wife, who was ill and reliant on alcohol, to fabricate the communication.
Interesting Fact: For ten years following Houdini’s death, his wife Bess conducted annual séances on Halloween, but Houdini never made an appearance. The photo above shows Harry Houdini with his wife and mother.
4. The Afterlife Experiments
Gary Schwartz, a psychology professor at the University of Arizona, authored a book titled *The Afterlife Experiments* in 2002. In these experiments, he employed mediums and sitters—individuals who had close relationships with deceased individuals—to explore the possibility of life after death. The mediums consistently provided specific details and names about the sitters' departed loved ones, which skeptics struggled to dismiss as fraud, cold reading, or mere chance. For the first sitter, the mediums' accuracy ranged from 77% to 95%, with an average hit rate of 83%. The second sitter yielded similar results. To eliminate the possibility of lucky guesses, Schwartz tested a control group of sixty-eight University of Arizona students, who achieved a hit rate of only 36%.
Interesting Fact: Schwartz asserts that the 83% accuracy rate of the mediums, compared to the 36% rate of the control group, has a statistical probability of occurring by chance of one in ten million.
3. The Scole Experiment
In 1993, four psychic researchers and observers began a series of experiments in the Norfolk village of Scole. Over five years, they conducted more than 500 experiments. During some sessions, objects materialized, lights moved erratically, and solid entities appeared. Luminous spheres also flew around the room in an apparently intelligent manner. The image above was captured on 35mm film still in its lightproof container, with no camera used. Messages were also recorded on audio tapes. These experiments were replicated in the United States, Ireland, and Spain, with participation from scientists at NASA, the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and Stanford University. You can learn more about The Scole Experiment here.
Interesting Fact: James Webster, a professional magician with 40 years of experience investigating paranormal phenomena, concluded: “I found no evidence of fraud, and it seems impossible given the nature of the phenomena and the conditions under which they occurred.”
2. The Reincarnation Experiments
Australian psychologist Peter Ramster produced a documentary in 1983 titled *The Reincarnation Experiments*. During these experiments, he uncovered compelling evidence of past lives. One participant recalled a life during the French Revolution. While under hypnosis, she spoke fluent French without an accent, understood and responded to questions in French, and knew the names of streets that had changed and were only identifiable on old maps.
Interesting Fact: General George S. Patton was a firm believer in reincarnation, often recounting vivid visions of his ancestors and claiming to be the reincarnation of Carthaginian General Hannibal.
1. Sir William Crookes Experiments
Sir William Crookes, an English chemist and physicist who studied at the Royal College of Chemistry in London, is known for inventing the “Crookes Tube,” which paved the way for discoveries like cathode rays, X-rays, and the electron. His interest in spiritualism likely stemmed from the untimely death of his younger brother in 1867 at age 21. In 1870, Crookes asserted that science had a responsibility to investigate spiritualist phenomena. He set strict conditions for mediums: experiments had to occur in his home, with his chosen observers, under his rules, and using his equipment. Among the phenomena he claimed to witness were distant object movements, changes in body weight, levitation, luminous objects, phantom figures, and unexplained writing, all suggesting the involvement of an external intelligence. His 1874 report concluded that these phenomena were unexplained and warranted further study.
Interesting Fact: Most scientists dismissed spiritualism as fraudulent, and Crookes’ final report provoked such outrage in the scientific community that there were discussions about revoking his Fellowship of the Royal Society.
