Scientific Studies On Psychic Phenomena

This page lists some popular scientific studies you should find interesting. But before we get into all that let's put things into perspective:

Our culture places a lot of value on the nature and number of scientific studies performed on a topic. This is interesting, especially when you consider the fact that the term "science" refers to numerous different studies, all of which can be identified as a belief system.

Even the most accepted concepts of the modern world operate in whole or in part on the basis of faith.

So what do scientific studies really prove other than plausible grounds for belief? In the end reality is largely determined by the end user, or experiencer.

Disclaimer aside here's the science of it...

Parapsychology And Psi Defined

Parapsychology is the formal study of psychic abilities and experiences. There are a growing number of reputable colleges and universities that offer degree programs in this and related fields.

And many institutions that don't offer a specific parapsychology program do offer paranormal studies, either as part of their psychology, physics, or biology program or as stand-alone studies. Further, Ivy league schools like Harvard regularly conduct studies of paranormal events and on the perception/impact of such events.

A key term within the Parapsychology field is Psi (pronounced sigh). This word was invented to help researchers talk about their studies and subjects, and basically refers to a person's "extrasensori communication with their environment".

Psi is actually taken from the Greek root psyche, which references the breath, soul, and mind. Appropriately then, this terms is applied to the essence of the study of "mind powers".

In simplest form, Psi is a measure of "how psychic" an individual might be. In more concrete terms, research indicates the what we call Psi may very well be interaction on a physical level.

Quantum physics studies have shown that everything in our universe - even solid matter - is actually made of energy waves. Studies of quantum mechanics have also revealed the existence of a sub-atomic*, common source for everything in the universe; this source is often called the quantum field.

It seems entirely possible that psychic activity, and therefore psi, is actually taking place on the sub-atomic* physical level.

*Sub-atomic refers to energy existing "below" or within atoms and their particles; in essence the physical world we could perceive as "smaller" even than electrons, protons, etc.

Psychic Research In Laboratories

Institute for Parapsychology

Founded in 1927 as the Rhine Research Center, this pioneer lab is located next to Duke University and is greatly respected by scientists from many fields. The majority of progress within the formal, scientific research of psychic phenomena can be attributed to this institution since they essentially got the ball rolling.

We encourage you to learn more about this fabulous program by visiting their Website here.

Partial Listing Of Other Labs

A complete listing of labs engaged in the study of parapsychology would take up too much of our Web space, but here is a partial list of some of the fine institutions currently working in this important field:

• Boundary Institute - Saratoga, California
• Mind-Matter Unification Project - Cambridge University, UK
• Division Of Psychiatry - University of Virginia
• Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Lab - Princeton University
• Stanford Research Institute International - Menlo Park, California

Additionally, there are numerous labs and colleges in Europe that actively research psychic ability. And U.S. military and paramilitary intelligence communities have taken an active interest in Parapsychology studies since at least the 1950s.

Psychic Research Organizations

Society for Psychical Research

The first group of scientists (that we know of) to formally study psychic abilities and events was the Society for Psychical Research. This group was founded in 1882 and still exists in London.

SPR was formed in the midst of the Spiritualist movement and is said to have been founded with the aim of debunking popular mediums of the day. However the society currently claims to examine "without prejudice or prepossession and in a scientific spirit those faculties of man, real or supposed, which appear to be inexplicable on any generally recognised hypothesis."

The Society for Psychical Research has a vast library of archived studies and articles, and you can access this material online as a member of their organization. To learn more click here to visit their Website.

American Society for Psychical Research

Formed in 1885 and still the largest organization of this nature in the U.S., the American Society for Psychical Research has a library that contains not only their own research, but also relevant material dating as far back as the 1700s. This group tends to be favored among advocates who promote psychic phenomena as mystical or special, while individuals of a more scientific perspective will point out SPR is the more objective and research oriented organization.

According to the ASPR, their archives in New York, NY contain "rare photographs, case records, trance drawings, spirit photographs, automatic writings, original letters, film footage, spontaneous cases, and other material spanning over a hundred years."