Have you ever felt strange or uneasy in an old building? You are not alone. Many people report feelings of dread in places considered haunted. However, a new study suggests the real cause might be sound. Researchers have found that infrasound could explain many ghostly experiences.
Infrasound consists of sound waves below 20 Hz. Humans cannot consciously hear these frequencies. The study involved 36 university students who listened to music. Hidden speakers played infrasound at about 18 Hz to half of them. Participants could not tell whether the infrasound was present or not. Yet those exposed showed elevated cortisol levels, which indicate stress. They also reported higher irritability and rated the music as sadder.
This research resolves a long debate in the scientific community. Previous studies on infrasound gave inconsistent results over many years. Some linked it to nausea, fatigue, and anxiety. Others found no measurable effects at all. This new study used strict controls and biological markers to prove the effect. It was published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.
Infrasound can come from storms, volcanoes, traffic, and old machinery. Many older buildings have long pipes and ventilation systems that generate it. If people understood this phenomenon, they would likely feel less afraid. The topic is also relevant today because new AI data centers reportedly produce infrasound. Understanding these hidden sounds could change how we think about haunted places.