Why does infrasound make people feel “haunted”?
Infrasound exposure linked to stress-like symptoms
A study on infrasound—very low-frequency sound that people may not consciously perceive—finds physiological and behavioral effects that could help explain reports of eerie or “haunted” experiences.
Participants exposed to infrasound did not necessarily hear it in a normal way, but researchers observed signs consistent with stress. In particular, the study reports higher cortisol levels and increased irritability among those exposed. Those stress markers are relevant because they can plausibly generate distress or heightened sensitivity to surroundings, even when the stimulus is not consciously registered as sound.
The work also connects these findings to the real-world language people use to describe their experiences. “Haunted” accounts are often subjective and may arise from multiple causes, but the study offers a biologically grounded pathway: if infrasound can provoke stress physiology, it may contribute to feelings of fear or unease in some settings.
What the findings suggest
- People may not consciously hear the stimulus. Effects can occur without conscious auditory perception.
- Stress biology appears to change. Cortisol increases indicate activation of stress pathways.
- Mood and irritability may rise. The behavioral response aligns with discomfort.
Why this matters
Infrasound can occur naturally (e.g., weather) and from human-made sources, and it is difficult to measure and study in everyday life. By tying infrasound exposure to measurable stress responses, the research moves the discussion from folklore to testable biology—important for public health questions, building design, and environmental monitoring.
The study’s headline implication is not that infrasound explains every strange experience, but that it can plausibly produce the kind of stress-driven sensations that people sometimes interpret as paranormal.