Infrasound from Household Sources May Explain Haunted House Sensations

A study published April 26 in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience suggests that undetectable infrasound—low-frequency noise below 20 Hz from sources like old pipes, ventilation, and air conditioning—can induce stress and unease, potentially explaining why some people perceive homes as haunted. Researchers led by Rodney Schmaltz of MacEwan University recruited 36 participants (three-fourths women) in summer 2023. Each sat alone for five minutes listening to calming or horror-style sounds; half were also exposed to infrasound at 18 Hz. Those unknowingly exposed reported greater irritability and described music as sadder, and saliva samples showed elevated cortisol levels. Participants could not detect the infrasound, and perception did not affect results. Schmaltz emphasized that infrasound does not cause ghost beliefs but may create unexplainable discomfort. Chris French, a psychologist emeritus at Goldsmiths, University of London, noted that research on infrasound effects is mixed, and while it might explain feelings of haunting, it likely cannot account for poltergeist activity like objects moving. Co-author Kale Scatterty, a neuroscientist at the University of Alberta, called the study a first step toward understanding infrasound's effects on humans. A 2025 YouGov poll found 60% of Americans reported experiencing paranormal activities, and 18% believed they lived in a haunted house.