Study Links Infrasound to Haunted Feelings and Elevated Stress Levels
A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience suggests that infrasound, sound waves below 20Hz, may cause physical and emotional reactions in humans even when the sound is inaudible. Researchers from MacEwan University found that exposure to low-frequency sounds, such as those generated by ventilation systems or traffic, was linked to increased irritability and higher cortisol levels. The experiment involved 36 participants who listened to music while half were exposed to hidden infrasound at 18Hz. Those exposed reported feeling more irritable and perceived the music as sadder, despite being unable to consciously detect the sound. Professor Rodney Schmaltz noted that these findings could explain why older buildings with vibrating pipes often feel unsettling or haunted. While cortisol helps manage immediate stress, researchers warned that prolonged elevation could negatively impact mental and physical health. However, the authors cautioned that the study's small sample size and limited frequency testing require further research to fully understand the broader effects of infrasound on human behavior and physiology.
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Study Links Infrasound to Haunted Feelings and Elevated Stress Levels
A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience suggests that infrasound, sound waves below 20Hz, may cause physical and emotional reactions in humans even when the sound is inaudible. Researchers from MacEwan University found that exposure to low-frequency sounds, such as those generated by ventilation systems or traffic, was linked to increased irritability and higher cortisol levels. The experiment involved 36 participants who listened to music while half were exposed to hidden infrasound at 18Hz. Those exposed reported feeling more irritable and perceived the music as sadder, despite being unable to consciously detect the sound. Professor Rodney Schmaltz noted that these findings could explain why older buildings with vibrating pipes often feel unsettling or haunted. While cortisol helps manage immediate stress, researchers warned that prolonged elevation could negatively impact mental and physical health. However, the authors cautioned that the study's small sample size and limited frequency testing require further research to fully understand the broader effects of infrasound on human behavior and physiology.
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