By Alec Fernandes
People have long described seeing spectral figures while gazing into mirrors, often under unusual lighting conditions. Researchers have now recreated the experience in a controlled environment, using a centuries-old technique designed to facilitate encounters with the departed. In a study published October 6 in the Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition, a team led by psychologist Christine Simmonds-Moore examined this phenomenon using 30 participants. Half of them reported having synesthesia, a trait in which stimulation of one sense can trigger an experience in another. Researchers also assessed participants' tendencies toward imaginative and creative fantasy.
Each person spent 15 minutes recalling a deceased loved one before entering a specially constructed room. This chamber, known as a psychomanteum, was lined with black velvet and had a reclining chair facing an angled mirror, with a dim light positioned behind the chair. Participants gazed into the looking glass for 45 minutes, reporting any unusual sensations or visual experiences. The results were intriguing: 24 of the 30 participants reported sensing a presence during their session. Some described visual imagery, while others experienced sensations such as touch or the feeling that someone was nearby. One participant even described feeling her deceased loved one stroking her hair. Interestingly, synesthesia wasn't a reliable predictor of ghostly experiences, but those who scored higher in creative fantasy tended to report more vivid and realistic imagery.
The scientists also monitored physiological responses and examined infrared camera footage, looking for unusual environmental patterns. Small, bright specks appeared in the recordings, although investigators couldn't conclusively determine their origin. Experiments suggested that manipulating the mirror could produce similar specks. Researchers also identified an unexpected statistical relationship between the appearance of the specks and random-number-generator output. In response to these eerie results, the team cautioned that the study was small and its unusual findings require further investigation.
Have you had a similar spooky experience while looking in the mirror? Let us know on our Facebook page!