Top 10 Bizarre Afterlife Experiments

Discover the top 10 bizarre afterlife experiments that challenge our understanding of life beyond death. From the mysterious Scole Experiment to the controversial God Helmet, explore how researchers and psychics have sought to uncover the mysteries of the afterlife through intriguing and sometimes controversial methods.

The Scole Experiment

In 1993, four psychic researchers conducted a series of experiments in Scole, Norfolk, England, over five years. They performed more than 500 experiments where objects materialized, lights danced, and solid beings appeared. Luminous spheres moved around the room intelligently, and messages were recorded on audiotape. The experiments also took place in the United States, Ireland, and Spain, with involvement from NASA, the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and Stanford University.

Interesting Fact: The Scole Experiment is noted for its high level of documented phenomena, including intelligent patterns of luminous spheres and messages captured on tape.

The Reincarnation Experiments

Australian psychologist Peter Ramster’s 1983 documentary, The Reincarnation Experiments, showcased compelling evidence of past lives. One participant spoke fluent French and recalled details from the French Revolution, including names of streets found only on old maps.

Interesting Fact: General George S. Patton, a prominent historical figure, was a staunch believer in reincarnation and claimed to have vivid visions of his ancestors.

Sir William Crookes’s Experiments

 English chemist and physicist Sir William Crookes conducted experiments with spiritualism in the 1870s. He reported observing phenomena like the movement of bodies at a distance, levitation, and the appearance of luminous objects. His findings were controversial and sparked outrage within the scientific community.

Interesting Fact: Crookes’s report on his findings led to discussions about potentially depriving him of his Fellowship of the Royal Society due to its controversial nature.

The Afterlife Experiments

 Gary Schwartz, a psychology professor at the University of Arizona, wrote The Afterlife Experiments in 2002. The study used mediums to investigate life after death, with mediums providing accurate details about deceased loved ones at a rate of 77 to 95 percent, compared to 36 percent from a control group.

Interesting Fact: The statistical probability of the medium’s accuracy compared to the control group was calculated to be one in ten million.

Harry Houdini’s Secret Code Experiment

Harry Houdini, known for exposing fraudulent mediums, left a secret code with his wife to use if he could contact her from beyond. After Houdini’s death, a medium claimed to have used the code, but many believe this may have been a conspiracy involving Houdini’s wife and others to create the illusion of contact.

Interesting Fact: Houdini’s wife held annual séances for ten years after his death, but Houdini never made an appearance.

Ghost Hunters

The reality TV series Ghost Hunters, which debuted in 2004, follows investigators using equipment like Geiger counters, EMF scanners, and night vision cameras to find ghosts. The team claims to have recorded strange phenomena, but critics argue about the lack of scientific methodology and editing in the show’s investigations.

Interesting Fact: Critics question the validity of the show’s findings due to the lack of scientific rigor and the potential for production-related editing.

The Phillip Experiment

Conducted in the early 1970s by the Toronto Society of Psychical Research, the Phillip Experiment aimed to see if a fictitious ghost could manifest through group concentration. The ghost, Phillip, began to communicate through table knocks and had intelligent conversations with the group until they admitted he was fictional.

Interesting Fact: Communication with Phillip ceased immediately after the group admitted he was a creation of their own making.

The God Helmet Experiment

Michael Persinger’s God Helmet experiment involved a modified helmet that stimulates the brain with magnetic fields. The goal was to recreate near-death experiences and sensations of divine presence. While some reported feeling a presence, others, including Richard Dawkins, did not experience any spiritual sensations.

Interesting Fact: Persinger claimed that 80 percent of participants felt a presence beside them, which they described as God or a deceased person.

Dead Weight Experiment

 In 1907, Dr. Duncan MacDougall weighed terminally ill patients at the moment of death and found they lost about 21.3 grams, suggesting the soul has weight. MacDougall also measured dogs and found no weight change, leading him to conclude dogs lack souls.

Interesting Fact: MacDougall’s experiments inspired the film 21 Grams and faced skepticism, including suspicions of unethical practices.

EVP Experiments

 Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) involve capturing voices from unknown sources on recording devices. These voices are heard only during playback and not during recording. Some argue these sounds are interpreted random noise. The 2005 film White Noise explores EVP as a key plot element.