Humans since the dawn of time have created solutions for different problems or situations that may have caused them trouble. Every single human hopes, and because of that hope we can create different thoughts and explanations for the inexplainable. What if we are faced with a problem and we don’t have a clear solution? Oftentimes, we can turn to other sources to try to get to the bottom of a problem when science isn’t enough to explain the unknown. What happens after we die? It is a question that has played the mind of so many people from scientists to religious leaders. What exactly is the explanation? Is it possible for living people to speak to the dead? Are there people selected for this purpose? How can we validate the authenticity of those who claim to be mediums or psychics? Though these nouns can be used interchangeably, mediums and psychics are two very different things. Many times humans will turn to resources that may not have any concrete evidence behind them because they offer a certain sense of comfort and peace. Is there any scientific evidence that proves the truth behind these practices?
By definition a medium is usually known as someone who is a link between the living and the dead. Mediums can oftentimes speak to the other side and convey messages that they may receive. Whenever anyone visits a medium they are usually asked a series of questions which may reveal pertinent information in regards to someone’s personal life. People are often shocked by this practice because they don’t tell the medium anything but yet they may know very personal information. One thing to note is that all mediums are psychic but not all psychics are mediums. A study conducted by Windbridge research center set up a variety of scenarios for control and to test a method to differentiate fraudulent mediums and those who have accurate readings. In an EEG study, evidence indicated that mediums’ experience of communication with the dead is in a mental state that is different from when they fabricate and recall information from previous facts. But since EEGs do not measure facial movements, which is a huge part of a medium reading, it may not be the most accurate tool for determining if mediums can communicate with the dead.
When mediums perform a reading multiple senses are being used; they supposedly feel and taste certain foods that the deceased used to enjoy and they can convey that information to whoever is receiving the reading. At this time the Windbridge scientists are still trying to secure funding to further their research regarding mediums. Scientists would also like to find evidence that human consciousness lives on even after they pass, so that when someone is struggling with grief or the idea of death they can feel more comfortable knowing what exactly may happen. Are usually used in a way to process grief and bring comfort to those who are seeking it. Currently there is not any solid conclusive scientific data that cement the theory of mediums but with further research maybe in the future there will be further evidence to prove the validity of mediums.
You may have heard of people who read fortunes or palms to determine someone’s love life, future or success. Usually people seek out psychics who claim to tell the future. By definition a psychic is someone who claims to use extra sensory perception to identify information that may not be available to normal senses. A psychic may use telepathy, clairvoyance or perform acts that are inexplicable. There have been a lot of controversial studies and research performed regarding psychics and a lot of it has gained good and bad press. Science demands that when an experiment is conducted it should be able to be replicated. In experiments performed by J.B. Rhine, a professor at Duke University, he carried out a series of tests in which he came to the conclusion that psychic powers are real. Rind’s research is extremely controversial because of his very relaxed protocols and the failure to replicate the experiments. In another study, psychics Patricia Putt and Kim Whitton participated in an experiment with five volunteers. In this experiment the psychics were asked to describe the five volunteers and after this, the volunteers would select which characteristics best described them; this essentially was to test their psychic visions, but upon analysis of these results both psychics were not able to score well. The psychics claimed that these experiments do not prove anything. Similarly to mediums, currently there isn’t any concrete evidence that proves the existence of psychic powers.
Mediums and psychics both claim to have powers that are otherworldly. They make broad claims and statements which can help people with something they may be struggling with. When an individual decides to contact a medium or a psychic they should be aware that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that proves for these powers to exist. It is a different, albeit intriguing way to gain insight into matters that cannot be explained by science. Perhaps in the future we will see further research to give us the evidence we need to deem mediums and psychics to be completely legitimate. Until then, we are each trying our best to grasp and understand the world to the best of our abilities.
Purnima Chopra
References:
Loehnen, Elise. “A Research Scientist on What Happens to the Brains of Mediums When They Talk to the Other Side.” Goop, 27 May 2020, goop.com/wellness/spirituality/a-research-scientist-on-what-happens-to-the-brains-of-mediums-when-they-talk-to-the-other-side.
Carroll, Sean. “Thinking About Psychic Powers Helps Us Think About Science.” Wired, 3 June 2017, www.google.com/amp/s/www.wired.com/2016/05/thinking-psychic-powers-helps-us-think-science/amp.
Schultz, Colin. “Laboratory Test Shows Psychics Aren’t Psychic (But Here’s How You Can Pretend To Be).” Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2012, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/laboratory-test-shows-psychics-arent-psychic-but-heres-how-you-can-pretend-to-be-102638661.
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