What is Your opinon on EMF(Electromagnetic Field) Meters and What are your beliefs of High EMF Readings?

Question

Just a curious paranormal researcher getting the general public's Theories? :) and what is your guys opinon on why ghosts exist how about this one if you can't answer the others what is the most common paranormal activity (Not just ghosts) takes place in a location claimed to be haunted ? Thoughts?

Ryan

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T.H.E. P.R.O.S.

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Answer 1

EMF meters are nonsense, and I say this as a scientist.

A great number of things can produce electromagnetic fields, including human beings, static electricity, house wiring, appliances and their noise, and radio/cell transmissions. Therefore, it is logically fallacious to interpret a field as coming from a ghost, until and unless you can eliminate ALL these sources, which is near impossible, except for someone with a solid theoretical and practical EM experience.

Furthermore, the claim lacks any plausibility a priori. There is no mechanism which has been proposed, by which a ghost could or should produce EMF readings in the first place. No mechanism, and no evidence = not compelling.

Ghosts are not the explanation here. Human psychology is.

Answer 2

High tech tool in the hands of someone who doesn't understand it.

Answer 3

I believe high EMF readings (assuming you're using the meter correctly for its intended purpose) means you are detecting an electromagnetic field.  This usually occurs around cords, wires, outlets or any other source of electromagnetic energy.

From a paranormal perspective, I don't understand why investigators use them.  At best you find an electromagnetic field.  So what does that mean?  It means absolutely nothing.  There is no reason to believe electromagnetic fields have any connection to anything paranormal.  All you have is an theoretical hypothesis that ghosts give off EMFs.  No one has ever offered any evidence in support of this hypothesis.

Why do so many investigators use them?  Gadgets and instruments lend an air of credibility.  It seems more professional (even if it isn't) when someone is reading an instrument, even if that instrument isn't really contributing to the investigation at hand.

Collecting anomalous data or anything that can't be directly attributed to a paranormal cause is just a distraction.  So what if you have a few positive upswings in EMF readings?  What can be deduced from that?  Nothing really.

Use one if you want, but try to remain objective when determining its usefulness.  If it doesn't contribute to the investigation then leave it at home.

Answer 4

Hi,

According to what I've read from various ghost hunter outfits, EMF is often used at least a couple ways: (1) fluctuations in EMF are taken as evidence of ghost activity; and (2) high EMF is chalked up as a possible cause for hallucination. It seems to depend on how credulous the ghost hunting team is, but both concepts are very common if the various ghost hunting websites are any indication.

There is some amount of evidence that (2) is a possibility. Electromagnetic fields have been used to induce hallucinations and changes in mood or feeling. Interestingly enough, EMF has also been used to eliminate hallucinations! (See Yale link).  

As far as (1), I have to agree with AlBro that there is no mechanism supported by scientific theory that would predict fluctuations in EMF due to spirit activity, let alone that spirits even exist. As far as can be determined, EMF detectors are only indicators of EMF and nothing more. So using the EMF in this mode really is a matter of individual belief.

You may not be aware of the this web site, but ASSAP seems to be one of the better pro-paranormal websites out there which doesn't fall into a lot of the pseudoscience traps. Check it out. I certainly don't agree with all of it, but it's far better than most. It does have a lot to say about EMF which I'm sure you'll find interesting. Interestingly enough, they assert that EMF meters are actually a poor tool for detecting the kind of magnetic fields which lead to psychological effects.

Answer 5

Here's why I don't believe in EMF readings. I leave near high voltage power lines. In fact if I go in my backyard with a flourescent bulb it will begin to buzz and glow. I'm sure this isn't healthy for me and I will probably end up glowing in the dark in the future (just kidding I hope) but it has no paranormal effects on people. My house & yard aren't suddenly filled with ghosts because I have a high EMF. Many items in your house regularly emit them too. Maybe they can cause a disturbance as far as noise or light but I don't think it is other worldly.

Answer 6

Very high fields of electromagnetism have been used under controlled conditions in order to create "a sense of presence" that feeling you have someone is in the room with you or looking over your shoulder.

Therefore, in my opinion good paranormal investigators do not use EMF readings in order to correlate with the presence of a ghost but rather to eliminate this as a possible explanation for the reported experiences.

Base readings should always be taken in any investigation (before starting the rest of an investigation or turning off the electricity).

Once again YA debunkers have failed to provide an answer based on science (or even good investigative skills) claiming that Electromagnetic Fields do not have a place in paranormal research (even when experimental evidence shows normal causes for reported experiences) and should be placed incorrectly under psychology.

EMF's are an area of physics and their effects on the brain is properly studied under biology and medicine.

How a person reacts to a normal explanation for an experience they consider paranormal or what meaning they took from their experience are areas of study appropriate for psychology.

The most common activity in reportedly haunted locations is unexplained sounds.

There are numerous theories on why ghost exists (and if they do) as well as numerous theories to explain the human experience of seeing a ghost. Several of these theories explain only one particular type of ghost.

Thus, one would have to be much more specific than just asking why ghost (which also needs a more precise definition) exist.