Spooky feelings in old houses may be caused by boiler sounds, study suggests | Psychology

The Invisible Stressor: How Infrasound Shapes Our Experience

For many, the feeling of being watched in a gloomy old manor or the sudden onset of anxiety in a dark basement is attributed to the paranormal. However, emerging research suggests that the “heebie-jeebies” might actually be a biological response to something we cannot even hear: infrasound.

Infrasound consists of remarkably low-frequency sound waves, specifically those below 20 Hertz (Hz). While these frequencies are typically beyond the range of human hearing, our bodies still react to them. A study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience reveals that exposure to these invisible waves can trigger significant physiological changes.

Researchers, including Prof Rodney Schmaltz of MacEwan University, found that volunteers exposed to infrasound experienced a rise in salivary cortisol—a primary marker of stress—and reported feeling more irritable and annoyed. Interestingly, this happened even when the sound was played alongside calming instrumental music.

From Haunted Manors to Modern Offices: Where Infrasound Hides

The sources of these unsettling frequencies are often far more mundane than restless spirits. Infrasound is pervasive in our everyday environments, often emanating from anthropogenic sources that we overlook.

Common culprits include:

• Aging Infrastructure: Vibrating pipes, old boilers and ventilation systems in basements.
• Urban Noise: Heavy traffic and industrial machinery.
• Natural Phenomena: Powerful storms and other atmospheric events.

As we cannot consciously detect the sound, we often struggle to identify the source of our discomfort. In a “haunted” building, a person might attribute a sudden feeling of dread to a ghostly presence, when in reality, they are reacting to the low rumbling of pipes in the walls.

The Psychology of the “Heebie-Jeebies”

infrasound does not typically “create” a ghost out of thin air. Instead, it provides a foundation of bodily discomfort. For someone already primed to believe in the supernatural, this physical stress response acts as “proof” of a haunting.

Prof Schmaltz explains that while a skeptic might simply perceive a building as “stuffy” or “uncomfortable,” a believer may attach a paranormal explanation to that same sensation. This intersection of biological stress and psychological suggestion is what often fuels paranormal reports.

However, science draws a firm line at more extreme claims. Chris French, an emeritus professor of psychology, notes that while infrasound can explain a feeling of unease, it cannot account for poltergeist activity—such as objects flying off shelves. Claims that infrasound causes visual hallucinations by vibrating the eyeballs remain anecdotal and lack evidence from controlled studies.

The Future of Acoustic Wellness and Research

As we uncover more about how low-frequency sounds impact human mood and stress, the focus is shifting toward understanding these effects in real-world settings. The goal is to determine how pervasive “invisible” noise pollution affects our long-term mental well-being.

Future research is expected to expand on the following areas:

• Larger Scale Studies: Moving beyond small volunteer groups to confirm the consistency of cortisol spikes across diverse populations.
• Environmental Mitigation: Identifying how to better insulate buildings against infrasound to reduce unexplained stress and irritability.
• Cognitive Priming: Exploring the deeper link between environmental triggers and the human tendency to believe in pseudoscientific claims.

By bridging the gap between behavioral neuroscience and environmental psychology, we can better understand why certain spaces feel “wrong” and how to create environments that promote calm rather than cortisol.