Paranormal

Paranormal denotes experiences that are outside the norm and beyond scientific explanation. Even so, these events, from supernatural phenomena to extrasensory perception to ghosts, aliens and UFOs, take on a life of their own in pop culture. That’s where Live Science comes in: Our reporters dig into the latest paranormal news to debunk and even explain the science of what's really causing the seemingly supernatural.

Related Topics: Aliens, Religion, Life's Little Mysteries

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Amulets which offer protection against the evil eye hanging on a tree in the Cappadocia region, Nevsehir, Turkey

Evil eye: History of the ancient curse

By Benjamin Radford, Callum McKelvie published

Reference The term evil eye might conjure images of blue symbols, often featured in bracelets or necklaces. However, these are charms, used to ward off an ancient curse

The "flying saucer" captivated the U.K. press in 1957.

Bits of Famous, Lost (and Fake) 'Flying Saucer' Turn Up in British Science Museum

By Rafi Letzter published

The flying saucer's copper bottom was covered in hieroglyphics, very much like the saucer discovered in Roswell, New Mexico.

trump and glowing orb

Trump Meets Orb: 5 Interesting Facts About Crystal Balls

By Tia Ghose published

From their origins with the Druids to their modern manufacture, here are five facts about crystal balls.

UFO Sighting

13 Famous People Who Believe in Aliens

By Denise Chow published

From pop stars to actors to politicians, here are some famous people think E.T. is out there.

Interplay of profile lines of human head on the subject of education, science, technology and graphic design.

Does Your 'Self' Have a Soul?

By Robert Lawrence Kuhn published

abstract image of brain upload

Can Your 'Self' Survive Death?

By Robert Lawrence Kuhn published

Madonna of Bachelor's Grove

Spooky Sites: 7 of the Most Haunted Places in the United States

By Tom Metcalfe published

You don’t need to believe in ghosts to enjoy a ghost story.

Top Ten Unexplained Phenomena

Spooky! Top 10 Unexplained Phenomena

By Live Science Staff published

Science is powerful, but it cannot explain everything. And in the vacuum of facts, some strange ideas develop.

Paranormal Haunting

Science of the Paranormal: Can You Trust Your Own Mind?

By Stephanie Pappas published

A trip through the scientific research into paranormal experiences leads directly to the human brain.

Mongolian Death Worm, folklore

Mongolian Death Worm: Elusive Legend of the Gobi Desert

By Benjamin Radford published

The Mongolian Death Worm is said to be a large creature with spikes and acidic spit.

ufo-like aircraft

'Unexplained Files' Explores UFOs, Moth Men and Alien Diseases

By Tanya Lewis published

UFOs visit a small town in Argentina, a red-eyed winged beast terrorizes a town in West Virginia, and a bizarre disease afflicts people with inexplicable lesions, in a new Science Channel series.

A unseen person's hands hover near a crystal ball

Belief in Precognition Rises When People Feel Helpless

By Lauren Cahoon Roberts published

channeling

Channeling & Spirit Guides: Voices From Within, Not Beyond

By Benjamin Radford published

The wisdom and universal truths that are revealed by channelers are likely generated in the person's mind rather than being received from ancient spirit.

Can Our Bodies Predict the Future?

By Tia Ghose published

Our bodies may be able to predict the future seconds before it happens.

Ghost Hunters Sound Credible with a Little 'Science'

By Megan Gannon published

A sprinkling of shady science can lend undue credibility to paranormal investigators, a study found.

Paranormal beliefs are common among Americans, according to recent polls. Today's GoFigure infographic breaks down the stats.

Americans' Beliefs in Paranormal Phenomena (Infographic)

By Live Science Staff published

Paranormal beliefs are common among Americans, according to recent polls. Today's GoFigure infographic breaks down the stats.

Paranormal Haunting

What's Really Behind Paranormal Experiences (Hint: It's Not Ghosts)

By Stephanie Pappas published

Ghosts aren't real, says psychologist Richard Wiseman, but our brains can trick us into thinking they are.

7 Amazing Superhuman Feats

By Remy Melina published

The stories of superhuman feats seem to be more of an urban legend and leave many people skeptical.

bigfoot

10 Paranormal Videos Debunked

By Live Science Staff published

The public's tendency to fall for hoax videos seems to be (inexplicably) rising. Here are some of the best (worst) examples.

7-year-old Bogdan is apparently magnetic.

Famed Magnetic Boy Is Probably Just Very Sticky

By Natalie Wolchover published

Miraculous cases of bodily magnetism may simply be explained by greasiness.