Strange Encounters

Many believers in the paranormal think that skeptics are resistant to research in the areas of psychic powers, life after death and other such claims.

Believers seem to be resistant to the facts. One fact constantly overlooked by believers is that there is absolutely NO EVIDENCE to suggest the reality of psychic powers or survival of the "soul" or "spirit" after the physical death of the human body.

Another fact is that studies have been done by researchers in the appropriate scientific disciplines, and the results are sufficient to suggest that no further research is necessary. Phychics produce results no greater than would be expected by chance, so if they aren't performing certain tricks of the trade, psychics are just making lucky guesses.

Near Death Experiences (or NDEs), recounted by some who have been revived after being unconsciouse and close to death, are considered by some to be the most compelling evidence for a life after death. But a study done by Dr. Kevin Nelson at the University of Kentucky indicates that people with near death experiences are likely experiencing symptoms of the REM sleep state, which intrudes into their consciousness during times of life threatening trauma. These experiences can even occur during periods of apparent brain death because the REM sleep state is triggered in the brain stem, which functions virtually independent of higher brain function. You can read that report here.

That's why mainstream science does not spend money researching such things. They've taken a look and are convinced there is not sufficient evidence to justify dedicated research into the paranormal.

Still many interested parties, some with appropriate credentials like neurologiests and psychologists, do spend time researching claims of the paranormal and explaining "mysteries" that many people still hold to be proof of a supernatural world beyond our own. Joe Nickell, James Randi and many other skeptics use the scientific method to examine and explain the paranormal. And so far they have uncovered no great mysteries that hint at a world beyond.

Dr. Steven Novella, an academic clinical neurologist at Yale University School of Medicine, has commented that if there was sufficient evidence supporting claims of paranormal experience, psychologists and physicists would show great interest and rush to study and investigate. But no such evidence exists.

Scientists don't ignore fantastic claims. They take enough of a look to see if reported phenomena deserve their full attention. So far the answer has been no. The paranormal has an incredibly unconvincing track record.