Why do people hunt ghosts, and what does it say about culture, belief, and science?

In this episode of Beyond the Human, we explore the history and culture of ghost hunting, from its roots in 19th-century Spiritualism to today’s high-tech paranormal investigations. We look at how gender, media, and popular culture shape who gets recognized as a ghost hunter — and why investigations led by men are often seen as more “scientific.”

We also dive into the tools and techniques of ghost hunters — EMF meters, EVP recorders, spirit boxes — and how they blur the line between science, pseudoscience, and performance. Along the way, we discuss the difference between investigators and experiencers, the popularity of dark tourism at haunted sites, and how ghost hunting reveals deeper truths about modern belief in the supernatural.

Whether you’re a fan of paranormal TV, a practicing ghost hunter, or just curious about why people chase the dead, this episode offers a critical, anthropological look at one of the most fascinating subcultures in the paranormal world.

Topics discussed in this episode:

(4:40) - What’s in a Name?

(31:03) - Is Ghost Hunting Actually Scientific?

(50:00) - Capturing Evidence of the Paranormal

(1:06:12) - Types of Ghost Hunters

(1:15:03) - Ghost Hunting and the Senses

(1:23:09) - What Do We Think?

Resources for additional research:

Ghost Hunters (streaming on Netflix, HBO Max, and Prime Video)

Waldemar Borgoras EVP

Braithwaite, J. J., Perez-Aquino, k., & Townsend, M. (2004). In search of magnetic anomalies associated with haunt-type experiences: Pulses and patterns in dual time-synchronized measurements. Journal of Parapsychology, 68, 255-288.

Raudive, Konstantins, Joyce Morton, and Nadia Fowler. Breakthrough: An amazing experiment in electronic communication with the dead. Buckinghamshire, UK: Smythe, 1971.

Wiseman, R., Watt, C., Greening, E., Stevens, P., & O'keeffe, C. (2002). An investigation into the alleged haunting of Hampton Court Palace: Psychological variables and magnetic fields. Journal of Parapsychology, 66, 387-408.

Wiseman, R., Watt, C., Stevens, P., Greening, E., & O'Keeffe, C. (2003). An investigation into alleged "hauntings." British Journal of Parapsychology, 94, 195-211.