Ghosts in 2025: Where Science Meets the Supernatural
The Growing Fascination with the Paranormal
As 2025 unfolds, interest in ghosts and paranormal phenomena continues to captivate millions worldwide. A 2025 Statista study shows that 61% of Americans believe in spirits, and 37% report personal encounters with unexplained phenomena. Meanwhile, nearly half of Canadians believe in at least one paranormal phenomenon, according to a new UBC study exploring ghost sightings, alien encounters and cryptid beliefs across the country. These figures demonstrate that despite living in an increasingly secular and scientific age, belief in the supernatural remains deeply embedded in modern consciousness.
Public interest has translated into tangible trends. Searches for “ghost tours near me” are up 128% from the previous year. This surge reflects growing curiosity about the paranormal, particularly as people seek unique experiences that blend history, mystery, and entertainment.
Scientific Investigations Shed New Light
In recent years, however, a growing body of research has begun to explore the intersection between science and the paranormal. Advances in technology, such as electromagnetic field detectors, infrared cameras, and audio recording equipment, have provided new avenues for investigating reports of ghost sightings. Modern paranormal investigations now resemble scientific field research more than the séances of yesteryear.
Researchers are exploring various explanations for ghostly experiences. Studies have shown that infrasound can induce feelings of anxiety, extreme sorrow, and being watched. These sensations may be misinterpreted as a ghostly presence, especially in locations with a pre-existing reputation for being haunted. Additionally, psychological factors play a significant role—pareidolia, the tendency to perceive familiar patterns in random stimuli, is one such phenomenon. This is why we might see faces in clouds, animals in the stars, or ghostly figures in shadowy corners.
Where Ghosts Are Most Commonly Seen
Geographic data reveals interesting patterns in reported sightings. Wyoming, North Dakota, and Vermont are the spookiest states of 2025, based on ghost sightings per 100K residents and haunted places per 100K residents. Urban centres also report significant activity—the top cities with the highest number of reported ghost sightings are El Paso, TX (197); Austin, TX (115); and Corpus Christi, TX (105).
The Future of Paranormal Research
Looking ahead, the study of ghosts continues to evolve. Modern research increasingly views hauntings as a product of overlapping factors: biology, psychology, and social context. This biopsychosocial approach acknowledges that while some hauntings might have natural explanations, others remain anomalies that challenge scientific understanding. According to Massullo, regardless of their origin, these experiences are real to those who have them and deserve careful study rather than outright dismissal.
Whether ghosts exist as supernatural entities or manifestations of human perception, their cultural significance remains undeniable. As technology advances and researchers apply more rigorous methodologies, the line between paranormal investigation and environmental science continues to blur, promising new insights into one of humanity’s oldest mysteries.