Ghost stories have been passed down through generations, and reports of strange sightings continue to surface even today. While some people are convinced they have seen a ghost or felt the presence of someone who has died, others never experience anything they would describe as paranormal. The contrast has fueled debate for decades. Scientists may not have a definitive answer on whether ghosts exist, but psychologists say there are several reasons why certain people are more likely to report these experiences than others.According to the New York Post, in her book Science of the Supernatural, psychologist Melissa Maffeo examines why paranormal encounters can feel so real. Maffeo, who teaches psychology at Wake Forest University, does not claim to prove or disprove the existence of ghosts. Instead, she explores how the brain interprets unusual experiences and argues that a combination of environmental influences, neurological processes and personality traits can sometimes lead people to believe they have encountered something supernatural.Environmental factors may shape paranormal experiencesScientists have explored whether environmental factors might help explain why some people report ghostly experiences. One theory focuses on electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which are often measured in locations considered haunted. Research suggests that strong EMFs may affect the brain’s temporal lobe, potentially causing unusual sensations or altered perceptions that some people interpret as supernatural encounters.Another possible influence is infrasound—low-frequency sound waves that humans cannot consciously hear. These vibrations, which can be produced by older buildings and aging infrastructure, have been linked to changes in mood, increased stress and feelings of unease.Experiments combining EMFs and infrasound in controlled settings found that participants sometimes reported sensations such as dizziness, out-of-body experiences or the feeling that someone was nearby. However, these experiences did not consistently correspond with the environmental conditions, and people who already believed in the paranormal were more likely to report unusual sensations.When the brain misinterprets signalsScientists have also examined how the brain may contribute to experiences that people interpret as paranormal. A key area of interest is the temporoparietal junction, a region involved in body awareness and understanding one’s position in space. Disruptions in this part of the brain can create unusual sensations, including the feeling that another person is nearby.Studies have found that altered activity in the temporoparietal junction can lead to experiences such as sensing a presence, feeling detached from the body or perceiving someone mirroring one’s movements. These effects suggest that some ghost-like encounters may arise from changes in how the brain processes sensory information.Sleep paralysis is another well-known explanation. It occurs when a person becomes conscious before the temporary muscle paralysis of REM sleep has ended. During this state, dream imagery can blend with waking awareness, leading to vivid hallucinations and a strong sense of fear. Experts note that sleep paralysis is relatively common and affects many people at least once in their lives.Certain personality traits can make a differenceResearchers have also linked belief in ghosts and paranormal experiences to certain personality traits. One trait that has received particular attention is schizotypy, which is associated with unusual perceptions, magical thinking, unconventional thought patterns and a tendency to find meaning in events that others might interpret differently.People with higher levels of schizotypy are more likely to report experiences such as sensing a presence, feeling detached from their bodies or perceiving things that others do not. These traits may make them more receptive to interpreting unusual sensations as paranormal encounters.Scientists emphasize that schizotypy exists on a spectrum and is not necessarily a sign of a mental health disorder. Instead, it reflects differences in how individuals process information. Researchers suggest that people with higher levels of this trait may have greater difficulty distinguishing between internally generated experiences and external events, making paranormal explanations more likely.Why belief may play an important roleWhile environmental conditions, brain processes and personality traits can each contribute to unusual experiences, Maffeo believes belief itself may help tie these factors together.Someone who already believes in ghosts may experience sleep paralysis, notice an unexplained sensation or react to environmental changes and then interpret those events through a supernatural lens. Another person exposed to the same situation might simply dismiss it as an odd but ordinary experience.Summing up her view, Maffeo wrote: “Belief alone might not create a ghost, but belief combined with at least one haunted factor — environmental stimuli, neurological hiccups or psychological conditions, might be enough to make a ghost real.”Although science has yet to answer the question of whether ghosts truly exist, research continues to suggest that the human mind can create powerful experiences that feel completely real. For psychologists, understanding why some people see ghosts may reveal less about the supernatural and more about the remarkable ways the brain interprets the world around it.