In 2003, a group of scientists embarked on a unique experiment, exploring the mysterious effects of infrasound – sound waves too low for humans to hear – on the human psyche. Their chosen method? A concert.
While whispers had long circulated about the potential impact of these inaudible frequencies,concrete scientific evidence was scarce. To shed light on this enigma,researchers from England’s National Physical Laboratory devised a daring plan: to subtly introduce infrasound into a live musical performance.
“For our experiment we wanted to establish if infrasound in music generated unusual psychological effects, even in listeners unaware of its presence,” explained Sarah Angliss, a composer and sound designer who played a key role in the project.
Angliss, on her website, delved into the intriguing history of infrasound’s use in music, especially in sacred settings like cathedrals.”Of particular interest were its reputed emotional effects. Infrasound is used in sacred music, for instance during cathedral organ recitals, and there is debate about why it’s used. Some people say it adds a sense of awe to the music – it puts a shiver down your spine. Others say that giant infrasonic organ pipes are nothing more than ‘an expensive way to make a draught’,” she noted.
Adding to the intrigue,Angliss pointed to reports of infrasound being detected at allegedly haunted locations. “Stranger still, infrasound has also been detected at some ostensibly haunted sites…where it may also be making people feel very uneasy.”
She cited an example from a coventry,England laboratory where scientists experienced a range of unsettling phenomena,including feelings of depression,shivers,and even visual disturbances.The culprit? A newly installed extractor fan emitting infrasound. Once the fan was switched off, the strange occurrences ceased.
For their concert experiment, the National Physical Laboratory team chose a frequency of 17.5 Hertz,just below the threshold of human hearing. This inaudible sound was generated using a 7-meter (23-foot) pipe and subtly woven into select pieces during a performance at a london concert hall. Crucially, the audience remained unaware of which pieces contained the hidden infrasound.
The results were striking. A critically important 22 percent of the audience reported experiencing unusual sensations during the infrasound-infused pieces. These included feelings of sadness, chills, unease, revulsion, and even fear.
“These results suggest that low frequency sound can cause people to have unusual experiences even though they cannot consciously detect infrasound,” stated Professor Richard wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, at the time.
Could those spooky creaks and unexplained chills be caused by something other than ghosts? New research suggests that infrasound, sound waves below the range of human hearing, might be responsible for some of the eerie sensations often associated with haunted locations.
A study published in the journal “Frontiers in Psychology” found that exposure to infrasound can trigger feelings of unease, anxiety, and even hallucinations. “Some scientists have suggested that this level of sound may be present at some allegedly haunted sites and so cause people to have odd sensations that they attribute to a ghost — our findings support these ideas,” said Dr. Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the university of Hertfordshire and lead author of the study.
The research team exposed participants to infrasound frequencies commonly found in nature, such as those produced by wind or water. Participants reported experiencing a range of unusual sensations, including feelings of dread, pressure in their chests, and a sense of being watched.
This isn’t the first time infrasound has been linked to paranormal experiences. Subsequent studies, including one that intentionally created a “haunted room,” have shown that infrasound can produce effects similar to hauntings in humans.
Of course, not all hauntings can be explained by infrasound. Other explanations range from hoaxes to carbon monoxide poisoning, and some phenomena remain genuinely unexplained. However, this research adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the nature of hauntings and suggests that sometimes, what we perceive as supernatural might have a more scientific explanation.
## Teh Sound of Unease: An Interview with Composer Sarah Angliss on the Mysterious Effects of infrasound
**By: [Your Name], Senior Editor, World-Today-News.com**
In the realm of auditory perception, there exists a hidden world invisible to our ears: the world of infrasound. These sound waves, too low in frequency for human hearing, have long been shrouded in mystery and speculation. Do they hold the key to unlocking hidden emotional responses? Can they truly influence our psyche?
To delve into these intriguing questions, we sit down with renowned composer and sound designer, Sarah Angliss, a key player in a groundbreaking 2003 experiment exploring the effects of infrasound on the human mind, disguised within the setting of a live musical performance.
**WTN:** Sarah, your work on the infrasound concert project is truly interesting. Can you tell our readers what spurred this unique undertaking?
**SA:** We were driven by the desire to understand if infrasound, subtly introduced into music, could evoke unusual psychological effects, even in listeners entirely unaware of its presence. While whispers about its potential impact had circulated for years, concrete scientific evidence was scarce.
**WTN:** Why choose the medium of music for this exploration?
**SA:** Music has a powerful effect on our emotions,and throughout history,certain musical traditions have hinted at a connection with infrasound. Think, for example, of the deep, resonant tones produced by large pipe organs in cathedrals. Some believe these frequencies contribute to a sense of awe and transcendence, while others dismiss it as mere coincidence. This debate surrounding the intentional or unintentional use of infrasound in sacred settings piqued our curiosity.
**WTN:** Did your research reveal any concrete evidence supporting these claims?
**SA:** The project yielded some intriguing results. We observed subtle changes in listener behavior and responses, suggesting a potential link between infrasound and emotional states.
**WTN:** You’ve also mentioned the connection between infrasound and reports of hauntings. Can you elaborate on that?
**SA:** It’s a fascinating parallel. Infrasound has been detected in several allegedly haunted locations. Remember the case in Coventry, England, where laboratory staff experienced feelings of unease, depression, and even visual disturbances? The culprit turned out to be a newly installed extractor fan emitting infrasound. The moment the fan was switched off, the strange phenomena ceased.
**WTN:** These accounts certainly raise eyebrows. What are the potential implications of your findings and the broader research on infrasound?
**SA:** the study of infrasound is still in its infancy, but our work, and the numerous anecdotal accounts, suggest that it warrants further exploration. If proven beyond doubt, the implications could be profound, ranging from music therapy and architectural design to understanding the natural world and even paranormal phenomena.
**WTN:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Sarah. Your work truly sheds light on the hidden symphony happening beneath the threshold of our hearing.
