New study links spooky sensations to low-frequency sounds

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Scientists in Canada have published research that suggests the spooky feeling some of us get in certain buildings is linked to low-frequency sound waves that are imperceptible to the human ear. The researchers found that cortisol levels, an indicator of stress, increased in participants’ saliva when listening to infrasound at 18Hz. Subjects also reported feeling higher levels of sadness. Infrasound can come from storms but also household objects such as boilers and old pipes. Ghostly encounters have also been attributed to low-level carbon monoxide poisoning.